Why a “1 in a million” New York Times Connections solution is counterintuitively likely

Why a “1 in a million” New York Times Connections solution is counterintuitively likely

After I solved the New York Times Connections puzzle today, the “Connections Bot” told me that my solution was unique among the last million players. The same thing happened yesterday. How can I repeatedly be getting one-in-a-million solutions? The answer reveals a little about our mistaken intuition about probability. The 10 trillion ways to attempt…

The cockroach

The cockroach

It’s 1981. I’m 22, in graduate school, and haven’t yet had an actual job. I’m seriously dating this girl, let’s call her E. E is important to me for more than romantic reasons. Her stepfather B is a very well-known and respected science-fiction writer. This is a big deal to me, because I hope to…

Forrester’s legacy; burgeoning audiobooks; Boundless greed: Newsletter 4 June 2025
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Forrester’s legacy; burgeoning audiobooks; Boundless greed: Newsletter 4 June 2025

Newsletter 97: Two decades of persistent value from my long analyst gig. Plus, in defense of a dash, hallucinatory “formatting issues,” three people to follow and three books to read. How 20 years at Forrester changed my life I spent 20 years at one company: Forrester. It’s been 10 years since I left. When I…

Humans with skills; AI’s manifest destiny; robotic Melania: Newsletter 28 May 2025
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Humans with skills; AI’s manifest destiny; robotic Melania: Newsletter 28 May 2025

Newsletter 96. Value at the intersection of humanity and excellence. Plus, ludicrous justifications for AI copyright theft, billionaire boosting big beautiful bill, three people to follow and three books to read. The value of humans with skills Career success comes from two qualities. Skills. And humanity. Everyone knows that having skills — like writing ability…

Artificial wisdom; fake reading list; Congress’s librarian sacked: Newsletter 21 May 2025
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Artificial wisdom; fake reading list; Congress’s librarian sacked: Newsletter 21 May 2025

Newsletter 95. How AI could extend the productive careers of millions. Plus recommended fake books to read, nonfiction writing tips from fiction, three people to follow and three books to read. AI: Aging intelligence I’ve gotten pretty used to the way my brain works. Based on decades of historical evidence it’s quick, retains almost everything,…

Do it anyway

Do it anyway

I can still make useful contributions to the world, and I’m not giving up. If it’s worth doing, do it anyway I was used to being able to do almost anything (at least, anything mental) as smartly as possible, more quickly, and more creatively than most people. I am not as good as I used…