When did Noah build the ark?

[Ankesh]

"When did Noah build the ark? Before the rain." - Robert Redford in SpyGames.

This thought has been going on in my head since some time. It may eventually be an article. Right now, these are just some random thoughts for one particular idea. Your input may help.

Sacrifice.

"Sacrifice = giving up a thing of less value to gain a thing of higher value." - Paul Lemberg

Most people are unwilling to sacrifice. Put in work "before" it is needed. Dig the well before you get thirsty.

"Instant gratification" leads to stagnation. Even nature dis-approves of it.

Cows - they start walking within 2-4 hours of birth.
Humans - they take 8-9-10 months to start walking after birth.

Humans maybe the only mammals that remain at the mercy of other humans for such a long time after birth.

Because humans cerebrums are bigger, they have to be pushed out and given birth "before" the human has fully grown - and can protect himself/herself.

But because of these same bigger cerebrums - humans grow on to be smarter than any other animal.

Humans gave up early protection for future progress.

There was this experiment done - kids in pre-school were given a choice:
a. Get one candy now
b. Or get two candies after a week

The progress of these children was then tracked over the years. And it was found that children who had chosen two candies in the future instead of one candy now did better overall. Higher grades. More friends. etc.

There are 2 people. Ram & Shyam. Both living in a town where the nearest well is 10 miles away.
Ram sees an opportunity - and charges people to get their water for them. He starts earning money from day 1.
Shyam sees an opportunity too. But he doesn't do what Ram does. And doesn't spend time going back and forth everyday. Instead, he sacrifices money that can be earned today to build a pipeline. When the pipeline is built, Ram is out of business.

Action Summary:
* Don't go for instant gratification
* Think pipeline. Systems.