In this essay, I argue that the most impactful individuals in history all did so by founding functional institutions. Great Founder Theory proceeds from this:
Most institutions are non-functional. This does not necessarily mean that the buildings are on fire or that layoffs are expected. Rather, most non-functional institutions are merely inadequately imitating functional institutions.
2/n
In a non-functional institution, everyone works towards the same socially-rewarded goals, rather than doing specialized work that combines to achieve the institution’s nominal function, such as winning wars or generating profits.
3/n
Since most institutions are non-functional, an institution that succeeds at its intended purpose is always hard to miss. It radically outperforms its competitors and is quickly imitated, often poorly, as Richard Feynman noted in 1974: calteches.library.caltech.edu/51/2/CargoCult…
4/n
Both by actually succeeding at its function and by providing a successful example to imitate, functional institutions subsidize all other institutions in their industry, and often society as a whole.
5/n
Functional institutions do not evolve over time, but appear suddenly and discontinuously. They are designed -- by humans. The Founding Fathers created Congress, the Presidency, the Supreme Court, and more, all at once. Nearly 250 years later, we still depend on them.
6/n
Whatever feats kings, generals or prophets achieved during their lives, their most lasting influence on history and society lives on through the institutions they founded. To predict the future of our society, we must look to the Great Founders of today.
7/n
This relatively simple idea is developed deeply in my full manuscript on the theory. See:
The flip-side of the Internet being a surveillance technology is that the Internet is also a communications technology.
In 2020, it is obvious how much personal, social, and political life has been thoroughly subsumed into the Internet. At scale, we have a new social world.
My research focuses on the people who have had the most impact on society and history.
We call those people Great Founders, those who founded exceptionally functional and long-lived institutions, affecting society long after they are gone: samoburja.com/great-founder-…
3/n
It should be someone who has a thorough mastery of your social world. Who doesn't need it. You switch social worlds with him to a wider one where you both thrive.
1/2
1. Check the edge of communities that share your values. Either a new entrant, a heretic or just geographically distant.
2/3
@Aella_Girl 2. He should be liked by most in community, while honestly and jovially ignoring something usually important to it. Coin some questions and ask around for who might make such an impression
3. Debate your values while paying attention to body sensations. Check if he cracks.
3/3
Far more people watch YouTube than like to admit. Not a bad thing! It has facilitated a revolution in the transfer of knowledge: samoburja.com/the-youtube-re…
Here is a thread of all my videos, organized as an overview on how I see the world and where it is going
1/n
Everyone has an implicit theory of history. Usually inconsistent and incoherent without explication and conscious work, it will nonetheless be the basis of much of your action in the world. With this concept in mind, what is yours?
Watch here:
2/n
What is the best methodology to learn something as vast and cross-disciplinary as history?
In this video, we try to bridge the gap from the overwhelming amount of historical facts to a coherent story of what actually happened. Watch here:
3/n