Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
blog.davidwurtz.com
Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
1–10 of 31 posts
Re: Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
#2This article made me nod and shake my head. I agree that so many people incorrectly think you need an "awesome, completely original, patentable idea" to start a business when you don't. However I disagree that all endeavours that do not push the limits of science should ever be labelled "stupid". Selling bowling balls (an example in the article) might not be academic, but clearing a million dollars in profit annually requires plenty of business intelligence.
Re: Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
#3It depends on what brings you inner satisfaction. Is it the "stupid" idea (I personally wouldn't use the word stupid) that brings you $$$ or the smart idea that keeps you up all night trying to figure out a solution?
Re: Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
#4I would state that simplicity does not equate to stupid, maybe less exciting, but not stupid: "Simplicity is boring, complexity entertaining."
Wealth is measured relative to society. Whether you create wealth in devising an innovative yet complex new device that millions of people swarm over, or in selling bowling balls to masses of people - you're still creating wealth by producing value for many or for few that control a percentage of the value of the many.
Simple things are more straightforward to create - usually, only requiring footwork and a solid foundation (generally existing already).
Complex things are not straightforward to create - usually, requiring footwork and the innovation of a foundation upon which to rest.
Re: Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
#5I don't think this is good advice, and I wouldn't advise anyone to follow in this person's footsteps.
Smart people should think about doing stupid stuff, not necessarily follow through and do it. Selling TV wall mounts online is not a very great contribution to human progress from someone who was experimenting with ferromagnetic fluids. This is advice on how to stay alive and make a living, not advice on how to achieve your full potential and help humanity.
Re: Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
#6I don't think this is good advice, and I wouldn't advise anyone to follow in this person's footsteps. Smart people should think about doing stupid stuff, not necessarily follow through and do it. Selling TV wall mounts online is not a very great contribution to human progress from someone who was experimenting with ferromagnetic fluids. This is advice on how to stay alive and make a living, not advice on how to achie…
Everything you said is true, but being independently wealthy is a good way to be able to be able to work on the "academic" problems that you want to work on. Not that he couldn't have gone the researcher route at a school or business but that does not afford one as much leeway. After the site is up and running he can hire or outsource much of the day to day stuff if he is not looking to expand much.
Re: Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
#7Suitably, his business relies on people doing stupid stuff, like spending $170 on a mount you can get from monoprice for less than half the price.
Re: Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
#8Partly to self-promote but my easiest and more profitable business is a funny shirt site. http://BangBangPanda.com. I just put up the design and an company do the hard part of making the shirts, taking the payment, and shipping.
Re: Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
#9Question for the author. Why are you working at Google if you are wealthy from selling wall mounts?
Re: Smart People should do Stupid Stuff
#10Question for the author. Why are you working at Google if you are wealthy from selling wall mounts?
Money != happiness. Working at Google is probably significantly more intellectually stimulating and satisfying than selling wall mounts...