Erik's Newsletter: Superlinear Returns, Gaming>Scrolling, Small Earthquakes=Large Tremors, & More
Issue #61
Today at a Glance:
Quote: Small earthquakes can make tremors
Thought: Leaking creative energy
Reading: Superlinear Returns
Learning: Judas Goat
Podcast: Wright Brother
Tweet: So many businesses aren't what they appear
Watching: Powerlifter pretended to be a Cleaner
#QUOTE
Even the smallest of earthquakes can make a large tremor.
Small actions or events can have significant impacts. This is similar to the concept of the "butterfly effect" in chaos theory, where a small change might end up causing something big to happen, like when you accidentally knock over one domino, causing the others to fall down. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of systems and how small, seemingly insignificant elements provide substantial outcomes.
In business, minor innovations or decisions can lead to major industry shifts.
Fun fact: this is my quote, so is it really a quote?
#THOUGHT
Gaming > Scrolling
Rather than mindlessly scrolling through social feeds, gaming challenges your brain -- it’s not just entertainment, it’s a mental workout. While I personally rarely play any video games (mostly stopped since high school), I advocate for gaming, especially over passive consumption activities.
What things in your life cause you to leak creative energy?
Audit your life and think through things that cause you to leak this creative energy and then fix it. Here are some of mine and my solutions:
Notifications
Problem: Notifications cause me to get distracted, pulling me away from whatever I am doing.
Solution: Disabled the majority of my notifications on my phone & computer.
Improvements: Audit notifications monthly by checking how many were sent and disable any additional apps
Meetings
Problem: The majority of meetings are a waste of time -- status reports, don't require you, etc.
Solution: Handle as many meetings with an email, delete most recurring meetings, leave when I'm not needed, require an agenda
Improvements: Figure out how to get meetings to <5h/week
There are a million other things that can sap your energy: Cleaning (get a Roomba), Slack/Email (check once per day), Cooking (meal prep or get a chef--its less expensive thank you think).
I attempt to design my life around simplicity and I try to have wide open spaces on my calendar to create time to think.
I'm good, but I am looking to do more: remove my phone from my time. No phones in gym, no phone on walk. I always used to say: why would someone buy a cellular plan for an Apple Watch? Now I understand, its for emergencies to avoid bringing your cocaine device along with you.
#READING
/paulgraham
Performing slightly better in certain areas (such as business, science, and art) can lead to much bigger returns than expected. Humans think on a linear scale, and our schooling conditions us that way, but today, minor changes can make huge impacts.
#LEARNING
//wikipedia
A "Judas goat" is like a sneaky guide in the animal world. Farmers or herders use one trained goat to lead other animals, like sheep, to a specific place, like a pen, or sometimes even to a slaughterhouse. They establish trust and usually are the ones who survive.
The term comes from a story in the Bible where Judas betrayed his friend, so a Judas goat leads other animals to a place where they don't want to go.
#PODCASTS
Wright Brothers
//howtotakeovertheworld
The rise of the Wright Brothers, and how they went from frontier bicycle salesmen to aviation researchers and achieving the first human flight.
Think Faster, Talk Smarter and Excel at Spontaneous Conversations with Matt Abrahams
//allthehacks
The podcast episode covers strategies for effective communication and conversation management. Key points include:
White Flag Approach for Leaving Conversations: Politely signal your intent to leave by expressing gratitude and interest in one last topic before excusing yourself.
Supporting vs. Shifting Responses: Use a mix of responses that support the current topic (3 out of 4 times) and ones that shift the topic (1 out of 4 times).
Encouraging Conversation: Ask open-ended questions like "Tell me more" to encourage others to speak and foster new friendships.
Pausing and Responding: It's okay to pause before responding and to admit when you don't know something, promising to find out later.
Preparedness: Anticipate questions and prepare answers in advance, possibly using generative AI for question prediction, to enhance credibility.
Listening Framework - Pace, Space, Grace: Manage anxiety, focus on connection, and listen intuitively with a structured approach involving pacing, giving space, and showing grace.
Structured Communication Frameworks:
Swiss Army Knife Framework: "What" (idea/product/service), "So What" (its importance), and "Now What" (next steps).
What Framework: Used for group settings like weddings, focusing on why everyone is there, connections, anecdotes, and a concluding thank you or toast.
Effective Sayings: "Tell me the time, don't build me the clock" emphasizes succinctness, and "bottom line up front" advises starting with the main point.
Technology Aids: Apps like 'Like so' for voice training and browser extensions like 'Poised' can help in recognizing and improving speech patterns.
Cooking at Home: Delicious Food Made Easy with David Chang
//allthehacks
Podcast about making cooking at home easy. David Chang even talks about cooking everything in the microwave -- even a lobster tail.
Buying a multi-million dollar business for $0
//mfm
Sarah Moore's story about buying eggcartons.com
#TWEET
So many businesses aren't what they appear
Some others:
Coffee shops: Remote offices with coffee.
Universities: Loan providers offering education.
Movie theaters: Concession stands with films.
Social media companies: Ad agencies creating apps and software.
(link)
10 Midwits that describe life
(link)
Want to figure out if you're a midwit? These flags will tell you:
Now that I think about it, I might be a midwit!
(link)
Know which domain you're in and either sprint toward the end or slowly graze along
(link)
Why don't we do this?
(link)
Acing Interviews with ChatGPT
The product they're using is Final Round AI as an interview copilot.
(link)
🤣
(link)
#WATCHING
Powerlifter pretended to be a Cleaner - Gym Prank
//youtube
These videos are hilarious where a powerlifter, Anatoly, pretends to be a cleaner in a gym.
#FUN
//brilliant
If you have 5m, try to cut these shapes in half. I am a bit proponent of brain games (such as luminosity).