Simplifying Complexity In conversation with Jim Rutt
Jun 23, 2025
Jim Rutt, host of The Jim Rutt Show and former Chair of the Santa Fe Institute, dives deep into his tech journey and intersections with complexity science. He discusses how genetic algorithms and market simulations have shaped innovation. Rutt shares insights on AI's role in programming, the importance of multidisciplinary talent in tech, and critiques traditional business models under the Innovator's Dilemma. He also introduces Game B, a new social system focused on sustainability and systemic change.
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Early Tech Career Spark
- Jim Rutt bought his first computer with his publishing bonus and jumped into the earliest consumer online service called The Source in 1980.
- This sparked his journey into tech, sales, and eventually leading product strategy in an early internet company.
Wall Street Communication System
- Rutt built a real-time communication system for Wall Street between analysts and money managers with satellite data delivery to bypass telecom bottlenecks.
- The system was highly advanced for its time and profitable from the first month after launch.
Network Solutions Domain Failures
- As CEO of Network Solutions, Jim discovered that 50% of template submissions for domain setup failed silently.
- This caused huge errors undetected by clients, reflecting severe operational issues at the time.
