"Meetup to the People: How a Zebra could Rise from a Unicorn’s Fall"

"Meetup to the People: How a Zebra could Rise from a Unicorn’s Fall"

In contrast to the winner-take-all fantasy of the unicorn, Zebras build startups that are diverse, practical, and accountable to the people they claim to serve. Zebras Unite has long admired Meetup as an example of a Zebra company that sits at the intersection of for-profit and for-purpose. Meetup embodies a belief in the good of humanity, a commitment to staying mission-focused, and a love for the serendipity that happens when passionate people align.

One aspect of Meetup that aligns with the Zebra movement is the idea of exit to community. In the vision of Zebras Unite, organizers and individual members would help shape the pricing structure of Meetup and be rewarded for the paid use of the platform through receiving dividends. This democratic model of ownership allows the community to have a say in the platform's direction and benefits those who contribute to its success.

Another key area where Meetup could pioneer is in building a democratic model of data ownership. Instead of users paying with their data for the free use of services, Zebras Unite envisions a platform that allows users to get paid for their data and decide who they want to lease it to. This empowers users and ensures that their data is valued and protected.

Additionally, Zebras Unite sees Meetup as a platform that could build collective power by building on the community. By involving the community in the development of new features and functionalities, Meetup can ensure that it serves the needs and desires of its users. This collaborative approach not only strengthens the platform but also fosters a sense of ownership and belonging among users.

"The Ultimate Guide to Writing Online - David Perell"

Writing on the internet can be a transformative experience. It allows you to connect with like-minded individuals, attract opportunities, and explore the power of ideas. Writing consistently and frequently is key to success in the online writing game. Quality writing acts as a force multiplier, amplifying the impact of your ideas and opening up a world of opportunities.

Writing from abundance is about collecting ideas and using them to think better and avoid writer's block. By capturing epiphanies, saving quotes, and jotting down notes, you create a bank of inspiration that you can draw from when you sit down to write. This practice ensures that you always have material to work with and eliminates the need to wait for ideas to come back to you.

Another important aspect of writing online is curating your information diet. Consuming high-quality content that others may not be aware of allows you to have unique ideas and stand out from the crowd. Prioritizing the accumulated wisdom of humanity over what's trending on social media is crucial for developing a unique perspective and producing valuable content.

Effective ambient research is a practice that involves capturing the best ideas you consume, the epiphanies you have, and the things you've already written to friends and colleagues. By saving articles and ideas for later consumption, you raise the bar for what grabs your attention and ensure that you have a wealth of material to choose from when you sit down to write.

Having a central note-taking system is essential for organizing your ideas and facilitating the writing process. Whether it's a massive Google Doc or a physical box filled with notes, the goal is to have a central place where you can store and search for your best thinking. The act of taking notes is not about having the perfect system, but rather about collecting dots that you can later connect through writing.

Studying the writing practices of history's top writers reveals a common theme: the use of a commonplace book. This central place for saving ideas, quotes, epiphanies, and more allows you to write from abundance. The specific note-taking app or method doesn't matter as much as the act of collecting ideas quickly and having them all in one place.

In conclusion, whether it's reimagining platforms like Meetup to prioritize community ownership and data rights or honing our writing skills to attract opportunities and share valuable ideas, there are actionable steps we can take to make a difference. Here are three pieces of actionable advice:

1. Actively participate in platforms like Meetup to shape their direction and ensure they serve the needs of the community. Advocate for community ownership and democratic models of data ownership.

2. Develop a consistent writing habit and prioritize quality over quantity. Collect ideas, save quotes, and capture epiphanies to create an abundant bank of inspiration for when you sit down to write.

3. Curate your information diet and seek out unique sources of knowledge. Prioritize the accumulated wisdom of humanity and avoid getting caught up in what's trending on social media.

By incorporating these practices into our lives, we can contribute to the rise of Zebras in the startup world and harness the power of online writing to attract opportunities and share valuable ideas.