Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

For humans, humility begins with the understanding that we cannot know the future. If you encounter misfortune now yet believe that good fortune will arrive in a few days, you will not be disheartened during difficult times. Conversely, if you are fortunate now but are aware that misfortune will strike soon, you will not become arrogant. Thus, humility involves preparing for an uncertain future. Being humble doesn’t mean you avoid misfortunes altogether; nevertheless, your possibilities of navigating them successfully statistically improve. Knowing the future is not necessarily an advantage in our lives. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

What someone can share with others is referred to as a “non-rival asset,” whereas the counterpart is termed a “rival asset.” Intangible assets, such as brands and intellectual property rights, fall under the category of non-rival assets. In contrast, tangible assets that physically exist, like buildings and goods, are classified as rival assets. Non-rival assets can theoretically be utilized by numerous individuals simultaneously, and their depreciation is nearly nonexistent even when an original copy exists. Thus, the scale and speed of wealth creation differ from that of an economy focused on existing tangible assets. In Apple, the personality assets of founder Steve Jobs are considered non-rival assets, while the productivity aspect, traditionally seen as a rival asset, has been managed through outsourcing. If Apple focuses solely on non-rival assets, managing the rest becomes straightforward, as they understand the sources of high-added value. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A panopticon is a prison design inspired by British utilitarian Jeremy Bentham’s ideas. The most effective way to monitor prisoners is to create spaces where a few prison officers can observe many prisoners without being seen themselves. Control is not exercised by the prison officers but rather by the design of the space. A watchtower with tiny windows is situated in the center of the circular structure, allowing the interior of the prison to appear bright while enabling the prison officers in the watchtower to keep an eye on the prisoners. Power stems from the ability to observe others without revealing one’s existence. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The Roman alphabet constructs words in a single direction by using ordered combinations of 26 distinct letters. DNA also reveals life by altering the sequence of the four bases in one direction: A, G, T, and C. The West has developed novel concepts by combining basic units, while the East has refined them based on relative relationships. For instance, in Asian scripts, Chinese characters can convey different meanings by altering the length or position of a single stroke within a character. These two approaches account for most methods of creating something new. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

No matter how much honey you have, honey alone cannot attract bees and butterflies. The scent may be invisible, but it exists, and it brings life. As a result, both plants and insects thrive. No matter how hard you try to conceal it, the scent is what you exude. The scent is also significant to humanity. All scents are difficult to hide. The scent is created simply by being present. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Warren Buffett’s assets were once estimated at $82 billion. 90% of these assets have been earned by Warren Buffett since he turned 65. The way to make money over time without labor is through finance; it’s an interest. One of the most economically effective methods is ‘compounding.’ This involves deriving interest from the principal and then earning interest again on the total of the interest and principal, continually repeating this process, making compounding the most efficient money-making method discovered by humanity. The same applies to stock investments; to achieve this compounding effect, you need to earn at least a 4% annual return. However, this is only valid for long-term investments like those of Warren Buffett. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

People can’t think that ‘deficiency’ is a ‘resource.’ While many equate deficiency with ‘lack and shortage,’ it should actually be viewed as ‘emptying what needs to be emptied.’ How can we fill something good without first emptying the bowl? Deficiency is by no means a disadvantage. Instead, the lack of resources, termed ‘deficiency,’ can often be satisfied with what we already possess rather than something new. Stay hungry! - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Can I live by only meeting the people I need? Obviously, some people are essential to me, but not everyone I have a relationship with is there because I need them. So, shouldn’t we connect with people who are less needy? Is my criterion correct? The relationships I have now are a result of meeting both needed and unnecessary people. Regret doesn’t justify my current relationships. We have all encountered precious individuals. The plausible excuse is merely a convenient way to package my priorities and outcomes. Don’t deceive yourself. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The conversation itself is value-neutral. Good and bad conversations are determined by circumstances and methods. Claiming that having many conversations is inherently good is misleading, as not all conversations are beneficial. Sometimes, silence can convey more than words. Dialogue exchanges information, communicates emotions, and conveys intentions and stances. However, a fruitful conversation can occur only when there is an implicitly respected distance between conversation partners, allowing both to express their intentions and thoughts appropriately within that distance. The reaction to these revealed intentions and thoughts ultimately decides whether to continue the conversation, shift to another topic, or maintain a stagnant relationship. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Metcalfe’s Law states that the value of a communication network is proportional to the square of the number of users connected to it, represented by the formula N(N-1)/2, where N is the number of terminals (users). In other words, if there is only one cell phone in the world, it holds no value. The same applies to computers and software. Consequently, mobile communication service providers strive to distribute mobile phones to consumers, even going so far as to subsidize them. The value of language follows the same principle. However, the impact can vary significantly depending on who is connected to this network. If you are in the business of building networks, you must implement a strategy to quickly attract the most influential users to your network. Therefore, an entrepreneur must clearly and concisely define who their customers are and why they should engage with their network. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

We cannot drink water while being immersed in it for survival. Without assistance from the air, it is impossible to drink water. Water is a vital substance for humans, but its intake is only possible when air acts as a medium. What I possess and how I utilize it are very different matters. The same goes for relationships. What brings happiness in a relationship is more important than how close the relationship is. For humans, many situations are pointless if values exist in only one state. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Yeast consumes glucose and produces alcohol along with CO2. This action serves as a defense mechanism to protect against other microbiomes. In other words, the alcohol produced by yeast acts as a poison to eliminate other microbiomes. Thus, a solution with over 70% alcohol concentration can effectively eradicate the COVID-19 virus. We gladly consume the poison that yeast produces in liquor. Probably, isn’t there only a very thin line between happiness and unhappiness? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Every business has competitors, and succeeding in business means achieving victory over the competition. Winning the competition implies creating a monopoly. One of the most traditional methods of monopolizing the market is offering rebates to buyers, often referred to as a ‘bribe,’ which is illegal. The reason monopolies are so harmful is that they infringe on customers’ choices and benefits, as opposed to merely allowing one company to dominate the market. Facebook acquired Instagram and the messaging app WhatsApp to eliminate its competitors. Although Facebook is primarily a social media platform, why would it consider WhatsApp a competitor? Because WhatsApp provides group chat services to clients, and if it expands, it could easily transition into a social media platform. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

All matter in this world, including the human body, is composed of quantum particles. Even if we shake hands, we might think that our elements mix, but they do not. This is because the physical properties of quantum—the special forces generated in the quantum realm—remain unchanged. To endure difficult circumstances means maintaining your state with strength. If you have stood firm so far, it indicates you possess the power. Holding up is a form of ability. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The era of the Industrial Revolution mechanized humans. In today’s information age, machines are increasingly humanized, exemplified by artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence combines with robots to take over tasks traditionally performed by humans, leading to what is known as mechanical unemployment. This trend is referred to as the phenomenon of dehumanization, which concerns many laborers. However, the burger shop ‘Creator’ in San Francisco has embraced robots, selling burgers at an appealing price of $6 each, sparking considerable discussion. Rather than having a human operate like a machine, robots are utilized, while humans engage with customers, consult personalized recipes, and serve the burgers. This situation illustrates how advanced mechanization can help restore genuine humanity. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Steve Jobs envisioned integrating a computer chip into existing wireless phones. He seldom pursued new technology development; rather, he aimed to combine existing technologies to achieve his goals. Innovation means creating significant change through the right blend of what already exists. Often, even one’s own business or profession remains underappreciated. If you grasp that well, your chances of business failure will significantly decrease. Unfortunately, this is often not the case in reality. Focus on the essence. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The significant characteristic of a mistake when it has occurred once is that it tends to be repeated over and over again. Therefore, genuine mistakes are only the first ones. After that, each subsequent mistake proves a lack of wisdom. People rarely change, so instead of trying to change them, we should wisely change the system to which they belong. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

One instance where results justify motivation and process is branding. People observe successful, well-known brands and assume that they were established through elaborate planning by marketing experts from the outset. However, most thriving brands remain in existence not because of strategic planning but because they have “survived.” If your business endures, the result justifies the brand and imbues it with meaning. A brand serves as a reward for survival. It makes sense only when it survives. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In some cases, the outcome completes the intention to act. Although it wasn’t the original intention, it is a situation where the result of the action appears positively, and even the intention is glorified. Of course, the opposite can also occur. If the result of an action taken with good intentions is negative, those good intentions become a target for blame. It would be ideal if the intention and the result aligned, but that isn’t always the case. There are numerous instances where it is challenging to interpret this world full of deception and changes of heart with naivety alone. Yet, reality is shaped by the accumulation of results. If you achieve good results despite having bad intentions, it is considered luck. Skills cannot overcome luck. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Until that incident, he felt at ease, but David’s suffering began after he laid Goliath on the ground. To dream of success, one must pay a fair price. The reason for avoiding payment is that people either don’t know how to pay the price or fear that their own payment will be wasted. Calculate profits and losses later. The costs associated with success must be paid upfront. Gifts are typically given and received on birthdays or Christmas. Can’t we not live in this world solely as gifts? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”