Redo On Life
Do you ever wish you could go back in time and invest in companies that are now worth billions, but were once considered a risky bet? Well, what if I told you that with a time machine, you could do just that? By traveling back to the past, you could take advantage of investment stories that people rejected and make a fortune.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: time travel is impossible, and this is just a hypothetical scenario. But bear with me for a moment and let’s explore the idea of using a time machine to invest in the past.
First, let’s consider some examples of companies that were once considered too risky or unconventional for investment, but have since become major success stories. One such example is Amazon, which started out as an online bookstore in 1995. Back then, many people were skeptical of the idea of buying books online, and Amazon struggled to turn a profit for several years. But those who had faith in the company and invested early on have seen massive returns. Today, Amazon is worth over $1.5 trillion and is one of the most valuable companies in the world.
Another example is Apple, which was founded in 1976 and initially struggled to gain traction in the crowded personal computer market. It wasn’t until the launch of the iPod in 2001 and the iPhone in 2007 that Apple really took off. But those who invested in the company early on have seen their investments grow exponentially over the years. Today, Apple is worth over $2.4 trillion and is one of the most successful companies in history.
So, if we had a time machine, we could go back to the early days of Amazon and Apple and invest in them when they were still considered risky bets. We could take advantage of the investment stories that people rejected and make a fortune.
But how would we go about doing this? First, we would need to research the early days of these companies and understand why they were considered risky. For example, in the case of Amazon, we would need to understand why people were skeptical of buying books online and what Jeff Bezos did to overcome these obstacles. We would also need to research the market conditions at the time and understand why Amazon was able to succeed where others had failed.
Next, we would need to find a way to invest in these companies at an early stage. This might involve reaching out to the founders directly or finding other early-stage investors who are willing to sell us their shares. We would also need to be prepared to take on some risk, as investing in a young company is always a gamble.
Assuming we were able to successfully invest in these companies at an early stage, we would then need to hold onto our investments for several years or even decades. This is easier said than done, as it requires a lot of patience and discipline. It also requires a willingness to weather the ups and downs of the stock market, as there will inevitably be periods of volatility and uncertainty.
But if we were able to hold onto our investments for the long term, we could potentially see massive returns. In the case of Amazon, an investment of just $10,000 in 1997 would be worth over $12 million today. And an investment of $10,000 in Apple in 1980 would be worth over $2.5 million today. These are truly staggering numbers that demonstrate the power of long-term investing.
Of course, there are some ethical and philosophical questions that arise when we consider the idea of using a time machine to invest in the past. For one thing, it’s unclear whether this would actually be possible or ethical. But even if it were, there are questions about whether it’s fair to take advantage of knowledge that others did not have at the time. Some might argue that this is a form of insider trading, as we would have access to information that was not available to other investors at the time.
These are valid concerns, and it’s important to consider them when exploring the idea of using a time machine to invest in the past. However, it’s worth noting that there are also arguments to be made in favor of this approach. For example, one could argue that by investing in companies that were once considered too risky or unconventional, we are helping to drive innovation and progress. Without early investors, many of the companies that we take for granted today might never have gotten off the ground.
Moreover, one could argue that this approach is not fundamentally different from other forms of investing. All investors rely on information asymmetry to some extent, whether it’s through access to expert analysis, insider knowledge, or simply doing better research than others. While using a time machine may seem like a more extreme version of this, the basic principle remains the same: investing based on knowledge that others do not have.
Ultimately, the idea of using a time machine to invest in the past is a fascinating thought experiment that raises many interesting questions. While it’s unlikely that we’ll ever have access to such technology, the broader concept of investing in unconventional or risky ideas remains relevant today. As the examples of Amazon and Apple demonstrate, those who are willing to take a chance on innovative ideas can reap enormous rewards over the long term.
So, if you’re looking to invest in the present day, it’s worth considering companies and ideas that might seem unconventional or risky at first. By doing your research, taking on some calculated risk, and holding onto your investments for the long term, you might just be able to take advantage of investment stories that others are rejecting today. Who knows? You might just end up with a fortune to rival those who used a time machine to invest in the past.
