Too Fast, Too Furious

“The degree of slowness is directionally proportional to the intensity of memory. The degree of speed is directionally proportional to the intensity of forgetting.”

― Milan Kundera, Slowness

In our current society, nothing is truer than this. We live our lives at warp speed. The notion of an ever-accelerating pace isn’t new. Century after century, our forebears complained of the ever-growing complexity of their society. And yet, social networks, mobile apps, or technologies like ChatGPT have the potential to take us over the cliff.

The consequences? An alarming increase in mental health disorders and substance abuse, especially acute in younger generations. And indeed, the most recent anxiety and depression wave is connected to social media usage.

Social media is becoming the mirror by which many people evaluate (and build) their self-identity, and the startup industry is particularly susceptible to such virtue signaling. How many hours do you work a week? How much money have you raised? Who are your investors? How much is your company making? How many employees do you have? Were you invited to this or that event?

These questions are valid; they provide insights into the status and maturity of a startup. However, all too often, they’re used to pass on a judgment on the capacity and skills of the entrepreneurs. Even worse, they’re used as a comparison, fostering aggressive individualism instead of collaboration. Constant exposure to such behavior is tremendously damaging to the self.

If, on top of building a startup, you’re trying to solve the big challenges of our society, your exposure to this hurtful behavior is even worse. Sidestepping the obvious mental toll on the entrepreneur (and their families), facing long-term hurdles dissuades many from even attempting to solve a worthy challenge.

It’s no accident that most people steer away from significant challenges. Wins will come far between, if ever. Raising money for the company will be a struggle, and potential solutions will take a long time to develop. Why do this when you can build a mobile app to hold your newly minted NFTs, right?

The need for quick wins or flips also fosters strong individualistic traits. “I” want to make it. “I” don’t need help. “I” can make it on my own. Qualities that don’t make it easy to collaborate with others to solve complex problems. And impact startups are ALL about resolving complex challenges across different domains.

Enter Decelera

And in such a landscape, with a leaded sun battering your back, raging sand storms around you, and evil djinns whispering unsettling words, there, in the distance, a mirage.

Against such a backdrop, Decelera stands out as a unique oasis amid this collective tempest. Palm trees sprouting out of nothingness, surrounding a deep cool pool of water. On its shore, sunburnt ragged travelers, some drinking avidly, others on their knees crying.

Inside the taut white tents, the recovered travelers feast and laugh around the bonfire. You can hear them share their stories, how they got there, what perils they faced during their adventures, and how lucky they’re to have reached such a magical spot.

As the light of dawn begins to drip through the tent’s oculus, the roamers start packing. Their haggard faces are gone now. Forgotten smiles rediscovering their countenance’s grooves. From the ancient sands, a new sense of direction emerges to illuminate them. What was lost is found, wanderers no more.

Clasping hands and embraces envelop them. Promises are made; some will remain, and some will be broken. One by one, they saddle their camels, reluctantly riding towards the newborn horizon. Not lonely nomads anymore, but a caravan.

The Dwellers

As the last camel disappears behind the golden shimmer, the Decelera dwellers drop their cloaking spell. Exhausted faces surface, all rimmed by deep satisfaction. They’re not important; the travelers are. Still, they can’t shake a collective feeling of pride.

Some of them provided the food. Always there, magically sprouting when it was needed. Others made sure the wanderers’ sleep was dreamless. Dissipating nightmares, shrouding each traveler in a protective and nurturing gossamer. Yet others turned to mirrors, wondrous shining that reflected the travelers’ long-forgotten inner self.

As for me, I’m the ink that binds the words of their stories. Pages that remind them why they started this voyage, why it matters, and why they need to keep on going. Crusted blood of old memories comes to life, yet again, to kindle the next leap of their journey.

All that is gold does not glitter,

and Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither;

deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.

— J.R.R. Tolkien, The Riddle of Strider