Weekly Meditation 2: Inversion

Title:

How to make friends by rapidly losing friends

Subtitle:

Inversion, Charlie Munger’s most important mental model

This Weekly Meditation demonstrates the principle of inversion by showing how to make friends by rapidly losing friends. But before we start, I have to tell you about inversion.

Inversion is Charlie Mungers most touted mental model, and for good reason. It is a universal principle that can be applied to almost any situation and problem. In recent years, the principle has gained popularity in business and investing circles. Many people don’t know what inversion means exactly. Here are the 3 definitions that I use:

1. Finding the right course of action by figuring out and avoiding the wrong course of action

2. Figuring out what is right from assuming the opposite and showing that it is wrong

3. Finding a solution to a problem by inverting it, i.e., turning it upside down or inside out, and solving the inverted problem

History and background of inversion

Charlie Munger's inversion principle has its roots in the teachings of 19th century mathematician Carl Gustav Jacobi, who advised his students to "invert, always invert". But the principle is much older than that and traces back to ancient Greek philosophy, from a form of argument called “reductio ad absurdum”

A short personal story

I was trained as a mathematician, but my studies began in earnest when I was 13 years old. I was admitted to a school for mathematically inclined children. By the age of 16, we took our first advanced course in “basic mathematical proofs”. One of the first classical proofs you learn is the irrationality of the square root of 2, and as far as I know every mathematician in training learns this proof.

Back to inversion

This classical proof is attributed to Hippasus of Metapontum, an early follower of Pythagoras who lived c. 500 BC and is alleged to have been drowned at sea by the Gods as punishment for finding and attributing the proof to himself. In his proof, he used inversion by “reductio ad absurdum”.

Classical uses of inversion in mathematics

In mathematics, the most common form of inversion is indeed “reductio ad absurdum” (c. 500 BC), which I describe as 2. Figuring out what is right from assuming the opposite and showing that it is wrong. There is also a lesser used type of inversion in so-called inversive geometry (c. 1800), which employs a method that I describe as 3. Finding a solution to a problem by inverting it, i.e., turning it upside down or inside out, and solving the inverted problem.

To a mathematician, the principle of inversion is a staple that everyone is expected to learn and become fluent with during the first year of studies. With this background in mind, it makes sense that Munger cites a mathematician in the use of inversion.

Business uses of inversion

In business, the most common form of inversion is 1. Finding the right course of action by figuring out and avoiding the wrong course of action. This can be through, for example:

• Figuring out how to make money by figuring out how not to lose money

• Figuring out how to make more money by figuring out how to spend less money

• Finding a conservative investment approach by removing risky investment tactics

• Attracting customers by not scaring customers away

  
  

If you are interested in business or investing applications of the principle, I highly recommend the book “All I Want To Know Is Where I'm Going To Die So I'll Never Go There” by Peter Bevelin. Also, be sure to check out the Inverted Podcast by Steve Burlingame (@SteveBgame on X). The podcast is dedicated to business uses of inversion, and I have listened to all episodes. It is truly excellent!

This week’s meditation: How to make friends by rapidly losing friends

As I have alluded to, the principle is universal and can be applied to most problems one can think of. To demonstrate this, I have chosen a somewhat wacky theme for this week’s meditation. The theme is “How to make friends by rapidly losing friends”. Each Daily Aspect is a method of rapidly losing friends. At the end of the meditation, I conclude with a short summary of how these methods are inverted back into how to be a good friend.

So, what are your most effective methods of losing friends? I highlight 6 simple and rapid ways of losing friends below. Daily Aspect 7: Inversion

The first rule:

You should intentionally harm them mentally or physically.

Daily Aspect 8: Inversion

You should insult their family and loved ones. Especially their children.

Daily Aspect 9: Inversion

If you can, destroy or steal their property. Make it clear that it was intentional.

Daily Aspect 10: Inversion

Treat them horribly, and with utter disrespect.

Daily Aspect 11: Inversion

Damage their professional or private reputation. Why not lie to his wife and tell her he has a lover?

Daily Aspect 12: Inversion

Final rule:

Never under any circumstances make it enjoyable for them to spend time with you.

Conclusion: Inverting it back

We have reflected on how one would lose friends as rapidly as possible. How would one then be a good friend?

Let us invert the rules of rapidly losing friends:

Inversion 1: Care for your friend’s well-being. Are they trying to lose weight? Encourage them and maybe join them in the gym. Are they in a bad place mentally? Talk to them or encourage them to speak to a psychologist. If you harm them by accident, show them you are sorry.

Inversion 2: Treat their family and loved ones as your own family. Care for and love their children.

Inversion 3: Be generous with your friends. If you borrow their car, fill up the gas tank before you hand it back. If they buy you dinner, then you pay for the next one.

Inversion 4: Be nice to them.

Inversion 5: Always speak well of your friends to others or in public. Praise their virtues, good family and professional achievements.

Inversion 6: Have fun together! Do things that you both enjoy. Go fishing, go to the cinema, have a beer. Even if you have many other responsibilities, occasionally you have to make time to enjoy with your friends.

Will following these rules make you into a good friend? I think the answer is yes.

What does this show us?

Inversion can help us come up with solutions by turning the problem upside down. As I have shown one example of, it can be used in many situations outside of business. What are your best uses of inversion?

About:

The Weekly Meditation is a series of ideas, strategies and principles from the world’s great doers and thinkers. Each week I post about a subject, which is then followed by 6 daily aspects of the meditation. For more information, read the thread that is pinned to my profile.

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