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Rainmaking | Samer Karam | TEDxVarna


[Applause]

[Applause] is this funtastic hi okay so it’s good

is this funtastic hi okay so it’s good

is this funtastic hi okay so it’s good to have 500 people sitting to listen to

to have 500 people sitting to listen to

to have 500 people sitting to listen to this this was supposed to be about

this this was supposed to be about

this this was supposed to be about rainmaking okay for those of you who

rainmaking okay for those of you who

rainmaking okay for those of you who don’t know what train making is it’s

don’t know what train making is it’s

don’t know what train making is it’s basically making money for either

basically making money for either

basically making money for either yourself or other people making it rain

yourself or other people making it rain

yourself or other people making it rain the concept of rain making okay it has

the concept of rain making okay it has

the concept of rain making okay it has nothing to do with dancing and hoping

nothing to do with dancing and hoping

nothing to do with dancing and hoping that it will rain but it comes from that

that it will rain but it comes from that

that it will rain but it comes from that because back in the old days if you

because back in the old days if you

because back in the old days if you danced and it rained you had crops and

danced and it rained you had crops and

danced and it rained you had crops and you effectively had wealth this is going

you effectively had wealth this is going

you effectively had wealth this is going to be a little different because I

to be a little different because I

to be a little different because I recently two weeks ago finished

recently two weeks ago finished

recently two weeks ago finished organizing one of the biggest

organizing one of the biggest

organizing one of the biggest conferences in the world and this was a

conferences in the world and this was a

conferences in the world and this was a conference called BDL accelerate we had

conference called BDL accelerate we had

conference called BDL accelerate we had 25,000 people show up 4,000 people flew

25,000 people show up 4,000 people flew

25,000 people show up 4,000 people flew in from Europe Steve Wozniak came Tony

in from Europe Steve Wozniak came Tony

in from Europe Steve Wozniak came Tony Fadell came it was a very successful

Fadell came it was a very successful

Fadell came it was a very successful conference where maybe second or third

conference where maybe second or third

conference where maybe second or third biggest in the world now at the end of

biggest in the world now at the end of

biggest in the world now at the end of that conference I came to realization

that conference I came to realization

that conference I came to realization that there was something fundamentally

that there was something fundamentally

that there was something fundamentally wrong with the startup world okay I’ve

wrong with the startup world okay I’ve

wrong with the startup world okay I’ve been in the startup world for 10 years

been in the startup world for 10 years

been in the startup world for 10 years and this is the story that starts about

and this is the story that starts about

and this is the story that starts about rainmaking and it will end on a tangent

rainmaking and it will end on a tangent

rainmaking and it will end on a tangent that I’ve been working on for just two

that I’ve been working on for just two

that I’ve been working on for just two weeks now so bear with me if I lose my

weeks now so bear with me if I lose my

weeks now so bear with me if I lose my train of thought this is very fresh very

train of thought this is very fresh very

train of thought this is very fresh very very fresh so ten years ago I was 24

very fresh so ten years ago I was 24

very fresh so ten years ago I was 24 okay young foolish lost and I had

okay young foolish lost and I had

okay young foolish lost and I had traveled around the world i studied in

traveled around the world i studied in

traveled around the world i studied in the US all that and I came to the

the US all that and I came to the

the US all that and I came to the conclusion that I wanted to be in

conclusion that I wanted to be in

conclusion that I wanted to be in Lebanon I’m from Lebanon my home country

Lebanon I’m from Lebanon my home country

Lebanon I’m from Lebanon my home country and once I realized I wanted to be in

and once I realized I wanted to be in

and once I realized I wanted to be in Lebanon it wasn’t really me who realized

Lebanon it wasn’t really me who realized

Lebanon it wasn’t really me who realized that my uncle realized it and told me

that my uncle realized it and told me

that my uncle realized it and told me listen just this is where you want to be

listen just this is where you want to be

listen just this is where you want to be figure out what you want to do where you

figure out what you want to do where you

figure out what you want to do where you want to be now that you know where you

want to be now that you know where you

want to be now that you know where you want to be so I was in this state I had

want to be so I was in this state I had

want to be so I was in this state I had found where I wanted to be where I

found where I wanted to be where I

found where I wanted to be where I belong okay but I couldn’t see the top

belong okay but I couldn’t see the top

belong okay but I couldn’t see the top of the pyramid I don’t know if you are

of the pyramid I don’t know if you are

of the pyramid I don’t know if you are familiar

familiar

familiar this is Maslow’s pyramid it’s the

this is Maslow’s pyramid it’s the

this is Maslow’s pyramid it’s the hierarchy of needs it’s a concept of

hierarchy of needs it’s a concept of

hierarchy of needs it’s a concept of psychology what we aspire to so I was at

psychology what we aspire to so I was at

psychology what we aspire to so I was at the belonging stage i moved to Lebanon I

the belonging stage i moved to Lebanon I

the belonging stage i moved to Lebanon I had this beautiful cloud that was

had this beautiful cloud that was

had this beautiful cloud that was clouding my vision of what was at the

clouding my vision of what was at the

clouding my vision of what was at the top and I decided okay it I’m gonna

top and I decided okay it I’m gonna

top and I decided okay it I’m gonna go into the startup world okay that was

go into the startup world okay that was

go into the startup world okay that was 2007 I started off working in a very

2007 I started off working in a very

2007 I started off working in a very very large Bank in the Middle East

very large Bank in the Middle East

very large Bank in the Middle East called bank audi they handed me their

called bank audi they handed me their

called bank audi they handed me their intrapreneurship department I don’t know

intrapreneurship department I don’t know

intrapreneurship department I don’t know if you know anything about

if you know anything about

if you know anything about entrepreneurship it’s basically the

entrepreneurship it’s basically the

entrepreneurship it’s basically the antithesis of what an organization large

antithesis of what an organization large

antithesis of what an organization large organization is they give a couple of

organization is they give a couple of

organization is they give a couple of people the opportunity to do crazy

people the opportunity to do crazy

people the opportunity to do crazy things and then at the end of the cycle

things and then at the end of the cycle

things and then at the end of the cycle they tell them this is not going to

they tell them this is not going to

they tell them this is not going to happen so I spent four and a half years

happen so I spent four and a half years

happen so I spent four and a half years doing that and then at the end they told

doing that and then at the end they told

doing that and then at the end they told me this is not going to happen so I

me this is not going to happen so I

me this is not going to happen so I moved on I created my own startup did

moved on I created my own startup did

moved on I created my own startup did very well did a skype call to San

very well did a skype call to San

very well did a skype call to San Francisco with a VC you may know called

Francisco with a VC you may know called

Francisco with a VC you may know called kleiner perkins one of the top four and

kleiner perkins one of the top four and

kleiner perkins one of the top four and we pitched our idea we were at the MVP

we pitched our idea we were at the MVP

we pitched our idea we were at the MVP stage they got very excited they’re like

stage they got very excited they’re like

stage they got very excited they’re like sure we’ll give you money move to san

sure we’ll give you money move to san

sure we’ll give you money move to san francisco and i’m like i just moved to

francisco and i’m like i just moved to

francisco and i’m like i just moved to lebanon okay this doesn’t work so anyway

lebanon okay this doesn’t work so anyway

lebanon okay this doesn’t work so anyway we kept the company going for another

we kept the company going for another

we kept the company going for another year and then we shut it down there was

year and then we shut it down there was

year and then we shut it down there was really very little chance of survival in

really very little chance of survival in

really very little chance of survival in Lebanon from there I got a little

Lebanon from there I got a little

Lebanon from there I got a little depressed I opened up a cookie shop okay

depressed I opened up a cookie shop okay

depressed I opened up a cookie shop okay where I sold cookies on Twitter okay and

where I sold cookies on Twitter okay and

where I sold cookies on Twitter okay and I made the cookies myself it was very

I made the cookies myself it was very

I made the cookies myself it was very successful but I was way too young to be

successful but I was way too young to be

successful but I was way too young to be like a baker for at least for me okay so

like a baker for at least for me okay so

like a baker for at least for me okay so I locked up the recipe and decided okay

I locked up the recipe and decided okay

I locked up the recipe and decided okay now is the time it was 2010 it was just

now is the time it was 2010 it was just

now is the time it was 2010 it was just the beginning of the hype of

the beginning of the hype of

the beginning of the hype of accelerators I’m sure you’ve all heard

accelerators I’m sure you’ve all heard

accelerators I’m sure you’ve all heard of what an accelerator is we’re going to

of what an accelerator is we’re going to

of what an accelerator is we’re going to create startups we’re going to make so

create startups we’re going to make so

create startups we’re going to make so many successful startups and were going

many successful startups and were going

many successful startups and were going to make money making startups from 2010

to make money making startups from 2010

to make money making startups from 2010 until 2013 we made a lot of startups we

until 2013 we made a lot of startups we

until 2013 we made a lot of startups we didn’t make any money it was a very

didn’t make any money it was a very

didn’t make any money it was a very incredible journey what was exciting

incredible journey what was exciting

incredible journey what was exciting about it was that we were able to turn

about it was that we were able to turn

about it was that we were able to turn Lebanon from a proc

Lebanon from a proc

Lebanon from a proc techny non-existent ecosystem to a very

techny non-existent ecosystem to a very

techny non-existent ecosystem to a very thriving ecosystem because our startups

thriving ecosystem because our startups

thriving ecosystem because our startups convinced the central bank of Lebanon to

convinced the central bank of Lebanon to

convinced the central bank of Lebanon to create a six or six hundred million

create a six or six hundred million

create a six or six hundred million dollar sovereign fund that would fund

dollar sovereign fund that would fund

dollar sovereign fund that would fund the ecosystem and it’s one of the

the ecosystem and it’s one of the

the ecosystem and it’s one of the biggest in the world in terms of per per

biggest in the world in terms of per per

biggest in the world in terms of per per capita so that created the ecosystem and

capita so that created the ecosystem and

capita so that created the ecosystem and from there the central bank asked me

from there the central bank asked me

from there the central bank asked me please stay on advise and I’m like if

please stay on advise and I’m like if

please stay on advise and I’m like if you’re going to have six hundred million

you’re going to have six hundred million

you’re going to have six hundred million dollars you’re gonna have to do

dollars you’re gonna have to do

dollars you’re gonna have to do something cool with that money I can

something cool with that money I can

something cool with that money I can spend it for you and they’re like sure

spend it for you and they’re like sure

spend it for you and they’re like sure let’s spend the money and i created this

let’s spend the money and i created this

let’s spend the money and i created this conference called BDL accelerate and

conference called BDL accelerate and

conference called BDL accelerate and this conference basically in the span of

this conference basically in the span of

this conference basically in the span of three years this was 2015 2015 2016 in

three years this was 2015 2015 2016 in

three years this was 2015 2015 2016 in the span of three years we took it from

the span of three years we took it from

the span of three years we took it from 1600 attendees to 25,000 attendees and

1600 attendees to 25,000 attendees and

1600 attendees to 25,000 attendees and that’s when it started to rain okay the

that’s when it started to rain okay the

that’s when it started to rain okay the whole world was now looking at beirut

whole world was now looking at beirut

whole world was now looking at beirut all of these great speakers came we had

all of these great speakers came we had

all of these great speakers came we had people from eventbrite from spotify from

people from eventbrite from spotify from

people from eventbrite from spotify from apple from apple so on so forth and i

apple from apple so on so forth and i

apple from apple so on so forth and i had hit the pinnacle of the startup

had hit the pinnacle of the startup

had hit the pinnacle of the startup journey 23,000 250 registrations 125

journey 23,000 250 registrations 125

journey 23,000 250 registrations 125 speakers 414 cities represented okay

speakers 414 cities represented okay

speakers 414 cities represented okay this was really impressive okay that’s

this was really impressive okay that’s

this was really impressive okay that’s 8,000 people watching Steve Wozniak and

8,000 people watching Steve Wozniak and

8,000 people watching Steve Wozniak and then the Sun came out the clouds

then the Sun came out the clouds

then the Sun came out the clouds dispersed and I realized there was no

dispersed and I realized there was no

dispersed and I realized there was no top to the pyramid okay it was still a

top to the pyramid okay it was still a

top to the pyramid okay it was still a sunny day if you’ve been to Lebanon we

sunny day if you’ve been to Lebanon we

sunny day if you’ve been to Lebanon we have around 300 days of Sun so it’s

have around 300 days of Sun so it’s

have around 300 days of Sun so it’s always like that okay when it rains it

always like that okay when it rains it

always like that okay when it rains it rains but then you look up and there’s

rains but then you look up and there’s

rains but then you look up and there’s no top of the pyramid and it occurred to

no top of the pyramid and it occurred to

no top of the pyramid and it occurred to me that there might be something

me that there might be something

me that there might be something fundamentally wrong with what’s

fundamentally wrong with what’s

fundamentally wrong with what’s happening in the world today so I took a

happening in the world today so I took a

happening in the world today so I took a step back and I started reading okay and

step back and I started reading okay and

step back and I started reading okay and I’m like why why did I not find the top

I’m like why why did I not find the top

I’m like why why did I not find the top of the pyramid and I found this very

of the pyramid and I found this very

of the pyramid and I found this very very interesting article in vanity fair

very interesting article in vanity fair

very interesting article in vanity fair about the obsession okay of iron rant

about the obsession okay of iron rant

about the obsession okay of iron rant for those of you who don’t know I grant

for those of you who don’t know I grant

for those of you who don’t know I grant is she’s a philosopher from the early

is she’s a philosopher from the early

is she’s a philosopher from the early 20th century who talked about how

20th century who talked about how

20th century who talked about how everything that is human

everything that is human

everything that is human is driven by self-interest so I ran the

is driven by self-interest so I ran the

is driven by self-interest so I ran the pretty girl in the left here is

pretty girl in the left here is

pretty girl in the left here is basically the role model of every major

basically the role model of every major

basically the role model of every major major successful entrepreneur in Silicon

major successful entrepreneur in Silicon

major successful entrepreneur in Silicon Valley from peter thiel to jack dorsey

Valley from peter thiel to jack dorsey

Valley from peter thiel to jack dorsey to to travis kalanick to so on so forth

to to travis kalanick to so on so forth

to to travis kalanick to so on so forth all of them live by her model of life

all of them live by her model of life

all of them live by her model of life the end justifies the means and I’m sure

the end justifies the means and I’m sure

the end justifies the means and I’m sure you all know Steve Jobs he was also a

you all know Steve Jobs he was also a

you all know Steve Jobs he was also a big fan of Ayn Rand so when you look at

big fan of Ayn Rand so when you look at

big fan of Ayn Rand so when you look at that and you start thinking okay so the

that and you start thinking okay so the

that and you start thinking okay so the culture that is driving startups around

culture that is driving startups around

culture that is driving startups around the world that’s driving the new form of

the world that’s driving the new form of

the world that’s driving the new form of entourage Brown the world is a culture

entourage Brown the world is a culture

entourage Brown the world is a culture of self-interest what does that mean so

of self-interest what does that mean so

of self-interest what does that mean so 2010 Barack Obama went to Cairo and this

2010 Barack Obama went to Cairo and this

2010 Barack Obama went to Cairo and this was before the Arab Spring whatever that

was before the Arab Spring whatever that

was before the Arab Spring whatever that was okay and just as the whole

was okay and just as the whole

was okay and just as the whole world was starting to pick up on the

world was starting to pick up on the

world was starting to pick up on the Entrepreneurship seen London was still

Entrepreneurship seen London was still

Entrepreneurship seen London was still barely there Paris was barely there very

barely there Paris was barely there very

barely there Paris was barely there very few very very few countries other than

few very very few countries other than

few very very few countries other than the US had an entrepreneurship scene and

the US had an entrepreneurship scene and

the US had an entrepreneurship scene and Obama went to the American University of

Obama went to the American University of

Obama went to the American University of Cairo and got up in front of tens of

Cairo and got up in front of tens of

Cairo and got up in front of tens of thousands of people and said each and

thousands of people and said each and

thousands of people and said each and every one of you is an entrepreneur and

every one of you is an entrepreneur and

every one of you is an entrepreneur and it was a very moving speech remember

it was a very moving speech remember

it was a very moving speech remember this was before the Arab Spring he

this was before the Arab Spring he

this was before the Arab Spring he basically convinced these thousands and

basically convinced these thousands and

basically convinced these thousands and thousands of Egyptians that each and

thousands of Egyptians that each and

thousands of Egyptians that each and every one of them could be a superhero

every one of them could be a superhero

every one of them could be a superhero okay when we talk entrepreneurs today we

okay when we talk entrepreneurs today we

okay when we talk entrepreneurs today we don’t think okay I’m going to build

don’t think okay I’m going to build

don’t think okay I’m going to build something that’s going to maybe be a

something that’s going to maybe be a

something that’s going to maybe be a bakery with you know some nice cookies

bakery with you know some nice cookies

bakery with you know some nice cookies we think I want to be the next chief

we think I want to be the next chief

we think I want to be the next chief jobs i want to be the next uber i want

jobs i want to be the next uber i want

jobs i want to be the next uber i want to create something that will make that

to create something that will make that

to create something that will make that will create a unicorn okay and these

will create a unicorn okay and these

will create a unicorn okay and these people are effectively superheroes the

people are effectively superheroes the

people are effectively superheroes the superhero meaning in the sense that they

superhero meaning in the sense that they

superhero meaning in the sense that they created something that’s practically

created something that’s practically

created something that’s practically impossible so these are the unicorns

impossible so these are the unicorns

impossible so these are the unicorns they’re over there okay and the problem

they’re over there okay and the problem

they’re over there okay and the problem with the unicorns is that they I don’t

with the unicorns is that they I don’t

with the unicorns is that they I don’t know if you are you familiar with the

know if you are you familiar with the

know if you are you familiar with the concept kool-aid okay this is an

concept kool-aid okay this is an

concept kool-aid okay this is an American concept it’s really really

American concept it’s really really

American concept it’s really really nasty fake

nasty fake

nasty fake juice okay which if you grew up in the

juice okay which if you grew up in the

juice okay which if you grew up in the 80s and 90s you drank a lot of and it

80s and 90s you drank a lot of and it

80s and 90s you drank a lot of and it didn’t taste anything like juice but it

didn’t taste anything like juice but it

didn’t taste anything like juice but it was very colorful okay and basically

was very colorful okay and basically

was very colorful okay and basically when they say you know drinking your own

when they say you know drinking your own

when they say you know drinking your own kool-aid means you believe the that

kool-aid means you believe the that

kool-aid means you believe the that you you said you’re saying and

you you said you’re saying and

you you said you’re saying and eventually it’s your drinking your own

eventually it’s your drinking your own

eventually it’s your drinking your own okay and this is the unicorn okay

okay and this is the unicorn okay

okay and this is the unicorn okay the Unicorn is not at the 0.13 it’s

the Unicorn is not at the 0.13 it’s

the Unicorn is not at the 0.13 it’s actually off the charts okay unicorns

actually off the charts okay unicorns

actually off the charts okay unicorns are at best one in a million okay so

are at best one in a million okay so

are at best one in a million okay so they’re not on this chart one in a

they’re not on this chart one in a

they’re not on this chart one in a million so there aren’t any unicorns in

million so there aren’t any unicorns in

million so there aren’t any unicorns in this room okay if we had a hundred of

this room okay if we had a hundred of

this room okay if we had a hundred of this room that we still wouldn’t have

this room that we still wouldn’t have

this room that we still wouldn’t have any unicorns what does that mean that

any unicorns what does that mean that

any unicorns what does that mean that means the unicorn okay is what we are

means the unicorn okay is what we are

means the unicorn okay is what we are aspiring to and the whole world is

aspiring to and the whole world is

aspiring to and the whole world is modeled around the unicorns but there’s

modeled around the unicorns but there’s

modeled around the unicorns but there’s 99.999% of the human population that has

99.999% of the human population that has

99.999% of the human population that has no chance of ever being a unicorn

no chance of ever being a unicorn

no chance of ever being a unicorn statistically it’s just not possible

statistically it’s just not possible

statistically it’s just not possible okay so the whole world has been

okay so the whole world has been

okay so the whole world has been striving to be unicorns but it’s simply

striving to be unicorns but it’s simply

striving to be unicorns but it’s simply not possible because the game is not

not possible because the game is not

not possible because the game is not designed that way and the rules of the

designed that way and the rules of the

designed that way and the rules of the game are not designed that way 1 billion

game are not designed that way 1 billion

game are not designed that way 1 billion people by 2020 there will be 1 billion

people by 2020 there will be 1 billion

people by 2020 there will be 1 billion unemployed people okay around the world

unemployed people okay around the world

unemployed people okay around the world 1 billion okay now what happens when

1 billion okay now what happens when

1 billion okay now what happens when people are unemployed they start

people are unemployed they start

people are unemployed they start revolutions okay that’s what happened in

revolutions okay that’s what happened in

revolutions okay that’s what happened in the Arab Spring it had nothing to do

the Arab Spring it had nothing to do

the Arab Spring it had nothing to do with one thing to change one of the

with one thing to change one of the

with one thing to change one of the stories I’m not sure if you’ve heard it

stories I’m not sure if you’ve heard it

stories I’m not sure if you’ve heard it okay in Egypt Egypt is 90 million people

okay in Egypt Egypt is 90 million people

okay in Egypt Egypt is 90 million people just around the time of the Arab Spring

just around the time of the Arab Spring

just around the time of the Arab Spring in Egypt the government decided to crack

in Egypt the government decided to crack

in Egypt the government decided to crack down on cannabis on hashish okay and

down on cannabis on hashish okay and

down on cannabis on hashish okay and when they crack down on hashish people

when they crack down on hashish people

when they crack down on hashish people couldn’t smoke up anymore okay so they

couldn’t smoke up anymore okay so they

couldn’t smoke up anymore okay so they woke up and they looked around and

woke up and they looked around and

woke up and they looked around and they’re like what the is this

they’re like what the is this

they’re like what the is this I don’t have a job I don’t have a life I

I don’t have a job I don’t have a life I

I don’t have a job I don’t have a life I can’t eat i’m living in here and

can’t eat i’m living in here and

can’t eat i’m living in here and when they have nothing better to do they

when they have nothing better to do they

when they have nothing better to do they revolt now take that 1 billion ok and

revolt now take that 1 billion ok and

revolt now take that 1 billion ok and remove 1 million ok not 1 million from

remove 1 million ok not 1 million from

remove 1 million ok not 1 million from the billion but six zeros what are you

the billion but six zeros what are you

the billion but six zeros what are you left with 1000 people there are 1000

left with 1000 people there are 1000

left with 1000 people there are 1000 people who are going to create unicorns

people who are going to create unicorns

people who are going to create unicorns and the rest are just going to drink the

and the rest are just going to drink the

and the rest are just going to drink the kool-aid ok so what does that lead to so

kool-aid ok so what does that lead to so

kool-aid ok so what does that lead to so as people are drinking the kool-aid they

as people are drinking the kool-aid they

as people are drinking the kool-aid they start believing in cults one of the most

start believing in cults one of the most

start believing in cults one of the most interesting thing that was recently I

interesting thing that was recently I

interesting thing that was recently I think published and some psychology

think published and some psychology

think published and some psychology journal was that the reaction people

journal was that the reaction people

journal was that the reaction people have to their Apple products is the same

have to their Apple products is the same

have to their Apple products is the same as fundamentalist religious people to

as fundamentalist religious people to

as fundamentalist religious people to their religious doctrines like a a Bible

their religious doctrines like a a Bible

their religious doctrines like a a Bible or a Quran is the equivalent of a

or a Quran is the equivalent of a

or a Quran is the equivalent of a macbook for these different categories

macbook for these different categories

macbook for these different categories of people okay like this is they were

of people okay like this is they were

of people okay like this is they were they mapped their brainwaves okay and

they mapped their brainwaves okay and

they mapped their brainwaves okay and they could see the exact same reactions

they could see the exact same reactions

they could see the exact same reactions in their brains so people are now

in their brains so people are now

in their brains so people are now following coats and the cults are no

following coats and the cults are no

following coats and the cults are no longer just religion they are now

longer just religion they are now

longer just religion they are now products they are brands and if you had

products they are brands and if you had

products they are brands and if you had if you’ve recently read into the

if you’ve recently read into the

if you’ve recently read into the valuation of Apple Apple is no longer

valuation of Apple Apple is no longer

valuation of Apple Apple is no longer valued as a consumer electronics company

valued as a consumer electronics company

valued as a consumer electronics company it’s valued as a luxury brand company so

it’s valued as a luxury brand company so

it’s valued as a luxury brand company so Apple is the same process is in the same

Apple is the same process is in the same

Apple is the same process is in the same process of evaluation as Louie Vito ok

process of evaluation as Louie Vito ok

process of evaluation as Louie Vito ok that’s how they value it today what does

that’s how they value it today what does

that’s how they value it today what does that mean that means we are no longer

that mean that means we are no longer

that mean that means we are no longer buying products because they are good we

buying products because they are good we

buying products because they are good we are buying products because people are

are buying products because people are

are buying products because people are telling us they are good because we’re

telling us they are good because we’re

telling us they are good because we’re following the doctrine now what do you

following the doctrine now what do you

following the doctrine now what do you see in this picture does anyone know

see in this picture does anyone know

see in this picture does anyone know what’s this picture yes what where is

what’s this picture yes what where is

what’s this picture yes what where is the Kaaba in the picture it’s that tiny

the Kaaba in the picture it’s that tiny

the Kaaba in the picture it’s that tiny black dot ok

black dot ok

black dot ok that tiny tiny black dot in the center

that tiny tiny black dot in the center

that tiny tiny black dot in the center is the Kaaba the building next to it

is the Kaaba the building next to it

is the Kaaba the building next to it with the clock tower which is maybe a

with the clock tower which is maybe a

with the clock tower which is maybe a billion times bigger okay is a hotel for

billion times bigger okay is a hotel for

billion times bigger okay is a hotel for rich people who are going to pray okay

rich people who are going to pray okay

rich people who are going to pray okay now what does this image signify it

now what does this image signify it

now what does this image signify it signifies that what’s happening now is

signifies that what’s happening now is

signifies that what’s happening now is that we’re reaching a point where

that we’re reaching a point where

that we’re reaching a point where there’s a lot of overlap in how people

there’s a lot of overlap in how people

there’s a lot of overlap in how people feel towards their religions and how

feel towards their religions and how

feel towards their religions and how people feel towards their products that

people feel towards their products that

people feel towards their products that they are receiving and why is this

they are receiving and why is this

they are receiving and why is this happening because we’ve reached a point

happening because we’ve reached a point

happening because we’ve reached a point and are in the world where we are almost

and are in the world where we are almost

and are in the world where we are almost unable to think for ourselves we’re told

unable to think for ourselves we’re told

unable to think for ourselves we’re told what they think we see this picture and

what they think we see this picture and

what they think we see this picture and we say wow this is amazing and then you

we say wow this is amazing and then you

we say wow this is amazing and then you realize that what’s amazing about it is

realize that what’s amazing about it is

realize that what’s amazing about it is that little black dot that’s what’s

that little black dot that’s what’s

that little black dot that’s what’s amazing the rest is just a hotel okay

amazing the rest is just a hotel okay

amazing the rest is just a hotel okay but they have become so close together

but they have become so close together

but they have become so close together that we can barely separate them so I

that we can barely separate them so I

that we can barely separate them so I was in Egypt a couple of years ago and I

was in Egypt a couple of years ago and I

was in Egypt a couple of years ago and I was pushing the startup scene and I was

was pushing the startup scene and I was

was pushing the startup scene and I was very excited about it and this is called

very excited about it and this is called

very excited about it and this is called the Greek campus in Egypt remember Egypt

the Greek campus in Egypt remember Egypt

the Greek campus in Egypt remember Egypt is 90 million people of which I think 80

is 90 million people of which I think 80

is 90 million people of which I think 80 million are at poverty or 70 million at

million are at poverty or 70 million at

million are at poverty or 70 million at poverty its massive poverty this is a

poverty its massive poverty this is a

poverty its massive poverty this is a Greek campus night nice poof’s

Greek campus night nice poof’s

Greek campus night nice poof’s everybody’s chilling we’re doing a

everybody’s chilling we’re doing a

everybody’s chilling we’re doing a startup conference so on and I decided

startup conference so on and I decided

startup conference so on and I decided to take a break to go outside of the

to take a break to go outside of the

to take a break to go outside of the campus right behind those trees and I

campus right behind those trees and I

campus right behind those trees and I didn’t have a picture so this is a

didn’t have a picture so this is a

didn’t have a picture so this is a simulation but it was a lot worse than

simulation but it was a lot worse than

simulation but it was a lot worse than what you’re gonna see now I walked into

what you’re gonna see now I walked into

what you’re gonna see now I walked into this this was literally outside I went

this this was literally outside I went

this this was literally outside I went from this to this okay and I was

from this to this okay and I was

from this to this okay and I was completely shocked I was taken aback

completely shocked I was taken aback

completely shocked I was taken aback because I was in Egypt to convince the

because I was in Egypt to convince the

because I was in Egypt to convince the world and my opinion because I want to

world and my opinion because I want to

world and my opinion because I want to change the world that entrepreneurship

change the world that entrepreneurship

change the world that entrepreneurship is going to save us okay and we’re all

is going to save us okay and we’re all

is going to save us okay and we’re all going to be entrepreneurs and we’re

going to be entrepreneurs and we’re

going to be entrepreneurs and we’re going to be successful and we’re gonna

going to be successful and we’re gonna

going to be successful and we’re gonna change the world and so on and then I

change the world and so on and then I

change the world and so on and then I walk out and I’m like I have so much

walk out and I’m like I have so much

walk out and I’m like I have so much work to do ok like how am I

work to do ok like how am I

work to do ok like how am I going to reach all these people and not

going to reach all these people and not

going to reach all these people and not only that I realized that I had a very

only that I realized that I had a very

only that I realized that I had a very difficult

difficult

difficult very very difficult pitch to make

very very difficult pitch to make

very very difficult pitch to make because I could pitch people that they

because I could pitch people that they

because I could pitch people that they could become unicorns that they could be

could become unicorns that they could be

could become unicorns that they could be wildly successful but how do I pitch to

wildly successful but how do I pitch to

wildly successful but how do I pitch to someone something that is statistically

someone something that is statistically

someone something that is statistically difficult to prove and requires a lot of

difficult to prove and requires a lot of

difficult to prove and requires a lot of hard work when the alternative just like

hard work when the alternative just like

hard work when the alternative just like any religion in the world the

any religion in the world the

any religion in the world the alternative is if you do XYZ you’re

alternative is if you do XYZ you’re

alternative is if you do XYZ you’re going to go to heaven and the problem

going to go to heaven and the problem

going to go to heaven and the problem with heaven I mean we’re all going

with heaven I mean we’re all going

with heaven I mean we’re all going either to hell or heaven but the problem

either to hell or heaven but the problem

either to hell or heaven but the problem with hell and heaven is that nobody ever

with hell and heaven is that nobody ever

with hell and heaven is that nobody ever came back and said it wasn’t what I

came back and said it wasn’t what I

came back and said it wasn’t what I expected ok nobody gets the chance to

expected ok nobody gets the chance to

expected ok nobody gets the chance to come back and say hey this isn’t what I

come back and say hey this isn’t what I

come back and say hey this isn’t what I signed up for but an entrepreneurship

signed up for but an entrepreneurship

signed up for but an entrepreneurship people fail and a lot of them result in

people fail and a lot of them result in

people fail and a lot of them result in failed marriages failed relationships

failed marriages failed relationships

failed marriages failed relationships broken families so on and people get up

broken families so on and people get up

broken families so on and people get up and say this is not what I expected it’s

and say this is not what I expected it’s

and say this is not what I expected it’s not what I signed up for so how do you

not what I signed up for so how do you

not what I signed up for so how do you convince the masses of people that there

convince the masses of people that there

convince the masses of people that there is an alternative to just poverty how do

is an alternative to just poverty how do

is an alternative to just poverty how do you get them out of that and not by

you get them out of that and not by

you get them out of that and not by convincing them to be entrepreneurs so I

convincing them to be entrepreneurs so I

convincing them to be entrepreneurs so I started digging a little more and I

started digging a little more and I

started digging a little more and I realized there was something happening

realized there was something happening

realized there was something happening in 1982 this is from the US but it’s

in 1982 this is from the US but it’s

in 1982 this is from the US but it’s representative of the entire world 1982

representative of the entire world 1982

representative of the entire world 1982 productivity and real wages diverged by

productivity and real wages diverged by

productivity and real wages diverged by 2006 people were working twice as hard

2006 people were working twice as hard

2006 people were working twice as hard and making less money than in 1982 okay

and making less money than in 1982 okay

and making less money than in 1982 okay so all of you are effectively working

so all of you are effectively working

so all of you are effectively working harder to make less money and the funny

harder to make less money and the funny

harder to make less money and the funny thing is that in entrepreneurship and

thing is that in entrepreneurship and

thing is that in entrepreneurship and anyone who’s an entrepreneur here is

anyone who’s an entrepreneur here is

anyone who’s an entrepreneur here is knows this you’re expected to work 16

knows this you’re expected to work 16

knows this you’re expected to work 16 hours a day you’re expected to kill

hours a day you’re expected to kill

hours a day you’re expected to kill yourself for this company or whoever

yourself for this company or whoever

yourself for this company or whoever you’re working for because that’s how

you’re working for because that’s how

you’re working for because that’s how you’re going to succeed the dream is

you’re going to succeed the dream is

you’re going to succeed the dream is what’s driving you but only one in a

what’s driving you but only one in a

what’s driving you but only one in a million make it so this is basically

million make it so this is basically

million make it so this is basically telling us that there’s something broken

telling us that there’s something broken

telling us that there’s something broken with this culture that we’ve reached a

with this culture that we’ve reached a

with this culture that we’ve reached a point where we

point where we

point where we we are a lot more obsessed with

we are a lot more obsessed with

we are a lot more obsessed with achieving with the end then we are with

achieving with the end then we are with

achieving with the end then we are with the means so we effectively are buddies

the means so we effectively are buddies

the means so we effectively are buddies with iron round all of us for more

with iron round all of us for more

with iron round all of us for more accepts with hot with getting there than

accepts with hot with getting there than

accepts with hot with getting there than how we’re getting there and this is what

how we’re getting there and this is what

how we’re getting there and this is what happens

this isn’t a bad thing okay I’m not

this isn’t a bad thing okay I’m not taking a political I’m not making a

taking a political I’m not making a

taking a political I’m not making a political statement this is an anomaly

political statement this is an anomaly

political statement this is an anomaly okay nobody in their right mind thought

okay nobody in their right mind thought

okay nobody in their right mind thought this would happen okay and it did and

this would happen okay and it did and

this would happen okay and it did and why did it happen because people are

why did it happen because people are

why did it happen because people are waking up okay they’re beginning to

waking up okay they’re beginning to

waking up okay they’re beginning to realize that I’m working twice as much

realize that I’m working twice as much

realize that I’m working twice as much and making half as much this doesn’t

and making half as much this doesn’t

and making half as much this doesn’t make any sense and when people wake up

they realize that there’s something

they realize that there’s something wrong okay they realize that what we’ve

wrong okay they realize that what we’ve

wrong okay they realize that what we’ve what what we believe are the superheroes

what what we believe are the superheroes

what what we believe are the superheroes of the future the Elon Musk’s the Marvel

of the future the Elon Musk’s the Marvel

of the future the Elon Musk’s the Marvel Comics I’m sure all of you have seen a

Comics I’m sure all of you have seen a

Comics I’m sure all of you have seen a marker Marvel comic in the last year we

marker Marvel comic in the last year we

marker Marvel comic in the last year we are aspiring to be heroes to be

are aspiring to be heroes to be

are aspiring to be heroes to be superheroes whereas in reality when it

superheroes whereas in reality when it

superheroes whereas in reality when it aspire to be human not superheroes and

aspire to be human not superheroes and

aspire to be human not superheroes and what you see here this pyramid is

what you see here this pyramid is

what you see here this pyramid is effectively the startups that are

effectively the startups that are

effectively the startups that are unicorns I think or have become unicorns

unicorns I think or have become unicorns

unicorns I think or have become unicorns in the last ten years these are the only

in the last ten years these are the only

in the last ten years these are the only companies that made it to the unicorn

companies that made it to the unicorn

companies that made it to the unicorn stage and if anyone can tell it well

stage and if anyone can tell it well

stage and if anyone can tell it well it’s a Bernie Madoff I don’t know if you

it’s a Bernie Madoff I don’t know if you

it’s a Bernie Madoff I don’t know if you know this guy ok this guy managed to

know this guy ok this guy managed to

know this guy ok this guy managed to convince the world that if he takes

convince the world that if he takes

convince the world that if he takes money from them and gives them twenty

money from them and gives them twenty

money from them and gives them twenty percent year-on-year that twenty percent

percent year-on-year that twenty percent

percent year-on-year that twenty percent is going to keep on growing no matter

is going to keep on growing no matter

is going to keep on growing no matter how the math didn’t make sense so he

how the math didn’t make sense so he

how the math didn’t make sense so he managed to convince thousands of people

managed to convince thousands of people

managed to convince thousands of people to put all of their life savings into

to put all of their life savings into

to put all of their life savings into his bank accounts and then he basically

his bank accounts and then he basically

his bank accounts and then he basically gave them returns that didn’t exist they

gave them returns that didn’t exist they

gave them returns that didn’t exist they were just returns on paper and when

were just returns on paper and when

were just returns on paper and when somebody came and said hey I want my

somebody came and said hey I want my

somebody came and said hey I want my money he’s like oh well that’s not going

money he’s like oh well that’s not going

money he’s like oh well that’s not going to work so I’m not saying these are

to work so I’m not saying these are

to work so I’m not saying these are effectively pyramid schemes but a

effectively pyramid schemes but a

effectively pyramid schemes but a start-up if you really think about it

start-up if you really think about it

start-up if you really think about it there’s one or two people that get

there’s one or two people that get

there’s one or two people that get twenty thirty percent and five or ten

twenty thirty percent and five or ten

twenty thirty percent and five or ten people that get two to three percent

people that get two to three percent

people that get two to three percent then 10 to 100 people that get one

then 10 to 100 people that get one

then 10 to 100 people that get one percent and then the rest get 0.001

percent and then the rest get 0.001

percent and then the rest get 0.001 percent how is that any different from a

percent how is that any different from a

percent how is that any different from a pyramid scheme

pyramid scheme

pyramid scheme so effectively we are all striving to

so effectively we are all striving to

so effectively we are all striving to create pyramid schemes okay and this has

create pyramid schemes okay and this has

create pyramid schemes okay and this has become the culture of the world so there

become the culture of the world so there

become the culture of the world so there I was thinking and thinking and thinking

I was thinking and thinking and thinking

I was thinking and thinking and thinking and this has been just two weeks of hell

and this has been just two weeks of hell

and this has been just two weeks of hell okay and I came to the conclusion that

what’s missing in the world isn’t

what’s missing in the world isn’t entrepreneurs and self success and

entrepreneurs and self success and

entrepreneurs and self success and self-interest it’s critical thinking

self-interest it’s critical thinking

self-interest it’s critical thinking okay how do you elect Donald Trump with

okay how do you elect Donald Trump with

okay how do you elect Donald Trump with critical thinking it’s just not possible

critical thinking it’s just not possible

critical thinking it’s just not possible ok so the US has 350 to 400 million

ok so the US has 350 to 400 million

ok so the US has 350 to 400 million people okay fifty percent of them who

people okay fifty percent of them who

people okay fifty percent of them who could vote we’re not thinking critically

could vote we’re not thinking critically

could vote we’re not thinking critically and I’m not sure about Clinton being a

and I’m not sure about Clinton being a

and I’m not sure about Clinton being a good alternative but like at least fifty

good alternative but like at least fifty

good alternative but like at least fifty percent let’s not say a hundred percent

percent let’s not say a hundred percent

percent let’s not say a hundred percent fifty percent were not using critical

fifty percent were not using critical

fifty percent were not using critical thinking okay why I still don’t know I

thinking okay why I still don’t know I

thinking okay why I still don’t know I think there’s just so many different

think there’s just so many different

think there’s just so many different factors but what this has taught me in

factors but what this has taught me in

factors but what this has taught me in the past two weeks is that I’m getting

the past two weeks is that I’m getting

the past two weeks is that I’m getting out of entrepreneurship okay I can’t do

out of entrepreneurship okay I can’t do

out of entrepreneurship okay I can’t do it anymore I’m moving into education

it anymore I’m moving into education

it anymore I’m moving into education okay so

okay so

okay so [Applause]

[Applause]

[Applause] right this is the name of my new venture

right this is the name of my new venture

right this is the name of my new venture which I came up with two days ago okay

which I came up with two days ago okay

which I came up with two days ago okay and it means two things in Indian in

and it means two things in Indian in

and it means two things in Indian in Sanskrit I think it means it refers to

Sanskrit I think it means it refers to

Sanskrit I think it means it refers to one of the four I’m very bad with the

one of the four I’m very bad with the

one of the four I’m very bad with the names followers of the Buddha Hindu

names followers of the Buddha Hindu

names followers of the Buddha Hindu person sorry i’m not good with this

person sorry i’m not good with this

person sorry i’m not good with this stuff but one of them okay effectively

stuff but one of them okay effectively

stuff but one of them okay effectively goes around in the spiritual and

goes around in the spiritual and

goes around in the spiritual and physical realms teaching okay and in

physical realms teaching okay and in

physical realms teaching okay and in japanese it means bring to the center so

japanese it means bring to the center so

japanese it means bring to the center so when you look at these two different

when you look at these two different

when you look at these two different perspectives from two widely different

perspectives from two widely different

perspectives from two widely different cultures and you bring them together I

cultures and you bring them together I

cultures and you bring them together I want to teach people to come to the

want to teach people to come to the

want to teach people to come to the center and I’m hoping I can do that

center and I’m hoping I can do that

center and I’m hoping I can do that without creating another startup okay

without creating another startup okay

without creating another startup okay and hopefully I’ll be back in the next

and hopefully I’ll be back in the next

and hopefully I’ll be back in the next few years and i’ll tell you that story

few years and i’ll tell you that story

few years and i’ll tell you that story thank

”

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