This article summarizes the DICE framework, shared in more detail this video with David Perell.

Divergence

Steve Jobs famously said "You can only connect the dots looking backwards."

Our job to begin with, is to collect dots, or "diverge" — here we're pulled by our curiosity to try things and gain experience: meeting people, traveling to new places, trying our hands at a skill, working a job, helping out on a project, reading a book, watching a performance, visiting museums and galleries. The list is quite literally endless.

"Collecting dots."

Convergence

After a series of experiences we start to notice patterns, and ideally start doing more of what we like and less of what we don't. 

Convergence is the way in which we express this unique combination of interests and experience.

For me — VV began as an expression of my interest in design, commerce and philosophy as simple monochromatic graphics.

For you — building products that solve problems you've experienced first hand, writing books that only you could write, making art that only you could make. The list here is both endless and empty, as your unique combination of experiences can bring net new things into existence by definition.

This is where we "connect dots."

Emergence

The constraint we apply to package our ideas determines their reach & resonance. Using a combination of code and media to build once, and sell twice.

Once we find our focus, opportunity begins to open up in an entirely different way. Instead of searching for proof, we're iterating on something we've already proven.

If you'd like to get into the nuance of this idea, watch the full explanation below: