Solutions To Your Problems
All problems can be solved by knowing how. I tell you how.
I figure out your problems and their solutions. I help you learn anything you’d like to learn.
The most important philosophy is about reason: how to think and how to learn. Because reason applies to all topics, I can help with virtually anything (just ask). I have a track record of successfully applying philosophy to solve problems outside of philosophy.
Reason is needed in every field. If you think the wrong way, you’ll make mistakes, no matter how much you study your field. And a specialist who doesn’t know the best methods of learning can easily spend five years learning what could have been learned in one year. Philosophy is the most important field because it’s necessary for every other field. So people should stop paying lip service to “critical thinking” and neglecting philosophy. One consequence is I’ve often used philosophy knowledge to find mistakes in academic papers and specialist books.
As fallible human beings, we all make mistakes. Mistakes cost time and money. Mistakes lead to failures, fights and regrets. And you’re not aware of over half the mistakes you make! Philosophy is the field which covers the topic of mistakes. It’s a huge risk not to use the latest and most advanced knowledge about reducing, identifying and fixing mistakes. But you don’t have to learn all about philosophy yourself. I can apply my expertise to your situation.
You may know that I participate in free, public discussions and I post free writing online because I enjoy it. Paid consulting is different. It means I do only my best work and personalize it for you. And I organize it more than blog posts and discussions. Plus, consulting offers privacy for your personal issues.
Do you have difficulty applying philosophy concepts to your personal problems? Are you stuck in your own unique way? Would you benefit from a different style of help than my normal writing? Is your life passing you by and you need an energetic wakeup call? Do you waste your time and don’t do the things you think you want to do? Personalization can help you. Normally I write for my benefit; you’ll find custom work for your benefit is more helpful.
Your life could be better. I can help. Email me at [email protected]
Who Am I?
I’m Elliot Temple. I love thinking and have sought out and studied great philosophy. I’ve especially studied the philosophy of ideas (epistemology), moral philosophy and liberalism. I have broad interests including economics, science, relationships and education. Thinkers I’ve studied extra extensively include Ayn Rand, Karl Popper, William Godwin, Edmund Burke, Thomas Szasz, Ludwig von Mises, Xenophanes, Ann Coulter, David Horowitz and Richard Feynman.
I learned a great deal from over 5,000 hours of discussions with physicist, philosopher and author David Deutsch. He was the leading Popperian philosopher at the time.
I’ve written over 50,000 discussion contributions. (Watch me write!) I’ve already considered many obscure issues. You’ll be surprised by what I’m familiar with.
Many philosophers try to impress people by writing confusing ideas. I’ve worked to discuss in a clear, simple way. Good ideas make sense. Don’t buy into the myth that some genius philosophers can understand super advanced ideas which are beyond you.
I apply philosophy concepts to learn new things quickly and effectively. Learning things well is what I like to do. I do professional computer programming. I ranked top 10 nationally, and first in California, in scholastic chess tournaments. I’ve been world class at several computer games and my guides have two million views. I have expert knowledge in parenting/education, physics, economics, evolution, psychiatry, social dynamics, relationships, business, politics, and some parts of history.
My Fallible Ideas philosophy offers unique value that isn’t available anywhere else. I think and write fast. I can explain anything in a way that you can understand. I have tons of energy and can always brainstorm plenty of criticisms and ways for you to make progress. Nothing offends me and I have extreme patience. Rates are low (compared to expertise and value) because the world doesn’t want to think (low demand).
Rate
I work in 2-hour time blocks. That lets me produce substantial work in an uninterrupted sitting.
My rate is $400 for a block.
Sometimes I give discounts for projects I like (e.g. working with a child) or big projects. There’s no harm in asking. Or make me an offer if you want to negotiate. I also do fixed bids.
To hire me, email [email protected]
I always appreciate project inquiries. I often point people in the right direction even if we don’t do a paid project. You won’t waste my time.
References
I’ve hired Elliot on several occasions to look into philosophical issues for me. Elliot is not afraid to tell people the truth, rather than what they want to hear or what other people want them to hear. – Josh Jordan, software developer
Elliot’s advice has helped me tons. He’s really good at thinking and arguing. A bargain at any price. He’s like an Ayn Rand Enhanced Edition. – Justin Mallone, philosopher and lawyer
Elliot saved my life and my kids’ lives. – Rami Rustom, business owner
Elliot helped me turn good and get away from evil. And he helped me quit lying. – Lulu Rustom
Elliot has a lot of philosophical knowledge. He is skilled at argument and at problem solving. He is the best person you could go to for philosophy consulting. – Alan Forrester, philosopher and physicist
I hired Elliot to help with some career decisions. I think he understood my problem and situation well, and he delivered a document with relevant suggestions. – Anonymous
Details
I decide whether I want to do a project. I turn down projects contrary to my values, e.g. writing pro-socialism arguments.
I sell solutions, not time. If I spend extra time writing an explanation, you don’t pay extra. Two hours is to give a sense of what to expect from one block of work.
I work with ideas. Writing is the overall best format for dealing with ideas, so I most often write solutions. I can also create videos, slideshow presentations, diagrams, etc.
I work online. I communicate with email, instant messages and calls.
You can tell me what you want. Or I can work with you to figure out what you need.
It works better if you put effort into this. For example, if you send me a long document, organize it with sections and footnotes, and do an editing pass.
Limited Time or Money
Improving your life in a big way will require lots of time or money from you. If you’re busy, I can work around that. Or I can help guide you to make progress on your own time in order to minimize the price. I can also refer you to a great but cheaper philosophy consultant.
If you don’t have much time or money, here’s some free advice: multitask reading audiobooks and text-to-speech books while doing other activities like driving, walking, shopping, cooking, being bored at work or school, exercising, or waiting. Good authors to read are me, Ayn Rand, David Deutsch, Karl Popper or something which fits you. Because books sell to a large audience, you can get hundreds of hours of work from very smart people for a few bucks.
I also run the free Fallible Ideas Discussion Forum.
Difficult Projects
The hardest clients to work with successfully are passive and dishonest people. Passive people say they like a solution or idea, and don’t have any questions or objections, but then don’t act on it. Dishonest people hide their problems and opinions. Most people are passive and dishonest, and also dishonestly believe they aren’t. The degree of the problem varies. I am experienced with these problems and have developed expertise at dealing with them. I can help you figure out what you don’t like about something you’re not doing and figure out how to make it work for you. But in order to succeed, clients must also put effort into taking actions and being honest.
Projects can fail if you refuse to think about it and ignore my advice. If you need it, I can be firm, controlling, and tell you what to do. But I won’t use psychological manipulation to get you to do stuff. I’m not here to “make” you do things. If you want to be manipulated with conventional memes, look elsewhere.
My philosophy knowledge lets me understand some things about you that you don’t know. Some of the insights will be negative. If you’re hostile to finding out about problems, and want to shoot the messenger, that will get in the way of learning and problem solving.
Example Projects
- I answer a question or explain something you don’t understand.
- I help you learn something or learn how to learn.
- You tell me a problem, I figure out a solution and help you use it.
- I ask questions to help you identify your problems and mistakes, then help you fix them.
- I tell you if you’re correct or mistaken about something, including a moral issue, and why.
- I win an argument with you about any disagreement, with as much detail as it takes to satisfy you. I’ll find an important disagreement if you don’t have one in mind.
- I help with big picture life planning so you don’t spend years going in the wrong direction.
- You have an important decision to make, I figure out what you should decide.
- I mediate a conflict you’re having with someone to find a cooperative solution.
- I help you with your emotional problems like fear.
- I help you control your own life instead of being controlled by what other people think.
- I help you read difficult material. I can teach you how to read and understand Popper, Rand, or anything.
- I teach you programming, writing, liberalism, economics, math, science, how social interaction actually works, etc.
- I teach you how to spot the lies and bad reasoning in political or other articles.
- I tell you if a scientific study is correct or not, and why.
- I edit something you’ve written (any topic).
- I review a book, essay, paper, etc, by you or anyone else, and point out ways it’s false. I explain the truth too.
- I write a document for you. Essays, blog posts, fact checks, research, notes, life plans, employee handouts, website marketing, anything. Even videos and other formats.
- I help you choose a career, choose between job offers, or negotiate a higher salary.
- I help complete a work project you’re struggling with (you can take credit).
- I help you understand your school lessons or do your schoolwork for you (you can take credit).
- I advise you on whether to attend university or any other schooling, and which one.
- I advise you on your business. I can help you decide whether to start a business, judge who is a good or bad business partner, help with positioning and pricing, and tell you ways to increase your profit.
- I advise you on an expensive purchase.
- I help you learn to play video games more skillfully.
- I tell you how to help the world more effectively by choosing the right causes and charities (many are counter-productive, and most of the rest are of secondary importance.)
- I explain how social dynamics work. I can guide you to fit in better, be more popular, get dates, get laid, etc. I can also explain downsides of doing it.
- I help you figure out whether or not to date, marry or have children with someone.
- I advise you on whether to have a child, or to have additional children.
- I help you treat your children better and point out important ways you’re currently hurting them.
- I review your interactions with other people (e.g. children, family, friends or coworkers) and point out mistakes, missed opportunities, and how to handle those situations better.
- I help you with diet, overeating, bad habits, "addictions", quitting smoking, quitting drinking, etc.
- I review your activities and point out ways to save time or accomplish another goal.
- I identify the ways you’re sabotaging your own problem solving and learning, and help you fix them. People put more effort into preventing progress than making progress.
- I open your eyes to ways you’re dishonest with yourself and ongoing disasters in your life, and tell you what to do about them.
Hire me for one of these projects! [email protected]
How Do I Know I’m Right?
How do I know capitalism is right and socialism is wrong? How do I know that induction is a mistake, contrary to Bayesian philosophy? How do I know that punishing children isn’t educational?
I’ve done all the usual things. I’ve read about rival ideas. I’ve critically considered my ideas. I’ve researched biases. I’ve asked people to explain why I’m mistaken. I’ve sought out discussions with smart people, critics, experts, etc. That’s not enough. Many people have done that.
What I’ve done differently is put my ideas in public and then address every single criticism from every critic who is willing to discuss. I’ve answered all comers for over 15 years. If any of my ideas are mistaken, either no one knows it, neither of us has managed to find the other, or they aren’t willing to share their knowledge.
My philosophical positions have survived criticism from everyone willing to offer criticism. That’s pretty good! None of the alternative ideas can say that.
Few of the alternatives even pretend to have a public forum for open, critical discussion. When they have a forum at all, the moderators typically block posters who dissent too much.
I know this because I’ve gone and tried every public English language online discussion forum I could find which claimed to offer serious, intellectual discussion. And they all fail to live up to basic standards like allowing pro-Critical-Rationalism or pro-Objectivism ideas to be discussed to a conclusion.
Discussion forums I’ve evaluated include: Less Wrong, Quora, Hacker News, The Harry Binswanger Letter, Gerontology Research Group Forum, Ann Coulter Official Chat, The Well, Physics Forums, Open Oxford, various reddits, various Facebook groups, various email groups, various stack exchanges, various philosophy forums, Objectivist Answers, The Forum for Ayn Rand Fans, Sense of Life Objectivists, Objectivist Living, Rebirth of Reason, and Objectivism Online. I’ve also evaluated blogs and individuals for potential discussion, such as: Mark Cuban, physicist blogger Scott Aaronson, blog Ayn Rand Contra Human Nature, Popperian author Ray Scott Percival, Popperian author Joanna Swann, tech writer Ben Thompson, Objectivist author George H. Smith, author Robert Zubrin, Center for Industrial Progress founder Alex Epstein, and Objectivist author Leonard Peikoff.
When I talk with people who disagree with me, I routinely ask them certain questions: Are they willing to discuss the issue to a conclusion? Do they consider themselves a serious thinker who has studied the matter and knows what he’s talking about? Do they know any serious intellectual who agrees with them and will discuss it to a conclusion? Do they know of any high quality discussion forum with smart people who would be willing to discuss it? Do they know of any forum where I can go ask challenging questions about their position and get answers? The answers to my questions are predictable: “no” or silence.
This is the clearest difference between me and my rivals. My ideas are open to public criticism supported by a discussion forum which allows free speech. I pursue discussions to a conclusion to actually resolve issues. And I think even a single flaw must be addressed or it refutes an idea. I don’t ignore some problems with my ideas and claim problems are "outweighed" by some merit.
Impressed? Skeptical? Tell me: [email protected]
A Couple Things I Wrote
I invented Paths Forward
I discussed with Harry Binswanger, the second most prominent living Objectivist philosopher.
I discussed with Aubrey de Grey, the leader of Strategies for Engineered Negligible Senescence, the most promising approach to large life extension.
I point out scholarship errors
List of my blog posts
Hire me: [email protected]
Return to the Fallible Ideas home page with essays.