Hello friends! I hope you’re having a great weekend!
This post is the classic example of why I started writing: while listening to a podcast I heard a random line (which usually is not even the main line of the person talking) and it really stuck with me. More than the sentence itself it’s the concept behind it, and that is what brings me to do some research and… go beyond the tweet!
I have done this a few weeks ago with a line from the movie Otto Montagne “Povere Parole, Poveri pensieri” on which I ended up writing a blog post. And this is actually something that I really admire about good thinkers, people that had time to reflect on complicated topics, go very deep in their analyses and grasp the core of the topic so well that they can sum them up in a “tweet”. Naval Ravikant has a great quote on this matter in his book Almanak:
I use my tweets and other people’s tweets as maxims that help compress my own learnings and recall them. The brain space is finite—you have finite neurons—so you can almost think of these as pointers, addresses, or mnemonics to help you remember deep-seated principles where you have the underlying experience to back it up.
So what was the line that triggered this post? I was listening to Marc Andreessen (founder of Netscape, founding partner of one of the most influential tech Venture Capital funds) on Joe Rogan’s podcast, and when talking about San Francisco and the book on the Charlie Manson’s case (Chaos) he said:
In the book Chaos the author talks about these LSD clinics where they were doing experimentations giving dose of LSD in the 70s. You know what is interesting? These exact areas are "ground zero for AI" (i.e. where all the AI innovation came from) in San Francisco and Berkley.
And then he developed it with the line that stuck with me:
My theory is that new ideas come from the fringe.
And who’s on the fringe likes people who’s on the fringe, and they tend to be on the fringe in all these departments (more likely to invent new music, to take drugs, to be vegan, to come up with new political ideas, etc) at the same time.
I really found this super interesting and a very smart framework to think about innovators, lateral thinkers and people society often views as 'different' or 'eccentric.' They stand out, not just for their ideas, but because they don't quite fit into the standard societal box. They're the ones often sidelined or misunderstood because they don't follow the usual script.
Over the holidays I read 2 Benjamin Labatut's books (that I have already mentioned), "Maniac" and "When We Ceased to Understand the World". In these books the author tells the stories of the most brilliant minds of the XXth century, the physicists and mathematicians who changed the world. And besides the immense fascination for their fantastic scientific advancements, one cannot ignore how these were people who lived on the edge of societal norms, their groundbreaking ideas often brewing in isolation.
And then randomly the other day I stumbled upon this post from Chris Dixon (a prominent tech VC) brilliantly titled
“What the smartest people do on the weekend is what everyone else will do during the week in ten years”.
Combining all the above, today I’d like to reflect about how innovation comes from the fringes of society, and how big of an overlap there is between contrarian thinking (and living) and “disruptive thinking”. This was basically Steve Jobs’ original Apple advertising introducing the Think Different brand:
The San Francisco Paradigm: Creativity Amidst Chaos
San Francisco's story is a testament to how a unique blend of creativity and chaos can foster groundbreaking innovation. The city, known for its vibrant culture and progressive mindset, also has a history of being a hub for the unconventional. It's not just about the technological advancements that have come out of the Bay Area; it's also about the mindset that fuels these innovations.
The LSD experiments in the 1950s and 60s are significant for several reasons. Firstly, they represented a radical shift in the exploration of the human mind and consciousness. The CIA's MKULTRA program, particularly Operation Midnight Climax in San Francisco, reflected a broader cultural and scientific fascination with the potential of psychedelics. These clandestine experiments involved unsuspecting participants being dosed with LSD, often in settings that combined drugs and sexual encounters, to explore their potential for mind control and information extraction.
The CIA used prostitutes in San Francisco to lure unsuspecting men into apartments rigged with surveillance equipment and then dosed them with LSD. This was part of a broader effort to explore mind control techniques. The experiments were conducted under the direction of CIA chemist Sidney Gottlieb, who also purchased the world's supply of LSD for these experiments.
San Francisco's role as a hub for these experiments was no coincidence. The city, known for its liberal attitude and vibrant cultural scene, was fertile ground for such avant-garde activities. The emergence of the counterculture movement, which embraced psychedelic experiences as a means of expanding consciousness and challenging societal norms, dovetailed with these covert operations. This convergence of scientific interest, cultural openness, and political context made San Francisco a focal point for LSD experimentation, influencing the city's cultural and social fabric.
In the 1960s and 70s, San Francisco was a hotspot for the counterculture movement, which, while seen as fringe at the time, played a significant role in shaping cultural and societal norms. This same spirit of exploration and boundary-pushing is what later fueled the tech boom in Silicon Valley. And more importantly basically everything AI related, right now, is happening in SV:
When painting the picture on San Francisco, it's crucial to acknowledge the flip side. This is a widely discussed topic in the US at the moment. This open environment, while fostering innovation, also brought with it significant societal challenges. San Francisco has struggled more than other cities with issues like drug addiction and homelessness.
A generation of nerds
Besides this focus on San Francisco I think that Chris Dixon raises a good point of how, when looking at the tech industry, many of the revolutionary ideas and companies that we now take for granted started as side projects or hobbies, often by individuals who were not initially driven by financial gain but by sheer curiosity and passion. Chris Dixon's blog post points out that activities like experimenting with math-based currencies like Bitcoin, developing new software tools, and exploring the internet of things were once just hobbies. These are now at the forefront of technological innovation, influencing global economies and lifestyles.
And while this sounds super recent, when reading Labatut’s books I realized that the same pattern was basically valid also for mathematicians and physicists at the beginning of the century. It is often those operating on the fringes of their fields who catalyze significant breakthroughs. These individuals, driven by an insatiable curiosity and unconstrained by mainstream norms, pursue paths less traveled, leading to innovative and sometimes disruptive discoveries.
For instance, Labatut narrates the history of quantum mechanics pioneers who grappled with the bizarre nature of reality at the atomic level. Their work fundamentally altered our understanding of the universe, yet during their time, these concepts were anything but conventional. They were met with skepticism and even derision by many in the scientific community. Yet, these fringe ideas laid the groundwork for much of modern physics and technology.
The pattern is clear: time and again, those who are willing to explore the unknown, challenge the status quo, and persist despite opposition, drive forward the wheels of progress.
The Concept and Importance of Talent Density
When reflecting on why San Francisco is playing such a large role on different waves of cultural innovation, I think there’s an additional aspect on top of the “Fringe Thinking” one and it has to do with Talent Density.
Personally I came to label this concept as such reading the Netflix book “No Rules Rule”, where the founders describe in great detail how the key factor to their success was, besides the fact of having talented people, on focusing the organization so that these talents would be surrounded by as (or ideally more) talented people.
And this is true for companies, organizations or societies at large. I think this is why AI talent still move to San Francisco, for instance. The book had a few key takeaways on org design:
Creating a Highly Desirable Work Environment: The book emphasizes that "a company with really dense talent is a company everyone wants to work for." This is particularly true for high performers who thrive in environments where they are surrounded by equally skilled colleagues. In such spaces, learning and growth are accelerated, as each member contributes significantly to the collective expertise.
Enhancing Team Performance: The presence of top talent in a team elevates the performance of the entire group. “Being surrounded by the best catapulted already good work to a whole new level." This synergy among talented individuals results in higher efficiency, better problem-solving, and more innovative outcomes.
The True Meaning of a Great Workplace: For top performers, an excellent workplace is not defined by physical amenities but by "the joy of being surrounded by people who are both talented and collaborative." This environment fosters a culture where team members are constantly learning from each other, leading to personal and professional growth.
Embracing Fringe Ideas
The stories of fringe thinkers, both historical and contemporary, underline the essential role these individuals play in driving progress and innovation. Their willingness to question established norms and explore uncharted territories has led to some of the most significant advancements in science, technology, and society.
However, like most things in life, this is not without its challenges. While it's important to support and encourage unconventional ideas, it's equally crucial to consider their ethical implications and potential impact on society. Innovations like AI, gene editing, and environmental technologies carry with them responsibilities that must be thoughtfully managed.
When researching the history of San Francisco, together with great and positive innovation stories, I found a lot of literature about cult movements like the Charles Manson cult that is covered in the book Chaos, that Andreessen started from.
Cults often begin with fringe ideas that attract individuals seeking new ways of thinking or living. They offer a sense of belonging and understanding, especially to those who feel alienated from mainstream society.
The dangers of cults lie in their ability to manipulate and control their members, often leading to harmful behaviors and practices. Cults can exploit the human desire for belonging and purpose, leading members down a path that may isolate them from the outside world and result in dangerous groupthink. Leaders of these cults often exhibit charismatic and persuasive qualities, making it easier to influence and control their followers.
Finally, the evolution of fringe ideas into mainstream acceptance requires society to play a role in nurturing and accommodating these innovations. It's not just about the thinkers themselves but also about creating environments where their ideas can be tested, refined, and eventually integrated into the broader societal fabric. This includes fostering open-mindedness, supporting education and research, and establishing ethical guidelines.
There is a very fine line between innovation and manipulation. And fostering critical thinking, on top of innovation and disruption, becomes central. It’s not easy but as a society we need to find a balance between openness and setting loose but robust ethical boundaries.
STRONG OPINIONS, LOSELY HELD!
I wish you a great weekend!
G
p.s. I thought about this without a great answer, so asking you too: WHAT ARE THE SMART PEOPLE DOING ON THE WEEKENDS right now?