Walt Disney gained worldwide fame with the animated film ‘Steamboat Willie,’ but Disney’s first studio went bankrupt. By the mid-1930s, he had produced over 400 animations, most of which suffered heavy losses. In 1938, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs made $8 million in just the first half—more than ten times the earnings of other films. Meanwhile, with this animation, the company paid overdue wages to its employees and recovered the losses it had sustained. An unusual event that changes everything is called a “tail event.” 40% of publicly listed companies in the U.S. stock market lose nearly all their market capitalization 10 years after going public. Business and investing, after all, are based on probabilities. No one knows what the “tail event” will be. Therefore, to succeed, you need to try small, steady, many times with little impact, even if you fail. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
What defines an elite? Is it someone who has studied a lot and done well? Is it someone who has a lot of experience? If so, is it someone who has a lousy personality despite having prominent abilities? The word elite comes from “meritocracy.” People who have worked harder than others and won the competition believe they should receive more benefits. Excessive meritocracy harms the common good. “If you’re envious and regretful, you do so too! Can’t you do that?” stems from the misguided belief that one’s success and victories are solely due to one’s own efforts. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”