The most complex systems are rooted in deep simplicity.
Thread breaking down this astounding book and idea:
The systems of the world are immensely complex.
If you put together a few elements and give them time, amazing things happen.
Complexity arises after nodes start interacting.
If you put together a few elements and give them time, amazing things happen.
Complexity arises after nodes start interacting.
An unbelievable example of this comes from DNA.
DNA is made of sugar, phosphate, and a chemical base.
These are made by pairs of 4 nucleobases.
All organic beings' genotypes, vastly differing from one another, are built with this simple foundation.
DNA is made of sugar, phosphate, and a chemical base.
These are made by pairs of 4 nucleobases.
All organic beings' genotypes, vastly differing from one another, are built with this simple foundation.
Genes have incredible depth.
Tiny changes lead to massive differences.
Humans and chimps share 98.8% of their DNA.
But genes are composed of 100s-1000s of base pairs.
So this 1.2% ends up accounting for 35 million differences.
Tiny changes lead to massive differences.
Humans and chimps share 98.8% of their DNA.
But genes are composed of 100s-1000s of base pairs.
So this 1.2% ends up accounting for 35 million differences.
Galileo investigated rational mechanics, Kepler studied celestial bodies, Descartes advanced logical thought and mathematics.
But there was no synthesis.
Everything was too complex and disconnected.
Their insights led to the most important work in scientific history:
But there was no synthesis.
Everything was too complex and disconnected.
Their insights led to the most important work in scientific history:
Isaac Newton created The System of the World
With only 4 (!) laws, he got to explain the most complicated phenomena:
-Planetary orbits.
-Motion of comets.
-How sea tides work.
-The precession of equinoxes.
-How balanced forces keep structures like bridges stable.
With only 4 (!) laws, he got to explain the most complicated phenomena:
-Planetary orbits.
-Motion of comets.
-How sea tides work.
-The precession of equinoxes.
-How balanced forces keep structures like bridges stable.
Maxwell was another brilliant person who brought synthesis to physics.
Electricity and magnetism were two separate fields.
Each had their own treatises, sets of equations, and laws.
Maxwell re-did everything and brought them together with only 4 equations -> Electromagnetism.
Electricity and magnetism were two separate fields.
Each had their own treatises, sets of equations, and laws.
Maxwell re-did everything and brought them together with only 4 equations -> Electromagnetism.
In Biology and Chemistry, a similar thing happens.
The big bang 'created' Helium and Hydrogen.
And, early on, stars manufactured 3 chemical elements:
-Carbon-12.
-Oxygen-16.
-Nitrogen-14.
Turns out 95% of all biological matter is made of these 4 elements (CHON).
The big bang 'created' Helium and Hydrogen.
And, early on, stars manufactured 3 chemical elements:
-Carbon-12.
-Oxygen-16.
-Nitrogen-14.
Turns out 95% of all biological matter is made of these 4 elements (CHON).
Berkshire Hathaway is a spectacular business-testament of this.
Underlying a $1tn corporation, with ~400,000 employees, you find a deeply simple structure:
- 25 people at HQ.
- Handshake-like deals.
- Simple compensation structure.
- 'Find out what works and do a lot of that.'
Underlying a $1tn corporation, with ~400,000 employees, you find a deeply simple structure:
- 25 people at HQ.
- Handshake-like deals.
- Simple compensation structure.
- 'Find out what works and do a lot of that.'
Some of the greatest companies thrived because they focused.
Bezos identified the 2-3 obvious ideas and obsessed over them:
Faster delivery, broader selection, and lower prices.
All underscored by only one overarching principle:
Customer Obsession.
Bezos identified the 2-3 obvious ideas and obsessed over them:
Faster delivery, broader selection, and lower prices.
All underscored by only one overarching principle:
Customer Obsession.
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I find these things fascinating.
Hope you do as well and feel free to share if you have!
You can follow me at @Giuliano_Mana to find interesting reads.
Hope you do as well and feel free to share if you have!
You can follow me at @Giuliano_Mana to find interesting reads.
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