The Underrated Money Making Skill In 2026

How to Develop Good Taste in the Age of AI

The Importance of Taste

• With the rise of AI, developing good taste is becoming crucial for success. It's no longer just about building products or raising funds; it's about appealing to people's emotions and interests.

• The goal is to create a connection with potential customers, making them feel drawn to your offerings and willing to engage financially or emotionally.

Four-Step Process to Develop Good Taste

• The podcast outlines a four-step process for developing good taste, which is essential for creating appealing content and products.

• According to David Marks' definition from his book "Status and Culture," good taste involves proposing an identity valued by a community and using lifestyle choices to communicate that identity authentically.

Steps Explained

1. Decide What You Want to Say: Understand your message clearly before proceeding.

2. Copy Influential Figures: Identify and emulate those who resonate with your desired message.

3. Learn the Underlying Rules: Study the principles behind what makes their work effective.

4. Study History: Analyze historical examples that have shaped design and taste.

Case Study: The T3 Radio

• The T3 radio, designed by Walter Gropius in 1953, serves as an example of impactful design influenced by socio-economic conditions post-World War I Germany.

• Gropius aimed for minimalism in design, focusing on essentials rather than ornamental features, leading to the Bauhaus movement's philosophy.

Influence on Modern Design

• Derer Rams embraced Bauhaus principles when designing the T3 radio, emphasizing functionality combined with aesthetic simplicity.

• Steve Jobs admired this radio's design philosophy; he drew inspiration from it while creating Apple products like the iPod, showcasing how historical designs can influence modern innovation.

Conclusion on Developing Taste

• Understanding what you want to express is critical; many skip this step but it lays the foundation for effective copying and learning from others in your field.

Learning Through Copying

The Importance of Copying in Learning

• Copying is a fundamental part of learning new skills, such as playing an instrument. Beginners are guided to replicate existing songs before creating their own.

• Blindly copying styles or designs helps learners understand the nuances and textures involved in various fields, from fashion to web design.

• Engaging in "copy work," where one replicates admired works, can significantly enhance writing skills by revealing what makes those works effective.

Reading for Growth

• Regular reading (about a book a week) allows individuals to analyze successful strategies and common mistakes made by others, aiding personal development.

• A curated list of impactful books was created, detailing how each influenced the speaker's life and actions taken as a result.

Understanding Rules and Frameworks

• Learning the rules involves analyzing why certain styles or designs resonate positively with audiences; this includes questioning aesthetics in fashion or website design.

• There are numerous resources available (books, videos) that explain these foundational principles and help learners grasp the underlying theories.

Developing Taste through History

• Good taste is defined as understanding one's message while adhering to established rules; great taste involves knowing when to break those rules creatively.

• Studying historical examples provides context and constraints that inform personal expression within various creative fields.

Personal Journey into Fashion

• The speaker's journey into fashion began with a desire for self-improvement and aesthetic appeal after achieving fitness goals.

• By unfollowing previous influences on social media and focusing on specific style icons, the speaker immersed himself in desired aesthetics for better learning outcomes.

Understanding Fashion Influences and Design Principles

The Role of Face Shape in Fashion

• The speaker discusses a textbook that outlines how to choose clothing based on face shape, including collar styles and jacket lengths.

• Emphasizes the "rule of thirds" for sports jackets, which should ideally reach down to the thumb.

Historical Context of Fashion Styles

• The speaker identifies three fashion styles they are drawn to: military influence, workwear, and Ivy Style.

• Mentions the book "Black Ivy," highlighting how Black men in America adopted Ivy Style as an act of defiance in the 1960s.

Personal Connection to Fashion Choices

• Reflects on personal values from Midwestern culture such as stoicism and hard work, influencing their style preferences.

• Expresses admiration for Western clothing and cowboy aesthetics, associating them with adventure and American identity.

Aspirations Through Fashion

• Discusses aspirations related to family traditions and values not experienced in their upbringing, leading to a desire for old money vibes.

• Describes learning fashion rules through observation and study, aiming to project a specific identity through clothing choices.

Applying Fashion Principles to Web Design

• Suggests using similar principles from fashion when designing websites; encourages saving inspiring website examples over time.

• Recommends sketching out designs or copying them pixel by pixel if one is familiar with design tools like Figma.

Learning Design History

• Advises researching common themes among saved websites to understand underlying design labels.

• Highlights historical influences on design principles stemming from Gutenberg's printing press innovations in the 1500s.

Universal Design Concepts

• Discusses Swiss design neutrality aimed at universal understanding across cultures; suggests studying this approach for effective communication through design.

• Concludes that spending several months learning these principles can significantly enhance one's taste in both fashion and web design.

The Evolution of Music Sampling and Taste

The Influence of Dr. Dre and George Clinton

• Dr. Dre, known for his role in NWA, revolutionized hip-hop by introducing gangster rap, which was groundbreaking at the time.

• He frequently sampled music from George Clinton, the lead singer of Parliament, whose psychedelic funk style emerged in the 1970s.

• Clinton's work as a studio musician for Motown helped bridge black music into mainstream culture, drawing inspiration from gospel and slave songs.

• Despite mastering Motown's sound, Clinton sought to express a more funky and psychedelic vibe, influencing future artists like Dr. Dre.

• The process of sampling in hip-hop is highlighted as a way to create new art; both Kanye West and Dr. Dre exemplify this through their innovative use of older tracks.

The Importance of Good Taste in Creativity

• Developing good taste is crucial for success in creative fields; it increases the likelihood of economic stability when producing content.

• Examples such as David protein bars illustrate how branding and naming can significantly impact product perception and success.

• Engaging with aesthetically pleasing art enhances personal happiness; understanding one's preferences can lead to greater fulfillment in life.