Core Insights - The essence of investment is a research and judgment process about the future, supported by two fundamental methods: induction and deduction, with a third dimension of rational boundaries to combat cognitive ambiguity [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Decision Cases - Case 1 discusses a cross-border e-commerce company that experienced over 100% year-on-year growth from 2016 to 2017 but saw a significant slowdown in Q1 2018. The company had a low average order value of approximately $10 and faced quality concerns, with retention rates dropping significantly over time [4][12]. - Case 2 compares four short video apps, highlighting their daily active user (DAU) differences, with Product A leading at approximately 60 million DAU, while Product D had only about 5 million. The analysis emphasizes the importance of user engagement and retention metrics in investment decisions [6][8]. Group 2: Induction Method - Induction is defined as deriving general principles from specific facts and historical samples, which can be used to judge new cases. This method is crucial in understanding industry changes, company growth, and team capabilities [10]. - Three types of induction are identified: analogical induction, enumerative induction focusing on key performance indicators, and statistical induction that abstracts winning patterns from successful companies [11][12]. Group 3: Deduction Method - Deduction involves reasoning from general principles to predict future trends, focusing on macro environments, industry evolution, and technological advancements. It is essential when historical samples are no longer reliable [18][19]. - Three paths of deduction are outlined: behavioral changes leading to new business models, structural changes in macro environments, and breakthroughs in technology that create new opportunities [19]. Group 4: Weee! Case Study - Weee!, a leading ethnic grocery e-commerce platform in North America, showcases a successful combination of induction and deduction in investment analysis. The company has a high and stable quarterly repurchase rate, indicating strong business quality [25][26]. - Key deductions about Weee! include its competitive advantages over traditional supermarkets, cost efficiencies in delivery, and the potential for market expansion among diverse ethnic groups in the U.S. [27][28]. Group 5: Challenges of Induction and Deduction - Induction may lead to missed opportunities if historical patterns are rigidly applied, as seen in the case of SHEIN, which defied initial negative predictions and achieved significant revenue growth [14]. - Deduction can lead to illusions if the foundational logic is flawed or if the assumptions do not hold true in changing environments. It is crucial to ensure that the reasoning is based on stable, verifiable principles [30][31]. Group 6: AI Era Considerations - In the AI era, traditional research methods face challenges as historical samples become less relevant. Investors must return to first principles to identify what is certain and deduce potential future paths [32][34]. - Four constraints impacting AI development are identified: computational power, energy sustainability, data quality, and talent availability, which are critical for identifying investment opportunities [35]. Group 7: Rational Boundaries - To navigate the uncertainties of the AI era, establishing rational boundaries is essential. This involves focusing on irreversible variables, using constraints for reasoning, and understanding that AI evolution is a series of incremental changes rather than sudden shifts [36][37]. Group 8: Summary - The importance of using induction to understand the past and deduction to envision the future is emphasized, along with the need to avoid falling into single-minded thinking traps in a rapidly changing environment [39].