What are Universities Really For?

🚀 Unlocking Learning & Innovation Potential: Embracing First Principle Thinking 🚀

Elon Musk, the visionary behind Tesla, PayPal, SpaceX, Solar City, Neurolink, and the Boring Company, is often hailed as a genius. However, he admits that First Principle Thinking is the source of his immense creativity. It is a physics way of thinking, that involves breaking down complex problems into their fundamental components and constructing solutions from there. In First Principle thinking, one analyzes a problem by asking key questions: What is stuff made of, how does it function at its core? Can improvements be made?

Usually, there are two ways of thinking about things. Either by analogy or by first principle. Thinking by analogy is the easier way because all you to do is compare with the past. You will hear excuses like “but it has always been done like this” or “the last project costed this much, so, adjusted for inflation, it probably going to cost this much more”, et cetera. First principle, on the other hand is mentally more laborious. Because one will have to boil down a problem or a challenge or whatever you are dealing with, even a concept you are trying to learn; you break it to it’s the most agreeable fundamental truths. Truth that is intuitive to almost everybody and doesn’t violate laws of nature. In first principle, you open the black box! And ask the question, what are we sure is true, and then build up from there. This kind of reason requires a lot more mental commitment; and sometimes require one to get into a rabbit hole in the quest for those fundamental truths. 

Elon Musk often cites his effort to revolutionize the lithium battery industry as a prime example of First Principle thinking in action. Confronted with the challenge of high battery costs, Musk and his team challenged the conventional wisdom by refusing to accept high battery costs as an immutable reality. They delved into the fundamental truths of battery production, posing questions such as, "What are batteries made of?" The answer: cobalt, nickel, aluminum, carbon, and other materials. But they didn't stop there. They probed further, examining the origins of these materials, scrutinizing the commodities market, and dissecting the intricacies of the supply chain. This rigorous inquiry led Tesla to a groundbreaking realization: they didn't need to rely on external suppliers for batteries. Instead, they could bring production in-house, leveraging design thinking to create batteries that were not only cheaper but also more efficient, safer, and more durable. SpaceX is another example of how Elon musk used first principle to shake things up. By challenging conventional norms, SpaceX developed a cost-saving, reusable rocket—a game-changer that drastically reduced the expenses associated with space exploration. In doing so, Musk effectively democratized access to space, showcasing the transformative power of First Principle thinking in reshaping industries and unlocking new frontiers.

First principle did not single-handedly drive the cost of batteries down. Indeed, several factors played a role, including the dynamics of supply chain economics. By committing to large-scale battery production, Musk leveraged economies of scale to drive down costs, a strategy rooted in Wright's Law, which dictates that the more you produce something, the cheaper it becomes. This bold move not only transformed the automotive industry but also opened doors to innovations like the Tesla Powerwall. First principle gives you the opportunity to reimagine every component of whatever juggernaut of a system or problem you are dealing with. Every piece of the jig-saw puzzle is optimized to its best, but that can only happen if you first establish the fundamental truths. 

First Principle thinking isn't just for industry titans like Musk. It's a powerful tool for learning too. Whether you're learning a new language, a new skill or diving into coding, starting from basics is key. You wouldn't try to master complex grammar rules and foxy quotes before learning the alphabet, right? 

In essence, First Principle thinking is about challenging assumptions and reimagining possibilities. It's what fuels innovation, propelling us beyond the constraints of conventional wisdom. Whether you're dreaming of space exploration or simply striving to learn something new, embracing this mindset can open doors you never knew existed.

So, I challenge to you to think differently. Embrace First Principle thinking and see where it takes you. Who knows? You might just revolutionize your industry—or even the world. 🌟 #Innovation #FirstPrincipleThinking #ChallengeTheStatusQuo.