The Dutch Investors #77 | Lessons from history on things that never change | Same as Ever - Ep. 3
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Jan 21, 2026 Explore how the collapse can spark creativity, with history showing that great innovations often arise from desperate situations. Discover the risks of ideas growing too large, illustrated by tragic tales like Starbucks' fall. Delve into the contrast between rapid calamity and slow progress, using the Silicon Valley Bank crisis as a prime example. Uncover the powerful impact of seemingly minor events that reshaped the 20th century. Finally, learn the balance of optimism and pessimism in investing, backed by the wisdom of historical figures.
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Scaling Breaks The Best Ideas
- Scaling has limits because mechanics don't scale linearly with size.
- A good idea on steroids can collapse under its own weight, as biology and business show.
Starbucks’ Growth Backlash
- Starbucks expanded from 425 stores in 1994 to opening a store every four hours by 2007 and then suffered a major pullback.
- The company closed 600 stores and its stock fell 73% when growth became the strategy, not a tactic.
When Sexual Selection Kills A Species
- The Irish elk evolved enormous antlers that ultimately prevented survival.
- A trait that boosts success can become an extinction driver when it grows beyond a convenient size.
