I think more founders should write in general, but perhaps more interestingly, more founders should write sci-fi for themselves / companies / publicly.
The best science fiction, generally creates a compelling world. In order to create a compelling world, there are many interlocking parts. From the macro elements of Snowcrash’s quasi-city-state franchises, to the micro of Maniac’s “ad buddies”.
What this allows us is the visualization of not only why we are building what we are building, but what we value outside of our own actions. How it all intersects and bounces off of each other.
This is why a lot of ideas have decent recycle value. Why we are able to say, “it wasn’t wrong, it was just too early.” When we can watch the dominos fall in one arena, what does that mean for what we are building today? I would argue, it is a clarifying agent for our own processes. For a terrible basic example, as I increasingly believe that every human will interact with AR/VR in some way, I think more deeply about identity through those mediums.
I think it all comes back to inspiration. I understand that we don’t have to invest in future as hell ideas. That we need to invest in potentially large businesses, that will return financial capital. But my brain simply doesn’t work that way. And so the more I clash against this reality, the more I need to project my own desires. So I encourage all of you to write what you believe to be so blatantly obvious for the future. Let this open a new world for you to build into.
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
Romans 7:15 - 20
Whiplash is one of my favorite movies. I rewatched it the other night. For the same reason I enjoy The Social Network or There Will Be Blood. It is about individual pursuit, at all cost.
I believe what underlies individual pursuit of any kind is discomfort in being aware of your current place, the recognition of an ideal, and the romanticization of closing that delta.
Due to a booking mishap, I spent most of my Easter flying from LA to NYC. But in the mindlessness of travel I was reminded, of what I believe to be a core truth, that we are spiritual beings having a physical experience.
I believe this creates the basis of a lifelong struggle. That what we know to be natural, actually isn’t natural at all. And so we are in search of the right abstraction to give us a sense of peace and purpose.
In this search, we become frustrated. That frustration comes out in everything we do. And in everything we strive to do, it never feels like we are actually achieving / executing to our standards. Because it is easy to hold an abstract set of values at our romanticized level of self, that we have not yet built ourselves up to. This frustration very often times turns to self-hatred. I find this to be very common amongst my high achieving young peers.
If there is one thing to embrace, it is the non-linearity of life. To recognize that we have little control of the physical realities around us, but full control of our directing minds. This will help to free you from the brutalities of living.
We soak our consciousness daily, with daily inputs and our own reason. So take captive every thought. And direct your energy intentionally.
What does this mean practically? It is the practice of exercising your own awareness. It is that moment that you know you want to leave the party, but won’t out of fear, even though you long to go to bed. FEAR OF WHAT? GO! The party hasn’t been good for the last hour, what are you waiting for. You can swap out party with your current job, behavior, the list goes on.
This is a short one. Been having trouble writing lately. However, the team at Eternal has been putting in some serious work. If you’re trying to slide into the private beta before we release CLICK ME CLICK ME CLICK ME
Marketers hate me for that one simple trick right there.