Recognition
We've heard the phrase "pattern recognition" thrice in 2019. It came from three investors. Worse, they appeared to offer diversified perspective as a banker, a VC and a PE-guy. 50-80% of the feedback overlapped. The justification, on the other hand, was identical. We're livid, but we don't know why. It feels wrong. Perhaps because we deny the premise: we heard something three times, so it must be true . We don't believe it - in fact, we categorically reject the feedback. So either we're wrong, they're idiots or the game is rigged. Nope. They're simply giving (1) while we're seeking (2). Silly humans. Our brains are wired to pick up patterns. Investors use these instincts and call it a process - pattern recognition is de ja vu as a thesis. That's a branded form of intellectual lethargy. Worse, it's reinforced by echo chambers of homophily and elite projection. The best version is ...