A Friendly Interest

Diet

What You're Missing Out on When You Eat at Your Desk

Cody Kommers on February 24, 2020

Food isn't just about nutrition. It also serves an important social function.

Food isn't just about nutrition. It also serves an important social function.

Career

The Eyes in the Back of Your Head Work Pretty Well

Cody Kommers on February 17, 2020

Why we tell ourselves stories about the past.

Why we tell ourselves stories about the past.

Relationships

The Biggest Thing Men Get Wrong About Love

Cody Kommers on February 10, 2020

A look at our default settings and how we should change them.

A look at our default settings and how we should change them.

Health

Why Seeing a Therapist Isn't Always the Right Choice

Cody Kommers on November 14, 2019

Therapy is a strategy for solving a problem, not an end goal in itself.

Therapy is a strategy for solving a problem, not an end goal in itself.

Attention

Stumbling on the Present

Cody Kommers on May 6, 2019

Where do we go when we are not in the here and now?

Where do we go when we are not in the here and now?

Media

How to Choose What to Read: Avoid the News

Cody Kommers on April 29, 2019

The news doesn't tell you what's important, just what sells more news. Part 2 in series on How to Choose What to Read.

The news doesn't tell you what's important, just what sells more news. Part 2 in series on How to Choose What to Read.

Intelligence

What's the Point of Standardized Testing?

Cody Kommers on April 22, 2019

Standardized tests can only identify a student's weaknesses, not their strengths.

Standardized tests can only identify a student's weaknesses, not their strengths.

Memory

Dunbar's Number for Ideas

Cody Kommers on April 15, 2019

What do we know about the limits of our own motivation?

What do we know about the limits of our own motivation?

Anger

When Is Outrage an Appropriate Response?

Cody Kommers on April 8, 2019

Outrage has an upside, but only in certain contexts.

Outrage has an upside, but only in certain contexts.

Relationships

The Violation of Love Languages

Cody Kommers on April 1, 2019

Why our deepest point of connection is also our deepest vulnerability

Why our deepest point of connection is also our deepest vulnerability

Cognition

Some of the Most Insightful Books on Language and the Mind

Cody Kommers on March 25, 2019

These titles represent the twists and turns on the way to what we know now.

These titles represent the twists and turns on the way to what we know now.

Meditation

Why Meditation Worked for Me

Cody Kommers on March 18, 2019

Some notes on engaging with the present.

Some notes on engaging with the present.

Empathy

The Eight Most Influential Theory of Mind Papers of All Time

Cody Kommers on March 11, 2019

These are the best theories on how we think about others.

These are the best theories on how we think about others.

Consumer Behavior

The Second Law of Marketing Is the First Law of Mind

Cody Kommers on March 4, 2019

When is it time to come up with a new category?

When is it time to come up with a new category?

Wisdom

Why Wisdom Doesn't Work as Well as We Think It Does

Cody Kommers on February 25, 2019

Why do we make fewer bad choices as we get older? Hint: It isn't wisdom.

Why do we make fewer bad choices as we get older? Hint: It isn't wisdom.

Attention

How to Choose What to Read

Cody Kommers on December 20, 2018

The first in a series on jealously guarding your reading time.

The first in a series on jealously guarding your reading time.

Leadership

Why Letters of Recommendation Don't Matter

Cody Kommers on December 17, 2018

The biggest mistake you can make in choosing how to use your time? Just doing it for the letter.

The biggest mistake you can make in choosing how to use your time? Just doing it for the letter.

Attention

Why Listening to a Book Is Not the Same as Reading It

Cody Kommers on December 10, 2018

It's better. But only in certain cases.

It's better. But only in certain cases.

Decision-Making

When Should a Conversation End?

Cody Kommers on December 3, 2018

Why people keep talking long after you want them to stop.

Why people keep talking long after you want them to stop.

Play

Mistaking the Highlight Reel for the Game

Cody Kommers on November 26, 2018

Instagram has a problem with statistical sampling.

Instagram has a problem with statistical sampling.