Akimbo: A Podcast from Seth Godin 5 monkeys
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Mar 6, 2019 Discover the intriguing story behind the five monkeys and how it's a myth that shapes cultural understanding. Dive into the clash between cultural memetics and DNA as Seth explores why industries like Blockbuster struggle to adapt. He discusses the cultural inertia preventing organizations from evolution, using Netflix's transformation as a prime example. Through guiding questions, Seth inspires rethinking organizational identity, emphasizing knowledge as the pivotal asset in an ever-shifting landscape. Community, not just information, fuels action and creativity.
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Five Monkeys Story About Culture
- Seth tells the five monkeys story about the ladder, banana, and water spray to illustrate cultural conditioning.
- He notes the story is fictional but conveys how group behavior persists after original conditions vanish.
Culture Trumps DNA In Daily Life
- Seth contrasts DNA with memetics, arguing culture (memetics) drives human behavior more than biological traits.
- Culture is invisible, sticky, and much harder to shift than physical attributes.
Blockbuster Turned Down Netflix's Model
- Seth recounts Blockbuster's chance to match Netflix's subscription model and reject it due to valuing late fees.
- The board refused because late fees were core to Blockbuster's identity and revenue that year.
