The second law of thermodynamics tells us that entropy drives systems toward equilibrium and disorder. In his final shareholder letter as CEO of Amazon, Jeff Bezos referenced Richard Dawkins' "The Blind Watchmaker" to illustrate how natural selection counters entropy by building complex life through energy-driven processes. Bezos urged Amazon to resist the entropy-like pull of complacency by staying in "Day 1" mode—continuously growing, innovating, and dynamically adapting to trends rather than following predetermined designs. While this advice resonates for maintaining corporate vitality, a deeper examination through Dawkins' evolutionary lens reveals a more insidious challenge lurking within organizations themselves. The very mechanisms that help companies survive external entropy may be generating internal evolutionary pressures that undermine efficiency and threaten long-term survival. The Gene's-Eye View of Organizations Richard Dawkins' rev...
In 2023, at age 49, I received the diagnosis that transformed my understanding of myself: Attention Deficit Hyperactive disorder (ADHD). For years, I had navigated episodes of anxiety, depression, and anger, developing coping mechanisms that somehow kept me afloat. But that year, the depression became overwhelming. I needed help. What pushed me to seek support was my sister. During her medical studies, she had studied ADHD extensively. With the frankness only a sister can provide, she said, "You're a textbook case of ADHD." Her words were simultaneously shocking and deeply familiar. The psychiatrist confirmed both types: inattentive and hyperactive. The moment he spoke those words, a weight lifted from my chest—a burden I hadn't realized I'd been carrying. I had always known I was different, but could never name it. Now I had a map to understand my own mind. The Medication Revelation My doctor prescribed atomoxetine, starting low. For weeks, nothing changed. ...
The grand chessboard of global power has transformed dramatically in the 21st century. Where nations once measured strength through nuclear arsenals and ideological allegiance, today's geopolitical contest revolves around economic systems, supply chains, and financial infrastructure. This represents not merely a tactical shift but a fundamental redefinition of power projection on the world stage. The Dollar Kingdom and Its Crumbling Walls At the center of the post-war economic order stands the U.S. dollar—the world's primary reserve currency and the cornerstone of global trade. Yet this dominance contains within it a fundamental contradiction known as the Triffin dilemma . To supply the world with sufficient dollars for trade, America must maintain persistent deficits, effectively exporting currency instead of goods. This creates an impossible balancing act: simultaneously maintaining a strong dollar as a stable reserve asset while running deficits t...
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