Joe Tourville

Joe Tourville's Substack explores the intersection of personal development, storytelling, the dynamics of success across various fields, and the artistry in writing, investing, and creation. It emphasizes the importance of narratives, critical thinking, and the pursuit of individuality and clarity through different lenses including sports, literature, art, venture capital, and technology.

Personal Development Storytelling Success Dynamics Writing Investing Creation and Innovation Sports History Literature Art Venture Capital Technology Critical Thinking

The hottest Substack posts of Joe Tourville

And their main takeaways

Grace & Nature

4 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Nature Transformation
  1. Grace perfects human nature, enhancing our capacities for love, knowledge, and connection with God.
  2. Grace is not a tangible substance that accumulates, but a transformative power that elevates and enriches human nature.
  3. The relationship between grace and nature is harmonious, where grace helps nature reach its fullest potential and perform actions beyond its innate abilities.

A Mosaic of Moments

4 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
📚 Literature Classics Authors Introspection Reflection Prose
  1. Reading classics like 'Notes from Underground' can offer new insights with each reread as the reader ages.
  2. Literature can bridge the past and present, impacting the reader with timeless narratives and vivid imagery.
  3. Books like 'Notes from Underground' serve as reflections of society, inviting readers to ponder on universal themes and personal echoes.

Beyond Senses

6 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Mind Reality Perception
  1. Our intellect is our primary tool for grasping reality, not our senses.
  2. The key to true understanding lies within ourselves, not in the external world.
  3. By focusing inward and understanding our own minds, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

We Are The Stories We Tell Ourselves

8 implied HN points • 07 Dec 22
  1. Our genetic makeup is the foundation, not the complete picture.
  2. The stories we consume shape our beliefs, values, and behavior.
  3. Choose stories that empower and inspire for personal growth.
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The 8 billion TAM

8 implied HN points • 28 Nov 22
  1. Don't build something for everyone, focus on a specific audience
  2. Successful brands started with a small addressable market
  3. Stay true to your own interests when creating and launching products

The audience should think.

4 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Film Art Criticism Audience Responsibility
  1. Audiences should think critically about the responsibilities of consuming film.
  2. Filmmakers should challenge audiences to prioritize nuances and aesthetic elements over traditional narrative structures.
  3. Viewers and filmmakers share a responsibility in imparting meaning to films.

Aswath Damodaran's Narrative and Numbers

4 implied HN points • 31 May 23
💰 Finance Valuation Investment Narrative Numbers Corporate
  1. Investors often make the mistake of favoring either storytelling or data in corporate valuation instead of blending both.
  2. Compelling narratives can drive corporate value while numbers provide grounding and empirical evidence.
  3. Narrative-based valuation by Aswath Damodaran emphasizes the marriage of narratives and numbers for a more comprehensive view of a company's worth.

Negative Capability and Irritable Reaching

4 implied HN points • 13 May 23
📚 Literature Analysis Empathy Complexity Artistry
  1. Negative Capability is the ability to embrace uncertainties and mysteries without rushing for logical answers.
  2. Irritable reaching after fact and reason stifles the depth of artistic work by imposing rationality on ambiguity.
  3. Negative Capability fosters empathy by promoting connection and understanding through acceptance of complexity.

eternal lines to time thou grow'st

4 implied HN points • 06 May 23
📚 Literature Poetry Analysis
  1. Shakespeare's Sonnets express desire in 154 distinct variations.
  2. Shakespeare's Sonnets show the contrast between time's passage and the promise of lasting through written words.
  3. The Sonnets demonstrate Shakespeare's genius in exploring desires transcending time periods.

location, time, and individual

4 implied HN points • 08 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Art history Originality
  1. Art can challenge our perception of time, place, and reality through abstract forms and colors.
  2. Artists aim to reveal hidden truths by breaking free from the constraints of their era and language.
  3. Originality in art is valued for its uniqueness and innovation, even though creations are inevitably tied to their context.

Tenebrous

6 implied HN points • 05 Dec 22
  1. Writing makes you a better reader
  2. Good writers use a balance of words
  3. Honesty is key in impactful writing

Let's go USA

6 implied HN points • 03 Dec 22
  1. The 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team's "Miracle on Ice" victory is famous.
  2. Muhammad Ali's comeback fight in 1974 is a legendary sports upset.
  3. Steve Jobs co-founding Apple in a garage led to a successful company.

Running Thoughts

6 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
  1. The internet is a micro medium, not a macro medium.
  2. Our goal shouldn't be to attract everyone, just focus on those who matter to you.
  3. Don't prioritize advice from people who aren't your target audience.

Where are all the Buffetts?

6 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
  1. Only Warren Buffett truly applied Benjamin Graham's teachings to become successful.
  2. Success in investing requires building your own path and not just following someone else's.
  3. Learn from your models, but find your own unique way.

The Lived and Unlived Life

6 implied HN points • 29 Nov 22
  1. Most of us have two lives: the one we live and the unlived one within us.
  2. We often suppress our initial interests and desires over time.
  3. Acknowledging that we are creatures of imitation can help us choose better models to inspire us.

Kenneth Koch: The Elevation of Play

2 implied HN points • 23 Aug 23
📚 Literature Poetry Analysis Teaching Influence
  1. Kenneth Koch blends modernist seriousness with postmodern playfulness in his poetry.
  2. Koch's poetry oscillates between profound and whimsical, using humor to reveal profound truths.
  3. Koch's work enriches our understanding of 20th-century American poetry by melding high modernism with playful postmodernism.

Babies and Airplanes

4 implied HN points • 09 Dec 22
  1. Author shares a humorous anecdote about Fran Lebowitz's perspective on bringing babies on airplanes
  2. Fran Lebowitz suggested it's fine to bring babies into the world, just not on airplanes
  3. The author found Fran's comments amusing and shared the story

Making Sandwiches

4 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
  1. Writing daily is challenging but rewarding.
  2. Setting a goal to write helps maintain focus.
  3. Consistency in writing is like making sandwiches - a daily task.

Fountain Pens

4 implied HN points • 27 Nov 22
  1. Writing first drafts with a fountain pen can limit distractions and make the writing process more engaging.
  2. Generating ideas through journaling can lead to structured thoughts and streamlined writing in subsequent drafts.
  3. Using a fountain pen for writing encourages thoughtful deliberation for each sentence, leading to improved writing focus and discipline.

A Dance With Doubt

2 implied HN points • 12 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Reality Existence Questioning Truth
  1. Questioning the nature of reality and truths we accept is important for personal growth.
  2. René Descartes emphasized the value of doubt as a tool for seeking truth.
  3. Embracing questioning and doubt leads to new ideas and growth in understanding.

Damn...Mimetic Desire is becoming popular.

2 implied HN points • 06 Dec 22
  1. Mimetic Desire Theory gaining popularity due to cultural references like White Lotus
  2. Luke Burgis helped bring Girard's ideas mainstream through his book 'Wanting'
  3. Call for more collaborative expansion on Girard's ideas in a clear-thinking manner

Passion and Purpose

2 implied HN points • 04 Dec 22
  1. Passion is a strong feeling of excitement or enthusiasm towards something.
  2. Purpose is the reason behind why you're doing or creating something.
  3. Passion and purpose are related but different - one is about emotional connection, the other about intent or meaning.

People and Products

2 implied HN points • 02 Dec 22
  1. Both humans and products have a unique purpose in life.
  2. Humans and products have distinct designs that include functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability.
  3. Both humans and products can improve over time with the right environment and mindset.

Brick By Brick

2 implied HN points • 25 Nov 22
  1. Consistency is key in improving your craft - practice every day.
  2. Great achievements come from daily effort, not occasional bursts of inspiration.
  3. Focus on progress, even if it's just 1% better each day.

The PayPal Mafia

4 implied HN points • 12 Jul 21
  1. The PayPal Mafia consists of founders and early employees of PayPal who went on to start or invest in various successful tech companies.
  2. Knowing about the PayPal Mafia is important in understanding the trends and dynamics of wealth creation in the tech industry.
  3. PayPal's emphasis on technology, early focus on company culture, and unique hiring practices set a foundation for successful startups today.

What I've Learned About Venture Capital...

4 implied HN points • 21 Jun 21
  1. Venture capital paths include starting as an analyst/associate or being offered a partner position.
  2. Responsibilities inside a VC firm involve analysis, investment management, and fundraising, with critical decisions made at investment committees.
  3. Funding rounds involve negotiating with founders, pitching deals to partners, and strategies like 'move fast' or patience to win rounds.

Equity Crowdfunding 🏦🤝

4 implied HN points • 14 Jun 21
  1. Equity crowdfunding allows everyday people to invest in startups
  2. Equity crowdfunding levels the investment field by allowing non-accredited investors to participate
  3. Funding portals play a key role in guiding investors and vetting startups for equity crowdfunding

Alternative Data 📊💻📱🛰

4 implied HN points • 07 Jun 21
  1. Alternative data is data used to evaluate a company outside traditional datasets
  2. Buy-side firms like hedge funds and mutual funds are primary users of alternative data
  3. Alternative data is manufactured by individuals, businesses, and tech/sensors

Characterizing a Cryptoasset

2 implied HN points • 16 Aug 21
  1. Not all assets in the crypto world are currencies - naming everything as such creates confusion.
  2. Understanding the difference between cryptocurrencies, cryptocommodities, and cryptotokens is essential for building a framework in the crypto ecosystem.
  3. Decentralized applications (dApps) are supported by cryptocommodities and have associated cryptotokens for various uses like payments, governance, and investments.

Evaluating & Operating SaaS Companies: Standard Metrics & Minimum Growth Thresholds

2 implied HN points • 26 Jul 21
  1. Standard metrics for evaluating SaaS companies include MRR, ARR, CAC, churn, and expansion revenue.
  2. Minimum growth thresholds for SaaS startups vary based on ARR, with expectations for month-over-month and year-over-year growth rates.
  3. Having a clear understanding of industry metrics and growth thresholds is essential for both investors and operators in the SaaS space.

📝Note sharing! (true fans, passion economy, modern wealth)

2 implied HN points • 11 Jun 21
  1. Having 1000 true fans who support you can help you build a sustainable career.
  2. Understanding the passion economy and the platforms that enable creators is essential for success.
  3. Starting a company and creating innovative technology is a key way people are getting rich in the modern era.

Rolling Funds🗞💰

0 implied HN points • 28 Jun 21
  1. Rolling funds are a new way to invest in private markets, started by AngelList.
  2. Benefits of rolling funds include lower capital requirements, continuous fundraising, and easier access for investors.
  3. Rolling funds could disrupt traditional VC models, democratize access to investments, and potentially change the landscape of venture capital.

My Curriculum

0 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
📖 Philosophy History Logic Aesthetics God Identity
  1. Developing a strong foundation in philosophy includes understanding the history of philosophy and basic logical reasoning.
  2. Key texts and materials align with specific themes of philosophy courses and focus on traditions like Augustinian and Thomistic traditions.
  3. Exploring various philosophical topics like personal identity, morality, love and friendship, and metaphysics through reading classic and modern texts.