Think better. Work better. Live better.

Farnam Street (FS) helps you master the best of what other people have already figured out.

Packed with timeless mental models, FS will teach you the mental tools you need to deal with whatever life throws at you.

Our readers include students, teachers, CEOs, coaches, athletes, artists, leaders, followers, politicians and more. They’re not defined by gender, age, income, or politics but rather by a shared passion for avoiding problems, making better decisions, and lifelong learning.

Join our newsletter for a weekly dose of multidisciplinary reading from across the internet.

FS has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, The Economist, and more.

As Seen On:

Recent Articles

Finite and Infinite Games: Two Ways to Play the Game of Life

February 24, 2020

If life is a game, how do you play it? The answer will have a huge impact on your choices, your satisfaction, and how you achieve success. *** James Carse, the Director of Religious Studies at New York University, wrote a book, Finite and Infinite Games, that explores the difference between approaching life as a […]

Continue Reading

Prisoner’s Dilemma: What Game Are you Playing?

February 16, 2020

In this classic game theory experiment, you must decide: rat out another for personal benefit, or cooperate? The answer may be more complicated than you think. *** What does it take to make people cooperate with each other when the incentives to act primarily out of self-interest are often so strong? The Prisoner’s Dilemma is […]

Continue Reading

An Astronaut’s Guide to Mental Models

February 10, 2020

There isn’t a harsher environment for a human being to live than outer space. Chris Hadfield shares some of the thinking tools he acquired as an astronaut to make high stakes decisions, be innovative in the face of failure, and stay cool under pressure.  *** How do you survive in space? Turns out that mental […]

Continue Reading

The Great Mental Models: General Thinking Concepts

The old saying goes, “To the man with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” But anyone who has done any kind of project knows a hammer often isn’t enough.

The more tools you have at your disposal, the more likely you’ll use the right tool for the job — and get it done right.

The same is true when it comes to thinking. The quality of your outcomes depends on the mental models in your head. And most people are going through life with little more than a hammer.

Until now.

The Great Mental Models: General Thinking Concepts is the first book in The Great Mental Models series designed to upgrade your thinking with the best, most useful and powerful tools, so you always have the right one on hand.

This volume details nine of the most versatile, all-purpose mental models you can use right away to improve your decision making, productivity, and how clearly you see the world. You will discover what forces govern the universe and how to focus your efforts so you can harness them to your advantage, rather than fight with them or worse yet— ignore them.

Upgrade your mental toolbox and get the first volume today!


What People are Saying


I'm really glad this exists in the world and I can see that I will be recommending it often.

Matt Mullenweg

CEO of Automattic and founding developer of Wordpress

The Bible for better learning and decision making

Casey Herron on audible.com