Jackson Dahl recently announced a comprehensive interview with Tamara Winter, the Commissioning Editor at Stripe Press, delving into the nuances of tacit knowledge and the "illegible social scaffolding that supports so much of society." The discussion, now available on various podcast platforms, explores the subtle yet profound mechanisms that underpin human interaction and societal function. Dahl stated in his tweet, "I talked to @_TamaraWinter about tacit knowledge and the illegible social scaffolding that supports so much of society."
Tamara Winter, often described as a "professional tastemaker," plays a pivotal role at Stripe Press. In her capacity as Commissioning Editor, she is responsible for identifying and curating ideas deemed worthy of Stripe's global audience, primarily through the publication of a select number of books each year. Stripe Press, the publishing imprint of the financial technology company Stripe, focuses on releasing "ideas for progress" in scientific, technological, and economic fields, aligning with Stripe's broader mission to "increase the GDP of the internet."
The interview highlights key aspects of Winter's philosophy, including "the 2 keys to taste: absorption and deployment," emphasizing the dual process of internalizing and then applying knowledge. The conversation also touched upon the significance of "charisma, living relationally, and a 'seamless web of deserved trust'," underscoring the importance of genuine human connection in building societal cohesion. Winter elaborated on how seemingly minor interactions, such as "small talk," can ultimately lead to "big talk," fostering deeper understanding and collaboration.
Further points of discussion included how "small social affordances hold up safe cities," illustrating the critical role of implicit social norms and behaviors in maintaining order and safety. The interview also addressed the concept of "cultural arson," described as "the antisocial dark side of 'you can just do things'," contrasting it with the "healthy kind of agency" characterized by an internal locus of control. The dialogue concluded with advice to "read more biographies," a sentiment echoed by the mention of investing icon Charlie Munger, whose "Poor Charlie's Almanack" was notably republished by Stripe Press.