Success Changes Social Patterns

Shaan Puri observed that highly successful people, particularly those who achieved wealth at a young age in major cities, tend to develop distinct behavioral patterns that deviate from social norms. This observation came from meetings with various wealthy individuals during his LA trip.

Key Observations:

• Correlation Between Wealth and Unconventional Behavior:

  • The more successful the person, the "weirder" their behavior becomes
  • Affects multiple aspects: hobbies, marriage dynamics, social skills
  • Pattern is especially prominent in coastal cities (LA, SF, NYC)

• Social Interaction Patterns:

  • Often disregard standard social norms
  • Tend to overshare personal information
  • Example: Immediately sharing company financials and acquisition details in casual introductions

• Geographic Influence:

  • More pronounced in coastal cities like LA, SF, and NYC
  • Wealthy individuals in middle America (like Missouri) tend to be more "normal"
  • Age and location combination matters - young wealth in major cities correlates with more unusual behavior

• Theory on Causation:

  • Success may come from being unconventional:
    • Willing to disrupt industries
    • Comfortable going against traditional career paths
    • Taking unconventional risks (like grinding for 10 years with no salary)
  • Success might enable weird behavior:
    • Freedom from social constraints
    • Less need to conform to social norms
    • Ability to fully express unconventional preferences

• Personal Observation:

  • Default assumption that successful people are "normal" is often incorrect
  • Need to adjust expectations when dealing with highly successful individuals
  • The pattern is consistent enough to be predictable