Bruce Lee's Stages of Cultivation as applied to major advancements in technology. Additional context from Benedict Evans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OClKSx1uhpA

1. By Alex Brands
The
Artless Internet

2. In tracking the development of a student,
Bruce Lee used a three-stage model
to map the progression from
novice to master.

3. The Three Stages of Cultivation
I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
III.
Artlessness

4. I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
III.
Artlessness
The student knows nothing about the art of combat. Tactics are
fluid and natural, but the student simply blocks and strikes
instinctively without a concern for what is right and wrong.

5. I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
III.
Artlessness
The student learns the technical aspects of combat but his original
sense of self and freedom are lost. His action no longer flows by
itself. Due to calculations and analysis, he may be called
“intellectually bound.”

6. I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
III.
Artlessness
The student adjusts himself to his opponent “like water pressing on
an earthen wall.” All of his classical techniques and standard styles
are minimized, if not wiped out, and nothingness prevails. He is no
longer confined and can flow freely, instinctively, and expertly.

7. Instinctual + Extreme
Technical + Confined Fluid + Free
I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
III.
Artlessness

8. Now, Let’s pivot to technology

9. Connected devices are drastically
transforming the way we live and work.

10. “All the benefits that we’ve seen from the
PC in the past will move out into every
aspect of our lives, every aspect of
industry”
- Benedict Evans, The Industrial Internet
Source: Ben-Evans.com

11. Transformation is on the horizon for
almost every segment of the market

12. “What I learned is that the Valley is
self-renewing, self-revitalizing, and it
never stops.
Tech is always going into new areas:
healthcare, real estate, education,
financial services, transportation.”
- Marc Andreessen, Dreamforce Conference
Source:: Inc Magazine

13. And as technology evolves,
New opportunities continue to emerge.

14. “If you think of technology as something
that's spreading like a sort of fractal
stain, every moving point on the edge
represents an interesting problem.”
- Paul Graham, Before the Startup
Source: paulgraham.com/before.html

15. Enter Bruce Lee.

16. If we Step Back,
The first two Stages of Cultivation
Accurately describe our relationship
with technology until now.

17. I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
III.
Artlessness
This phase is characterized by managed extremes.
Problem-solving tactics are fluid and natural, but the solutions are
often unrefined, over-simplified, and labor intensive.
Pre-Industrial Society

18. I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
III.
Artlessness
As technology progresses, machine and man come together in
controlled circumstances, but the user’s sense of self and freedom
are lost.
Action no longer flows by itself as it is dictated by the capabilities of
the machine.
Pre-Industrial Society
Industrialization to
Computerization

19. with increased scale and sophistication,
Connected Devices are providing the
catalyst for stage three.

20. Source: Benedict Evans, Mobile is eating the world
2-3x more
smartphones
than pcs by
2020
Personal
Taken Everywhere
Frictionless Access
Sensors, Cameras
Locations
Payment
Social Platform
Much Easier to Use
x = 10x the
opportunity
Mobile is redefining our relationship
with computing

21. And data’s impact continues to grow
1.0
Descriptive
2.0
Predictive
3.0
Prescriptive
Source: Benedict Evans, The Industrial Internet
1950s - early 2000s
Measurement
early 2000s - Now
Measurement
+
Forecasting
Future
Ongoing Measurement
+
Real-Time, Automated
Optimization

22. Creating the necessary infrastructure For
Artless user experiences.

23. Technology adapts to its user. Standardized experiences are
minimized, if not wiped out, and nothingness prevails.
Users are no longer confined as their relationship with
technology flows freely, instinctively, and precisely.
Pre-Industrial Society
Industrialization to
Computerization
The Industrial
Internet
I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
III.
Artlessness

24. an example:
climate control

25. Pre-Industrial Society
Managed extremes:
Furnace
I.
Primitive
an example:
climate control

26. Pre-Industrial Society
Industrialization to
Computerization
Managed extremes:
Furnace
Confined Control:
Thermostat
I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
an example:
climate control

27. Pre-Industrial Society
Industrialization to
Computerization
The Industrial
Internet
Managed extremes:
Furnace
Confined Control:
Thermostat
Artless integration:
Nest
I.
Primitive
II.
Mechanical
III.
Artlessness
an example:
climate control

28. By embracing artless integration,
nest has created a seamless product
experience and successfully Disrupted a
stagnant market.

29. In other words,
Nest has created a last mover advantage.

30. “it’s much better to be the last mover.
Make the last great development in a
specific market and enjoy years or even
decades of monopoly profits.”
- Peter Thiel, Zero to One
Source: MIT Technology reviiew

31. As markets evolve,
Ventures that embrace artless user
experiences will be last movers,
Capturing And defining the future of
their respective markets.

32. Thank You.