baumkuchen In Shirakawa, Japan, I came across a café known for its baumkuchen  — a German cake baked in thin layers on a rotating spit until it resembles the rings of a tree. There were two versions: one light and fluffy, the other darker and denser. We debated which to choose. The lighter one looked beautiful and uniform; the darker one seemed overdone. In the end, we picked the version that offered both. It turns out we both liked the one that looked the worst. The darker,

This photo was taken in Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa, Japan. The tree’s sprawling branches are supported by an intricate system of wooden posts — each placed with care to carry weight, balance tension, and prevent collapse. At first glance, it looks excessive — almost fragile. This isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. The Paradox of Growth in Tech Startups love speed. We celebrate agility, hustle, and the ability to “move fast and break things.” In reality, unchecked growth can caus