In the blockchain space, “abstraction” has become a key focus development area, simplifying complex processes so users can interact with crypto products and services more intuitively.

This concept of distilling complexity resonates with me beyond blockchain, especially in art. I enjoy unraveling the layers of abstraction in a painting or creating my own interpretation. Artists often surprise me—like painting a face in green, yet we perceive it naturally. Artists' ability to transform reality into 'new' reality always fascinates me.

In my investing work, abstraction helps me break down investment opportunities, entrepreneurs’ visions, technical concepts, and market trends to uncover their essence. When evaluating startups, for example, I hear countless pitches filled with grand promises and flashy graphics. Abstraction allows me to step back, cut through the noise, and ask: Who are they really? Are their passion and vision aligned with their true selves? Stripping their multiple layers to their core is at the heart of what I do when evaluating startups.

Leonardo da Vinci, a polymath spanning art, science, and philosophy, abstracted universal truths into formats like equations, sketches, and sculptures. This reminds me that the tools we use matter less than how we apply them to find truth and meaning.

In investing, where information overload is common, abstraction helps me avoid being drawn into the black hole of "greed and fear," allowing me to stay balanced and engage in independent thinking with a clearer understanding of market dynamics. It’s a skill that cuts through distractions to focus on what truly matters.

That’s why, for the past few years, meeting artists—painters, writers, and musicians—and discovering the different ways they abstract the world onto their canvases, books, and music has become one of my favorite hobbies.