Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

Abraham, in the Bible, remained silent when God revealed that he should offer his only son, Isaac. However, when he rescued his nephew Lot from the doomed city of Sodom, he bargained with God. What is a “bargain?” In life, it is crucial to know with whom to bargain and when. If we bargain over what we shouldn’t or don’t do what we should do bargain, then our lives can become quite weird. Every day, we seek something to bargain for, repeatedly hoping for favorable outcomes or facing disappointments. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

To obtain the information we seek, we invest time and effort in searching. During this process, there is a cost known as “information search cost.” If the search costs exceed the value of the information we wish to obtain, it is deemed inefficient; people generally aim to avoid inefficiency. For instance, if a billionaire spends considerable effort searching for a car for less than 90,000 USD, then the billionaire will just buy because it is inefficient. Cost-effectiveness in the economic world judgment is a crucial factor to get dominion world we’re living in. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The professions that people admire in the United States include police officers and firefighters. Another group of people is carpenters. A key concept in economic activity is “independence,” which means the ability to earn a living on my own. Carpenters and masons are vital for constructing houses and cities, and the skills involved in producing or creating something are crucial to achieving independence. I cannot leave my future in someone else’s hands. Poverty also implies that I am enslaved. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Even if a work of art or technique that imitates a person is overly clumsy, the favorability declines; conversely, if it is too similar, the favorability drops sharply. This heterogeneous discomfort is known as the “uncanny valley.” Considering these properties, we create robots or create animations. Although technological advancements have made it increasingly difficult to distinguish between live-action and animation, Pixar’s animation clearly shows traces of trying to avoid this uncanny valley. Humans admire these creations, yet they, too, have wrestled with the duality of their nature, as they simultaneously enjoy and dislike it. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

As contemporary science advances, it reveals that the brain characteristics of men and women are not strictly defined by gender. Even though there are anatomical differences between male and female brains, research continues to indicate that intelligence does not vary. The characteristics of men’s and women’s brains do not account for the differences in abilities between genders. Instead, a growing body of research suggests that what was once thought to define male or female brain characteristics is now seen as more fluid. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Maturity doesn’t equate to being old and worn out. When I was younger, I shouted my words at the world, hoping it would recognize them. As I’ve matured, I’ve started to listen to what the world has to say to me instead of merely expressing my own thoughts. The world’s voice, which I hadn’t noticed before, becomes oddly clear to my ears. As I grow older, I find that I can’t hear the world’s voice. I don’t hear it because I enthusiastically spoke out when I was younger, and I don’t hear it again in my old age due to a hearing impairment. Life teaches us to perceive authentic sounds from outside rather than from within, and this awareness lasts only a brief moment. That’s the mystery of life. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Don’t try to win by crashing into someone charging at you; you’ll only hurt each other and win half the battle or less. Instead, if you sidestep and gently trip your opponent’s legs by hitching your foot, their own momentum will spell doom for them. Fighting isn’t about strength; rather, strength pertains to direction, not intensity. Righteousness comes from the art of effort, the wisdom of reading directions, and grasping situations. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The concept of “seed money” is crucial in business and investment; it is a notion that cannot be overemphasized. This “seed money” is termed “capital money” in accounting. If a person who is 50% profitable loses 40% simultaneously and continuously finds himself in this situation, will he become wealthy? No! Due to the 40% loss, the seed money will gradually diminish; as investments are repeated, profits will decline, leading to financial hardship. In any business or investment, it is essential to know how to preserve your seed money, and when you face losses, you must act decisively, understanding how to swiftly extricate yourself from the situation. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The scariest people in the world are those who truly know themselves. It may sound easy, but few understand what they excel at and what they prefer. The same goes for occupations. Someone may seem to know their job well, yet they might not fully grasp what they’re doing. What potential exists—whether the job is suitable for the times, if you’ve chosen the wrong market, or who the right partner is for you? The fact that many rarely start by understanding themselves means they often spend time without gaining much insight, even as they struggle hard. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

For humans, humility begins with the understanding that we cannot know the future. If you encounter misfortune now yet believe that good fortune will arrive in a few days, you will not be disheartened during difficult times. Conversely, if you are fortunate now but are aware that misfortune will strike soon, you will not become arrogant. Thus, humility involves preparing for an uncertain future. Being humble doesn’t mean you avoid misfortunes altogether; nevertheless, your possibilities of navigating them successfully statistically improve. Knowing the future is not necessarily an advantage in our lives. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

What someone can share with others is referred to as a “non-rival asset,” whereas the counterpart is termed a “rival asset.” Intangible assets, such as brands and intellectual property rights, fall under the category of non-rival assets. In contrast, tangible assets that physically exist, like buildings and goods, are classified as rival assets. Non-rival assets can theoretically be utilized by numerous individuals simultaneously, and their depreciation is nearly nonexistent even when an original copy exists. Thus, the scale and speed of wealth creation differ from that of an economy focused on existing tangible assets. In Apple, the personality assets of founder Steve Jobs are considered non-rival assets, while the productivity aspect, traditionally seen as a rival asset, has been managed through outsourcing. If Apple focuses solely on non-rival assets, managing the rest becomes straightforward, as they understand the sources of high-added value. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A panopticon is a prison design inspired by British utilitarian Jeremy Bentham’s ideas. The most effective way to monitor prisoners is to create spaces where a few prison officers can observe many prisoners without being seen themselves. Control is not exercised by the prison officers but rather by the design of the space. A watchtower with tiny windows is situated in the center of the circular structure, allowing the interior of the prison to appear bright while enabling the prison officers in the watchtower to keep an eye on the prisoners. Power stems from the ability to observe others without revealing one’s existence. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The Roman alphabet constructs words in a single direction by using ordered combinations of 26 distinct letters. DNA also reveals life by altering the sequence of the four bases in one direction: A, G, T, and C. The West has developed novel concepts by combining basic units, while the East has refined them based on relative relationships. For instance, in Asian scripts, Chinese characters can convey different meanings by altering the length or position of a single stroke within a character. These two approaches account for most methods of creating something new. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

No matter how much honey you have, honey alone cannot attract bees and butterflies. The scent may be invisible, but it exists, and it brings life. As a result, both plants and insects thrive. No matter how hard you try to conceal it, the scent is what you exude. The scent is also significant to humanity. All scents are difficult to hide. The scent is created simply by being present. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Warren Buffett’s assets were once estimated at $82 billion. 90% of these assets have been earned by Warren Buffett since he turned 65. The way to make money over time without labor is through finance; it’s an interest. One of the most economically effective methods is ‘compounding.’ This involves deriving interest from the principal and then earning interest again on the total of the interest and principal, continually repeating this process, making compounding the most efficient money-making method discovered by humanity. The same applies to stock investments; to achieve this compounding effect, you need to earn at least a 4% annual return. However, this is only valid for long-term investments like those of Warren Buffett. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

People can’t think that ‘deficiency’ is a ‘resource.’ While many equate deficiency with ‘lack and shortage,’ it should actually be viewed as ‘emptying what needs to be emptied.’ How can we fill something good without first emptying the bowl? Deficiency is by no means a disadvantage. Instead, the lack of resources, termed ‘deficiency,’ can often be satisfied with what we already possess rather than something new. Stay hungry! - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Can I live by only meeting the people I need? Obviously, some people are essential to me, but not everyone I have a relationship with is there because I need them. So, shouldn’t we connect with people who are less needy? Is my criterion correct? The relationships I have now are a result of meeting both needed and unnecessary people. Regret doesn’t justify my current relationships. We have all encountered precious individuals. The plausible excuse is merely a convenient way to package my priorities and outcomes. Don’t deceive yourself. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The conversation itself is value-neutral. Good and bad conversations are determined by circumstances and methods. Claiming that having many conversations is inherently good is misleading, as not all conversations are beneficial. Sometimes, silence can convey more than words. Dialogue exchanges information, communicates emotions, and conveys intentions and stances. However, a fruitful conversation can occur only when there is an implicitly respected distance between conversation partners, allowing both to express their intentions and thoughts appropriately within that distance. The reaction to these revealed intentions and thoughts ultimately decides whether to continue the conversation, shift to another topic, or maintain a stagnant relationship. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Metcalfe’s Law states that the value of a communication network is proportional to the square of the number of users connected to it, represented by the formula N(N-1)/2, where N is the number of terminals (users). In other words, if there is only one cell phone in the world, it holds no value. The same applies to computers and software. Consequently, mobile communication service providers strive to distribute mobile phones to consumers, even going so far as to subsidize them. The value of language follows the same principle. However, the impact can vary significantly depending on who is connected to this network. If you are in the business of building networks, you must implement a strategy to quickly attract the most influential users to your network. Therefore, an entrepreneur must clearly and concisely define who their customers are and why they should engage with their network. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

We cannot drink water while being immersed in it for survival. Without assistance from the air, it is impossible to drink water. Water is a vital substance for humans, but its intake is only possible when air acts as a medium. What I possess and how I utilize it are very different matters. The same goes for relationships. What brings happiness in a relationship is more important than how close the relationship is. For humans, many situations are pointless if values exist in only one state. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Yeast consumes glucose and produces alcohol along with CO2. This action serves as a defense mechanism to protect against other microbiomes. In other words, the alcohol produced by yeast acts as a poison to eliminate other microbiomes. Thus, a solution with over 70% alcohol concentration can effectively eradicate the COVID-19 virus. We gladly consume the poison that yeast produces in liquor. Probably, isn’t there only a very thin line between happiness and unhappiness? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Every business has competitors, and succeeding in business means achieving victory over the competition. Winning the competition implies creating a monopoly. One of the most traditional methods of monopolizing the market is offering rebates to buyers, often referred to as a ‘bribe,’ which is illegal. The reason monopolies are so harmful is that they infringe on customers’ choices and benefits, as opposed to merely allowing one company to dominate the market. Facebook acquired Instagram and the messaging app WhatsApp to eliminate its competitors. Although Facebook is primarily a social media platform, why would it consider WhatsApp a competitor? Because WhatsApp provides group chat services to clients, and if it expands, it could easily transition into a social media platform. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

All matter in this world, including the human body, is composed of quantum particles. Even if we shake hands, we might think that our elements mix, but they do not. This is because the physical properties of quantum—the special forces generated in the quantum realm—remain unchanged. To endure difficult circumstances means maintaining your state with strength. If you have stood firm so far, it indicates you possess the power. Holding up is a form of ability. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The era of the Industrial Revolution mechanized humans. In today’s information age, machines are increasingly humanized, exemplified by artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence combines with robots to take over tasks traditionally performed by humans, leading to what is known as mechanical unemployment. This trend is referred to as the phenomenon of dehumanization, which concerns many laborers. However, the burger shop ‘Creator’ in San Francisco has embraced robots, selling burgers at an appealing price of $6 each, sparking considerable discussion. Rather than having a human operate like a machine, robots are utilized, while humans engage with customers, consult personalized recipes, and serve the burgers. This situation illustrates how advanced mechanization can help restore genuine humanity. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Steve Jobs envisioned integrating a computer chip into existing wireless phones. He seldom pursued new technology development; rather, he aimed to combine existing technologies to achieve his goals. Innovation means creating significant change through the right blend of what already exists. Often, even one’s own business or profession remains underappreciated. If you grasp that well, your chances of business failure will significantly decrease. Unfortunately, this is often not the case in reality. Focus on the essence. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The significant characteristic of a mistake when it has occurred once is that it tends to be repeated over and over again. Therefore, genuine mistakes are only the first ones. After that, each subsequent mistake proves a lack of wisdom. People rarely change, so instead of trying to change them, we should wisely change the system to which they belong. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

One instance where results justify motivation and process is branding. People observe successful, well-known brands and assume that they were established through elaborate planning by marketing experts from the outset. However, most thriving brands remain in existence not because of strategic planning but because they have “survived.” If your business endures, the result justifies the brand and imbues it with meaning. A brand serves as a reward for survival. It makes sense only when it survives. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In some cases, the outcome completes the intention to act. Although it wasn’t the original intention, it is a situation where the result of the action appears positively, and even the intention is glorified. Of course, the opposite can also occur. If the result of an action taken with good intentions is negative, those good intentions become a target for blame. It would be ideal if the intention and the result aligned, but that isn’t always the case. There are numerous instances where it is challenging to interpret this world full of deception and changes of heart with naivety alone. Yet, reality is shaped by the accumulation of results. If you achieve good results despite having bad intentions, it is considered luck. Skills cannot overcome luck. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Until that incident, he felt at ease, but David’s suffering began after he had laid Goliath on the ground. To dream of success, one must pay a fair price. The reason for avoiding payment is that people either don’t know how to pay the price or fear that their own payment will be wasted. Calculate profits and losses later. The costs associated with success must be paid upfront. Gifts are typically given and received on birthdays or Christmas. Can’t we not live in this world solely as gifts? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The weight of a glass of water isn’t heavy, but holding it for a long time can numb your arm. Obsession matters more than the weight of life. If we cling to both hate and stress for too long, our souls become paralyzed. Even small stresses shouldn’t be dismissed, and even mild hatred shouldn’t be ignored in our hearts. The peril of obsession is that my heart becomes numb without me realizing it, and forgiveness has the power to save both the one who hates me and myself. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The frequent sensation of missing someone, coupled with the increasing number of missing persons, is evidence that we are aging. People tend not to miss those linked to bad memories. Yearning is a happy emotion. When the feeling of yearning is intense, the regret for the person also grows larger. When happy memories and regrets intertwine, it can result in heartache. Perhaps happiness and unhappiness ultimately become indistinguishable. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”