It's a great book that you can read in small installments (so I haven't finished reading my copy yet). Now if only someone would write an entertaining book about insect trivia and call it you-know-what ...

External reality is the ultimate arbiter of merits. Expertise matters - experts are those who put in the effort to learn how reality works. Scientific mindset (but not necessarily individual scientific results) has a long track record of proving meritorious. Respect reality. (3/3)

We know there is an external reality (including both people, animals and plants, and inanimate objects) that does not obey our wishes. The reality is complex and often takes years of study to understand. It takes careful planning and concerted effort to affect changes. (2/3)