Brain Food by Farnam Street
by Shane Parrish
Weekly insights on decision-making, mental models, and wisdom for living a better life. Shane Parrish's Brain Food helps you think better, decide better, and live better.
About Brain Food by Farnam Street
Brain Food is the weekly newsletter from Farnam Street, Shane Parrish's platform for mastering the best of what other people have already figured out. The newsletter has captivated over half a million subscribers worldwide who want to think better, decide better, and live better. Farnam Street's mission is to help readers make incremental improvements that compound over time. Drawing from timeless wisdom across disciplines, Shane curates insights on mental models, decision-making, and living well.
What Makes This Newsletter Unique
Farnam Street stands out by focusing on timeless principles rather than trending topics. Shane's background in intelligence work and his admiration for thinkers like Charlie Munger shapes a unique perspective on clear thinking. The Great Mental Models series has become essential reading for anyone wanting to think more effectively. These mental models — representations of how things work — enable rapid comprehension, pattern recognition, and avoiding common mistakes.
Who Should Subscribe?
Brain Food is ideal for: - Executives and leaders making consequential decisions - Entrepreneurs navigating complex problems - Lifelong learners seeking timeless wisdom - Anyone wanting to think more clearly - Fans of Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett's approach If you're tired of clickbait and want substance that compounds over time, Farnam Street delivers.
Content Format
Each weekly Brain Food edition includes: - Curated insights on thinking and decision-making - Mental model explanations and applications - Book recommendations and summaries - Quotes and wisdom from great thinkers - Links to valuable Farnam Street articles
Recent Newsletter Issues
Pricing & Subscription Options
Free Newsletter
- Weekly emails
- Full access to all content
- No credit card required
- Unsubscribe anytime
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Our Take: Pros & Cons
Pros
- Timeless wisdom over trending topics
- NYT bestselling author behind it
- Actionable mental models
- High-quality curation
- Free and substantial content
- Complements The Knowledge Project podcast
Cons
- Can be philosophical/abstract for some
- Weekly frequency may not be enough for some
- Less tactical than some productivity newsletters
- Requires reflection to implement
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Farnam Street named after?
Farnam Street is the street where Berkshire Hathaway is located, reflecting Shane Parrish's admiration for Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett's approach to thinking.
What are mental models?
Mental models are representations of how something works that can scale onto other fields. Mastering key mental models helps you grasp new information, identify patterns, and avoid common mistakes.
Is Brain Food free?
Yes, the Brain Food weekly newsletter is free. There are also books and courses available for purchase.
What is The Knowledge Project?
The Knowledge Project is Shane Parrish's podcast where he interviews experts on decision-making, productivity, and living well.
What books has Shane Parrish written?
Shane is the NYT bestselling author of 'Clear Thinking' and 'The Great Mental Models' series (4 volumes covering general thinking, physics/chemistry/biology, systems, and economics/art).
About the Author: Shane Parrish
Shane Parrish
Shane Parrish is the founder of Farnam Street and host of The Knowledge Project podcast. He started Farnam Street as a byproduct of his MBA, frustrated with an educational system that prioritized regurgitation over critical thinking. The site is named after the street where Berkshire Hathaway is located, reflecting his admiration for Charlie Munger and Warren Buffett's approach to thinking. Shane is the New York Times bestselling author of 'Clear Thinking' and 'The Great Mental Models' series.
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