Curiosity Chronicle

A great commencement speech is filled with wisdom.10 powerful lessons from the best commencement speeches of all time:#1: Connecting the Dots"You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future." - Steve Jobs, Stanford 2005Life is uncertain. Have faith that your dots will somehow connect.#2: Master the Rescue"The difference between triumph and defeat, you’ll find, isn’t about willingness to take risks. It’s about mastery of rescue." - Atul Gawande, Williams 2012Failures are a given. The greatest don't fail less, they just succeed in rescuing more.#3: Be a Doer"I think a lot of people dream. And while they are busy dreaming, the really happy people, the really successful people, the really interesting, engaged, powerful people, are busy doing." - Shonda Rhimes, Dartmouth 2014It's not enough to dream. You have to do.#4: Learn to Improvise"Life is an improvisation. You have no idea what's going to happen next and you are mostly just making things up as you go along." - Stephen Colbert, Northwestern 2011Life has a habit of laughing at your best-laid plans. Let it flow - learn to improvise!#5: Appreciate the Sweetness"When things are going sweetly and peacefully, please pause a moment, and then say out loud: 'If this isn't nice, what is?'" - Kurt Vonnegut, Rice 1998Life moves fast. Slow down, pause, and appreciate moments of sweetness. You'll be glad you did.#6: Run Toward the Storm"Whatever you choose for a career path, remember the struggles along the way are only meant to shape you for your purpose." - Chadwick Boseman, Howard 2018Your career will be filled with struggles. Don't hide. Run toward them! Let them shape you.#7: Embrace Imposter Syndrome"I just directed my first film. I was completely unprepared, but my own ignorance to my own limitations looked like confidence and got me into the director's chair." - Natalie Portman, Harvard 2015We are all imposters...until we aren't. Embrace it!#8: Check the Assumptions"A huge percentage of the stuff that I tend to be automatically certain of is, it turns out, totally wrong and deluded." - David Foster Wallace, Kenyon 2005It's what you know for sure that just ain't so...To avoid trouble, always check the assumptions.#9: Look Up"The answer to a lot of your life's questions is often in someone else's face. Try putting your iPhones down every once in a while and look at people's faces." - Amy Poehler, Harvard 2011Look up from your phone. Observe and listen to those around you. Be present.#10: Make Your Bed"Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can't do the little things right, you will never do the big things right." - Admiral McRaven, Texas 2014Little things become big things. Take pride in the little things.These are 10 powerful lessons learned from some of the greatest commencement speeches of all time. What are your favorites that weren't included in the list?Enjoy this and want to share it with family and friends? You can find the original thread below. Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com

The story of the last few weeks in business has been the ransomware attack that took down the Colonial Pipeline.On ransomware-as-a-service, DarkSide, and what happens when publicity becomes really bad for business:First, a few definitions...What is ransomware? Ransomware is a type of malware - a software designed to cause harm to a computer, server, or network. Ransomware is used to encrypt the files on your system and hold it “hostage” until the demanded ransom is paid.Ransomware is not new, but ransomware attacks are most definitely on the rise. With the world increasingly moving online, the cyber-attackers have experienced a windfall.Both the frequency of attacks and the size of the average ransom payments have increased dramatically.The way a ransomware attack works is really quite simple (even if the underlying technology is complicated).A would-be attacker scans for vulnerable companies. They often look for dated systems or weak infrastructure - like an animal looking for injured prey.When a target is acquired, the cyber-attacker looks for an entry point. This could be using a phishing scam or other method to gain access to the network or company data and servers.Once inside, the cyber-attacker launches a program that encrypts all of the company’s data.Once encrypted, the data and systems become completely unusable without a decryption key. The company is immobilized.While this sounds complex, given the range of cybersecurity sophistication at companies, hackers say breaching some companies is “so easy a kid could do it.”After the encryption is complete, the ransom negotiation begins.The cyber-attackers reach out to the company, offering to provide a decryption key that will return access to the hostage data. In exchange, the company has to pay a ransom (usually in the form of Bitcoin).If ransom isn’t paid, the data may continue to be held (leaving the company immobilized) or sensitive data (credit cards, health records, etc.) may be leaked.Generally speaking, the company negotiates and pays the ransom, with its cyber insurance footing the bill.The ransomware market has operated in the shadows for a long time...until recently. The story of a high-profile attack on the Colonial Pipeline - and the fascinating “ransomware-as-a-service” entity that enabled it - has shined a light on the industry.Let’s dive in…Colonial Pipeline is the largest gas pipeline in the U.S. On May 7, it announced it had been hit by a ransomware attack and had shut down operations. This ransomware attack was different. It wasn’t an attack on a medium-sized business. It was much, much bigger than that.With the pipeline out of commission, gas prices spiked, impacting millions and drawing the immediate, full attention of the press (and the FBI). Suddenly, ransomware attacks were in the spotlight. And the services group enabling the attacks - DarkSide - was at center stage.DarkSide is a so-called “ransomware-as-a-service” company. It doesn’t engage in the actual cyberattacks. Instead, it provides a suite of tools and services that enable would-be cyber-attackers to conduct their business.DarkSide provides the malware that encrypts the data, but also much more.A communication service - making calls to the victim companies for negotiations. A hosting site for stolen data. Customer service. It can even sell inside info to stock traders for extra profit.Think of DarkSide as a cloud services provider for the modern ransomware era. It appears to be the market leader in providing such services! And it has an impressive economic model: DarkSide takes a 10-25% cut of the proceeds from the ransom payment.Normally, startups with strong market traction love publicity. It helps with new customer acquisition and growth! But the difference here is that when you are a ransomware-as-a-service market leader, publicity can be really, really bad for business.With the authorities now focused on them, DarkSide issued a statement: “Our goal is to make money and not create problems for society. From today, we introduce moderation and check each company that our partners want to encrypt to avoid social consequences in the future.”DarkSide learned the hard way what banks learned long ago: you have to know your customer! The Colonial Pipeline shutdown lasted about a week. Operations were restored after a rumored ransom payment of ~$5m (75-100 BTC). DarkSide’s cut was hefty - but it came at a cost.In the months to come, with the spotlight shined on the sophistication of the ransomware market - as well as the devastating nature of the attacks - companies will step up their cybersecurity infrastructure to defend themselves. This may be bad for ransomware profits...So is this just a classic market cycle? The ransomware market had predictable, large profits. This led to a rush of activity to exploit them. Now the market gets squeezed, making it less attractive to do ransomware attacks. Free markets at work...?That is the story of DarkSide, the Colonial Pipeline hack, and the fascinating ransomware-as-a-service business model. For more, check out this article from Bloomberg.Enjoy this and want to share it with family and friends? You can find the original thread below. Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com

Intellectual curiosity is a competitive advantage.But contrary to what you’ve been told, it has nothing to do with intelligence.10 ways to start developing your intellectual curiosity today:#1: Scrub Your Windows“Your assumptions are your windows on the world. Scrub them off every once in a while, or the light won't come in.” - Isaac AsimovCuriosity is a light that can only enter when your mental windows are clean. Scrub them off now and then. Let the light in.#2: Embrace “I Don’t Know”“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” - SocratesAvoid false confidence (and the people that display it!). Embracing what you do not know is a superpower. Recognize your gaps and blind spots. Slowly, methodically fill them in.#3: Go Down Rabbit HolesWhen you find a spark of curiosity, dive in and don’t look back. You cannot control when they come, so you must embrace them when they do.The rabbit hole is the amusement park of the intellectually curious mind. Enjoy it!#4: Ask “Dumb” QuestionsWhen we are young, we always ask “Why?” But over time, we develop a fear of asking the “dumb” question that may draw the ire of our peers.That fear stifles our intellectual curiosity. Fight it back. Face it. When in doubt, ask.#5: Build Curiosity CirclesCuriosity is communal. Find a group of friends who are motivated by learning and growth. Share ideas, learnings, and insights with each other.You’ll build bonds and have a constant source of stimulation for your intellectual curiosity.#6: Make Learning the GoalLearning with a specific end goal in mind often becomes a chore - it is a fast track to stifled curiosity. Focus on the learning itself - not other outcomes. Take pride in learning something new every single day.“Learn as if you were to live forever.”#7: Open Up to the WorldThe diversity of human experience in our world is one of the greatest gifts to the intellectually curious mind. When you meet someone new, take genuine interest in their life and experiences.The world opens up to you, when you open up to the world.#8: Focus on Your PassionsForced learning is for school. It doesn’t work in practice. It stifles curiosity. Find what you truly enjoy learning about. It doesn’t matter what it is. It doesn’t have to be “intellectual” or impressive.Remember: You are learning for you!#9: Read FlexiblyBooks are a life-changing investment that you can make for under $100.But to take advantage, you must read flexibly. Read what you love. Read what draws you in. When it stops doing so, put it down. Forced reading is the antidote to curiosity.#10: The Curiosity ChronicleAnd last - but certainly not least - sign up for this newsletter...A weekly short-form newsletter with five pieces of content curated to spark your intellectual curiosity.So those are 10 ways to start developing your intellectual curiosity today.For additional writing related to cultivating intellectual curiosity in your children, check out my friend Ana Fabrega at Synthesis, who is putting out incredible content. Synthesis is building something special disrupting traditional childhood education. Check them out here!Enjoy this and want to share it with family and friends? You can find the original thread below. Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com

Warren Buffett is a treasure trove of wisdom.But contrary to what you have been told, most of it has nothing to do with investing.10 powerful lessons for life from the Oracle of Omaha:#1 - Wait For A Juicy Pitch“You don't have to swing at everything - you can wait for your pitch."Life doesn’t reward you for the number of swings you take.Focus on identifying the juiciest pitch.When it comes, swing hard and don’t miss it.#2 - Just Stop Digging“The most important thing to do if you find yourself in a hole is to stop digging."When things aren’t working, change course and try something different.Be nimble. Be agile.When you find yourself at the bottom of a hole, stop digging and climb out of it.#3 - Exploit Disconnects“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”Seek out situations where there is a clear disconnect between price and value.This applies to investing, but it’s more broadly a mental model for life.Identify disconnects. Exploit them to your advantage.#4 - Be Contrarian“Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.”Following the crowd is easy, but it can be a trap.Learn to think independently. Come to your own decisions. Develop your own mental models.Your unique perspectives are your superpower.#5 - Optimize Value Capture“Opportunities come infrequently. When it rains gold, put out the bucket, not the thimble."Create structures that enable you to capture more of the value you create.The most successful people have simply optimized their value capture mechanisms.#6 - Make Time Your Friend“Time is the friend of the wonderful business, the enemy of the mediocre.”Don’t be in a rush.Set up your life to compound value over the long-term.Play long-term games with long-term people.Make time work for - not against - you.#7 - Protect Your Circle of Competence“Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.”Be ruthlessly honest about what you know (your circle of competence) and what you don’t.Focus on playing games within your circle - otherwise, you’re just gambling.#8 - Never Get Caught Naked“It's only when the tide goes out that you discover who's been swimming naked.”Find a balance between pushing yourself for growth and being completely out of your depth.Never put yourself in a high-stakes position to get caught swimming naked.#9 - Reputation Matters“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you'll do things differently.”In every interaction - big or small - always act in accordance with strong principles and values.Your character is your fate.#10 - Invest In Yourself“The most important investment you can make is in yourself."There is no better investment than an investment in yourself.Find time to read, to think, to learn.Surround yourself with amazing people who push you to become better.Invest in you.These are 10 powerful lessons for life from Warren Buffett, but there are so many more.What are your favorite lessons from the Oracle of Omaha?I have to admit, I am still shaking from this moment at the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting in 2019...Enjoy this and want to share it with family and friends? You can find the original thread below. Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com

In his final Amazon shareholder letter, Jeff Bezos shared a powerful mental model on maintaining your distinctiveness.On the fight against normalcy (in your career, startup, writing, or life):Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994.In 27 years at the helm, he grew it into one of the largest and most influential companies in the world. Today, it is worth almost $1.7 trillion.Each year since its 1997 IPO, Bezos has written an annual letter to Amazon shareholders.In February, Jeff Bezos announced he would step down as CEO.In his final annual shareholder letter, he covered his “create more than you consume” mantra and hit on climate and employee issues.But its closing - on the fight against normalcy - held the most powerful lessons.Bezos set the stage for his mental model with a quote from Richard Dawkins’ The Blind Watchmaker:“The body tends to revert to a state of equilibrium with its environment...if living things didn’t work actively to prevent it, they would eventually merge into their surroundings.”With the stage set, Bezos makes his point:“In what ways does the world pull at you in an attempt to make you normal? How much work does it take to maintain your distinctiveness?...You have to pay a price for your distinctiveness...don’t expect it to be easy or free.”This is a powerful mental model for thinking about distinctiveness.If equilibrium with our surroundings - normalcy - is our natural state, we must fight to maintain distinctiveness.Constantly, relentlessly.Distinctiveness isn’t free - you have to pay your dues every day.Once you internalize this framework, you will see it all around you. You will see all of the ways that our systems and institutions are designed to keep you normal. You will start to see how hard it is to be different - the true cost of distinctiveness.One perfect example: Education.Our traditional education systems look like the early Ford Model T assembly lines.Standardized, one-size-fits-all curriculum and arbitrary assessments of competency.We leave some kids behind, we hold back others. We fail to foster innovation, ingenuity, and creativity.Traditional education systems are designed to maintain equilibrium.Conventional wisdom said it would be too hard to foster creativity at scale. It will be hard, but that’s the point!Innovation is coming: Synthesis is building something special, for example.The world wants you to be normal. Our systems and institutions are all designed to make it easy to be normal.Maintaining your distinctiveness is possible, but it will require effort - painful, constant, relentless effort.But stay the course. You’ll find it’s worth it.Enjoy this and want to share it with family and friends? You can find the original thread below. Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com

The story of the last few weeks in finance has been the secretive rise and rapid downfall of Archegos Capital Management.A thread on the underlying mechanics of the Archegos saga and how a $20 billion fortune vanished into thin air... First, let’s set the stage.Archegos Capital Management is the family office of Bill Hwang, a former prodigy of hedge fund legend Julian Robertson.Hwang previously built Tiger Asia Management - a so-called “Tiger Cub” fund due to its lineage from Robertson’s Tiger Management.Bill Hwang grew Tiger Asia Management into a highly successful hedge fund, reaching ~$10 billion in assets under management in the 2000s.He was a bit of an anomaly in the world of high finance - known as a devout Christian with simple tastes (seriously, he drives a Hyundai!).After winding down Tiger Asia Management following a few bad bets and a run-in with regulators, Hwang opened Archegos (a Greek word for “one who leads the way”) in 2013 with ~$200 million in personal capital.He began doing what he does best - trading and investing.Going long innovation, he scored big wins on stocks like Netflix and Amazon.Soon, Archegos’ capital had grown to $4 billion.But Hwang, a private and deeply religious man, was not one for the spotlight. He just appears to have genuinely enjoyed his work.Fortunately, there were features of the strategy that allowed the firm to remain anonymous.As a family office, it was not required to disclose its holdings on a 13F filing (as with all hedge funds).It used swap contracts to quietly amass large, leveraged positions.The 13F loophole is self-explanatory: Archegos was a family office with a specific structure, so it did not have to file quarterly 13Fs disclosing its holdings.Swap contracts (“swaps”) are a bit more complicated. Let’s simplify them here for everyone to understand...In simple terms, a swap contract is an agreement between two parties to exchange (swap!) the values or cash flows of one asset for another.Archegos entered swap contracts with banks to gain exposure to stocks without holding them.This is not an uncommon practice for funds.My banker buys $100 of Apple on my behalf but holds it on the bank B/S.I post $20 as “margin” (see my primer on margin) and agree to pay interest on the borrowed money ($80).I “own” $100 of Apple, but only had to put up $20 and no one knows I own it.At the end of every day, we settle up on the account.If the value of the Apple stock in my account rises, my banker pays me in cash the value of that rise.If the value of the Apple stock in my account falls, I have to post additional margin (to make my banker feel safe!).Note: I am definitely simplifying the mechanics of a swap contract for illustrative purposes. There are many types and flavors of swaps, but most follow the basic structure laid out above.Back to Archegos...Bill Hwang used swaps to amass large long positions (again, not an uncommon practice for hedge funds!).He built positions in stocks like ViacomCBS, Baidu, and GSX.He had accounts with many banks, including Goldman, Morgan Stanley, and Credit Suisse.As the stocks rose rapidly in early 2021, he used the cash his swap contracts were paying him to enter new swaps, increase his leverage, and buy even more.It was a self-fulfilling prophecy: rising prices enabled more leverage and more buying, further accelerating the rise.At its peak, Archegos had built a ~$100 billion portfolio and Bill Hwang was worth ~$30 billion.Importantly, as the positions were held at banks and not disclosed on 13F filings, the extent of the positions and leverage was largely unknown.But then it all came crashing down.On March 22, ViacomCBS, which had seen its stock 3x in the prior months (perhaps from Archegos’ aggressive buying) announced a $3 billion stock sale.Its share price tumbled 30% in the two days that followed the announcement.Suddenly, Archegos’ levered bets were underwater.This meant that the value of the stock being held on the bank balance sheets was lower than the amount that was loaned to buy the positions.The banks would be able to seize a portion of Archegos’ collateral in order to make themselves whole.The banks allegedly asked Archegos to sell its positions and close the contracts.This would mean Hwang would take a small loss but the banks would be whole.The problem was that if the stocks dropped much more, Archegos would be wiped out and even the banks might take a loss.The bankers from the different banks convened a meeting to discuss what to do.Some believed the best path was to wait - the stocks would recover and everything would be fine.Others weren’t so sure and began offloading large blocks of Archegos’ stock to mitigate their risk.A classic deleveraging spiral was set in motion.As the banks seized Archegos’ collateral and sold large blocks of the stock, the stock prices began to drop.Seeing the further stock price drops, Archegos’ other bankers, who had been inclined to wait, began doing the same.With the dust settled, it was time to assess the damage.Archegos’ banks had offloaded ~$100 billion of stock.Several (the late movers who had tried to wait) had lost billions in the process.And Archegos had seen its estimated $20 billion capital base vanish into thin air...The details of the Archegos saga are still unfolding.It has many markers of a classic tale of Wall Street collapse, including excessive leverage, esoteric contracts, and epic losses.But what may make the story more interesting is its lack of another classic marker: greed.Bill Hwang does not appear to have been motivated by the accumulation of wealth or status.His religious, charitable, frugal life is in direct conflict with the archetype of the Wall Street villain.The complexity of his character adds to the mystique of this crazy story.So that is the story of Archegos Capital Management, Bill Hwang, and how $20 billion was made and lost in the blink of an eye.For more on Archegos and the dangers of leverage, check out this article from Bloomberg.Enjoy this and want to share it with family and friends? You can find the original thread below. Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com

Kaizen is a powerful concept for unlocking growth in your career, startup, business, writing, or life.A short thread on what it means and the magic of continuous improvement...Kaizen is a Japanese word meaning “improvement.”In practice, the term is used to convey continuous improvement.It is a dynamic process - ongoing, incremental, compounding daily improvements.The origin of the concept of Kaizen is long, winding, and global in nature.In the 1930s, Walter Shewhart - a Bell Labs engineer - had developed the Plan-Do-Study-Act System (PDSA) to assess the effectiveness of organizational changes in driving continued business improvement.Shewhart had mentored a young engineer named W. Edwards Deming, who went to Japan after WWII as part of the post-war recovery efforts.Deming implemented and improved upon his mentor’s ideas and helped to drive the remarkable post-war economic growth in Japan.But the concept of Kaizen began to build a mainstream following with the works of Masaaki Imai, a Japanese organizational theorist and consultant.In 1986, he published a best-seller, entitled “Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s Competitive Success” and founded The Kaizen Institute.Kaizen prioritizes small, daily improvements (rather than large, step-function leaps).It teaches that progress and growth are the result of daily actions to drive the small improvements.It teaches that progress and growth are achievable for anyone willing to put in the work.The great James Clear shared a powerful visualization of the magic of Kaizen.“If you get one percent better each day for one year, you'll end up thirty-seven times better by the time you’re done.”The math doesn’t lie. Kaizen - continuous improvement - is the way.“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” - Lao TzuAs you embark on your own thousand-mile journey - whether in your career or life - always remember the incredible power of small, consistent, daily progress.Always remember the power of Kaizen.Enjoy this and want to share it with family and friends? You can find the original thread below. Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com

Focus is a competitive advantage.But in a noisy world, it is increasingly difficult to find.5 tactics for finding focus in your career, startup, or life:#1 - Eliminate Low-Value DecisionsMark Zuckerberg is famous for having only one outfit in his closet.While an extreme example, there is a lesson here: Eliminate decisions that require energy but do not create commensurate value.Redeploy that energy into high-value decisions.#2 - Sprint Then RestThe human mind is not designed to be on at all times.It needs rest.Work in short blocks (1-2 hours).You can schedule the blocks - I call it "deep work" on my calendar - or leave yourself more flexibility.Use biology to your advantage: sprint then rest.#3 - Noise CancellationThe world is noisy. We are constantly being hit by stimuli competing for our attention.Learn to tune out and zone in.Noise-canceling headphones can be an unimaginably helpful tool.Find your "in the zone" soundtrack and play it on repeat.#4 - Sleep TightIt may seem contrarian in the hustle culture era, but deep, restful sleep is critical to finding focus.I am a culprit. I used to say I would "sleep when I was dead" - I've changed my mind.Better sleep is perhaps the single greatest unlock for your performance.#5 - Train Your MindWe train our bodies, why not our minds?Practice meditation - start with 5 minutes a day and build up from there. There are plenty of great apps to help you get started.You'll find yourself better able to process daily stressors and focus on the task at hand. These are 5 tactics for finding focus. What are some others you would add to the list?Additionally, here are a few high ROI tools and resources related to these tactics that I have personally found useful:For better sleep and performance: White Noise Maker & Athletic GreensFor a powerful mind: Meditation AppFor tuning out the noise: Noise Canceling HeadphonesEnjoy this and want to share it with family and friends? You can find the original thread below. Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com

Ikigai is a powerful concept for finding purpose and clarity to unlock growth in your career, startup, business, writing, or relationships.A thread on its meaning and how it can change your life...Ikigai is a combination of the Japanese words “iki” (or “life”) and “gai” (a term to describe value or worth).It roughly translates to “reason for being.”It is all-encompassing - it is not simply about work, money, or success - it is about the full scope of your existence.Ikigai is the point of balance and harmony in your life and work.It is found at the intersection of:What you love to doWhat you are good atWhat the world needsWhat you can be paid forImportantly, it is at the nexus of passion and practicality.The concept of Ikigai can be traced back to 12th century Japan, but its exact genesis is unknown.It gained a mainstream following after Dan Buettner’s famous 2009 Ted Talk on his research on Blue Zones (regions where people live longer than average).In his research, Dan Buettner found that purpose and fulfillment led to improved longevity.Put simply, embracing the concept of Ikigai contributed to enhanced health (mental and physical) and longer lifespans.To implement the concept of Ikigai in your life, create your personal Ikigai Venn diagram.Start with the passions: What do you truly love to do? What are you really good at? What can you become good at?Now get practical: What does the world need? What will it pay you for?The elegance of the concept of Ikigai is in its blend of passion and practicality.Life is a multivariate problem. Simple, uniplanar solutions and one-size-fits-all mantras fall short.Ikigai recognizes this and forces a dynamic, systems approach to finding purpose.Separately, for those of you who are interested in growing your audience on Twitter, I will be co-hosting a cohort-based course with my good friend Julian Shapiro that will teach you tactics for building an audience. You can sign up here to be on the list and learn more. Stay tuned - it’s going to be great.Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com

The story of the week in the business world is the blockage of the Suez Canal by a massive container ship. Weighing 200,000 metric tons, dislodging the ship is no easy problem to solve.But while it happened in 2021, the roots of this problem date back to 1937, when a truck driver from North Carolina had a simple idea that would completely change the world.Malcolm Purcell McLean was born in 1913 in Maxton, North Carolina.The son of a farmer, McLean learned the value of hard work from a young age.Unable to afford college, he went to work at a gas station. By age 21, he had saved enough money to buy a used truck.It was from these humble beginnings that Malcolm McLean founded McLean Trucking Co. in 1934.The business focused on transporting empty tobacco barrels, livestock feed, and produce. Originally confined to the Mid-Atlantic, McLean Trucking quickly expanded its reach.In 1937, after completing a haul from Fayetteville to Hoboken, McLean was forced to wait for hours in his hot truck while the stevedores worked their way to his load.He realized there had to be a more efficient way to do all of this.The current method - with individual crates unloaded by stevedores, placed into a sling, and lifted into the ship's hold - was time consuming, expensive, and inefficient.As he continued to build a trucking empire over the next decade, the idea constantly gnawed at him.By 1955, Malcolm McLean had built McLean Trucking Co. into one of the largest trucking operations in the country, with >1,700 trucks and locations.But the future he envisioned went well beyond trucking, so he set out to build a new reality.McLean dreamed up a standardized truck trailer that could be easily loaded and stacked onto ships or trains.In his mind, "containerized cargo" was to be the future of shipping and logistics.Efficient logistics would mean improved commerce and a thriving economy.In 1955, to expand his reach, he sought to acquire Pan-Atlantic Steamship Company - a cargo and passenger operation with docking rights at key port cities.But when railroad executives attempted to block the deal on anti-trust grounds, McLean was forced to make a decision.Malcolm McLean decided to bet on himself and his big idea. He sold his ownership stake in McLean Trucking for $6 million (~$58 million today) and used it to purchase Pan-Atlantic.He quickly set about to make his vision for the future of logistics into a reality.Renaming it Sea-Land Industries, in 1956, he purchased two World War II tankers and retrofitted them to carry his newly designed standardized containers.The SS Ideal X set sail on its maiden voyage in April 1956, carrying 58 of McLean's containers from New Jersey to Houston.With the initial success, McLean kicked off a marketing tour to convince key players to rethink their operations.With 25% lower transportation costs, safer storage, and cheaper insurance, he won over customers.With lower port labor costs, he won over port authorities.McLean's big idea for "containerization" took the shipping and logistics world by storm.By the late-1960s, Sea-Land Industries had 27,000+ containers, 36 ships, and covered 30 major ports.McLean had built the single largest cargo shipping business in the world.In 1969, R.J. Reynolds purchased Sea-Land Industries for $530 million (~$3.8 billion today).Malcolm McLean personally made $160 million (~$1.1 billion today) on the sale.His transformation from truck driver to global shipping magnate was officially complete.The legend of Malcolm McLean's innovation extends well-beyond his personal success."Containerization" enabled the rapid expansion of global trade. Without it, our global economy would simply not be possible, and the Suez Canal blockage may never have occurred.Malcolm McLean died in 2001 at age 87, but his legacy lives on.For more on the amazing story of Malcolm McLean and the containerization of the world, I highly recommend reading The Box by Marc Levinson.For those of you who are interested in growing your audience on Twitter or your newsletter, I will be co-hosting a cohort-based course with my good friend Julian Shapiro that will teach you tactics for building an audience. You can sign up here to be on the list and learn more. Stay tuned - it’s going to be great.Subscribe now and follow me on Twitter so you never miss a thread.Until next time, stay curious, friends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sahilbloom.substack.com