Case 7 — Expected Value #

A student approached Master Yan of the Smoldering Spark with a business plan carefully printed on premium paper. “I have detailed every aspect of my upcoming startup,” he declared. “Please review it.”

Master Yan took the document and began folding it into a paper boat.

The student watched in horror as his meticulous plan disappeared into the folds of the vessel. When finished, Master Yan walked to the temple pond and set it afloat.

“But… how will I know if my plan is on track now?” the student stammered.

Master Yan pointed to the boat, now barely visible in the evening mist. “Look how beautifully it sails when it carries nothing.”

Later that week, the student received a notebook from Master Yan. Every page was blank except the first, which contained only the words: “Revenue last year:”