LAYMN exists for a single and timeless purpose – to reveal your innate abilities and hone them to the highest degree. Now, what you do with it after that is entirely up to you. If you want to take over the world we don’t teach that but give it a go. 1
Put another way, LAYMN is about creating a research-informed environment to nurture individual growth. For instance, did you know exercise may enhance cognitive functioning for up to 120 minutes, 2 literally making us a better version of ourselves?
Our Scientific Worldview
We start by recognizing that absolute truths are in short supply. As science philosopher, Karl Popper wrote in The Logic of Scientific Discovery: 3
…no matter how many instances of white swans we may have observed, this does not justify the conclusion that all swans are white.”
However, some conclusions carry less uncertainity. While the world may appear chaotic, it largely adheres to the underlying patterns and principles of the laws of nature. At LAYMN, we focus on these hypothesized cause-and-effect relationships, using them as a first-principles framework to build a practical scaffolding that informs everyday decision-making.
That means LAYMN aims to be a practically useful body of knowledge.
Furthermore, perhaps this is where we should say that we rely on reputable science journals and peer-reviewed research. But… as Brian Nosek has said:
“Published and true are not synonyms.“
—Brian A. Nosek, Jeffrey R. Spies, and Matt Motyl, “Scientific
Utopia”
Authority and consensus are best used as heuristics when constrained by time and resources, and not as proof of the validity of an idea. We, therefore, also aim to teach the tools necessary for critical thinking. So our readers can make the best decision for themselves. But of course, there is a spectrum of authority and expertise: if push comes to shove we should listen to a group of scientists rather than a group of non-experts.
Mistakes, flaws, and errors in LAYMN
Please let us know via the contact form or the comment section under the corresponding article. We expect to make mistakes and we hope people find them! Even if you are not sure if it is a mistake (of any size), let us know. Multiple perspectives are better than one. We want this website to be as accurate of a resource as possible.
Above all we want you to know this. The above description is the ideal we strive for, and we maintain our right to change our minds. Remain skeptical, focus on the strength of the argument, and always ask for proof. Better yet, verify it for yourself.
Team
Siim has studied computer science, and chemistry, but is now working on his master’s degree in psychology. He loves philosophy of science, British comedy, and The Golden Age of Illustration.
References
- Gamble, S. McNamara, J. & Grossman, L. (Writer), & Cahill, M. (Director). (2016, May 5). Unauthorized Magic. [Television series episode] Mitch Engel (Producer), The Magicians. SyFy
- Basso, J. C., & Suzuki, W. A. (2017). The effects of acute exercise on mood, cognition, neurophysiology, and neurochemical pathways: a review. Brain Plasticity, 2(2), 127-152.
- Popper, K. (2005). The logic of scientific discovery. Routledge