Cargo-coulting is when you superficially copy something without understanding why. In the classic variety, what's essential is the thing that you're copying is good. The most obvious example of this was Google in the early 2000s; everyone wanted to be like "the next Google" Dalton Caldwell: I think it's funny because we came up with a way to use these ideas but then didn't really understand them.
When it comes to building a startup you’re never doing it entirely from scratch. Inspiration and ideas can come from a variety of places, including other successful startups. But there’s a thin line between borrowing smart ideas and copying them blindly - otherwise known as Cargo Culting.
In this episode Dalton and Michael break down the problem with Cargo Culting and offer advice on the right way to draw inspiration from other successful companies.
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