The Never-Ending Dance: Problems and Solutions in Business

Problems are never ending and can continue to happen, especially when they're not solved from their root cause.

I think most of us tend to gravitate towards treating symptoms of the problem, since that seems easier to solve than the problem itself.

When it comes to starting a business, it is often argued that one doesn't necessarily need to solve a problem to start. This is because at the periphery, the aim is to make things better and provide value, sometimes, these doesn't require solving a problem, in a strict sense.

Many businesses have thrived by enhancing experiences, adding convenience, or offering new perspectives.

For instance, Starbucks didn't invent coffee and Uber didn't invent taxis. The former created a premium experience with comfortable seating, high-quality beans, and diverse beverage options. While the latter provided a seamless app-based booking and tracking system.

What I'm trying to articulate is that enhancing existing solutions is a form of problem solving which businesses can iteratively improve upon rather than starting from scratch.

Another way to think of it is offering incremental advancements that end up making a significant difference, as it is the case with many technological inventions.

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The Problem-Solution Dynamic

At the heart of this problem-solution dynamic is that problems serve as a foundation on which solutions are built and iterated upon. However, what inadvertently also happens is that, these solutions also give birth to new problems.

Centuries ago, the printing press emerged as a beacon of progress, aiming to democratize information and foster open communication.

While it undoubtedly revolutionized knowledge sharing, it also introduced unforeseen challenges like the spread of misinformation and propaganda.

Interestingly, this historical pattern seems to echo in the rise of social media.

With similar goals of open communication and knowledge sharing, social media platforms have unfortunately become breeding grounds for the same issues of misinformation and manipulation.

Perhaps, history doesn't simply repeat itself, it also offers lessons for potential solutions. In my view, I think web3, the latest iteration of the Internet built on blockchain technology, presents a glimmer of hope in addressing these challenges, with its core principles of decentralization, transparency, and community-driven governance.

Now, this ongoing cycle of problems and solutions isn't a sign of failure, but rather the inherent nature of progress. Each advancement, like the printing press and social media, opens doors to new possibilities while simultaneously creating unforeseen challenges.

The real twist is in recognizing these unintended consequences and leveraging them as springboards for further innovation.

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From Theory To Practice

In a business sense, this opens up new ideas and ways of creating or developing entirely new solutions based on the unintended consequences of previous solutions.

In practice, this means adopting a critical eye towards the solution's potential downsides and their wider impact.

For example, when exploring solutions for misinformation spreading on social media, I can focus on the potential for echo chambers and manipulation.

Then think outside the box by researching how other platforms, perhaps educational games or fact-checking communities, tackle similar challenges.

If an idea catches my attention, such as using gamified learning to promote media literacy among young users, I jot it down and start sketching a prototype.

This might involve creating a mock app where users earn points for identifying fake news. Gathering feedback from potential users early on can help me iterate on the design and ensures it truly addresses the root causes of misinformation, not just the symptoms.


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