The more I explore the world the more I realize how we are influenced by our surroundings. We all tend to eventually live inside a bubble.
Phase 1: In school & college
Mostly lived in the bubble of studying leading to a good job. All things in discussion were hyper localized to parts of the city and group of friends. Study, food, music and dating were the primary thoughts of most people. I had a slightly different inclination towards research and hence devoted time away from music and dating instead to research.
Phase 2: Small business bubble
When my dad ran his small business, I used to spend most of the time in the shop. It had a PC with working internet which meant exposure to online gaming and watching movies on CDs and so on. Even then the bubble was the market. I knew everything about electronics, how to solder, naming resistors, and how sometimes a good smack is all a PCB needs to start working. Money earned -> money spent. The only investment was real estate. Occasional movie outings and restaurant visits were the highlights. 0 knowledge about finance or corporates or stocks. Always viewed that entire world from afar as something weird, unattainable, typically classified by the folks as 'rich people'.
Phase 3: Post degree work & 1st startup
This was an entirely new bubble, suddenly I got the power to poke life. 50,000 people used my app and I felt surreal. The govt interfered and made monetization impossible due to which we had to let go of the company, but the experience was insane. Practicing pitches, raising money, almost running out of runway 3 times. Thinking about how one will make payroll. The typical Bangalore startup bubble - and I was living it. The best part - my dad was still in the small business bubble and I think 10x happier than I was.
Phase 4: Exit and figuring it out
Working as a professional CEO with a part-time MBA and a venture studio sucks up my time. Although I still am in the ecosystem, I could finally see how everyone is still in their bubble and keep shifting bubbles to either find more meaning to life or more money or something else. I am single and hence my worldview is very limited and narrow, the day I get married and have kids I will enter another bubble - oblivious to understanding what world-view other folks have.
Freedom: I think recognizing that we are in a bubble is the first step to realizing and awakening to the world outside. Basis that we can maybe start to judge others a bit less and understand them better, focusing on why and how their worldview is coming from.
Which bubble are you in?
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