Stephen Malina

Ideas not mattering is a psyop

A counterargument to the conventional wisdom that 'execution matters, not ideas,' exploring why good ideas are essential, difficult to generate, and critical for successful execution.

Three observations from a surprisingly emotionally evocative winter walk

I just went on a short nighttime mid-snow storm walk and it unexpectedly provoked three separate observations along with a desire to capture …

Book Review - The Art of Learning

This is a review of The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence by Joshua Waitzkin.

I’m sort of surprised how much I …

My favorite random internet writing - A tier list

As someone who has and continues to derive tremendous value from writing on the internet, I’ve recently felt an urge to share some of …

2021 Predictions

For the past two years, my friends have had a tradition of making predictions and scoring them at the end of the year. This year, I decided …

My Maniac Week - A Review

A review of my 'maniac week' experiment working 11+ hours daily while avoiding distractions.

Upcoming Maniac Week

A detailed plan for a 6-day 'maniac week' experiment working 11+ hours daily, including goals, rules, tracking methods, and strategies to maintain focus while minimizing distractions.

Becoming a more playful, deeper thinker

Reflecting on playful and deep thinking and whether I need more of it.

Course Review - Causal Inference

A review of Professor Elias Bareinboim's causal inference course, highlighting key concepts like structural causal models, identifiability, and the algorithmic approach to causality through examples and counterexamples.

Digital Reduction Experiment

A personal experiment to dramatically reduce internet engagement through app-enforced blocks and accountability measures, inspired by Cal Newport's Digital Minimalism philosophy.