Thinking
Writing is thinking, distilled.
Everyone has ideas that hit every other second. And ideas are a dime a dozen. But when those ideas are written down, gaps in thinking are exposed and as the idea through emerges on paper, tough questions stare at the writer. There is no running away from it.
A good writer use the many tools of the craft to can fool the world, but not for long. More importantly still, you cannot fool yourself. That is also why, writing is pure meditation as well.
A talk by Peter Kaufman on the Mulit-Disciplinary Approach to Thinking. Hosted by the Cal Poly Pomona Economics Club on March 29th, 2018. Mr. Kaufman does not normally allow his talks to be on the record, but is making a rare exception in this case. He believes the message within this talk – that it is possible to succeed in business, yet fail in life – is critical for anyone interested in living a full, meaningful life, with minimal regret in later years. He hopes that “going positive and going first”, “win/win”, and “going far by going together” are ideas that aspiring money managers will take to heart in their own lives. Link to Full Transcript: http://latticeworkinvesting.com/2018/04/06/peter-kaufman-on-the-multidisciplinary-approach-to-thinking/
One of the most interesting thoughts embedded in my head the other day is that "50 is the new 30."
There is furious debate on the theme with a lot many people who think the line a tub of crock. When thought of though from a dynamic systems perspective, this debate ought to be done and dusted with.
As technology progresses with unprecedented velocity (as opposed to mindless speed), it is incumbent on humans to morph into polymaths. This is not just about survival, but about living well. We stand at the edge of a new Renaissance Era That is why I listened in with much fascination to this talk by Peter Kaufman, President of Gordian Group.
For those who look at mental models and believe there is much value in multi-disciplinary thinking, this talk grabs you by the scruff of the neck from the word go.
"So why is it important to be a multidisciplinary thinker? The answer comes from the Austrian philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein who said, ‘To understand is to know what to do.’ Could there be anything that sounds simpler than that? And yet it’s a genius line, to understand is to know what to do. How many mistakes do you make when you understand something? You don’t make any mistakes. Where do mistakes come from? They come from blind spots, a lack of understanding. Why do you need to be multidisciplinary in your thinking? Because as the Japanese proverb says, ‘The frog in the well knows nothing of the mighty ocean.’ You may know everything there is to know about your specialty, your silo, your “well”, but how are you going to make any good decisions in life…the complex systems of life, the dynamic system of life…if all you know is one well?"
The full transcript has been meticulously put in place by Richard Lewis of Latticework Investing. I've gone over the ideas a few times now and am wrestling with all that is embedded in here.
This is, without a doubt, one of the most gentle and the most powerful talks I have heard in recent times. I intend to keep coming back to it every once a while. May I urge you to take an hour off, switch all distractions, and listen to this lovely lady tell her beautiful stories? By the time she's done, you'll wish you'd heard this talk before.
Just discovered on A Talk a Day. I think I'm going to be up a while until I hear all of what Daniel Kahneman has to say. And just in case you haven't read Thinking Fast and Slow, time you did. Now, how did I miss this site for as long as this?
