The Next Big Idea Daily Here's How to Get Lucky
Dec 15, 2025
Judd Kessler, a Wharton School economist, explores the fascinating world of hidden markets and strategies from his book, *Lucky by Design*. He discusses techniques like 'settling for silver' and multi-listing to improve your odds in lottery-like systems. Christian Busch, a community builder and expert on serendipity, introduces the 'Serendipity Mindset', emphasizing how to create unexpected opportunities. He shares insights on using open questions and a balance of direction and flexibility to navigate life's uncertainties.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Hidden Markets Shape Many Outcomes
- Many everyday allocations happen in hidden markets that don't use price to sort who gets what.
- Recognizing these hidden markets helps you see where different rules determine who wins.
Learn The Market Rules First
- Learn the specific rules of each hidden market you care about before you play.
- Then design a strategy that exploits those rules rather than guessing blindly.
Strategically Settle For Silver
- Consider 'settling for silver' by selecting a less-contested option as your declared preference.
- This raises your chance of success compared with competitively chasing the top choice.
