Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin False merit, appearing real (E)
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Nov 1, 2023 The podcast explores the concept of merit and its relevance in different contexts. It discusses the challenges elite institutions face in redefining merit and highlights the influence of factors like family educational background and soft skills. The podcast also examines how cultural rules can influence companies losing focus on their customers and explores the differences between working for a public company and a private company.
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Spruce Goose
- Howard Hughes built the Spruce Goose, the largest plane ever, from birch wood during World War II due to metal shortages.
- It flew only once, highlighting that merit in materials matters, like using metal for planes.
Merit’s Complexity
- Merit is clear with materials but complex with people, especially in college admissions or sports team selections.
- The pursuit of being chosen and the advantages it offers drive us to seek external validation of merit.
Moneyball’s Merit
- NBA players from Illinois earn more than those from Stanford, influencing college choices of aspiring players.
- Billy Beane's Moneyball strategy proved that unconventional metrics could outperform traditional ones in baseball.