There are levels of hierarchy in the network marketplace.
The top levels pioneer. The middle, copies. The bottom, jumps.
When the bottom, jumps, it skips the steps the pioneering networks went through to get there.
The technology becomes cheaper or piracy happens and more & more people plug in.
But this thesis suggests that markets become efficient with time. Which is obviously not true yet, because the rules and norms in which they operate don’t evolve fast enough.
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As much as I hate to say this,
But networks that work with time and money will give you more leverage than any other network.
With leverage, you can do collaborations or hostile take overs (if needed).
But don’t forget, that there are rules to the game, one wrong move and you can end up in prison.
Another thing to note is, you will be seduced by networks with not enough leverage, which is fine if thats what you want out of life.
There is nothing wrong in pursuing your calling, but make sure you are reverse engineering the lifestyle you want.
Because it will take 10 years to reach the center of any network (for normal people). And you only get a few shots at starting over. Might as well do it with a lever.
Understand this, that your goals are different than mine. And knowing what not to pursue is as important as knowing what to pursue.
Here is an example of me being seduced by a network with not enough leverage –
Quietly somewhere, with softened steps
Who knows how, at what moment
You now move ahead,
Yet, just a while ago,
You were right here
Nothing was heard, no old complaint
How did you say “elvida”?
To your arms,
To that cool shade
To your eyes,
To your soul,
I now say Elvida
Elvida, Elvida, jahn num, Elvida
What more is left to say
When you have already said “Elvida”
During nights when its dark,
Tossing and turning
Remember us, and then, defeated
Ask yourself, why you said,
Why you said ‘Elvida’
Elvida, Elvida, jahn num, Elvida
What more is left to say
When you had already said “Elvida”
A wounded heart I will carry,
but you don’t have to worry,
Forever these lips are sealed,
Nothing was said,
But everything was felt
When you said, Elvida
Elvida, Elvida, jahn Num, Elvida
What more is left to say
When you have already said “Elvida”
To those arms,
To that cool shade,
To your eyes,
To your soul,
I now say Elvida
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You can have the perfect board,
The perfect weather,
The perfect swell,
As well as the best technique.
However, none of it will matter if the timing ain’t right.
No one can teach you how to time the market,
But you can practice.
Practice will train your gut,
You will fumble and stumble,
But the timing will improve with each attempt.
So when the real opportunity comes,
The pop up becomes second nature.
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If this decision is made,
And later on, this happens,
What will you do?
Unfortunately, I don’t have an answer to this problem. But maybe, The Quran does.
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Marketplace actors game the network to create some value.
But, platforms are built when two previously disconnected networks forge a link. Value created then, has the potential to be infinite.
One right link can get the ball rolling.
And then the real work begins.
Three actionable tips –
1. Don’t underestimate the strength of weak ties.
2. Choose the link wisely. Marketplace altruism is rare.
3. Loyalty is a virtue.
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Harshit: But these ideas are not mine.
#: Have you ever considered that maybe we are just a vessel?
Harshit: A vessel? How come?
#: Harshit, we are repeaters, we repeat the information coming our way. We plug into a network and repeat what we see.
Harshit: How do I decide what to repeat and what not?
#: Your moral compass decides that. Trust your gut!
Harshit: How do I hone it?
#: Present your thoughts. Hold yourself accountable. I won’t be around for long.
Harshit: I can’t do it alone.
#: The first part of the journey is usually solo. If you succeed, you can approach the others, with credibility.
Harshit: What will I do afterwards?
#: You very well know what comes next, but first, focus on the task at hand and finish what you start.
Harshit: Its taking too long.
#: It takes as long as it takes. Anyway, the time is up, ttyl.
What happens if amateur fighters start earning from their fights and have a girl friend to provide for?
They will need a roof over their head.
Where will they buy a house?
They will either rent a small flat in the city, or they will buy some affordable farm land in the village.
Why will they buy farmland in a village by the sea or a village in the mountains?
Because the person who helped them make it happen is himself the most handsome avocado farmer in the world and he runs an avocado nursery too.
Why will that influence them to buy farm land?
Because of mirror neurons.
What will they do with the farm land?
Farmers produce and sell, and then earn money.
What will happen when they earn more money?
They will want to have kids.
Whats the biggest challenge of raising kids in a village by the sea?
Good schools.
But the internet has made education convenient. The problem then, is not of education itself, but rather, infrastructure.
Solution: A library with super fast internet, books, computers, silent working zone, gym, sauna etc.
How will it be launched?
If the founder launches, scales and sells a fighting app and a dating app. He will have the money to buy a 100 acre farm land to build the orchard, the library and a sports training village. And at this point, seeding the network is an obvious move for infinite possibilities.
How will the library earn money?
The library would become the incubation center and will have stake in the apps and products launched by the members.
What will happen then?
The idea will be copied and improvised upon. Thats where it gets fun.
Design specifications –
Whats the next step?
The library will serve as the town center for the village.
Challenges
This is too unrealistic to pull off in the real world. And will take years just to build. Given the founder’s smoking habits, time is of essence.
But what if its possible in the digital realm?
In augmented reality. Using AR and VR headsets, it can be done. An MMO RPG game thats a mix between Runsecape and Age of Empires. If people earn money through that, they can curate the environment i.e. infrastructure.
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Why do people fight?
To protect someone or to gain respect back once disrespected.
What happens if someone is protecting someone?
The person is saved or the matter goes to the court.
What if someone is disrespected?
Ego is hurt.
How to heal the Ego?
Status demonstration. Money and women.
How can amateur fighters demonstrate that the Ego is in fact, healed, and what will they do to over compensate?
A stunner by their side in a photo geo-tagged at Ritz Carlton on Instagram that too in a Zegna, doesn’t sound so bad. So if we reverse engineer the reward, amateur fighters might be motivated to fight on AFN.
Solution: A dating app that makes amateur fighters approach women during the day without the influence of alcohol. The app is internally linked to AFN. Only fit women will be allowed to register on the app. No land whales. Stunning women would have to register for the dating app at the AFN partner gyms.
Customer Journey
Step 1: The fight on AFN
Step – 2: Date 1 after using the dating app
Step 3: Second date
Monetization
Marketing in its purest form is giving taste. We can charge for it. Most amateur fighters don’t know they need a Zegna or a Savile Row. Most fighters also don’t know how to date.
Brand endorsements inside dating advice will allow us to do B2B endorsements with Brands like Zegna, Savile Row and Zippo. Endorsements (B2B) are not free, dating advice (B2C) is.
Dating app prototype v0.1 –