Stanford University

Entrepreneurship, Startups Apple, Stanford University, Steve Jobs

Thank you Steve Jobs

6. October 2011 Manuel Koelman

I just heard that Steve Jobs has passed away. Although I am not an Apple fanboy I truly admire and respect what Steve Jobs has done for the tech world, the web economy, the music industry, the phone industry, design thinking, usability, entrepreneurship, the startup community, leadership and so much more. Thank you Steve!

Here is probably the most remarkable speech by Steve Jobs, which gives great insights into his way of thinking. It is truly inspirational and an absolute must watch.

Here are some links relating to Steve Jobs that I posted in the last years:

RIP Steve Jobs.

Productivity 37Signals, Advice, David Heinemeier Hanson, DHH, Entrepreneurship, Ruby on Rails, Stanford University

Unlearn your MBA – DHH from 37signals speaks at Stanford about entrepreneurship

21. January 2010 Manuel Koelman

There are a few essentials of entrepreneurship. Stuff that every entrepreneur just needs to know. Most of which cannot be learned in college. That’s exactly what David Heinemeier Hansson, the creator of Ruby on Rails and partner at 37signals in Chicago, talks about in this speech.

His main arguments are that entrepreneurship is about building a product and pleasing customers. Constraints – fiscal, temporal, or otherwise – he says are important for driving innovation and effective problem-solving. Also, he extensively argues that venture capital for software startups is a time bomb, a thought I don’t entirely agree with. However, his other thoughts like “planning is guessing” or the “focus should be on today” rather then tomorrow are really essential.

Overall, I like his thoughts and his approach on entrepreneurship. The most important thing, Hansson believes, is to make a dent in the universe with your company. And that – to me – is what entrepreneurship is all about.

Productivity Biology, Golden Rule, Human, Neurological Science, Neurology, Robert Sapolsky, Stanford University

Interesting Lecture: The Uniqueness of Humans

17. January 2010 Manuel Koelman

On June 13, 2009, Robert Sapolsky, world renowned professor of neurology, neurological sciences, neurosurgery and biological sciences gave the class day lecture in association with commencement weekend 2009. Having been selected to talk by the Stanford University graduating class, Sapolsky spoke about the uniqueness of humans in relation to the rest of the animal world. A few of the topics he spoke on include aggression, theory of mind, the golden rule and pleasure.

This lecture is not only interesting but due to Robert Sapolsky storytelling capabilities also quite entertaining. Enjoy!