“This explains why there are relatively few radical Islamists with engineering backgrounds in Saudi Arabia (where they can easily find good employment) and why engineers were more prone to become left-wing radicals in Turkey and Iran. A particular religiously fundamentalist ideology gives engineers a philosophy that is in tune with their mindset and an understanding of the world that helps make sense of their poor economic prospects.”

“The many and diverse choices that made certain companies great were consistent with just three seemingly elementary rules: 1. Better before cheaper—in other words, compete on differentiators other than price. 2. Revenue before cost—that is, prioritize increasing revenue over reducing costs. 3. There are no other rules—so change anything you must to follow Rules 1 and 2.”