In ANYTHING you do; whatever risk you take, it has an asymmetric gain in the plus side of the equation.

This must be 1 of the 3 filters applied to the lens when looking at anything:

(1) Does this [risk] has an asymmetric gain on the plus side of the risk equation?
(2) Is this within my value zone?
(3) Do I have an unfair advantage or can I quickly get one by "figuring it out"™️
    and applying "the art of invention"™️ to it?

If it doesn’t pass these 3 filters + the base pass-through it’s not worth looking into.

The base condition is the first thing here,  where if I want to look into something it needs to either
be for myself (as in something I need) or
something I would buy (but what's available doesn't quite get it right, or gets it wrong altogether)

If it fulfills the base condition the understanding of the problem is so visceral all becomes easier; the solution, the marketing, the pushing through in hard times (e.g. the valley of dispair every startup company goes through)…and if push comes to shovel, and it’s unsucessful…it’s not waste because I would still use it. So it’s a net positive anyway.

Takeaways: The key thing to remember is whatever risk you take, make sure the gains are asymmetric.