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SamoBurja's profile
Samo Burja
Samo Burja
Samo Burja
@SamoBurja

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Samo Burja

@SamoBurja

There has never been an immortal society. Figuring out why. Founder of Bismarck Analysis. Bylines in @TheNatlInterest @palladiummag.

San Francisco, CA
samoburja.com
Joined January 2018

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    1. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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      All my published writing so far build on itself and ties together important concepts I use in my thinking on any given topic. But I've realized I haven't explained how. So let's go through it together! 📚🚀😄 [Thread] 1/25

      3 replies 17 retweets 70 likes
      Show this thread
      Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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      Samo Burja Retweeted Samo Burja

      Back in February 2018 my first post was an attempted to explain how regardless of @elonmusk's motives, he was performing an important public service by launching his Tesla Roadster away from Earth at 12,908 km/h. [Thread] 2/25https://twitter.com/SamoBurja/status/964995897838002177 …

      Samo Burja added,

      Samo Burja @SamoBurja
      I just published “How Elon Musk is making engineers cool again” https://medium.com/p/how-elon-musk-is-making-engineers-cool-again-848ea6d3a2f8 …
      Show this thread
      9:04 AM - 28 Jun 2019 from Republic of Slovenia
      • 3 Retweets
      • 7 Likes
      • Mick Bee 🦋PsyXe🦋 Ali Robertson Natalia Dashan Nimayi Gary Basin 🤳 moa Novid "Sekiro" Houellebecq (Hollaback)
      1 reply 3 retweets 7 likes
        1. New conversation
        2. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Samo Burja Retweeted Samo Burja

          The Elon piece pulled on many strands of thought close to my heart. To do these justice I had to explain my thesis of founders being central to origin of institutions. When writing a theory of history, first explain why we should care! [Thread] 3/25https://twitter.com/SamoBurja/status/967179949609234433 …

          Samo Burja added,

          Samo Burja @SamoBurja
          I just published “On Building Theories of History” https://medium.com/p/on-building-theories-of-history-36ed1999216e …
          Show this thread
          1 reply 0 retweets 1 like
          Show this thread
        3. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Having established how important correct our theories of history are for motivating our actions, I then set out to lay out prerequisites for understanding mine. [Thread] 4/25

          1 reply 0 retweets 0 likes
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        4. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          I introduced an explanation of how seemingly natural features of our environment such as culture, institutions, law are artificial. Nihilism doesn't follow from this, rather it implies there is a use and reason behind these constructs. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/social-technology-84c0372fe25b … [Thread] 5/25

          1 reply 0 retweets 4 likes
          Show this thread
        5. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          The intent behind social constructs isn't necessarily transparent. Nor is understanding of principles behind them automatically passed down. The transmission of knowledge itself requires institutions. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/on-the-loss-and-preservation-of-knowledge-66e4a6b4d27d … [Thread] 6/25

          1 reply 0 retweets 3 likes
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        6. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Having established possessing the knowledge to reshape social technology wasn't automatic, it became possible to explain the distinction between Live vs. Dead Players. 💀🗣️ The post went viral 8 months later. ⚡️ https://medium.com/@samo.burja/live-versus-dead-players-2b24f6e9eae2 … [Thread] 7/25

          1 reply 1 retweet 7 likes
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        7. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Understanding the principles behind social technology is insufficient. What is required is assembling a base of power that allows you to build. It is important to grasp borrowed power doesn't allow one to implement new social technology. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/borrowed-versus-owned-power-a8334fbad1cd … [Thread] 8/25

          1 reply 2 retweets 2 likes
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        8. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          "As soon as you gain power you’ll find yourself surrounded by others doing the same. Suddenly, you’re competing for power. By studying the competitors and the nature of the competition, it becomes possible to craft a winning strategy." https://medium.com/@samo.burja/competition-for-power-8da516d0b2b3 … [Thread] 9/25

          1 reply 1 retweet 3 likes
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        9. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Given that competencies, governments, and ideologies are constructed, it shouldn't come as a surprise that they can fail. In this essay I explain why we usually don't have foresight on institutional failure. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/institutional-failure-as-surprise-55c0b52a7930 … [Thread] 10/25

          1 reply 1 retweet 3 likes
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        10. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Building on the basic distinctions presented in earlier essays I move to a more systematic theory of the competitive landscape in Part 1 of Empire Theory. (And of course I sneak in a reference to Elon) https://medium.com/@samo.burja/empire-theory-part-1-competitive-landscape-b0b1b3bbce9e … [Thread] 11/25

          1 reply 0 retweets 1 like
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        11. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          In Part 2 of Empire Theory I dig into many cases of how the dynamics of power play themselves out, always reflecting underlying patterns in the competitive landscape. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/empire-theory-part-ii-power-dynamics-864b9eef4200 … [Thread] 12/25

          1 reply 1 retweet 0 likes
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        12. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          A crucial categorization for gauge healthy from decaying institutions follows naturally from Empire Theory. [Thread] 13/25pic.twitter.com/qpSofIgRl0

          1 reply 1 retweet 0 likes
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        13. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Functional institutions are much more productive than usually acknowledged, because they subsidize less functioning organizations. The origin of functional institutions lies with founders pursuing particular goals. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/functional-institutions-are-the-exception-9a1c6974aa09 … [Thread] 14/25

          1 reply 1 retweet 1 like
          Show this thread
        14. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Samo Burja Retweeted Samo Burja

          Bureaucracies are a social technology in their own right. They are often irreplaceable in organizations at scale. This means they are often irreplaceable in any society at scale. https://twitter.com/SamoBurja/status/1019131093436510209 … [Thread] 15/25

          Samo Burja added,

          Samo Burja @SamoBurja
          I just published “How To Use Bureaucracies” https://medium.com/p/how-to-use-bureaucracies-97e980550070 …
          1 reply 1 retweet 3 likes
          Show this thread
        15. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Absent successors with both the power and skill to reshape institutions, they eventually break down and fail. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/the-succession-problem-c5ffb8d1ab58 … [Thread] 16/25

          1 reply 1 retweet 1 like
          Show this thread
        16. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Samo Burja Retweeted Samo Burja

          Both the ancient Romans and modern Japanese have social technology that can solve both parts of the Succession Problem. We must however find a solution that works with America's cultural particularities. https://twitter.com/SamoBurja/status/1030170146369929217 … [Thread] 17/25

          Samo Burja added,

          Samo Burja @SamoBurja
          I just published “How Roman Emperors Handled The Succession Problem” https://medium.com/p/how-roman-emperors-handled-the-succession-problem-730f15b812f …
          1 reply 1 retweet 3 likes
          Show this thread
        17. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Since institutions shape and dominate society, and all functional institutions originate with founders, civilizations as a whole are shaped by particular individuals. This essay is the best introduction to my theory of history. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/great-founder-theory-93751e25c173 … [Thread] 18/25

          1 reply 0 retweets 4 likes
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        18. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Samo Burja Retweeted Samo Burja

          Books on this list provide some of the background that informs Great Founder Theory. Notably many of them are old or obscure books. Insights in newer and more fashionable works are very quickly mined out. Read neglected books. https://twitter.com/SamoBurja/status/1128353926917574657 … [Thread] 19/25

          Samo Burja added,

          Samo Burja @SamoBurja
          An independent study of society is a prerequisite for navigating life well let alone changing society. Here are Eight Books To Read to get you started. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/eight-books-to-read-c35804edfbd2 …
          Show this thread
          1 reply 0 retweets 4 likes
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        19. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          An analysis of America's landscape of power and its institutions makes it very clear that while political stability isn't guaranteed a Civil War isn't in the cards. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/the-risk-of-an-american-civil-war-is-remote-2162ce192050 … [Thread] 20/25

          1 reply 1 retweet 5 likes
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        20. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Samo Burja Retweeted Samo Burja

          I wrote an article for Palladium Magazine where I examined Botswana and how their government has solved the succession problem in a political context. The results are impressive! https://twitter.com/SamoBurja/status/1126533673698783234 … [Thread] 21/25

          Samo Burja added,

          Samo Burja @SamoBurja
          My article for @palladiummag examines what Botswana can teach us about political stability. https://palladiummag.com/2019/05/09/what-botswana-can-teach-us-about-political-stability/?fbclid=IwAR3DMJICPJD6Qy1s07mrphq0CBGEUKb3-YPHLvCx992VMoDBsx0Q1thi8Ps …
          Show this thread
          1 reply 0 retweets 2 likes
          Show this thread
        21. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Samo Burja Retweeted Samo Burja

          Launched a YouTube channel two months ago. Growing rapidly it now has 1000+ subscribers! I wrote a summary and introduction to the material presented there: https://twitter.com/SamoBurja/status/1129463439280074752 … [Thread] 22/25

          Samo Burja added,

          Samo Burja @SamoBurja
          An introduction to my YouTube channel. Several videos dive into my thoughts on institutions, history, and modern society. Others focus on the changing geopolitical landscape. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/announcing-my-youtube-channel-3ba70af42336 …
          Show this thread
          1 reply 0 retweets 3 likes
          Show this thread
        22. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 28 Jun 2019
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          Samo Burja Retweeted Samo Burja

          In this essay I bring together my thoughts on traditions of knowledge and status, presenting my current understanding of prizes and awards. They shape the legibility of intellectual achievement and help regulate who receives credit. https://twitter.com/SamoBurja/status/1138124503530164226 … [Thread] 23/25

          Samo Burja added,

          Samo Burja @SamoBurja
          I wrote an essay on how to incentivize achievements with honors. Prizes don't work, awards do. Learn the difference. https://medium.com/@samo.burja/honors-fuel-achievement-1d40c3c97e4 …
          1 reply 0 retweets 2 likes
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        23. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 5 Jul 2019
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          Co-authored a piece with @MGEllison. In it we examine how a strong American presence and relatively weak European forces underpin peace on the continent. European integration is a consequence not a cause of this peace. https://nationalinterest.org/feature/why-america-prefers-weak-and-peaceful-europe-64826 … [Thread] 24/25

          1 reply 0 retweets 4 likes
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        24. Samo Burja‏ @SamoBurja 17 Jul 2019
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          Samo Burja Retweeted The Long Now Foundation

          The knowledge sustaining our society is mostly not documented. Read more in my piece on Intellectual Dark Matter: https://twitter.com/longnow/status/1151161074466664450?s=19 … [Thread] 25/25

          Samo Burja added,

          The Long Now FoundationVerified account @longnow
          Knowledge that we can show exists, but cannot directly access, rests at the foundations of society and technology. - @SamoBurja for Long Now https://medium.com/the-long-now-foundation/intellectual-dark-matter-2e5890aa8d8f …
          2 replies 1 retweet 16 likes
          Show this thread
        25. End of conversation

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