“It’s not bringing new ideas that’s so hard but it is getting rid of old ones” - Keynes. It is ridiculous the a way lot of people cling to failed ideas. Read on to learn a lesson from the history.

The Earth: Flat or Round?

As early as AD 140, Ptolemy produced a map that depicted the Earth as a globe.

The Mediaeval church rejected the Greek idea, calling it heresy: the earth was flat above the Earth was Heaven, below was Hell, and in between lived Man and Woman.

For many hundreds of years sailors feared losing sight of land, and sea voyages hugged coastlines.

But beginning in the 14th century, exploration of the oceans began in earnest-islands, countries, and continents were discovered.

Many explorers completed voyages of discovery-Marco Polo, Cristoforo Colombo, and Vasco Da Gama.

The known world expanded with every voyage until it became obvious to all who wanted to see it that the Earth was indeed a sphere.

Finally, the Victoria, the only surviving ship of Ferdinand Magellan's fleet, circumnavigated the world and put the issue to rest.

It took more than 1,000 years to get rid of the old idea.

They literally had to "move heaven and earth" to get rid of the old.

The adoption of the new was relatively quick, ideas, knowledge and trade flourished.

The ethos of not fooling yourself is one of the best you could possibly have. It's powerful because it's so rare.

So, what are the old ideas we are holding on to now that will look silly 100, 500, or 1000 years from now?

Note: Views are personal and certainly not investment advice. Inspired by Charlie Munger's ethos.

Learn, and laugh every day.

You can read my writings at view all blogs.

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Aristotle wrote about 10 virtues for a good life and happiness 2,300 years ago. Remarkably it is still relevant today. Why is it worth reading?

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Former General Electric CEO Jack Welch once nearly died of a heart attack.