Communities Shape Trajectory

Shaan Puri believes that self-selecting into the right networks is one of the most powerful but underappreciated decisions you can make. Networks—whether physical locations, online communities, or social circles—compound over time and dramatically influence your outcomes. Most people don't realize they're opting in or out of networks with every choice they make.

Key Points:

• Networks Are Everywhere and Consequential:

  • College isn't just education—it's joining an alumni network (Harvard's network vs. others)
  • Moving to a city means joining that city's network (San Francisco tech scene vs. elsewhere)
  • Online platforms are networks you opt into (Twitter, TikTok, specific subreddits)
  • Each has different strength and value depending on your goals

• The Compounding Effect of Networks:

  • Your income tends to average out to the five people you hang out with most
  • Your thoughts and ideas will "dollar cost average" into the content and people you consume
  • Being in the "white hot center" of your industry is worth more than tax savings or lower rent
  • Network value compounds more the earlier you are in your career—you have more time for it to pay off

• Common Mistakes People Make:

  • Moving away just for taxes is foolish—you lose 10x more opportunity than you save
  • Going solo when you could join a stronger network (his example: Wouter turning down his offer)
  • Not recognizing that incremental dollars early on are worth less than network access
  • Consuming the same content as everyone else leads to having the same thoughts as everyone else

• Your Info Diet Matters:

  • If you want different results, differentiate your info diet
  • The content you consume shapes your thinking just like your social circle shapes your income
  • Hanging out with the same people leads to becoming the same person
  • These choices are "upstream" of the results people want "downstream"

• When Networks Are Most Valuable:

  • If you're good, being in good networks multiplies your value
  • If you're bad, you won't extract value anyway
  • Early career is when network access matters most—trade money for access
  • The bonus points don't exist for doing things the hard way

• Intentional Self-Selection:

  • You can win anywhere, but why not increase your odds?
  • It's about making things easier, more fun, and increasing probability of success
  • Within networks, there are sub-clusters you can further select into
  • Most people don't even think about this consciously—they just drift into whatever's convenient