Conor's Newsletter: Issue 48
Avoiding unchecked inaction, optimizing A/B tests, and hacking the market
Hey there đđŒ
Let's get to links that I thought were worth sharing this week. As always, enjoy the newsletter and let me know what you think! If this was forwarded to you, check out some previous issues and subscribe for future updates.
đ What I Wrote
Occam's razor is a principle from Philosophy that is often simplified to the assertion that the simplest answer is normally the correct one. Turns out, this isnât exactly what it means. Occamâs Razor Explained.
As I'm writing this, I have one word written on my whiteboard: Energy. Energy is the level of intensity, passion, or excitement that we bring to things. Recently, Iâve found itâs the key that unlocks everything else for me. Searching for Energy.
Unchecked inaction is when you don't necessarily make a decision to do nothing; it just happens. You aren't mindfully evaluating decisions. You aren't taking action. You're just along for the ride. With some practice, we can avoid this. The Perils of Unchecked Inaction.
I was recently listening to an episode of The Tim Ferriss Show with Josh Waitzkin, and a discussion about getting "in the zoneâ for peak performance stood out to me. Iâve been thinking about this for work lately. The Simmering Six.
đ What I Read
Thereâs a significant gap between A/B testing as itâs presented in traditional statistics vs. how itâs actually practiced in industry. This 3-part series from Chris Said of Stitch Fix takes a (successful) stab at bridging the gap. Optimizing Sample Sizes in A/B Testing.
âThere is a lot of advice about how to be a good startup founder. But there isnât very much about how to be a good startup investor.â Iâll read pretty much anything from Sam Altman â this post doesnât disappoint. How to Invest in Startups.
âIâve been thinking lately about how you decide whether to optimize or innovate. Not that you canât do both at the same timeâââitâs really a matter of degree. But itâs an important matter of degree.â Evan Williamsâ metaphor for product-market fit here is something that will stick with me for a while. Try More Things.
This post on using statistics to hack hiring is really well-done. If nothing else, youâll learn about Berksonâs Paradox, which I now canât stop recognizing everywhere. How to Hire Smarter Than the Market.
đ„ What I Found Interesting
This comprehensive, collection of checklists for evaluating companies is bonkers. Company Checklists.
I got around to watching the new documentary on General Magic and the birth of Silicon Valley⊠it was great! One of my favorites in recent memory. General Magic.
đ€ Quote I'm Pondering
âFigure out for yourself what you want to be really good at, know that youâll never really satisfy yourself that youâve made it, and accept that thatâs okay.â â Robert B. Reich
Thanks for reading! Iâll see you next week at the usual time. If youâre finding this newsletter valuable, please share it with your friends.
Until next time,
Conor đ§âđ»