Building a durable consumer social product requires prioritizing distribution over mere product-market fit, as evidenced by Snapchat’s success in connecting users to their closest friends rather than the widest network. Innovation thrives when a small, flat design team maintains high velocity, constantly iterating through a rigorous critique process that favors empathy and human-centered design over bureaucratic hierarchy. Software is not a sustainable moat; therefore, long-term defensibility relies on building ecosystems and hardware, such as the upcoming Specs, which aim to integrate computing into the real world rather than isolating users behind screens. As AI accelerates development, the core challenge shifts from technical execution to managing societal adoption and maintaining a cohesive, human-centric user experience. Leaders must act as "explainers-in-chief," staying deeply involved in product details while fostering a culture that balances rapid experimentation with operational stability.
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