Internet Mirrors 1940s Automobiles
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Jason Fried and Sam Parr discuss the importance of not rushing to adopt new technologies and trends, drawing parallels between historical innovations and current tech developments. They emphasize the value of patience and historical perspective when evaluating new technologies.
Key Points:
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On Technology Adoption:
- Most things don't need immediate adoption
- Being on the "cutting edge" isn't always necessary
- Many urgent predictions about technology turn out wrong
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Historical Perspective:
- The internet (commercially) is roughly 30-35 years old
- This puts it at approximately the same development stage as cars were in the 1940s
- Looking back at historical predictions helps maintain perspective
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Learning From History:
- Using resources like newspapers.com to see contemporary reactions to innovations
- Historical predictions about technologies are often "ridiculous" in hindsight
- Many "must-know-now" trends become irrelevant over time
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Current AI Development:
- Companies implementing AI too early risk being wiped out by rapid changes
- Building on others' platforms carries significant risks
- Better to wait and see how things settle rather than rushing in
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Practical Approach:
- Listen to year-old podcasts to evaluate predictions
- Most urgent predictions don't materialize
- Stay out of the "must know now" trap
- Let things settle before deeply engaging with new technologies
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Risk Management:
- Early adoption can lead to being dependent on unstable platforms
- Tectonic shifts in technology can quickly eliminate early advantages
- Waiting can be a strategic advantage
Sam Parr
Host of MFM and fitness influencer
Sam Parr is a serial entrepreneur and business media pioneer.
In 2016, he founded The Hustle, a business news media company that started in his kitchen with just $12 and grew to eight figures in revenue.
Sam led the charge in making newsletters popular when few believed in their potential.
After four successful years, he sold The Hustle to HubSpot, a publicly traded company. Now operating as HubSpot Media, The Hustle reaches 3 million readers daily, employs a team of nearly 100, and has been the launchpad for dozens of its staff to found their own media companies and newsletters.
Sam remains the host of the popular business podcast, My First Million, and continues to start and sell companies. He also co-founded Hampton, a highly vetted community for entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs, and teaches people to write better through his platform, Copy That.