the eclectic self

• “Why would someone spend their money with you — so what is unique about you?”

• “Why would somebody work for you?”

• “Why would society allow you to operate in their defined geography — their country?”

• “And why would somebody invest their money with you?”

At Cambridge University I was taught a laudable method of argument: you never personalise, but you have absolutely no respect for people’s opinions. You are never rude to the person, but you can be savagely rude about what that person thinks. That seems to me a crucial distinction: people must be protected from discrimination by virtue of their race, but you cannot ring-fence their ideas. The moment you say that any idea system is sacred, whether it’s a religious belief or a secular ideology, the moment you declare a set of ideas to be immune from criticism, satire, derision or contempt then freedom of thought becomes impossible.”
-Salman Rushdie-

When art critics get together they talk about Form and Structure and Meaning. When artists get together they talk about where you can buy cheap turpentine.” — Pablo Picasso.

Computers are very seductive. You can spend years at a terminal debugging your programs and tuning up the input/output routines. You get a satisfying sense of achievement when a bug is exposed or a nice output generated. This is illusory! Your program must be explainable at a higher level than code, for it to make a real contribution to knowledge. Try to plan your program theoretically before going to the terminal. If you must work some of it out at the terminal then rush away soon and work out the theory. If you find this hard, try to describe how it works: to a friend; in a paper or at a seminar. If people do not understand it is your fault - try harder.

The most terrifying fact of the universe is not that it is hostile but that it is indifferent; but if we can come to terms with this indifference and accept the challenges of life within the boundaries of death — however mutable man may be able to make them — our existence as a species can have genuine meaning and fulfillment. However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light. — Stanley Kubrik

I have a different way of thinking about goals. My goal is always a specific action, and not a result. The outcome I consider it a byproduct in which I have not 100% control.

I used to look forward to my favorite clients; it’s like stones in a puddle, you jump from one to the next to get to where you’re going. Same with good people, they help you go through the day. So start the day positively, greet everyone cheerfully, serve loyally and enjoy yourself; the 8 hours pass QUICKLY.

The article lists six characteristics of great teachers:
1. great teachers tended to set big goals for their students
2. perpetually looking for ways to improve their effectiveness
3. avidly recruited students and their families into the process
4. maintained focus, ensuring that everything they did contributed to student learning
5. planned exhaustively and purposefully by working backward from the desired outcome
6. worked relentlessly, refusing to surrender
—
Translating these to the world of entrepreneurs we can say:
1. set big goals for yourself
2. perpetually look or ways to improve your effectiveness
3. avidly recruit workers and partners into the process
4. maintain focus, ensuring that everything you do contributes to your goals
5. plan exhaustively and purposefully by working backward from the desired outcome
6. work relentlessly, do not surrender

Not so Good: Build it and they will come.
Good: Make something people want.
Better: Make something people need.
Even better: Make something people need and know that they need. If they don’t already know, someone will have to help them know. That someone might be you and helping them will take sales and marketing, a significant consideration.
Even better: Make something people need, know they need, and are willing to pay for now. Competing against “we’re not ready, maybe next year” is tougher that competing against any competitor.
Best: Make something people need, know they need, are willing to pay for now, and has their hair on fire. Leapfrogging to “let’s just solve this problem now” is often the best (and most fun) way to deploy.

science still has only two legs—theory and experimentation.