The Icarus Paradox offers a critical lesson on business, investing, and life.
Here’s a simple breakdown:
The story of Icarus is a famous tale from Greek mythology.
Icarus is the son of a craftsman—Daedalus.
To help the pair escape from Crete, Daedalus uses feathers and wax to create two sets of wings.
Prior to the attempt, Daedalus warns his son to avoid complacency and hubris.
Daedalus instructs Icarus to avoid flying too low or too high—cautioning that the sea's moisture or the sun's heat could cause the wings to malfunction.
But Icarus becomes amazed by his flight and soars away.
The sun melts the wax on his wings and Icarus falls to his death.
First principles thinking is a powerful framework for deconstructing complex problems and driving non-linear outcomes.
Here's a breakdown of what it is and how it works:
Aristotle defined a first principle as "the first basis from which a thing is known."
A first principle is a basic, foundational assumption—one that cannot be deduced or broken down any further.
First principles are foundational truths.
"First principles thinking”—or "reasoning from first principles”—is a problem-solving and innovation framework that requires you to break down a complex problem into its most foundational elements.
The aim: to ground yourself in the foundational truths and build up from there.
“If you are grateful for what you have, instead of envious for what you don’t have, you will always win.” — @garyvee
In the latest episode of Where It Happens, we dive in with the legend himself on earned conviction, NFTs, web3, life lessons, and a process for spotting trends.
Disney is gearing up for another epic copyright fight over a cartoon icon: Mickey Mouse.
If they lose, @mschf and others are ready to pounce…
Here’s a breakdown of the fascinating situation:
1/ Since first appearing in a 1928 animated short called Steamboat Willie, Mickey Mouse has become the most famous fictional character in the world.
Mickey has worldwide brand awareness of 97%—higher than Santa Claus—and generates ~$6 billion of annual revenue for Disney.
2/ Mickey Mouse is Disney's most beloved IP.
After creating—and then losing the rights to—an animated character named Oswald the Rabbit, Walt Disney realized the importance of owning the rights to his creations.
Mickey Mouse was his next creation—one he would refuse to lose.