
Yet Another Value Podcast The (Working) Theory of Weird Markets
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Jan 15, 2026 Dive into the Theory of Weird Markets, where traditional investment strategies face obsolescence. Andrew Walker illustrates how competition in the stock market resembles high-stakes sports and features unique analogies like Rubik's Cube advancements. He makes the case for unconventional strategies in the age of AI, emphasizing opportunities in niche markets. Discover how small investors can find alpha in overlooked events, like the Warner Bros. Discovery case study, and embrace the 'weird' to stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape.
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Winning Looks Counterintuitive At The Top
- Competitive games evolve so top strategies look counterintuitive compared with earlier eras.
- As players improve, winning tactics often appear insane to outsiders but become dominant.
Rubik's Cube Improvement Example
- Rubik's Cube solving fell from 23s (1982) to about 20s (2003) and then to ~5s by 2023.
- Walker uses this rapid improvement to illustrate how incentives and competition drive dramatic progress.
Huge Stakes Multiply Edge Seeking
- Small incentives still produce massive performance improvements when competition organizes around them.
- If Rubik's Cube prizes of ~$36k drove huge gains, finance's enormous rewards will push far greater innovation and edge-seeking.



