The more you realize that most judgements are greatly influenced by random, extraneous factors—that most people judging you are more like a fickle no… - Paul Graham

Could civil liberties really be a cause, rather than just an effect? I think so. I think a society in which people can do and say what they want will also tend to be one in which the most efficient so- lutions win, rather than those sponsored by the most influential people. Authoritarian countries become corrupt; corrupt countries become poor; and poor countries are weak.

Most people don't realize that the word "dated" doesn't mean old-fashioned. Something can be both dated and also perfectly aligned with current fashions. Indeed, it's almost certain that something perfectly aligned with current fashions is also dated.

You never need to describe something as a "bad take." If it's false or irrelevant or omits something important, you can just say so. And if it's true, relevant, and complete, it's not a bad take.