The invention and rapid adoption of the electric telegraph by Samuel Morse in 1844 revolutionized how Americans communicated. For the first time, it was possible to send instant updates and confirmations across great distances, enabling businesses, government, and individuals to maintain real-time status checks and coordinate actions efficiently. This technological leap fostered a culture of frequent follow-up and immediate communication, laying the groundwork for the American expectation of regular updates and ongoing alignment in agreements.
migration and survival
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. In this story of migration and survival, the Joad family’s journey is marked by constant communication, checking in with each other, and following up on leads for work and shelter. Their progress depends on regular updates and ongoing discussions, reflecting the American value of staying informed and aligned as circumstances change.
letters, meetings, dialogue
American literature frequently explores themes of communication, progress, and the pursuit of shared goals, all of which require regular updates and follow-up. Whether through letters, meetings, or dialogue, characters in these works exemplify the American cultural norm of maintaining alignment and clarity through frequent contact.
aligned on goals
The Intern (2015). This comedy-drama features a modern workplace where constant communication, feedback, and follow-up are central to the company culture. The characters regularly check in with one another, hold status meetings, and use follow-up to ensure everyone is aligned on goals and responsibilities.
job opportunities
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006). The protagonist’s journey is marked by continual follow-up-on job opportunities, client meetings, and personal goals. The film emphasizes the necessity of staying proactive and persistent to achieve success.
Chief Slowdown Officer
Lex Fridman interviews Jeff Bezos about making decisions:
YouTube comments:
“I think this is very liberating for perfectionists, most decisions are not permanent and you can pick another door if necessary, if they are one way door decisions then you can allow for some perfectionism.”
“I’m the same age as Bezos. Also studied engineering and moved into management. What he’s talking about is, basically, exactly what we were taught in our control systems engineering classes back at university. Almost all engineer managers of our age group say the same thing.”
“I think everyone fails to understand the message of this discussion. It’s not about decision-making mechanisms, it’s about truth-seeking and the idea that no matter what the debate is about the objective should always be to try to get as close as possible to the truth to make the decision that resembles closest to the truth. That’s the whole point of this conversation, to leave the ego aside and search for truth.”
Nature of the Problem
H.R. McMaster, February 2017 until April 2018 National Security Advisor under President Donald Trump, describes how critical it was at the beginning of his tenure to get clarity on scope. Listen to minutes 3:00 to 4:15 about “the nature of the problem”, and about “framing out the problem”:
McMaster earned an M.A. and a Ph.D. in History, both from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He turned his dissertation on the strategy of the U.S. in the Vietnam War into his book entitled Dereliction of Duty.
Chicago Seven
The Trial of the Chicago Seven (1969–1970): This trial of anti-Vietnam War protesters was notable for its highly public, contentious hearings, with defendants, prosecutors, and witnesses confronting each other in court. The proceedings were widely covered and became a symbol of open, adversarial justice in the U.S..