Mental Shortcuts: 5 Ways Heuristics Can Lead to Poor Decisions
A reflection on mental shortcuts and how their misapplication can inhibit problem-solving or lead to poor decision-making.
Intelligence Analysis
Posts that feature concepts and techniques used in the professional field of intelligence analysis
OODA Loop: How to Make Fast Decisions in Chaotic Situations
A reflection on the OODA Loop, a decision-making tool designed to improve our situational awareness in high-stakes situations.
Making Recommendations: 5+2 Principles for Decision-Making
An exploration of seven principles on making recommendations and how to avoid the age-old Cassandra problem.
The Intelligence Cycle: How to Process Information Like an Analyst
An exploration of the Intelligence Cycle, a method analysts use to process raw data into actionable insights. Here’s how anyone can use it.
13 Quotes on Uncertainty: How to Cope With the Unknown
A collection of thought-provoking quotes on uncertainty and the numerous ways to deal with what we don’t know.
Black Swan Theory: How to Predict the Unpredictable
An exploration of Black Swan Theory from the perspectives of an intel analyst, a master negotiator and former risk analyst Nassim Taleb.
Deception Detection: How to Anticipate Deceit
A case study featuring the analytical method of Deception Detection applied to Christopher Nolan’s ‘Interstellar’. Can we outsmart Matt Damon?
Strawmanning: How to Use the Fallacy to Your Advantage
A reflection on five ways we can reap the hidden benefits of strawmanning, a fallacy from the world of arguing and debating.
Intuitive Traps: 5 Common But Hidden Barriers to Critical Thinking
A reflection on the top 5 intuitive traps, common but hidden barriers to critical thinking. What are they and how can we overcome them?
How to Do Satellite Image Analysis in 5 Easy Steps
Is the submarine in the front yard just as fake? What about those fighter jets on our dream property? A primer on satellite image analysis.
