Arguably the best job ad in the world? Comes from Extropic in a very straightforward way.

"Yes, but Bastian, a sexy startup has no shortage of skilled specialists".

It's not a sexy ad either.

Because, curious people want to work on interesting problems - not on boring tasks that a computer could do but you refused to invest in.

And how do you spark curiosity?

By making an engaging video.

A good video has nothing to do with effects, VFX and SFX, or quick cuts that make you and your applicants feel nauseated as if you've just been on a rollercoaster.

A good video needs a compelling theme.

A theme that captivates its target audience AND people who think "Oh, Charlie might be interested in this topic and they probably haven't heard of it yet so I am going to tell them about it…"

"That's an exciting topic!", even I thought to myself, who understands nothing of what the founders are discussing. Even though we were once invited by the researchers at Fraunhofer IAF to find out first-hand how research is being conducted at the bleeding-edge of III-V semiconductors. So yes, I may know a bit more about semiconductors than the average person on the interwebs. But I didn't study physics, computer science nor electrical engineering.

“A good video is all about an interesting topic told well and without cliches,” as Niko likes to say.

How do you make a great video?

IMHO: The easiest way is to simply explain it.

Explain it to an interested layperson.

Just like Guillaume Verdon and Trevor McCourt explain it to Garry Tan. Garry is asking these questions that we’d like to ask Guillaume and Trevor ourselves. And questions that the right applicant might be able to ask them very soon themselves.

The entire video leads with “what ground-breaking thing is going on here?”

Not the fact that they're going from stealth startup to launch.

Not the fact that Verdon’s anonymous X account had been "doxed" by the New York Times.

But the fact that they were able to keep my attention for 10 minutes, despite it quickly became clear that it was a recruitment video, makes it... arguably the best job ad in the world.

Last week I talked about the best product demo in the world.

This week I talked about the best job ad in the world.

If you don't want to miss anything "best in the world", subscribe now and click the like button.

These principles, identified through Cialdini's extensive research and experiences, highlight key psychological factors that drive human behavior, particularly in contexts of persuasion and influence.

1. Principle of Reciprocation

We feel obligated to return favors or behaviors we receive.

The Hare Krishna Society often gives small items like flowers before asking for donations, leveraging this principle.

2. Principle of Scarcity

Items that are rare or limited in availability become more desirable.

Marketers create urgency through limited-time offers, enhancing the attractiveness of a product.

3. Principle of Authority

We are more inclined to follow the lead of credible, knowledgeable experts.

Authority figures or experts can influence decisions and behaviors more effectively.

4. Principle of Commitment

Once we take a stance or make a choice, we're more likely to act in ways that are consistent with that commitment.

Small initial commitments can lead to more significant actions aligned with the initial commitment.

5. Principle of Liking

We're more likely to comply with requests from people we know and like.

Tupperware parties use social relationships to facilitate sales, as purchases are made from friends or relatives.

Biases and Tupperware always reminds me of Charlie Munger; stack a couple of those biases and you have the Lollapalooza Effect.

6. Principle of Consensus

We're more likely to do something if we see others doing it too, especially those we identify with.

Products marketed as "best-selling" or "most popular" often use this principle to encourage purchases.

---

More:

The Best Summary of Robert Cialdini’s book “Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion”.

We also applied Robert Cialdini's insights on influence for salespeople and how marketing professionals can use the psychology of persuasion.

Highlights in Daniel Kahneman's Lecture on "Thinking, Fast and Slow"

Highlight 1 "One Way Thoughts Come to Mind" (Timestamp ~6:06): Kahneman introduces us to the spontaneous generation of thoughts, an intriguing aspect of our mental System 1. This segment highlights how certain thoughts and ideas seem to appear out of nowhere, providing a glimpse into our mind's fast, intuitive, and often subconscious workings.

Highlight 2. "Another Way Thoughts Come to Mind" (Timestamp ~6:53): Diving deeper, Kahneman explores another facet of thought generation, shedding light on how our mind's System 2 operates. This part of the lecture underscores the slower, more deliberate process of thinking, emphasizing the logical and methodical aspects that contrast sharply with the impulsiveness of System 1.

3. "Another Function of System 2" (Timestamp ~9:05): In this segment, Kahneman expounds on an additional role of System 2, which involves oversight and control. He articulates how this system steps in to moderate and sometimes override the impulses and snap judgments of System 1, highlighting a crucial balance in our cognitive functions.

4. "Substitution: How to Jump to Conclusions" (Timestamp ~37:58): Perhaps one of the most intriguing parts of the lecture, this section delves into the concept of 'substitution.' Kahneman explains how our mind often replaces complex questions with simpler ones, leading to quick but sometimes erroneous conclusions. This phenomenon underscores the hidden biases and errors in our fast thinking.

5. "A Perceptual Illusion of Attribute Substitution" (Timestamp ~40:05): Finally, Kahneman presents a compelling demonstration of attribute substitution in action, illustrating how our perceptions can be misleading. This part of the talk vividly brings to life the pitfalls of intuitive judgments, showing how easily our senses and intuitions can deceive us.