Juan David's Newsletter - December 6, 2020

The Goal of the Newsletter, College isn't about Learning, and Innovation in Human Nature.

Good Chilly Morning,

I’m always thinking about how to make the newsletter more helpful and interesting to you.

The newsletter isn’t about me. It’s about sharing ideas and thoughts that can make more curious, inflate your ambition while becoming more optimistic.

That’s the goal!

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CURIOSities 🎓👣🙃

1. College isn’t about Learning Useful Stuff

I talked to Nir Eyal (best-selling author of Hooked and investor of Eventbrite, Kahoot, and others) where I asked him for advice, specifically on college.

He said, “Undergrad is about dedication and commitment to finish.” It’s not really about learning. He then says, “It’s about signaling you can achieve something solid.”

Forget about your passion or calling, it’s about DISCIPLINE. And the discipline gets easier when you study a topic you’re curious about.

2. Why Physisiscts are Better than Engineers

I was also fortunate to meet with an MIT Physics Ph.D. student to talk about what it’s like studying physics during undergrad and grad school.

I’m considering studying physics but you know how physics is…

One line that stuck with me was when she said:

A physicist can do anything an engineer can do and can explain it.

That line might end up being the deciding factor hahaha.

3. Is The Present Worse than The Past?

Max Roser @MaxCRoser

Many who don’t understand that life today is much better than in the past don’t know how bad the past was. Many who don’t believe that the future can be much, much better don’t know how bad the present is.

Perspective, perspective, perspective…

4. What Humans Try to Look For but Failed to Find

We want all of the above and more!! But yet many of us failed to find what we were looking for. What are we really looking for? CS Lewis offers an explanation.

5. Is Innovation in Human Nature?

Anton Howes explains:

I disagree.

The more I study the lives of British innovators, the more convinced I am that innovation is not in human nature, but is instead received. People innovate because they are inspired to do so — it is an idea that is transmitted. And when people do not innovate, it is often simply because it never occurs to them to do so.

From www.antonhowes.com

So next time you’re feeling a bit lazy. Hey! Don’t beat yourself up, remember that innovation may not be in human nature, and you need to receive it.

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Last month of the year so think about this question:

How can put yourself in a position where you can receive innovation signals? What books can you read? Who can you talk to? What videos can you watch?

Talk To You Next Sunday,

Juan David Campolargo