Lucky Seven · · 3 min read

Tyler Cowen and coffee-table photo books

Tyler Cowen and coffee-table photo books
Photo by Andrew Neel / Unsplash
Lucky seven: Weekly letter with seven quotes and reflections from my side. Feel free to share with others if you find something inspiring!

Today, let's explore some quotes shared by Tyler Cowen.

The measure of self-motivation in a young person will become the best way to predict upward mobility.

It's like saying, Forget the crystal ball – just check out how driven the kid is! So, if you're aiming for the stars, better pack some extra motivation in your suitcase! Self-motivation can be the key to success in the game of life.


The practical value is that identifying underrated talent is one of the most potent ways to give yourself a personal or an organizational edge.

In a world where everyone is chasing the same shiny stars, discovering those hidden gems can be your key to success. Therefore, if you want to stand out from the crowd, it's time to start searching for those unexplored talents. Who knows? You might just hit the jackpot!


Food is a product of supply and demand, so try to figure out where the supplies are fresh, the suppliers are creative, and the demanders are informed.

It's a gentle reminder to seek out those culinary havens where fresh ingredients are the star, the chefs are culinary wizards weaving their magic, and the diners are like connoisseurs equipped with knowledge and taste buds ready to dance. In a world where fast food chains dominate every street corner, it's an invitation to savor the dining experience and seek out those hidden gems where every bite is an adventure and every meal is a masterpiece!


Here is another reading tip: do less of other activities.

"Pause the hustle and bustle, and cozy up with a good read." Sometimes, less is more, especially when carving out time for the written word. So, put aside the distractions and let the pages transport you to new worlds and perspectives. After all, there's nothing quite like getting lost in a great book! One story at a time!


As chain stores rise, there is also a loss of dynamism, competition, and market entry for new ideas and products. Keep in mind that today’s major chain was once a small individual store on a street somewhere. A bit more economic chaos, even if it is inconvenient in the short run, actually tends to be correlated with higher rates of innovation.

Don't let the big players overshadow the little guys – they were once scrappy startups themselves! It's like saying, "Hey, remember your roots!" It's easy to forget the creativity that can come from economic chaos in a world where giant chains dominate the market. However, sometimes a little disruption is exactly what the market needs to shake things up and inspire innovation..


It’s becoming increasingly clear that mechanized intelligence can solve a rapidly expanding repertoire of problems.

With each passing day, it's evident that our mechanical pals flex their problem-solving muscles in ways we never thought possible. So, whether crunching numbers or mastering complex tasks, it's a brave new world where mechanized intelligence is leading the charge. Who knows what problems they'll solve next?


Few people read coffee-table photo books, and indeed they are not intended to be read. I find the text in these books is often surprisingly good, perhaps because the author--or more importantly, the editor--feels no need to pander.

"Don't judge a book by its lack of text!" Coffee-table books may not be your first choice for an engaging read, but they often contain beautiful pieces of writing that are not constrained by the need to impress. So, the next time you browse through the pages of a glossy book, take a moment to appreciate the often-overlooked heroes of the literary world. These editors allow the images to speak for themselves.


Have a great week ahead, and see you on the next occasion!

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