“Protests can energize people and overawe governments. But it is the steady and often tedious work of organization that sustains democracy — and can change the world. Protests are useful mostly to the extent that they mobilize people to participate in the follow-up meetings to realize the protest’s goals.”
“Every relationship, obstacle, interaction, etc. is a rehearsal for the next adventure in life. Everything is connected. Everything builds. Nothing is ever wasted.”
“Complaining isn’t a strategy.” — Jeff Bezos
Tim Wu’s The Master Switch: The Rise and Fall of Information Empires is based on a fascinating premise: Every era of information technology (phone, radio, TV, film, and internet) has followed the same pattern.
They begin as open, utopian, communication platforms and become monopolized and controlled by small cartels.
The book is an incredible look at the history of media and offers a lot to think about with regard to where the internet is headed.
“Everybody’s so busy struggling, they don’t want to take any steps that might hold them back.”
“Brands will be stripped down to their essential parts, their narratives made simpler and more transparent. Honesty will reign. Successful branding will have fewer tricks and more truth.”
“Willpower may simply be a pre-scientific idea — one that was born from social attitudes and philosophical speculation rather than research, and enshrined before rigorous experimental evaluation of it became possible.”
“You should always wash your jeans inside-out, since washing and drying processes are abrasive and could cause them to fade.”
“Our smartphone is a vast psychological questionnaire that we are constantly filling out, both consciously and unconsciously.”
“For the next 30 days, devote just 60 minutes of your time after work to the best opportunity in your life. Nothing else. Zero distractions.”