For more than two decades, innovation in consumer technology followed a familiar rhythm. Smaller chips. Faster processors. Thinner devices. Each generation promised more power without asking anything in return.
In today’s world of cloud-native platforms and AI, complexity is often mistaken for innovation. Systems are layered with marketing labels, giving the illusion of sophistication, while the underlying architecture rests on assumptions rather than integrity. The result is impressive at first glance but fragile under scrutiny. First Principles Thinking, the approach that has defined Elon Musk’s work at Tesla and SpaceX, offers a radically different perspective. It asks us to break problems down to their fundamental truths and rebuild systems from the core.
When Peter Wennink stepped down as CEO of ASML in April 2024, he left behind a legacy that transcended the semiconductor industry. Under his stewardship, ASML not only became Europe’s most valuable technology company but also a pivotal player in the geopolitical tug-of-war between the United States and China.
