Depth Over Trend

This isn't a typical blog I write, but I'm going to share some raw thoughts along with rhetorical questions that you might find useful and helpful.

It's interesting to see how fast the ecosystem moves today, which has made me think a lot over the past few months about what comes next. Yes, what comes after accomplishments?

What comes after reaching the goal you set a year or two ago?
What comes after overcoming your biggest challenge, whether in skills or leadership??

Have you ever thought about the different phases of the internet we've experienced over the years and wondered what the developers from those times are doing today? Let me take you back a bit. You might know about our various internet phases: from 1995 to 2000 (Web1), 2000 to 2020 (Web2, which is still active), and now Web3 and Web5 up to the present.

Yes, Web5. If this is your first time hearing about Web5, you can learn about it with this breakdown from Adewale Abatti (Acekyd).

It's fascinating to see how things have changed over time. But can you guess what the different eras have in common? Please take a moment to think about it.

The tech skill!

Yes, tech skills are transferable skills you can own, nurture, and improve without worrying about the next iteration of the internet or trends. Before I stray too far, let me bring you back to why you're reading this: it's about valuing depth over trends or, simply put, Depth over Trend. However, you prefer to call it.

Let's talk about what's important, what you need, and why you need it. I will also share what I have learned from the past months of thinking about what truly matters, using the history I mentioned earlier. As you all know, data don’t lie.

Depth vs Trend

To explain this concept the way I think about it, and how I believe everyone reading this should subconsciously think about it, is to use the idea of trade.

"Depth" refers to the volume and liquidity at different price levels in the order book, while "Trend" refers to the overall direction of price movement over time. Think of it this way: trends are what everyone can see. They're the apparent upward or downward movements that catch attention. People chase trends because they're visible and exciting - like jumping on the AI bandwagon or whatever’s hot on Twitter this week.

But depth? That's where the real value sits. It’s having deep knowledge or capability that persists regardless of market conditions. Trends come and go, but depth gives you staying power.

What makes them similar is that both can lead to success. You can make quick wins following trends like day traders can profit from momentum. But the difference is sustainability.

Depth wins in the long run because it builds compounding value. While trend-chasers constantly restart with each new wave, depth-focused players build foundations that strengthen over time. When the trend inevitably shifts, those without depth get washed out, while those with substantive knowledge or skills remain valuable.

As Warren Buffett says - when the tide goes out, you discover who’s been swimming naked. Depth is your protection when trends reverse.

Why should you care?

Even if you think all that matters is money, who doesn't like money? Understanding the difference between depth and trends isn’t just academic. It directly impacts where you invest your limited time and energy.

Chasing trends without depth is like buying into market momentum without understanding fundamentals. Sure, you might catch some upside, but you're essentially gambling. When the music stops, you're left without a chair.

Trends often shine a lot, and if you aren't careful as a builder, founder, or developer, it's very easy to get carried away with them. But then, I know what you might be thinking: ” Everyone is doing it”, ” It’s the next big thing,” “I don’t want to miss out,” and all that. But in reality, there are different phases of life, the same as tech and the tech ecosystem in general.

Depth, on the other hand, is compound interest for your career and business. Each layer of deep understanding builds on previous layers, creating compounding returns that trends can't can't.

Take developers who studied fundamental programming concepts versus those who just learned the trending framework of the month. When React inevitably gives way to the next big thing, guess who adapts faster? The ones with depth.

Or consider founders who deeply understand customer problems versus those chasing funding trends. When venture capital dried up in 2022-2023, companies with genuine market depth survived while trend-chasers ran out of runway.

The market eventually rewards depth not because it's virtuous but because it's viable. And in an increasingly noisy world where everyone chases the same trends, depth is your unfair advantage.

Every person who created something different focused on depth, which often comes from a deep work state—a flow state of continuous, focused work. With trends, you stay at the top. It only requires shallow work to produce something of substance. - Blessing Adesiji

What can you do differently?

Stop treating tech like a fashion show. Take a breath instead of reflexively jumping on every new framework, language, or platform that trends on X(Formerly Twitter).

Ask yourself: "Does it solve a fundamental problem, or is it just shiny?"

It doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself and not keep abreast of what's going on around you.

Develop your Bulls***t detector. When everyone's hypineveryone's thing, that's your cue that's skeptical. The real opportunities often lie in areas others overlook because they're too busy following the crowd.

Allocate your learning time like an investment portfolio:

• 70% toward deepening your understanding of fundamentals that won't change.

• 20% tailoring adjacent skills that complement your core.

• 10% experimenting with trends.

Build relationships with people who prioritize depth. You become the average of the five people you spend the most time with, so surround yourself with depth-seekers who ask hard questions rather than trend-followers who chase easy answers.

Perhaps most importantly, be willing to be temporarily uncool. The paradox is that ignoring what's trendy positions you to catch more immense, meaningful waves later.

Self Reflection

Take a moment to audit your recent decisions. How many were made because "everyone is doing it" versus a ”deep understanding of underlying value”?

Look at your skill set critically. If the tech landscape dramatically changed tomorrow, which of your abilities would remain valuable? Those are your depth areas.

Consider your heroes in tech. Are they known for riding trends or creating fundamental value regardless of market conditions? What can you learn from their approaches?

Ask yourself the uncomfortable question: "Am I building something that will matter in five years?" If not, you might be optimizing for trends over depth.

Finally, depth isn't just technical knowledge; it's understanding people, problems, and principles. The most profound insights often come from connecting dots across disciplines rather than narrowing down to what's happening.

The choice between depth and trend is not a career strategy. It's a philosophy about how you want to contribute to the world. Choose wisely.

Olanetsoft ✍️