subj
Sam Altman’s How To Be Successful
He breaks success down into 13 principles:
▪️ Compound yourself
▪️ Believe (almost too much)
▪️ Think independently
▪️ Take risks early
▪️ Focus like crazy
▪️ Work hard when you’re young
▪️ Be bold + willful
▪️ Build a strong network
▪️ Own things that grow
▪️ Be hard to compete with
▪️ Learn to sell
▪️ Stay internally driven
💡 Save this list. Revisit it often.
▪️ Compound yourself
▪️ Believe (almost too much)
▪️ Think independently
▪️ Take risks early
▪️ Focus like crazy
▪️ Work hard when you’re young
▪️ Be bold + willful
▪️ Build a strong network
▪️ Own things that grow
▪️ Be hard to compete with
▪️ Learn to sell
▪️ Stay internally driven
💡 Save this list. Revisit it often.
More Emails to the World
subj
Chimps do think like humans!
A new study reveals that chimpanzees may think far more like humans than we ever realized. 🧠🐒
The study can be found here :
https://www.sciencealert.com/chimps-can-revise-their-beliefs-when-shown-new-evidence-study-finds
It seems amazing but we should have expected long ago. Only our ignorance and prejudice made us no believe. All primates are amazing! All animals, all lives are majestic!!
Researchers from UC Berkeley and Utrecht University discovered that chimps can reconsider their decisions when presented with stronger evidence, rather than stubbornly sticking to their first choice. This ability to rethink and adapt — once thought uniquely human — suggests a deeper level of cognitive flexibility in our closest relatives.
At the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda, scientists tested chimps by hiding food in two boxes. When given a clearer clue later on, many chimps changed their choice, showing they could weigh new information against earlier guesses. Computational models confirmed that they were evaluating the strength of the evidence, not just reacting instinctively.
The study can be found here :
https://www.sciencealert.com/chimps-can-revise-their-beliefs-when-shown-new-evidence-study-finds
It seems amazing but we should have expected long ago. Only our ignorance and prejudice made us no believe. All primates are amazing! All animals, all lives are majestic!!
Researchers from UC Berkeley and Utrecht University discovered that chimps can reconsider their decisions when presented with stronger evidence, rather than stubbornly sticking to their first choice. This ability to rethink and adapt — once thought uniquely human — suggests a deeper level of cognitive flexibility in our closest relatives.
At the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Uganda, scientists tested chimps by hiding food in two boxes. When given a clearer clue later on, many chimps changed their choice, showing they could weigh new information against earlier guesses. Computational models confirmed that they were evaluating the strength of the evidence, not just reacting instinctively.
subj
the universe is actually in just it's micro-infancy!
"The observable universe is approximately 13.8 billion years old. Yet astrophysical models suggest it has access to hydrogen fuel for star formation for up to 100 trillion years. That means the universe has only lived through about 0.0138% of its star-forming potential; a mere embryonic phase in cosmic terms.
This staggering realization reframes our place in the cosmos. Far from being latecomers, humanity may be among the first intelligent civilizations to emerge.
The vast majority of stars; and potentially trillions of habitable planets; have yet to be born. As long as hydrogen remains abundant, new stellar systems will continue to form, each with the possibility of nurturing life.
The implications are profound. If intelligent life arises even rarely, the future could host trillions of civilizations, each with its own culture, science, and story. Our existence may be a preview of what’s to come; a whisper before the cosmic symphony begins.
This perspective challenges human intuition. We often view the universe as ancient and ourselves as late arrivals. In truth, we are pioneers in a universe that is just beginning to awaken. The age of stars is young. The age of minds has barely begun."
source: Michio Kaku
This staggering realization reframes our place in the cosmos. Far from being latecomers, humanity may be among the first intelligent civilizations to emerge.
The vast majority of stars; and potentially trillions of habitable planets; have yet to be born. As long as hydrogen remains abundant, new stellar systems will continue to form, each with the possibility of nurturing life.
The implications are profound. If intelligent life arises even rarely, the future could host trillions of civilizations, each with its own culture, science, and story. Our existence may be a preview of what’s to come; a whisper before the cosmic symphony begins.
This perspective challenges human intuition. We often view the universe as ancient and ourselves as late arrivals. In truth, we are pioneers in a universe that is just beginning to awaken. The age of stars is young. The age of minds has barely begun."
source: Michio Kaku
subj
YC buys into the team, more than the idea!
This is one of the most overlooked questions in the YC application:
“How long have the founders known one another and how did you meet?”
Don’t fall into the trap of just saying “6 months” and moving on to the idea, “the more important part”.
Here’s what I noticed during the YC batch: almost every company I knew either completely pivoted or made big adjustments to their idea.
But if the idea is the criterion for acceptance and it changes so often… aren’t these companies just toast?
No. Because a lot of times, YC isn’t buying into the idea at all.
They’re buying into the team. The FOUNDERS.
They want to make sure that you are an exceptional team. That you won’t give up. That you can stick together when you’re stressed and crammed in a room for 16+ hours a day for years (and maybe even living together).
When put like that, can you think of even one person you would want to do that with? If so, maybe it’s time to start a startup lol.
Founder conflict is one of the top causes of startup failure. YC is screening for that.
Some startups pivot 5+ times before landing on their breakout idea. Successful companies will change ideas and directions in weeks. What they won’t change is their founding team.
That’s why this isn’t a throwaway question. It’s your chance to prove you’re the kind of team that will still be standing when the idea inevitably changes. Don’t waste it.
“How long have the founders known one another and how did you meet?”
Don’t fall into the trap of just saying “6 months” and moving on to the idea, “the more important part”.
Here’s what I noticed during the YC batch: almost every company I knew either completely pivoted or made big adjustments to their idea.
But if the idea is the criterion for acceptance and it changes so often… aren’t these companies just toast?
No. Because a lot of times, YC isn’t buying into the idea at all.
They’re buying into the team. The FOUNDERS.
They want to make sure that you are an exceptional team. That you won’t give up. That you can stick together when you’re stressed and crammed in a room for 16+ hours a day for years (and maybe even living together).
When put like that, can you think of even one person you would want to do that with? If so, maybe it’s time to start a startup lol.
Founder conflict is one of the top causes of startup failure. YC is screening for that.
Some startups pivot 5+ times before landing on their breakout idea. Successful companies will change ideas and directions in weeks. What they won’t change is their founding team.
That’s why this isn’t a throwaway question. It’s your chance to prove you’re the kind of team that will still be standing when the idea inevitably changes. Don’t waste it.
subj
The council did not approve
But seriously, the best relationships are those where your conflicts do not spread to all your friends and acquaintances.
subj
We Almost Got This as the University's First Building
Source: Ann Arbor: A Pictorial History by Marilyn McLaughlin 1995
express, not stress