Recently, I listened to an interesting podcast about “choice overload” (link here). Dr. Laurie Santos explains what the data show: making too many decisions creates unhappiness. The paradox of choice is that more choice can lead to a latter realization that “less is more,” that choice today may lead you to less choice. Some years
Category: Philosophy
Tipping Points
Gradually, eventually, but inevitably, tipping points occur. They don’t seem obvious ahead of time, but with 20/20 hindsight, they are glaringly clear. I think there are two recent examples. First, is the pulled WeWork IPO. From what I’ve seen over the past 20+ years as a VC, every IPO cycle has the same cadence. During
D-Day: 75
It is hard to imagine a time when Europe was imprisoned and enslaved, when millions perished in camps, and when democracy was on the verge of being throttled. And, it was just seven decades ago. For my generation, we grew up in the Cold War, practicing “duck and cover” drills at school in case of
In Memoriam: Tony Jarvis
On Sunday, I went to a memorial service for F. Washington Jarvis, known as “Tony” to all. A lion of an educator, he for 30 years was the headmaster at our son’s old school, The Roxbury Latin School. Tony took over the then-struggling school at the mere age of 28. Maybe it was luck, maybe
Luck or Skill?
It’s a small world, and I happen to know two of the Lyft executive team members. They joined when the company was at a later stage and helped it scale to the IPO. I’m happy for them. At dinner with a few of my children, we talked about the IPO and how a sudden rainfall
Yale for Sale?
I’m out of town this week for spring break, but wanted to write about the college admissions scandal that was announced yesterday. It is a very sad affair, but I am not surprised. When both major and niche sports comprise a clear path into very selective colleges (unlike in Europe), there is room for abuse.