durov

1. core philosophy: freedom first

freedom over comfort
- freedom of action matters more than convenience, popularity, or approval
independence is structural
- real freedom comes from removing dependencies, not negotiating with them
principles > short-term wins
- compromise compounds; once crossed, lines cannot be redrawn
exit optionality matters
- the ability to walk away preserves autonomy

money is a tool, not a goal
- wealth attracts pressure from states, investors, and public opinion
no ads, no shareholders
- every external stakeholder becomes a potential lever of control
skeptical of fame
- attention distorts incentives and decision-making
optionality > valuation
- maximal scale can trap founders more than it frees them

small teams outperform large ones
- coordination cost grows faster than productivity
automation over headcount
- more people often create internal friction, not better products
deep, uninterrupted work
- originality requires silence and long focus windows
products over narratives
- real utility spreads without persuasion or hype

privacy is a human right
- not a feature toggle or marketing claim
no backdoors, ever
- any “lawful access” becomes a universal vulnerability
security must be technical
- promises are meaningless without architectural guarantees
integrity over market access
- better to exit a country than weaken user protections

states default to control
- surveillance expands under the language of safety and order
democracies are not immune
- censorship now arrives via ids, age checks, and content scanning
political neutrality is non-negotiable
- once a platform chooses sides, trust collapses
the free internet is fragile
- openness erodes quietly, step by step

app stores are chokepoints
- os owners can silence apps indirectly
platform dependence is a kill switch
- removal or throttling equals functional censorship
closed ecosystems prioritize control
- convenience is exchanged for user autonomy
freedom requires alternatives
- web access, decentralization, and redundancy matter

total abstinence from alcohol, tobacco, coffee, drugs
- clarity and long-term productivity over stimulation
avoid pills unless necessary
- pharmaceuticals often mask root causes like sleep or stress
simple, clean diet
- no fast food, minimal sugar; mostly seafood and vegetables
intermittent fasting
- discipline, mental sharpness, metabolic stability
cold exposure (banya, ice baths)
- deliberate discomfort to train stress resilience
regular intense physical activity
- clearer thinking, lower anxiety
discipline equals freedom
- fewer cravings mean fewer control points

high geographic mobility
- reduces coercion by any single state
minimalism
- fewer possessions, fewer anchors
extreme personal privacy
- beliefs must align with behavior
avoid passive algorithmic feeds
- recommender systems manipulate attention and emotion