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I want to solve big problems. most of the people whom I've seen attempt to solve big problems seem to have failed. common assumption here is: this is because big problems are hard. I'm not a fan of that frame. my belief is that most attempts fail because of lack of preparation
I mean yes, big problems *are* hard. but the way to solve hard problems is to break them down into simpler problems. I too often seem to hear/see stories of people who seem to think that the way to solve hard problems is to make a valiant effort with all their heart
I wonder if this is some sort of narrative poisoning, where people watch movies and hear stories where the hero wins because he has the biggest heart, and and he wants it the mostest, and so the universe will rearrange itself for him because, gosh darnit, he's a really good guy
one of the biggest problems I'd like to see solved in some way is the problem of bad incentives in media. the worst possible way I could imagine attempting to solve this problem would be for me to start a media company. it's pretty much guaranteed to fail, bc of unit economics
so what do I do then? I bide my time. I do my reading and research. I build relationships. I play a long game. I'm willing to spend 80 years doing the prep – and if it turns out that at that point it's a little late for me to start something, I'll hand it all over to others
the thing that frustrates me about people who make valiant attempts at solving big problems is how often they refuse to learn from the experiences of people who failed making those same attempts, and how little they share their own findings with others. the herd learns so slowly
I've seen this play out in my local music and arts scenes, and apparently it's a thing with valiant attempts at non-profits and NGOs almost nobody has the foresight. almost everyone runs straight into the brick wall, fails, becomes forlorn and gives up https://t.co/tqJQTL5ecm
This is why - I’m totally serious - it’s important to have proper documentation and handover protocols. I’ve seen local music and political and journalism scenes repeatedly stuck in the same small sad loops because nobody has the foresight Play the 100 year game https://t.co/Z4m7wvXYpH
I do wonder if, over the long run, my the best way for me to serve the world might not be an epic founder myself (though I should probably start ~something~, for the experience), but to help lots of other founders be better. To be a sort of librarian/bartender Gandalf figure