Platform Risk Vulnerability

Jason Fried shares his perspective on the importance of being cautious about jumping onto new technological trends, particularly emphasizing the risks of building on third-party platforms. He advocates for a measured, patient approach to adopting new technologies and warns against the pressure to stay constantly "caught up."

Key Points:

• The Pressure to Stay Current:

  • People feel they're "falling behind" if they don't immediately adopt new technologies
  • There's a constant stream of "must-know" information, especially in AI
  • Most things don't need to happen right now

• Historical Perspective:

  • Looking back at old podcasts reveals how many urgent predictions never materialized
  • Many expert opinions and certainties turn out to be wrong
  • The sense of urgency is often misplaced

• Platform Risk:

  • Companies that implemented AI features early on were "wiped out" by OpenAI
  • Building on other people's platforms puts you at risk of "tectonic plates shifting"
  • Sometimes waiting to see how things shake out is the better strategy

• Approach to New Technology:

  • Stay off the cutting edge deliberately
  • Let things settle before digging in
  • Don't feel bad about not being on the cutting edge
  • The edge is "recutting itself and resharpening itself every few months"

• Better Strategy:

  • Wait and see how things play out
  • There's plenty of opportunity without pouncing on everything immediately
  • Being first isn't always advantageous
  • Focus on what matters rather than trying to keep up with everything

This perspective emphasizes patience and strategic timing over immediate adoption, suggesting that the risks of early adoption often outweigh the perceived benefits of being first.