I’ve said multiple times that, in new startups, really only two skills matter: 1) the ability to build something, and 2) the ability to sell it.
As I have thought about these two skills, I have realized that there are two levels to each: 1) the definition level, and 2) the understanding level.
For building things, the definition level describes the immediately obvious knowledge of the thing and observable information about the thing. The understanding level is deeper knowledge that can be learned through study and experience. Why is the thing the way it is? What is the optimal way for the thing to be?
For selling things, the definition level describes the immediately obvious knowledge of the relationship and observable information about the relationship. The understanding level is deeper knowledge that can be learned through study and experience. Why is the relationship the way it is? What is the optimal way for the relationship to be?
Those are 4 different types of knowledge: two levels of two skills.
I realized recently that the same thought could be extended to places and ideas.
For ideas, there is the idea itself and the study and experience of the idea to internalize it.
For places, there is the place itself and the study and experience of the place to internalize it.
I also realized recently that there is an even deeper layer. The layer in which philosophers and great thinkers operate. The layer of implications.
Sometimes the boundaries of human knowledge in one area can be nudged forward through implications gleaned by understanding in another.
Implications simplify understanding.
Mathematically, implication is the integral of understanding. And understanding is the integral of knowledge of the people, place, thing, or idea.
Integrals are just summations of collections of things.
In my schooling and profession, I have consistently been surrounded by people who are excellent at building things. An average person would be astounded at how much they understand the things of this world.
They can predict with great accuracy how the development of things will go. They have wise understanding of the optimality of things.
In my family and friendships, I have consistently been surrounded by people who are excellent at building relationships. An average person would be astounded at how much they understand the relationships of this world.
They can predict with great accuracy how the development of relationships will go. They have wise understanding of the optimality of relationships.
I enjoy exploring ideas both alone and with others. Due to their intangible nature, it might take more concerted effort to consider and incorporate ideas than the other people, places, or things.
I enjoy traveling to places both alone and with others. I think the implication is clearly that I should travel more!
In all of this, it makes sense to think with the full brain. Both sides. The logical and the emotional.
A full brain is smarter than a partial brain.
There is a bridge between the two sides of the brain. The corpus callosum. We do not understand enough about the corpus callosum.
I studied some of these connections as part of my doctoral work in brain tractography. Exercising these neural connections is important for increasing mental capacity.
I imagine that sensation, especially music, is important to building bridges.
With all the emphasis on breathing during coronavirus, I wonder if the integral of the lung is the heart. And if the integral of the heart is the brain. Those three organs are especially connected.
That’s an example of an idea that might have practical implications. Think about it!
People, places, things, and ideas.
Definition and understanding.
Implications.
Finally, you may ask, “What about going a 4th layer into thought? What is the implication integral of implications?”
I believe as Aristotle believed. In the beginning, something moved something else. And in that is God.
Mathematically, it is actually more accurate to believe in God than to not. Things move. Which means the first thing moved. Which makes something causing it more likely than something not causing it.
God is more scientifically probable.
Q.E.D.
What else? What are your thoughts on thoughts?
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