We live in an increasingly institutionalized society. When you are part of a large organization (school, company, etc.) you are punished for taking risks. Conviction comes from having won lots of seemingly risky bets. People who play life on safe mode never develop conviction.
We also live in a society with extreme leverage. Intelligent people who take the right kinds of risks can cultivate extreme conviction.
By combining these two ideas, it appears we’re entering an age of extremized conviction. The passive majority of people lack conviction while a tiny minority has its way with history.
We live in an increasingly institutionalized society. When you are part of a large organization (school, company, etc.) you are punished for taking risks. Conviction comes from having won lots of seemingly risky bets. People who play life on safe mode never develop conviction.
We also live in a society with extreme leverage. Intelligent people who take the right kinds of risks can cultivate extreme conviction.
By combining these two ideas, it appears we’re entering an age of extremized conviction. The passive majority of people lack conviction while a tiny minority has its way with history.