The Road to Success: A Journey of Innovation and Exploration
Foreign. You don't like that word. Well, it's just a strong word. Approaching things from a physics standpoint, the word "impossible" is more or less banned in physics. Having a good pain tolerance is crucial. Starting a company is like eating glass and staring into the abyss. Those who have started companies know the challenges it brings.
Projects should be inspiring and make people excited about the future. Life should be about more than just solving problems. It should be about looking forward to things happening. The world should be seen as what doesn't work and what can be made better. It's important not to focus too much on competitors but rather on making the best possible products.
History can bifurcate into two directions. Either we become a multi-planet species, exploring the stars, or we remain a single planet species waiting for some eventual extinction event. Living on next to nothing is a skill that should be acquired. Having a low burn rate when starting a company is crucial.
Surprises are a part of life. None of these achievements were expected. Initially, the goal was to be involved in technology. Starting a company in '95 was a result of not being able to get a job at the few existing internet companies. Creating a self-sustaining civilization on Mars is the most exciting adventure in human history.
Sending the first person to Mars could be possible in about 12 years. The speaker would personally go if confident that SpaceX would continue the mission even without them. Although the project of longevity and increased lifespan is interesting, it can lead to ossification of society. Reasoning from first principles, rather than by analogy, is crucial to progress.
Getting a useful product demonstration as soon as possible is important. A sample or demo can make a difference in winning contracts. Happiness is achieved when things are going well in both personal and work life. Putting too much emphasis on talent and not enough on personality has been a mistake. Good heart matters in addition to intelligence.
We must cherish our consciousness and strive to create a meaningful life. We don't want our small candle of consciousness to be put out in the vast darkness.
