Jonny Thomson
Big Think
United Kingdom
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Past articles by Jonny:
Stoicism is popular right now, but there are some serious downsides
Stoicism is a big deal right now, but it has some major flaws. Here's why you might want to hold off on becoming a Stoic. → Read More
South African wedding goat and 4 other curious gift-giving traditions from around the world
If you get married in South Africa, don't be surprised if someone shows up to the ceremony dragging along a smelly goat. → Read More
Bonhoeffer’s “theory of stupidity”: We have more to fear from stupid people than evil ones
Bonhoeffer's "theory of stupidity" posits that we have more to fear from stupidity than evil. The latter is easier to defeat than the former. → Read More
How to use "Solomon's paradox" to give yourself good life advice
Most of us are much better at giving advice to others than to ourselves. If we distance ourselves from things, we can make better decisions. → Read More
No, Christmas is not a stolen pagan festival. There are 3 problems with that argument
"The Da Vinci Code" popularized the idea that Christians stole much of their theology. It's wrong, especially regarding Christmas. → Read More
Killer robots and the banality of evil
We accept that some people — like soldiers and cops — have to kill in the line of duty. What's wrong, then, with having killer robots? → Read More
Algocracy would replace politicians with algorithms. Should we try it?
In an age of distrusting of our politicians, computers offer a cheaper, faster, and more efficient model of government: the algocracy. → Read More
5 geopolitical clashes to watch for at the 2022 World Cup
From U.S. vs Iran to England vs Wales, the 2022 World Cup has a few geopolitically fiery fixtures to watch closely. → Read More
As the world goes cashless, how are our spending habits changing?
Non-cash payments have nearly doubled since 2016, and are estimated to double again by 2024. The way we spend money is changing. → Read More
The one thing the 1980s got right: The “Slow Movement” philosophy
Nothing can mature or deepen when it's not given time. The Slow Movement reminds us that the best things in life come to those who wait. → Read More
Like it or not, we are all "doomsday preppers" to some extent
“Prepping” is the phenomenon where people prepare — and possibly even hope — for the end of the world. They are the off-grid survivalists. → Read More
How many times will you see your parents before they die?
Count the number of times that you will see your parents again, and you'll find that there isn't as much "parent time" as you think. → Read More
Would you trust a female mechanic? A look at the subtle prejudice of "epistemic injustice"
We all have an idea of what makes a reputable source or testimony. When that idea hinges on nonrelevant factors, it becomes an injustice. → Read More
Epiphenomenalism: One of philosophy's most disturbing ideas
According to epiphenomenalism, we are like children pretending to drive a car — it can be great fun, but we are really not in charge. → Read More
7 lost idioms of the English language — and what they teach us about who we were
From listening to your mother to avoiding friends carrying bagpipes, forgotten idioms can teach us a lot about who we were. → Read More
The dark wisdom behind Star Trek's "Prime Directive"
Human history is incredibly complicated and unpredictable. How likely is it that any one person, or government, can meaningfully direct it? → Read More
Here's what Aristotle thought it meant to be truly wealthy
Everything in life has a purpose and it's natural to satisfy that. But when it comes to hoarding money, what exactly is the point? → Read More
Talking about money is taboo. You should break it.
Why is talking about money such a taboo? And how do people differ in their approach to discussing all things money? → Read More
The Swedish philosophy of lagom: how “just enough” is all you need
Just because a thing is good doesn't mean that you need more of it. "Lagom" teaches us to appreciate that "just enough" is all we need. → Read More
Do parents really have a moral obligation to their children?
We assume that parents have a duty - an onerous duty - to their children. But what philosophical grounds are there for believing so? → Read More