Investing in Entropy and Long-Term Thinking

This chapter examines the concept of entropy in the context of high-quality investing, highlighting how companies can mitigate decay through strategic traits that boost value. It contrasts long-term versus short-term thinking in business, emphasizing the need for a sustainable perspective informed by the competitive advantages of market structures and corporate culture. Utilizing insights from various frameworks and philosophies, the discussion encourages continuous improvement and the cultivation of virtues as essential elements for success in both personal and professional realms.

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Episode notes

In this episode, William Green chats with hedge fund manager Christopher Begg, who is the CEO, Chief Investment Officer, & co-founder of East Coast Asset Management. Chris is also a revered professor at Columbia Business School, where he teaches the Security Analysis class that was originally taught by Warren Buffett’s mentor, Ben Graham. Here, Chris shares powerful lessons on how to identify high-quality businesses & build a life that’s defined by a commitment to quality.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

00:00 - Intro

03:54- How Chris Begg came to teach an investing class originally taught by Ben Graham.

10:29 - What Chris learned from his ten fireside chats with Berkshire Hathaway’s Todd Combs.

13:17 - What Buffett & Munger taught Chris about focusing on a few great businesses.

17:58 - How he finds undervalued stocks by asking, “Where are the clouds today?”

26:55 - Why he’s bullish on Meta & Google, despite an array of perceived threats.

36:09 - How he identifies great businesses by seeking 8 layers of competitive advantage.

47:13 - How to succeed through “persistent incremental progress eternally repeated.”

1:00:01 - Why investors can’t afford to ignore a company’s impact on the environment.

1:06:40 - Why consistent kindness is a potent ingredient of success, helping to build trust.

1:15:22 - How Chris gains an edge by continuously compounding his interdisciplinary knowledge.

1:32:17 - What he’s learned about the pursuit of excellence from surfing with Josh Waitzkin.

1:40:48 - Why Chris structures his workday to include meditation & contemplation.

1:50:46 - What studying Andrew Carnegie—once the world’s richest person—has taught him.

1:53:40 - Why Chris believes that the world is headed in a better direction.

Disclaimer: Slight discrepancies in the timestamps may occur due to podcast platform differences.

BOOKS AND RESOURCES

Join the exclusive TIP Mastermind Community to engage in meaningful stock investing discussions with Stig, Clay, and the other community members.
Chris Begg’s investment firm, East Coast Asset Management.
One from Many by Dee Hock.
Nick Sleep’s list of long-term vs short-term characteristics.
Robert Pirsig’s Zen & the Art of Motorcyle Maintenance, Lila, & On Quality.
Finite & Infinite Games by James Carse.
William Green’s book, “Richer, Wiser, Happier” – read the reviews of this book.
William Green’s Twitter.

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