Follow the incentives

I was recently reading one of those I respect talk about their process for getting feedback when they want to start out in a new field.

They do their personal research, learning about what trends may influence that field - both in the negative and positive.

They talk with the experts in the field; people whose perspectives have shaped the field, and who continues to excel doing what they have done.

They ask questions, refine their answers and ask more questions.

They reach out to journalists and analysts covering the field, especially those who are skeptics of the field and its players.

Though it wasn’t stated as such, I believe this person was simply following the incentives.

Following the incentives helps you learn from those who have incentives to be bullish about the industry and those who have incentives that rewards their skepticism about the industry.

It’s a good way to get various interpretations of what’s perceived as ‘objective truth’.

What you do with the information is entirely up to you.