Weekend Briefing No. 546
Determination or Obstinacy? -- Bending the Arc -- Getting Lucky
Welcome to the weekend.
Prime Numbers
43,631 — Japan is home to 43,631 companies over 100 years old as of last September, and every year, around another 2,000 companies join that list.
62.67 — Preliminary data suggest Sunday was Earth's warmest day on record since scientists began tracking global averages in 1940; worldwide surface air temperature notched 62.76 degrees Fahrenheit.
0.90 — The FCC has voted to lower price caps on prison phone calls. Under the new rules, a 15-minute phone call will drop from $11.35 in large jails to just $0.90, and a similar call in a small jail will drop from $12.10 to $1.35, effective January 2025.
Determination or Obstinacy?
What separates true persistence from mere obstinacy in the pursuit of success? While both traits involve determination, persistence is characterized by a flexible approach to achieving goals, with successful individuals willing to try new ideas and methods even after initial failures. Obstinacy, on the other hand, manifests as a rigid adherence to initial ideas, often leading to frustration and failure. The key distinction lies in the persistent person's attachment to the goal itself, while the obstinate individual becomes fixated on their specific method of achieving it. This flexibility allows persistent people to remain open to new information and engage productively with disagreement, whereas the obstinate tend to shut down in the face of opposing viewpoints, hindering their progress and growth. Paul Graham (6 minutes)
Bending the Arc
Depending on where you live or what you do, things may seem relatively calm or even sunny. Income inequality. Climate change. Disruptive technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) loom before us. Fascism is on the rise globally. More locally, there are people who are hungry, people who need a second chance, people who could use a friend, kids who need to be adopted, students who need mentorship, local offices that could be filled and abuses that could be called out. Of course, we all have opinions about these big sweeping issues. The question is: Are you doing anything about them? There is that expression about how the moral arc of the universe bends toward justice. I don’t think that’s really the right wording. It’s that the moral arc of the universe is bent toward justice. It’s bent that way by people who reach up and grab it, people with the courage to stand against the norms of what was and a steadfast commitment to what they knew was the right thing. Ryan Holiday (6 minutes)
Can AI predict the winners of the Olympic diving events?
Perhaps not. But it’s making a splash in other areas. We can use it to understand animal languages. We can use it to improve refugee healthcare. And to stop big polluters. Dive into what is and is not possible for AI to benefit all of humanity in Stanford Social Innovation Review. A new series reveals the landscape of what (good) AI builders have in store for humanity. Fast Forward (Sponsored)
Getting Lucky
Luck can be cultivated through five key principles that transform chance encounters into golden opportunities. Three standout strategies are: 1) Seeing serendipity everywhere, which involves maintaining an open and flexible mindset to spot potential in unexpected places. 2) Priming yourself for chance by expanding your social network, both in-person and online, and breaking out of rigid routines to increase exposure to new experiences. 3) Saying "yes" more often, even when faced with uncertainty, as this willingness to take calculated risks often leads to unforeseen positive outcomes. By implementing these principles, anyone can enhance their ability to recognize and capitalize on lucky breaks, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and opportunity-rich life. Psychology Today (6 minutes)
Dark Oxygen
In a baffling discovery, scientists have found oxygen being released at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, challenging the long-held belief that only living organisms can produce oxygen through photosynthesis. The phenomenon, first observed in 2013 and confirmed in subsequent expeditions, occurs 2.5 miles below the surface where sunlight cannot penetrate. Researchers hypothesize that rocks containing metals like nickel and cobalt may be splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through seawater electrolysis, supported by the detection of elevated voltage in the samples. This unexpected finding not only puzzles scientists but also challenges theories about the origin of life, suggesting alternative mechanisms for oxygen production in environments devoid of sunlight. Nature (5 minutes)
Fish In Water
We live in a world of marvels, where even the most mundane aspects of our daily lives are the result of centuries of innovation and progress. Like fish in water, we are so immersed in technology and industry, so completely dependent on it every day of our lives, that it recedes into the background, out of our awareness. We only notice the inverse: the rare occasions when the heat doesn’t work, or the water isn’t clean, the store shelves are empty, or there is a power outage — or even a Wi-Fi outage. We should look at the world with gratitude to those who came before us, and especially to the scientists, inventors and entrepreneurs who labored, struggled and fought to build it. This world and the standard of living we enjoy are the gift they left us. We can never pay it back. But we can pay it forward: We can keep progress going and build an even better world for the generations to come. Roots of Progress (8 minutes)
Einstein’s Life Advice
Albert Einstein, renowned for his revolutionary contributions to physics, also offered invaluable wisdom for living a better life. This article lists seven. Here are three of my favorites: 1) Think deeply and persistently about things that truly fascinate you, as Einstein advised sticking with interesting questions for years rather than seeking easy successes. 2) Pursue activities you love, even if you're not skilled at them, as demonstrated by Einstein's passion for sailing despite his ineptitude. 3) Approach problems with a puzzle mindset, viewing challenges as opportunities for creative solutions rather than insurmountable crises. These principles — along with Einstein's advocacy for critical thinking, inclusivity in education and measured responses to political issues — offer a blueprint for a more fulfilling and intellectually rich life. By following Einstein's example, we can cultivate a life of purpose, joy and continuous growth. Big Think (6 minutes)
Should We Work Together?
Hi! I’m Kyle. This newsletter is my passion project. When I’m not writing, I run a law firm that helps startups move fast without breaking things. Most founders want a trusted legal partner, but they hate surprise legal bills. At Westaway, we take care of your startup’s legal needs for a flat, monthly fee so you can control your costs and focus on scaling your business. If you’re interested, let’s jump on a call to see if you’re a good fit for the firm. Click here to schedule a one-on-one call with me.
Founder Fridays
Check out my other email Founder Fridays — a Friday morning briefing helping startup founders and operators scale smarter.
Weekend Wisdom
The truest wisdom is a resolute determination. -Napoleon Bonapart
Love your newsletter. I look forward to getting it every week. Always something thought provoking in it.
Thanks.