Throughout history, major technologies were deployed before we fully understood how they worked. Driven by intuition and results, innovation often led while theory followed. Here are examples where applied practice came first and deep understanding came later.
LLMs – 2020s: Deployed before understanding how large models internally represent abstract concepts, invent facts, perform multi-step reasoning, or compress knowledge across modalities.
CRISPR – 2012: Used for gene editing before full understanding of DNA repair and off-target effects.
Quantum dots – 1980s: Applied in displays before full understanding of quantum confinement physics.
MRI – 1970s: Developed before complete models of tissue relaxation and spin behavior.
Semiconductors – 1947: Built before full understanding of solid-state physics and carrier behavior.
Penicillin – 1940s: Used before knowing bacterial resistance mechanisms and exact biochemical targets.
Radar – 1940s: Engineered before complete models of electromagnetic scattering and signal analysis.
Nuclear fission – 1940s: Built before fully understanding neutron behavior and fission chain reactions.
Aspirin – 1899: Commercialized before discovering its mechanism of enzyme inhibition.
Innovation rarely waits for full understanding. As new technologies emerge, history reminds us that building often comes first—and explaining comes later.
Innovation rarely waits for full understanding. As new technologies emerge, history reminds us that building often comes first—and explaining comes later.
A protest, led by John Saxon, opposed the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ policy to integrate calculators at all grade levels, reflecting a broader 1980s debate on technology in education, with some states like New York later mandating calculator use by 1992, while California banned them in 1997 assessments.
New technologies are often resisted with claims they will harm health, disrupt society, or destroy traditional skills.
Personal Computers 1980s Warned to cause unemployment and dehumanization
Automobiles 1900s Seen as dangerous death machines disrupting public safety
Telephones 1900s Criticized for undermining face-to-face communication
Electricity 1880s Feared as a fire hazard and unnatural disruption to daily life
Bicycles 1880s Claimed to cause health problems and moral decline
Typewriters 1870s Criticized for making handwriting and traditional clerical skills obsolete
Elevators 1850s Feared as unsafe due to mechanical failure risks
Railroads 1800s Believed to harm livestock and cause physical illness from speed
Vaccines 1800s Opposed for violating personal freedom and religious beliefs
Industrial Machinery 1810s Feared to destroy skilled jobs and livelihoodse
I summited Everest 18 years ago. This photo by Konsta Punkka appears (to me) to be taken from Pumori. It really brings me back. This photo was taken in April/May, when basecamp is fully built-out. Basecamp looks about the same size as when I climbed it. This may surprise those who think the mountain has gotten way more crowded. The fact is that the Khumbu icefall basin is large and can accomodate a lot of tents. Fun fact from Konsta, the mountain lighted up behind is actually in Tibet and the one in front in Nepal.
Curiosity led me to dig into why celebrities get flying bans and what losing flight access really means for travel to Europe; I know you’re thinking about it, getting to Europe on a boat takes 2 weeks.
In 2006, Snoop Dogg and his entourage got into a fight with Heathrow security. British Airways banned everyone involved. The airline said none of them would ever fly BA again. Other bans follow the same pattern: disruptive behavior that crosses a line.
A few examples:
Alec Baldwin was kicked off an American Airlines flight in 2011 after refusing to turn off his phone during takeoff.
Naomi Campbell was banned from British Airways in 2008 after an altercation with police over lost luggage.
David Hasselhoff was initially denied boarding by BA for being intoxicated.
Ivana Trump was removed from a flight in 2009 after becoming belligerent about screaming children.
Josh Duhamel refused to power down his phone during taxi. The pilot turned the aircraft around and had him removed.
Kate Moss was taken off an EasyJet flight in 2015 after disruptive behavior and comments to the crew.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers was banned from United for a period due to drunken behavior.
Liam Gallagher was banned for life from Cathay Pacific after an onboard argument involving a scone. He said he’d rather walk.
These bans can be lifted. And no one is banned from all carriers. Airlines set their own policies. There is no global system tracking bad passengers.
Separately, governments run their ow-fly lists. These target terrorism, not unruly customers. Examples include:
The US No Fly List
The UK’s aviation security controls
Canada’s Secure Air Travel Act List
The EU’s use of Schengen and common security indicators
If you lose the ability to fly commercially, you can still cross oceans in a plane, but the cost or time becomes large. San Francisco to Berlin costs $250K on a private jet or a 14-day crossing by ship.
What sign did Quncy hang above the door? “Check your ego at the door”
Who didn’t come because he thought it might be too many people and questionable quality? Prince.
Who wrote a lot of it, and saved the day with several impromptu verse writings this night? Michael Jackson, along with Lionel Richie, wrote the song and played a significant role in its development.
Who co-hosted the AMAs the previous night, won a handful of AMA awards, and played a key role in the “We Are the World” recording? Lionel Richie
Who produced and directed the evening? Quincy Jones
Who was the least nervous? Stevie Wonder
Who got paid? No one. All singers and participants, including technical staff, volunteered their time.
Who celebrated early? There are no verified reports of Al Jarreau or any other artist getting drunk at the event. But Al may have drunk wine.
What takeout did they get? Food from Roscoe’s House of Chicken and Waffles and Wendy’s hamburgers was provided.
What did Kenny Rogers eat? Wendy’s burgers nom nom.
Who wore white “We are the world” sweatshirts? Kenny Rogers and Diana Ross
What comedian was there? Dan Aykroyd because of his role in Blues Brothers.
Who walked out during recording? Waylon Jennings. Stevie Wonder wanted everyone to sing a verse in Swahili, but no one spoke it very well. Waylon said, “No good ol’ boy ever spoke Swahili” and left. Swahili isn’t spoken in Ethiopia, the country for which the food drive was primarily organized.
Who was the last to leave? Diana Ross was among the last to leave, famously expressing she didn’t want it to end.
Below is a slightly edited note I sent to my friend Matt Mullenweg, who’s taking a sabbatical and asked friends for advice on how to spend this valuable time. My suggestions are skill-focused, a framing I find useful. I’m interested in how you’d use the time. Feel free to drop me a note.
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Sabbatical Recommendations:
Flying: Begin with a 14-day AFIT course. If you enjoy it, try a 10-day seaplane course in Alaska (Float Ratings). For hands-on experience, consider building an FX3 bush plane or a Kitfox.
Sailing: Sail from San Francisco to Honolulu or vice versa (harder). Regular trips are available for this route.
Scuba Diving: If you’re a beginner, learn to dive. Experienced? Try Molokini’s back wall for ghost shrimp, the Galapagos for hammerhead sharks, Socorro for giant mantas, and Bimini for shark feeding.
Mountain Climbing: Climb Half Dome before Memorial Day. For a greater challenge, consider Mount Shasta, Rainier, or Denali in June.
Improv Classes: I found an in-person course at BATS intellectually stimulating and great for storytelling skills.
Cycling: Bike to Santa Cruz in 1-2 days or explore the French countryside.
Kayaking: Kayak from San Francisco to Napa, a 2-3 day journey. I’ve also rowed to Sacramento twice.
Dexterity: Learn skills like whistling with fingers, bubble blowing, card shuffling, handstands, one-arm push-ups, juggling, and diabolo. They’re calming and inspire children.
Hunting. I don’t know how to hunt, but I enjoy watching the “Meateater” show a lot which is basically a howto guide to sustenance adventure hunting
Painting: Paint 10 things. It’s a romantic and surprisingly rewarding activity. Big Sur Food & Wine has an event.
Singing: Learn to sing a karaoke song. “I Will Survive” and “Bananas” by Gwen Stefani are great choices.
Musical Instrument: Learn a song on the piano or guitar, ideal for family gatherings and campfires.
Paragliding: Learn at Lions Head in Cape Town, or nearby at Fort Funston and Monterey. This is especially good if you find airplane and helicopter too loud, but want to take to the skies
Work in a Different Field: Spend a few days as a barista or delivering packages. Avoid dangerous jobs. Provides a new respect for a ton of things
Intern at a Top Restaurant: I can connect you with noma for an unpaid internship. This is called stage’ing.
African Safari: It’s elegant, safe, adventurous, and culturally enriching. The queen did it, a lot.
Teaching: Teach a friend something new to them, or train a curious pet to sit, stay, come, heal. It’s honestly one of the things that’s made me most happy over the years. Teaching an attentive student is very rewarding
Cooking: Learn to make your favorite dish. There are various cooking classes available. My friend Ken went to Le Cordon Bleu. There are ramen classes in SF.
Video Games: Study a hard game’s mechanics to become an expert. Meet the designer. Elon plays Eldon Ring; I enjoy Polytopia.
Golf: Learn to play. It’s social, outdoor, and best enjoyed sober.
Escape from Alcatraz: Swim from Alcatraz. I’ve done it many times and can guide you. It’s definitely type 2 fun. Takes 45-minutes and we can do it literally any day with virtually no notice. Either I can pilot you in a rowboat, or we can get a friend of mine to pilot us and I’ll swim it with you. Wetsuits are OK
Film Study: Watch all movies by a great director and meet them.
Write a Book: Pithy but solid advice and enhances credibility.
Work Skill: Acquire a new skill essential to your job, focusing on a core area you haven’t yet mastered but is vital for your team’s success.
Do please consider how old you let yourself get if you want to see your kids have certain life events before you shuffle off this mortal coil.
The trend of couples in developed urban areas waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children has implications for family dynamics and generational relationships. If a man becomes a father in his 40s, he might pass away around the time his children reach milestones like marriage, particularly if he has an average life expectancy. Consequently, he may not have the opportunity to meet his grandchildren or significantly influence their lives firsthand. Instead, his legacy and memory would be passed down through stories and photographs, shaping the family’s narrative and history in a different, yet still meaningful, way.
This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community, and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live. I rejoice in life for its own sake. Life is no “brief candle” for me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible before handing it on to future generations.
