Quick read: Drone shots of the Swiss Panoramic Express could remind us about the need to sometimes take the larger ‘meta view’ vs the ‘window view’. And that could perhaps be a good reminder across contexts – from our investment theses, our career choices to even getting a better handle on how we frame our life stories.

Now don’t get me wrong.I LOVED the ride!

Especially as someone who had found every single nook and cranny of Switzerland picture post card perfect. So, what’s not to like about the truly awesome Lucern – Interlaken Express route? In fact, for once I was happy that a journey would take longer than I had expected – 1hr 55mins to be precise.

Why should I be the only one that enjoys such magnificent views? (I know! How magnanimous of me, right?) So, I sent a few of such pictures to my friend, who then dutifully responded with a few of such (👍 and ❤️) emojis.

Basking in the sunny snowy views from my train seat, I then turned to the Internet to see what’s the “official word” about this beautiful train ride. The Swiss tourism website said thus

During a train ride of roughly two hours, passengers marvel at five crystal clear mountain lakes that gather the waters from various rivers and waterfalls. At the lakeshore, steep rock faces of surrounding mountains rise up protectively and provide unique photo motifs.

Shortly before starting its steep, winding ascent to Brünig Pass, the train changes to cogwheel drivetrain technology in order to conquer the gradient. With good reason, the Luzern–Interlaken Express is part of the scenic GoldenPass Line leading to Interlaken and on to Montreux. 

Source

Just as I was trying to situate this romance within my 2-dimensional window view, something caught my eye. And soon enough I discovered I was unable to peel my eyes off these spectacular images from my phone screen.

I now sent my friend the above image and texted him saying that’s the route I am actually on.

Now as if by magic, this stubbornly laconic friend of my mine started on a paragraph of expletive ridden love letter to the stunning beauty of the Swiss landscapes. And I must confess, I found these ‘drone’ shots much more appealing than those that my rectangular windows framed for me along the route.

In order for me to get a more first person / visceral perspective of such a view, I wish I had the equivalent of the “tail camera airshow view” – that one occasionally finds on aircraft – in the train.

What just happened?

I was enjoying the view. But I was sure, the “view of the view” (call it a meta view, if you will, but let me call it the “drone view”) would perhaps be a more spectacular one. And I could bet, that drone view would have trumped my window framed 2D view in story telling too!

That’s why most of the airlines ads we see (print / video / OOH) have more footage/shots like this ..

.. than those like this.

The “drone view” vs the “2D window view”.

Taking the view of the view vs well, the view.

If you think about it, that’s what financial advisors never tire of telling us.

The Ayodhya Stock Exchange

No, I didn’t make up that click-baity phrase. A popular news portal had this headline: “‘Ayodhya Stock Exchange’: 10 stock ideas to play the Ram Temple theme”.

Another one said “Ayodhya Ram Mandir becomes new investing theme: 6 stocks in focus”, and another “Ram Temple inauguration: Here are 12 shares that may benefit from Ayodhya tourism boom” and the list goes on.

But if you hear the other voices, they would tell you to stick to fundamentals and take the broader view. In other words, they caution us against mixing this “2D window view” with what should have ideally been a “drone view” that frames the larger journey for us.

And come to think about it- in many other aspects in life: from our considerations that drive career pivots and choices, to relationships, to many other things big and small – wouldn’t this be sage advice?

Of reminding ourselves of the need for taking the “view of the view” vs well, the view?

[Featured Image: Source]