Machine learning and AI are among the most visible technologies in the market as of 2023. One simple way to think about how these systems work is: input → processor → output. They receive information, process it, and produce a result.
Human thought is far more complex, but the same model offers a useful way to think about influence. Our brains constantly process information, both consciously and subconsciously. If we want better outputs in the form of beliefs, decisions, skills, or actions, the quality of our inputs matters.
This is why environment is so influential. The people, ideas, incentives, and habits surrounding us continually shape what we absorb. Unequal access to constructive environments may also be one reason people with similar potential experience very different outcomes.
The phrase “be the least knowledgeable person in the room” captures part of this idea. Spending time around people who know more exposes us to unfamiliar questions, higher standards, and better ways of thinking. Whether we notice it or not, our surroundings influence what we consider normal and possible.
We can use this principle deliberately. If you want to pursue a goal, place yourself in an environment that regularly supplies relevant information, feedback, and examples. Someone building a startup might join a strong founder community, spend time with people in the industry, or move closer to a place where that work is concentrated. The exact setting matters less than the quality and relevance of the input.
We may not be able to change the basic fact that our minds respond to their surroundings. But once we understand the pattern, we can become more intentional about what we read, who we spend time with, and which environments we enter. We cannot control every outcome, but we can improve the inputs and increase the probability of success.