Founder Letter 1: How Saply Will Be More Than Just a Drink

Emergence: From Chaos to Clarity

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on a concept that once moved me deeply: "Emergence." It’s a term popularized by Kevin Kelly in his groundbreaking book Out of Control, capturing the enigmatic way complex systems display properties that aren’t found in their individual components. Kelly's exploration of how order spontaneously arises from chaos, from the synchronized dance of flocks of birds to the intricate behavior of digital networks, offers a lens to understand how the unpredictable beauty of life unfolds. I’ve been contemplating how best to share this with you.

Emergence describes a phenomenon where the whole exhibits qualities that none of its individual parts possess. It’s as if these attributes only come into being when the individual elements interact—a process known as emergence.

On a micro level, each gas molecule seems to follow the laws of thermodynamics; yet, under extreme conditions, these seemingly random movements create a coherent whole—a tornado.

Each termite, acting on instinct, secretes pheromones to communicate basic signals. But millions of termites together, through complex interactions, can construct a massive, intricately designed colony.

Each human, preoccupied with mundane daily routines, appears unremarkable; yet, as a collective, through interactions with each other and their environment, they form societies, cultures, and civilizations—small systems that, through more intricate interplay, lead to conflict or consensus, ultimately building the grandeur of human civilization.

In these examples, the patterns we see in tornadoes, termite colonies, and human societies are properties of the whole that are entirely absent in the parts alone.

The more I think about it, the more mesmerizing it becomes.

Let me tell you an ancient story:

Six hundred million years ago, during the Cambrian period, the oceans were teeming with multicellular organisms, creatures without cognition, memory, or the ability to pass down knowledge. They moved at random, their fates dictated by probability alone. The only means of survival was sheer reproduction—having so many offspring that, despite overwhelming odds, a few lucky ones would survive to continue the spark of life.

Then, one of our ancestors mutated, evolving the first neuron, a cell that transmits information through electrical charges. Bundles of neurons didn’t seem remarkable—just cells passing signals among themselves. But suddenly, communication was possible!

Over the next few hundred million years, pain sensation emerged to warn creatures of immediate dangers. Memory allowed them to learn from past experiences. Consciousness gave them the ability to anticipate future risks.

That lone ancestor, a curious outlier with primitive neurons, had no idea that, 600 million years later, one of its descendants would use the byproducts of industrial civilization to send cryptic messages to over 8,000 other descendants every night.

I can’t imagine any alien observer during the Cambrian period, analyzing these primitive neurons, being able to predict the evolution of future life forms. Whether they would reproduce through birth, eggs, or mitosis was anyone’s guess. And who could have predicted that they would communicate through light waves, electromagnetic signals, sound vibrations, or even gamma rays? Let alone all the "emergent" phenomena like brains, emotions, TikTok, trade wars, populism, and woke culture.

As a lifelong student of history (I love reading history), the concept of "emergence" makes me accept the fate of historical studies—studying what has emerged, and anticipating what is yet to emerge.

The Emergence of a Brand: The Birth of Saply

In the journey of building Saply, I’ve realized that the brand’s emergence is itself a product of this phenomenon. The initial inspiration came from observing the anxiety and pressure in modern society. We wanted to offer something that could help people find inner peace through healthful drinks and a simple lifestyle philosophy. What started as a mere idea, a few people, and some ingredients, gradually emerged into Saply—a unique entity that wasn’t just about a product, but a response to modern life.

The Emergence of Products: From Ingredients to Healing

When we select ingredients, we consider their history, culture, and healing properties. Take Reishi (Lingzhi), for instance. In nature, it’s just another mushroom. But combined with modern technology and traditional wisdom, it becomes a powerful elixir for alleviating modern anxieties and boosting immunity. This transformation from nature to modern life is the emergence of a product’s identity. Each Saply creation blends our faith in nature’s healing power with a deep understanding of the needs of contemporary life.

The Emergence of an Idea: Beyond Beverages to Brand Culture

Saply is more than a functional beverage brand; we aim to convey a lifestyle that is deep, thoughtful, and aesthetically pleasing. We believe everyone can find their rhythm and balance in daily life. Like the concept of emergence, we hope that each small choice, each interaction with our products, will gradually bring a sense of peace and strength into your life. Saply doesn’t offer simple answers; we strive to be a moment of calm in your complex life, a presence that accompanies you on your journey.

From a historical perspective, standing amidst the emergence of human civilization’s grand structures and ruins, we can only analyze the elements that existed before emergence from the perspective of the complex systems that have emerged. Saply’s birth is a journey from complexity to simplicity, and from simplicity to profound meaning.

As we enter a new era of uncertainty and tension, Saply aims to offer something that empowers the soul. The future will undoubtedly bring changes and challenges, but we believe that every small action, even the tiniest adjustment to a formula, can potentially lead to something more significant and meaningful.

In this chaotic world, each of us is a small part of something much larger, something constantly evolving and emerging. We can’t predict what’s coming next, but we can prepare ourselves to embrace whatever emerges, with a cup of Saply in hand, and a sense of calm and resilience in our hearts.

Ready to experience the emergence of wellness in your life? Explore Saply’s functional beverages today.