George Washington’s Tragic Medical Treatment: A Lesson in the Dangers of Blind Trust in Experts serves as a warning about economic policy. Washington, the most important patient in the country’s history, was bled to death by well-meaning physicians who were trying to help him. This tragic incident highlights the importance of critical thinking in economic decision-making and avoiding the pitfalls of blindly following experts. The economic parallels to Washington’s bleeding reveal how inflation and misguided policies can harm the economy. It is crucial to consider the role of public perception in economic policy, as majority beliefs can lead to harmful practices. Lessons from history, such as applying the wisdom of George Washington’s mistakes to current economic policies, can help us navigate economic decision-making with caution and critical thinking. Remember, blindly inflating the money supply can bleed the free market to death, and it is essential to avoid this by questioning the prescriptions of those with defective mental models.
Category Archives: History
The story of George Washington’s tragic fate serves as a cautionary tale for well-meaning physicians and the dangers of economic bleeding. Despite being the most important patient in the country, if not in history, George Washington was bled to death by physicians who believed they were helping him. This tragic outcome highlights the dangers of interventions that are well-intentioned but ultimately lead to disastrous consequences. Today, modern healthcare practices must take heed of this lesson and recognize the importance of evidence-based practices in healthcare and economics. Moreover, mental models play a significant role in economic decision-making, and we must ensure that our models are accurate and not defective to avoid similar tragic outcomes. As we revisit George Washington’s legacy, we must learn from his experience and recognize the importance of evidence-based practices in preventing well-meaning interventions from causing more harm than good.
The Maya civilization’s 819-day calendar has been a mystery for centuries, but scientists claim to have finally cracked its ancient code. In a recent study published in Ancient Mesoamerica, anthropologists John Linden and Victoria Bricker revealed that the calendar spans a much larger timeframe than previously thought, covering 20 cycles of 819 days. This discovery matches the synodic periods of all visible planets, including Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. By combining the cycles, the astronomers who created the 819-day count could predict the placement of planets in the sky, providing valuable insights into the astronomical knowledge and practices of the ancient Maya civilization. This demonstrates the advanced understanding the Maya had of the night sky and their use of a sophisticated calendar system to not only track time but also predict planetary positions.