Weekend Briefing No. 552
How the Future Looked in 1974 -- Integrative Complexity -- Love Advice from Divorce Lawyers
Welcome to the weekend.
Prime Numbers
3,670,000,000 — The summer box office came in at $3.67 billion domestically, which is down 10.3 percent year over year.
157,000,000 — In 2011, 178 million Americans chewed gum, while in 2024, that’s down to 157 million.
190 — Since 2010, the country that has increased in wealth the most is Kazakhstan, which has grown 190%. China was a close second at 180%.
How the Future Looked in 1974
A half-century ago, in 1974 "Saturday Review" asked some of the era's visionaries for their predictions of what 2024 would look like. 20 thinkers set down their own visions for space travel, the environment, and this new-fangled thing called the computer. Neil Armstrong, just five years after his historic lunar walk, boldly predicted a future where humans would not only establish bustling colonies on the moon but also venture to Mars and selected asteroids within 50 years, driven by an insatiable curiosity to explore and experience the cosmos firsthand. Wernher von Braun, the chief architect of NASA's Saturn V rocket, accurately predicted in 1974 the rise of personal computing, online commerce, remote work, and video calls by 2024, while also envisioning some technological advancements that have yet to materialize. The New Stack (11 minutes)
Integrative Complexity
What if the key to success lies in embracing contradiction rather than avoiding it? Studies by five renowned thinkers, including a self-made billionaire and an eminent psychologist, reveal that many of the world's top entrepreneurs and Nobel Laureates possess a rare skill called "integrative complexity." This ability allows individuals to hold opposing traits, values, and ideas simultaneously, integrating them into larger, more nuanced perspectives. Leaders like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and Elon Musk demonstrate this skill by balancing seemingly contradictory qualities such as creativity and systematic thinking, or assertiveness and open-mindedness. The implications of these findings challenge conventional wisdom, suggesting we should move beyond the strengths-based paradigm of skill development and instead focus on synthesizing atypical combinations of skills and traits. By running toward tension rather than away from it and learning to work with opponents instead of just friends, we can develop a more complex understanding of the world and unlock greater potential for success and innovation. Blockbuster Blueprint (21 minutes)
Love Advice from Divorce Lawyers
Divorce lawyers offer valuable insights into maintaining healthy relationships and recognizing when it's time to end them. 1) Constructive arguments and discussions are essential to address issues and prevent resentment, but it's equally important to let go of trivial disagreements. 2) Maintaining physical intimacy and open communication is crucial, as their gradual decline often leads to the deterioration of marriages. 3) Couples must also acknowledge and adapt to each other's changes over time, working together to grow as individuals and as a unit to prevent drifting apart. The Guardian (8 minutes)
Taming Parkinsons
Could a brain 'pacemaker' with a mind of its own be the key to taming Parkinson's disease? A groundbreaking adaptive deep brain stimulation (aDBS) device, powered by artificial intelligence, is showing remarkable promise in reducing symptoms of this debilitating condition. This innovative technology continuously monitors brain activity and adjusts stimulation in real-time, offering a more personalized and effective treatment than conventional methods. In a small NIH-funded trial, the aDBS system demonstrated a significant 50% reduction in participants' most bothersome symptoms, potentially revolutionizing the management of Parkinson's disease and improving patients' quality of life. National Institutes of Health (6 minutes)
Starlink for the Sailors
Is boredom the hidden enemy of naval efficiency? The US Navy is testing Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite network, to combat isolation and monotony for sailors at sea. This initiative aims to provide high-speed, consistent internet connectivity to warships, significantly improving the quality of life aboard. Part of the Sailor Edge Afloat and Ashore (SEA2) program, this upgrade from the military's aging satellite network could transform communication capabilities across the entire fleet, making life easier for service members during long deployments. WIRED (6 minutes)
Levittown’s Legacy
In 1947, William Levitt's Levittown developments burst onto the scene as a groundbreaking marvel, producing homes at an unprecedented rate and scale that seemed poised to revolutionize the housing industry through innovative mass production techniques. However, this initial success, driven by unique post-war conditions, ultimately failed to transform the industry long-term. Changing market demands, increased competition and stricter land-use controls made Levitt's large-scale, standardized approach less viable by the late 1960s. Despite being the largest U.S. homebuilder for a time, Levitt and Sons couldn't achieve lasting economies of scale, as analyses showed limited benefits beyond 500 homes per year and high overhead costs often offset potential savings. The Levitt story illustrates how the complexities of local regulations, land costs and diverse consumer preferences have made housing resistant to mass production techniques, leading the industry to evolve toward more flexible, smaller-scale approaches. Construction Physics (11 minutes)
Increase Your Learning Throughput
What if the key to mastering any skill lies not in how you learn, but in how much? Here are some tips to try: 1) Scheduling large chunks of uninterrupted time for focused learning dramatically increases absorption capacity. 2) Aggressively utilizing fragmented time by swapping idle phone activities for learning and making projects readily accessible maximizes otherwise wasted moments. 3) Streamlining each iteration of the learning process by minimizing decision-making, idle time, and preparation significantly boosts overall productivity. 4) Making learning more enjoyable through optimized difficulty, increased meaningfulness, and frequent rewards naturally enhances engagement and time invested. 5) Consciously deciding what activities to reduce in order to prioritize learning creates room for increased throughput without falling into the trap of trying to do everything simultaneously. Scott H. Young (9 minutes)
Should We Work Together?
Hi! I’m Kyle. This newsletter is my passion project. When I’m not writing, I run a law firm that helps startups move fast without breaking things. Most founders want a trusted legal partner, but they hate surprise legal bills. At Westaway, we take care of your startup’s legal needs for a flat, monthly fee so you can control your costs and focus on scaling your business. If you’re interested, let’s jump on a call to see if you’re a good fit for the firm. Click here to schedule a one-on-one call with me.
Founder Fridays
Check out my other email Founder Fridays — a Friday morning briefing helping startup founders and operators scale smarter.
Weekend Wisdom
The only way you can predict the future is to build it. -Alan Kay
I’m struggling with the Blockbuster Blueprint Article. Conceptually I liked the though challenge. My struggle is the subjects of the studies or, at least the names referenced, are all men. Where are the women?