This note should be named “How to make the only product” as Peter Thiel would say:

“competition is for losers” — Peter Thiel

I believe products solve problems and the easiest way to “make the only product” is to solve impossible problems.

I believe the easiest way to solve impossible problems is by working at the frontier of knowledge.

I would describe using new solutions to old problems as working at the frontier of knowledge.

I would describe using old solutions to new problems as working at the frontier of technology.

“Dig deeper than it is rational to dig on the frontier of technology.” — Naval Ravikant

(Frontier of knowledge) New solutions to old problems

• LLM driven personalised education
• Bitcoin (permissionless currency)
• Neurolink (brain to computer interfaces)
• SpaceX (fly to Mars)

(Frontier of technology) Old solutions to new problems

• Insurance against damages caused by Computer Vision
• Load balancing energy demand for LLM data centres
• Ethics policies for training LLMs that work with children with special needs

I don’t believe working at the frontier of technology is difficult, you just need to be open-minded, so you’re not solving impossible problems and will face competition.

I do believe working at the frontier of knowledge is difficult, you’re solving multiple impossible problems and will face minimal competition. Whoever is successful in solving the impossible problem would have the only product.

So in short my answer to “How to make the only product” is:

1. Find areas in which knowledge is advancing
2. Create a list of impossible problems
3. Filter down to ones which have significant value if solved
4. Filter down to ones which will still have significant value in 10–20 years
5. Choose one which you have an unfair advantage

It’s likely wise to find a customer who is willing and able to pay you handsomely if you solve this impossible problem for them.

Don’t worry about people trying to steal your idea, there is a global shortage of people trying to solve impossible problems.