Physicists have a bias to aspire to be "seers" like Einstein rather than "craftspeople" who do simple and practical research. I have seen that in economics departments. The same must be true to some extent in other departments.

Liberalism downplays certain of our moral senses: loyalty, authority, and sanctity.

Each profession has its own toolkit.

It amazes me how people are often more willing to act based on little or no data than to use data that is a challenge to assemble.

The good news is that, at least in economics, I've seen movement away from its overemphasis on mathematical models of purely rational behavior to a more eclectic and commonsense approach: research that is, among other things, more respectful of insights from psychology.

Life's meaning heavily benefits from lifelong bonds.

Marketers know that if people you respect - perhaps laughably including entertainers and athletes - say they like a product, you're more likely to buy.