For me, Tyler Cowan, Sam Harris and Richard hanania have influenced my and way of thinking radically, like I’m a different person completely since being exposed.<p>I often don’t agree with them about specifics, escpially hanania, but that’s not really the point, it’s the style of approaching ideas that struck me.<p>Not always certain the influence is for the best. Most people do not think about the world in this way, in my setting. Sometimes I miss then ease of being very tribal, easily falling in line with another persons simple talking points instead of just quietly nodding or sometimes rarely dissenting.<p>Who has influenced you? Who do you still respect and look up to?
My cantankerous raconteur of a best friend. Excoriating wit, hyper-literate, with deep interests, strong opinions and views, all well-reasoned. A pleasure to spend time with in-person and in-text.<p>Doesn’t suffer bullshit or excuses. Holds me to a high standard. Helped me to discover what I value most, and live those values, right to the top of Maslow’s Pyramid.
RMS (software as a political statement), Jay Sussman (why computer sciences), James Hansen (climate politics), Riccardo Petrella (water cannot be made proprietary)<p>These ideas, expressed by these people, have accompanied me for years.