Few people realise that most medicinal breakthroughs were the result of complete luck and serendipity. Only about two HIV medications are the result of huge financial investments and research. Everything else, from antibiotics to chemotherapy treatments are a result of luck. After we discovered these drugs, we then figured out the science behind the medications… Continue reading Playing At The Edge
Tag: life
It’s Neither Either Nor Or
Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people. It never ceases to amaze me how few people are genuinely intellectually curious about ideas. This becomes painfully obvious when you discuss startup ideas with people. Most people don't like ideas, particularly of the new variety. So they instinctively go through a list of… Continue reading It’s Neither Either Nor Or
How Society Fools You
Society has fooled you into thinking that only zero sum activities are virtuous. You're told that staying after hours for your boss, working overtime on weekends, having a career which is "nice" but not scalable, or financially lucrative is virtuous. Society has also fooled you into thinking that non zero sum games are unethical. You're… Continue reading How Society Fools You
“But It Meets Spec”
A few years ago the Ministry of Defence in the UK ordered a new radio system. This system was going to be used by services such as the army, navy and air force. All the specialists met up to debate what was required of the new system. Everyone put their opinions forward in heated debates… Continue reading “But It Meets Spec”
How To Get Great Startup Ideas
Entrepreneurs solve problems. They create a solution which people give them money for. People who haven't started a business before often look for problems to solve. A lot of the time these people can't seem to find that elusive perfect problem to solve. If you're in this situation, then stop looking! Instead become a more… Continue reading How To Get Great Startup Ideas
We’re All Biased
You can consider optimism and pessimism as two different types of biases. "Optimists" supposedly see the world in a way where things are better than they actually are. "Pessimists" supposedly see the world in a way where things are worse than they actually are. "Realists" are meant to be the people who see the world… Continue reading We’re All Biased
Every Doctor Had A Bright Future
Every doctor had a bright future, in their past. The trick is to not let the future catch up with you.
Time As Arbitrage
Be very weary of anything which will reduce the time you have to accomplish something. Time is undervalued and underappreciated. Sometimes it's tempting to do something which will give you a short term gain, but that will reduce the time you have to accomplish X,Y and Z. For example if you take anabolic steroids, it may… Continue reading Time As Arbitrage
Brain-Damaged In The Same Way
It's ok for people to not agree with you. However, if someone doesn't agree with you but then goes on to say exactly what every other sheep would say then that means you're talking to a fool. When talking to people who are brain-damaged in the same way, realise that they're thoughts have been hijacked.… Continue reading Brain-Damaged In The Same Way
Always Aim To Beat The Competition Without Competing
Imagine you're trying to compete with Coca-Cola by creating a new soft drink. A room full of business types would probably get together and say that you need to develop a drink that you can drink a lot of, tastes better and is cheaper. But funnily enough Red Bull came along and made tiny cans,… Continue reading Always Aim To Beat The Competition Without Competing