Critical Thinking | The Mind Collection | How to Think for Yourself

Dead Horse Theory: How to Resurrect a Failed Project

A reflection on the Dead Horse Theory, a classic management enigma that can only be solved with more ancient horse wisdom.

A reflection on the powerful decision-making strategy of via negativa and what it has in common with exploding whales and inner daemons.

A reflection on five useful decision-making heuristics, mental shortcuts designed to solve problems fast and make thinking more efficient.

A reflection on the peculiar phenomenon of Cargo Cults, a belief that things of value can be obtained through mere mimicry.

An exploration of the power of good questions and five ways to ask them. From Story-eliciting Questions to the Columbo Method.

A reflection on Cobra Effects and how fateful interventions and perverse incentives can lead to unintended negative consequences.

Explore a selection of my reading list with insightful books on critical thinking, decision-making, philosophy, storytelling and more.

An exploration of the Law of Unintended Consequences, an adage about undesirable or unexpected side-effects of our life’s decisions.

A deep dive into Premortem Analysis, a technique designed to foresee spectacular failures before they happen.

A collection of fascinating books on intelligence analysis, a field with a surprisingly rich literature about critical thinking.

A reflection on Atwood’s Duck, a cunning manoeuvre to keep a manager from making unnecessary changes to a project. But it’s not without risk.

A guide on how to get better at writing. Learn how to balance the contradictory demands of making good writing seem effortless.

A collection of some of the most insightful books on critical thinking. How can we improve the quality of our reasoning?

An exploration of the Four Stages of Competence, a learning model that details how we progress from mindless ignorance to effortless mastery.

A collection of informal fallacies, argumentative errors that put appearance over substance. Know thy true Scotsman and avoid the Pooh-Pooh.