JETS JOURNAL - #031
May 28, 2024
Hi All!
Here is your weekly round up of what I’m pondering and exploring. Feel free to forward along to a friend if you think they might enjoy.
Your mind is always seeking negativity
Whatever it is, it’s never that bad. Even in positive situations your mind will try play tricks on you and rob you of your happiness. Take a look at this great tweet I’ve experienced all too well especially in the web3 space.
If you notice it happening, make sure to remind yourself that your mind is just trying to keep you safe. Acknowledge it, move on and don’t let it ruin your day.
The personal web
Last week I wrote about how much I’ve loved having my own personal website. It feels like I’m experiencing the internet for the first time again.
I’m exploring and finding other peoples personal sites through links all over the web and on directories like webrings. That help bring a sense of curation to what people are calling the personal web.
If by any chance your getting tired of instagram, tiktok or the traditional world of social media. I’d urge you to take a look over the personal web and take the time to read over some longer form content.
There’s a great video explaining The personal web movement, you can watch here.
First Principles
I heard the term first principles get thrown around multiple times this week. It wasn’t until I listened to Tim Urban break down exactly what that meant on the Lex Fridman show, that I understood what all these people had been talking about.
This shift from analogy to first principle thinking is a great way to explore uncharted territories by ignoring so called convention. Most people in business, art or whatever field they are in are generally just copying the industry leaders.
Here’s a great example I found here explaining the difference between analogy and principle first thinking.
The difference between reasoning by first principles and reasoning by analogy is like the difference between being a chef and being a cook. If the cook lost the recipe, he’d be screwed. The chef, on the other hand, understands the flavor profiles and combinations at such a fundamental level that he doesn’t even use a recipe. He has real knowledge as opposed to know-how.
From what I understand there’s usually a few trailblazers in each industry that don’t follow the rules but create them.
Usually after they find success there’s hundreds of copycats who try to emulate their approach. Yet what the copycats don’t understand is why the original approach worked in the first place.
These trailblazers broke whatever problem down into its most core principles and made their own judgment. They didn’t listen to a YouTube video that told them what was right, they ignored the consensus and formed their own conclusion.
Critical thinking in the age of AI has been on my mind for the past year. Understanding biases and what influences our decision making is something that really fascinates me.
I plan on doing more research into first principles reasoning and how to come to your own conclusions.
It’s exciting to think that the coolest inventions of the next 50 years have yet to be made.
NFTs, IP Rights & The Metaverse
Last week I listened to one of the best podcasts on web3 and crypto in a long time. It breaks down why digital ownership matters and how this new system evens the playing field for people all over the world. Take a listen here if your interested.
Hope everyone enjoys their week.
Love,
Jet Williams