Working Theorys
Collective Experiences | Theory No. 8
On the value of creating shared context in the age of personalized, on-demand media.
a year ago
On the value of creating shared context in the age of personalized, on-demand media.
Business Brainstorms
💡 Business Brainstorms 💡- My favorite ideas of the week
#1 💡 Athletic Greens used to be a sketchy looking affiliate offer in 2011. Ranked #1 on Clickbank...
a year ago
#1 💡 Athletic Greens used to be a sketchy looking affiliate offer in 2011. Ranked #1 on Clickbank and was promoted by every direct response marketer. Always inspiring to see humble beginnings like this and a good reminder that most businesses are not sexy from day 1.
Stephen Diehl
The Joy and Agony of Haskell in Production
over a year ago
Blog posts of...
Sh*t! Twitter is exciting - again!
Every epoch in the history of humanity had a raw resource that became the key to commercial success...
over a year ago
Every epoch in the history of humanity had a raw resource that became the key to commercial success that time. Similar to companie...
Rest of World -...
Rest of World’s 2024 reading guide
Global tech leaders share 12 books to add to your must-read pile.
6 months ago
Global tech leaders share 12 books to add to your must-read pile.
Tom Blomfield
Home-Brew Customer Phone Support
This is the technical part of a longer piece on “Automating Customer Service at a Startup”
DIY...
over a year ago
This is the technical part of a longer piece on “Automating Customer Service at a Startup”
DIY Phone Support
We implemented a home-brew customer service phone line in a few hours with a basic Sinatra app on Heroku, using the Twilio-ruby gem to generate TwiML (saving us the pain...
SatPost by Trung...
Nike’s Marketing Blindspot
What can we learn from Nike losing Lionel Messi and Stephen Curry?
a year ago
What can we learn from Nike losing Lionel Messi and Stephen Curry?
Rest of World -...
A traveler’s dream: Cash-free payment systems link up across Southeast Asia
From Bali to Bangkok, people are ditching cards for QR code payments. There’s a catch: For now, it’s...
a year ago
From Bali to Bangkok, people are ditching cards for QR code payments. There’s a catch: For now, it’s for locals only.
Platformer
Can 'radioactive data' save the internet from AI's influence?
Artificial intelligence is about to create some serious propaganda problems, a new paper argues. One...
a year ago
Artificial intelligence is about to create some serious propaganda problems, a new paper argues. One solution: to nuke the web
Platformer
The states sue Meta over child safety
Everyone agrees there's a teen mental health crisis. Is this how you fix it?
a year ago
Everyone agrees there's a teen mental health crisis. Is this how you fix it?
42!
Founders - Don't just build another job for yourself
I was having pre-Christmas lunch with Paul*, one of my best friends from middle school a couple of...
over a year ago
I was having pre-Christmas lunch with Paul*, one of my best friends from middle school a couple of weeks back. However, as soon as he sat down at our table and I asked him how he was, he surprisingly announced that he would be closing his business at the end of the year.
I was...
David Perell
Learning to Actually Listen
I’ve been listening the wrong way my entire life — with just my ears. True listening is a...
a year ago
I’ve been listening the wrong way my entire life — with just my ears. True listening is a totalizing, full-body experience.
The post Learning to Actually Listen appeared first on David Perell.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Selling to enterprises
For some reason when you are selling information technology, big companies are referred to as...
over a year ago
For some reason when you are selling information technology, big companies are referred to as “enterprises.” I’m guessing the word was…
Ed Zitron's Where's...
Managing Up
Over the last two newsletters (three, if you include my reply to Google’s “rebuttal” of the...
7 months ago
Over the last two newsletters (three, if you include my reply to Google’s “rebuttal” of the Prabhakar Raghavan newsletter), I’ve made the case that while rot economics are responsible for making technology products manifestly worse, this transformation was only possible thanks to...
Noahpinion
What's up with those revised job numbers?
Government data revisions can be scary, but they actually aren't that hard to understand.
4 months ago
Government data revisions can be scary, but they actually aren't that hard to understand.
Noahpinion
Why you should not ignore economists
They aren't always right, but they almost always have something important to add.
3 months ago
They aren't always right, but they almost always have something important to add.
tomcritchlow.com
LinkedIn is not a social or professional network, it's a learning network
The world of work is changing.
9 months ago
The world of work is changing.
Tech + Economics +...
Internet access is a human right.
Fast, reliable and independent internet access is no longer a luxury or a
convenience. It has...
12 months ago
Fast, reliable and independent internet access is no longer a luxury or a
convenience. It has become a necessity and a function of modern society.
The digital divide, the gap between those with and without internet access,
has profound implications for an individual's...
Tom Blomfield
Startup Series Part 2: Attracting great engineers
This is the second in a series of articles on the operational side of running startup - once you’ve...
over a year ago
This is the second in a series of articles on the operational side of running startup - once you’ve found product-market fit and raised VC cash, how do you go about building a business?
The first post in this series, on the hiring process, assumes you have a sufficient number of...
XO Capital - Field...
We 10x-ed screenshotapi.net and sold it
Before we jump in, I was on a pod talking through content, acquisitions, etc:
This exit is bitter...
3 months ago
Before we jump in, I was on a pod talking through content, acquisitions, etc:
This exit is bitter sweet. Screenshot was our first ever acquisition. We 10x-ed it, and it is really the reason XO exists today. If this first acquisition hadn't gone well, I think I would
Noahpinion
Repost: Weebs!
Everything you didn't realize you wanted to know about the non-Japanese people who love Japanese pop...
a year ago
Everything you didn't realize you wanted to know about the non-Japanese people who love Japanese pop culture.
Noahpinion
The George Floyd protests were not a civil war (repost)
And the less we collectively remember them as one, the better.
a year ago
And the less we collectively remember them as one, the better.
AVC
Software That You Can’t Shut Down
The term “censorship resistant” is used a lot in the decentralized computing/web3/crypto space to...
a year ago
The term “censorship resistant” is used a lot in the decentralized computing/web3/crypto space to talk about a core feature of these systems. I don’t love the term censorship resistant because it is a wonky term. Software that is encoded in smart contracts (and other ways) on...
tomcritchlow.com
Narrative Aircover & Compound Narrative
“I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I’ve never been able...
11 months ago
“I read in a book once that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet, but I’ve never been able to believe it. I don’t believe a rose WOULD be as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage.” ― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Rest of World -...
How InstaDeep became Africa’s biggest AI startup success
Karim Beguir is the co-founder and CEO of InstaDeep, a Tunisian startup that was acquired for $682...
3 months ago
Karim Beguir is the co-founder and CEO of InstaDeep, a Tunisian startup that was acquired for $682 million by BioNTech.
Noahpinion
How tariffs on China could help the world
Looking for the silver lining in a messy policy.
4 months ago
Looking for the silver lining in a messy policy.
Rest of World -...
How Shein and TikTok Shop are trying to shake the ‘Made in China’ reputation
Chinese platforms came for global customers. Now they want global sellers.
a year ago
Chinese platforms came for global customers. Now they want global sellers.
David Perell
Kevin Kelly: Seeing the Future
My guest today is Kevin Kelly, who co-founded Wired Magazine in 1993 and served as its Executive...
over a year ago
My guest today is Kevin Kelly, who co-founded Wired Magazine in 1993 and served as its Executive Editor for the first seven years. As one of the most important futurists of our generation, he’s published a number of books including The Inevitable, What Technology Wants, and New...
tomcritchlow.com
(Another) Quick Riff on Narrative Strategy
I’ve been ruminating on the idea of narrative strategy for a while now. The last time I wrote about...
10 months ago
I’ve been ruminating on the idea of narrative strategy for a while now. The last time I wrote about it was in 2020.
42!
The wrong birthday assumption
Many years ago, back in the late 80’s, one of my first big development contracts was to create a...
over a year ago
Many years ago, back in the late 80’s, one of my first big development contracts was to create a database for NAALAS - the North Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service (no longer around).
Basically, this organisation provided legal assistance for Aboriginal people to help them...
Paul Graham: Essays
Is There Such a Thing as Good Taste?
over a year ago
Rest of World -...
Google cuts off an $83 million ghost labor contract
Outsourced workers are the first to go when the company looks to reduce costs.
10 months ago
Outsourced workers are the first to go when the company looks to reduce costs.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Notes on raising seed financing
Last night I taught a class via Skillshare (disclosure: Founder Collective is an investor) about how...
over a year ago
Last night I taught a class via Skillshare (disclosure: Founder Collective is an investor) about how to raise a seed round. After a long…
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Steve Jobs on problem solving
When you start looking at a problem and it seems really simple, you don’t really understand the...
over a year ago
When you start looking at a problem and it seems really simple, you don’t really understand the complexity of the problem. Then you get…
Paul Graham: Essays
How to Make Pittsburgh a Startup Hub
over a year ago
cdixon.org RSS Feed
"It's pretty difficult to solve big problems in four years"
Larry Page: When I talk to most companies, I do think their leaders are pretty short-term focused....
over a year ago
Larry Page: When I talk to most companies, I do think their leaders are pretty short-term focused. Imagine you're running Exxon, what do you…
Blog posts of...
Joining hypergrowth startups 😬
I am writing this for a friend joining an early-stage breakout startup (year 2; $200M+ valuation). I...
over a year ago
I am writing this for a friend joining an early-stage breakout startup (year 2; $200M+ valuation). I wrote it as bullet points as...
Steve Blank
The Quantum Technology Ecosystem – Explained
If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don’t understand quantum mechanics Richard...
over a year ago
If you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don’t understand quantum mechanics Richard Feynman Tens of billions of public and private capital are being invested in Quantum technologies. Countries across the world have realized that quantum technologies can be a major...
Rest of World -...
Influencers are getting young Nigerians hooked on online gambling
While sports betting is legal in Nigeria, experts say the government should have more oversight on...
a year ago
While sports betting is legal in Nigeria, experts say the government should have more oversight on the influencer culture.
Tech + Economics +...
The fuckery.
I start each day with the intention of writing positively about tech and AI
and startups and vc...
a year ago
I start each day with the intention of writing positively about tech and AI
and startups and vc and then I open my laptop and…there it is. There’s the
fuckery.
Noahpinion
Some ideas for science fiction in the 2020s
The future ain't what it used to be.
a year ago
The future ain't what it used to be.
Rest of World -...
How Zimbabwe’s biggest fast-food company became a popular fintech solution
Innbucks started as an app to receive loose change at some restaurants. Now, it’s a licensed...
a year ago
Innbucks started as an app to receive loose change at some restaurants. Now, it’s a licensed microfinance institution.
Essays - Benedict...
Leaving Twitter
I was on Twitter since 2007, and built a meaningful part of my career on
it, and I won’t be...
a year ago
I was on Twitter since 2007, and built a meaningful part of my career on
it, and I won’t be posting at all for the foreseeable future
SatPost by Trung...
Jony Ive, Meta AR, Visa Monopoly and the Legend of Robert Caro
PLUS: An incredible tech roast by John Mulaney.
2 months ago
PLUS: An incredible tech roast by John Mulaney.
AVC
Read Write Own
Chris Dixon, who leads the A16Z crypto fund, and has been an entrepreneur, VC, and friend of mine...
11 months ago
Chris Dixon, who leads the A16Z crypto fund, and has been an entrepreneur, VC, and friend of mine for over twenty years, has written a book called Read Write Own that is available for pre-order now and will start shipping at the end of the month. Chris gave me a copy right before...
Rest of World -...
How Presto became Libya’s most successful tech startup
The delivery app now plans to expand to neighboring countries.
2 months ago
The delivery app now plans to expand to neighboring countries.
Essays - Benedict...
Tech questions for 2022
Sometimes the centre of gravity in tech is very clear, but as we enter 2022
there are lots of...
over a year ago
Sometimes the centre of gravity in tech is very clear, but as we enter 2022
there are lots of areas where trillion dollar questions are wide open.
These are the questions I wonder about today, from crypto to cars to fast
fashion - there are others.
Blog posts of...
The things first time founders do…
Last week @robfitz asked me on short notice to join a panel at #foundersexchange about what first...
over a year ago
Last week @robfitz asked me on short notice to join a panel at #foundersexchange about what first time founders shouldn’t do. I qu...
Ed Zitron's Where's...
Monopoly Money
Last week, in the midst of the slow, painful collapse of the generative AI hype cycle, something...
4 months ago
Last week, in the midst of the slow, painful collapse of the generative AI hype cycle, something incredible happened.
On Monday, a Federal Judge delivered a crushing ruling in the multi-year-long antitrust case filed against Google by the Department of Justice. In 300-pages of...
Internal Tech Emails
Travis Kalanick on self-driving | SBF and the Bahamas
Basically got to keep bezos, cook, musk, zuck, page on our minds
over a year ago
Basically got to keep bezos, cook, musk, zuck, page on our minds
Noahpinion
Come see me speak about Japan!
Plus: A bunch of fun posts I've written about Japanese urbanism and Japanese society.
4 months ago
Plus: A bunch of fun posts I've written about Japanese urbanism and Japanese society.
Internal Tech Emails
Google looks at acquiring YouTube
can I get a quick analysis of the likely cost of acquiring youtube? Eric
over a year ago
can I get a quick analysis of the likely cost of acquiring youtube? Eric
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Increasing velocity
Two common discussions in the startup world right now are 1) the increasing speed at which new...
over a year ago
Two common discussions in the startup world right now are 1) the increasing speed at which new apps/websites can gain mass adoption…
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Dividing equity between founders
A friend asked me recently if I knew of any good guidelines for dividing up equity between founders,...
over a year ago
A friend asked me recently if I knew of any good guidelines for dividing up equity between founders, and specifically what to do in the case…
Rest of World -...
In the “Galapagos of Asia,” angry Philippine islanders fight the great nickel rush
“It’s very ironic that, in order to mitigate the impact of global warming, you have to cut down our...
a year ago
“It’s very ironic that, in order to mitigate the impact of global warming, you have to cut down our trees … just to support the initiatives of Elon Musk.”
Essays - Benedict...
AI and the automation of work
ChatGPT and generative AI will change how we work, but how different is
this to all the other...
a year ago
ChatGPT and generative AI will change how we work, but how different is
this to all the other waves of automation of the last 200 years? What does
it mean for employment? Disruption? Coal consumption?
AVC
The Blackbird Platform
The first project launched this week on our portfolio company Blackbird‘s platform. It is a friends...
a year ago
The first project launched this week on our portfolio company Blackbird‘s platform. It is a friends and family program at a restaurant in Williamsburg Brooklyn called Gertie. Blackbird wrote about it today on their excellent Supersonic blog: Throughout, when you tap Gertie’s...
Rest of World -...
Meta’s long-standing problem with “shaheed”
An overdue ruling from the Oversight Board.
8 months ago
An overdue ruling from the Oversight Board.
Noahpinion
The Ukraine war is ultimately about Poland
When Putin talks, we should listen.
10 months ago
When Putin talks, we should listen.
Rest of World -...
Rest of World’s 2024 global playlist
What's that sound? It's your perfect soundtrack to just about everything.
6 months ago
What's that sound? It's your perfect soundtrack to just about everything.
AVC
Etsy Lens
I am the Chair of the Etsy Board and have been an investor and board member at Etsy since the...
a year ago
I am the Chair of the Etsy Board and have been an investor and board member at Etsy since the mid-2000s. It is a company that I love and get great joy from being part of. Last year Etsy quietly launched a feature that has completely changed the way I use Etsy. It is called […]
Noahpinion
Who cares about the Ivy League? (repost)
Too much of our education discourse focuses on a handful of tiny elite schools.
a year ago
Too much of our education discourse focuses on a handful of tiny elite schools.
Stephen Diehl
The Haskell Elephant in the Room
over a year ago
Internal Tech Emails
Instagram cofounder on Mark Zuckerberg
will he go into destroy mode if I say no
a year ago
will he go into destroy mode if I say no
SatPost by Trung...
Gordon Ramsay's Apprenticeship
The iconic chef said a top-tier mentor (Marco Pierre-White) taught him the value of learning high...
8 months ago
The iconic chef said a top-tier mentor (Marco Pierre-White) taught him the value of learning high standards and how to take the reins.
Tech + Economics +...
This is how you know I’m almost 35.
Woke up.
Feel like absolute hell.
Need coffee. This is me sober, how did I ever function in...
a year ago
Woke up.
Feel like absolute hell.
Need coffee. This is me sober, how did I ever function in the mornings
while I was drinking?
Working Theorys
Background Social
Theory #41: on apps that let you tell me what you're up to without telling me what you're up to.
6 months ago
Theory #41: on apps that let you tell me what you're up to without telling me what you're up to.
Rest of World -...
Half of Singapore’s e-commerce scams now happen on WhatsApp, Facebook, or Instagram
After a 50% increase in scams in 2023, Singapore authorities say Meta isn’t doing enough to stop the...
5 months ago
After a 50% increase in scams in 2023, Singapore authorities say Meta isn’t doing enough to stop the explosion in fraud.
Data Boutique
The Web Data Landscape Map: Visualizing The Ecosystem
Mapping actors and solutions
8 months ago
Mapping actors and solutions
Rest of World -...
A little-understood role in a global VC could also be one of the most influential
Ana Jiménez, 500 Global’s chief of staff for Latin America, on building a relationship of trust and...
a year ago
Ana Jiménez, 500 Global’s chief of staff for Latin America, on building a relationship of trust and strategic vision with her organization’s leader.
Internal Tech Emails
Mark Zuckerberg: "Please Resign"
This was an act of betrayal.
a year ago
This was an act of betrayal.
Working Theorys
Agency in the Age of AI | Theory No. 10
In the age of AI, where do I fit in? It’s a conversation permeating dinners, group chats, and honest...
a year ago
In the age of AI, where do I fit in? It’s a conversation permeating dinners, group chats, and honest online discourse.
Paul Graham: Essays
Holding a Program in One's Head
over a year ago
Noahpinion
Why has U.S. manufacturing productivity stagnated for over a decade?
A few hypotheses about a very disturbing trend.
5 months ago
A few hypotheses about a very disturbing trend.
Internal Tech Emails
Barry Diller: Facebook is trying to "steal" Tinder's cofounder
Their attempts to hire Sean away from us potentially indicate they believe something like Tinder...
over a year ago
Their attempts to hire Sean away from us potentially indicate they believe something like Tinder could be replicated by them. I’d like to avoid that, though I don’t know that FB itself makes it that much more likely to succeed than anyone else.
Rest of World -...
Rebel or sellout? How Nigeria’s startup darling became tech minister
Bosun Tijani was a rock star in the Nigerian startup scene, but his transition to government has...
11 months ago
Bosun Tijani was a rock star in the Nigerian startup scene, but his transition to government has been controversial.
Steve Blank
Startups that Have Employees In Offices Grow 3½ Times Faster
This article previously appeared in EIX – Entreprenuers and Innovators Exchange. Data shows that...
a year ago
This article previously appeared in EIX – Entreprenuers and Innovators Exchange. Data shows that pre-seed and seed startups with employees showing up in a physical office have 3½ times higher revenue growth than those that are solely remote. Let the discussion begin. During the...
SatPost by Trung...
6 thoughts on "Elon Musk" by Walter Isaacson
Including the Twitter deal, SpaceX's "Idiot Index", the manufacturing "algorithm", management style...
a year ago
Including the Twitter deal, SpaceX's "Idiot Index", the manufacturing "algorithm", management style and Big Tech beefs (Bill Gates, Larry Page, Jeff Bezos).
Internal Tech Emails
Mark Zuckerberg: "speed and strategy"
One way to make sure we can move quickly is for everyone to understand our strategy behind the major...
a year ago
One way to make sure we can move quickly is for everyone to understand our strategy behind the major product areas we're working on. I've tried to summarize some of the key ones here.
David Perell
The Microwave Economy
America has become a Microwave Economy. We’ve overwhelmingly used our wealth to make the world...
over a year ago
America has become a Microwave Economy. We’ve overwhelmingly used our wealth to make the world cheaper instead of more beautiful, more functional instead of more meaningful.
The post The Microwave Economy appeared first on David Perell.
Rest of World -...
Netflix and thrill: the hunt for the next Squid Game in Southeast Asia
As Amazon and Disney step back, Netflix invests in “locally authentic” content to grab subscribers...
3 months ago
As Amazon and Disney step back, Netflix invests in “locally authentic” content to grab subscribers in the region.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Equity value
Warren Buffet once said: Buy into a business that’s doing so well an idiot could run it, because...
over a year ago
Warren Buffet once said: Buy into a business that’s doing so well an idiot could run it, because sooner or later, one will. This is a useful…
Aaron's Essays
The hot round fallacy
I originally wrote this essay for The Information, where it was published on Feb 16.
Here's a fun...
over a year ago
I originally wrote this essay for The Information, where it was published on Feb 16.
Here's a fun little paradox in fundraising: Founders and the media love to talk about how quickly funding rounds happen these days—think about the big, rapid-fire raises...
Steve Blank
Even the Smartest VCs Sometimes Get it Wrong – Bill Gurley and Regulated Markets
Bill Gurley was one of Silicon Valley’s smartest and most successful VCs. He recently gave a talk at...
a year ago
Bill Gurley was one of Silicon Valley’s smartest and most successful VCs. He recently gave a talk at the All-In Summit that was really two talks in one. The first part was railing against the consequences of regulatory capture on innovation and a second part, about the...
Tech + Economics +...
AI hardware is kind of cool.
PC Mag: The r1 AI Pocket Companion Will Take You Down the Rabbit Hole
LAM works "by first...
11 months ago
PC Mag: The r1 AI Pocket Companion Will Take You Down the Rabbit Hole
LAM works "by first understanding complex human intentions, then
spinning up on human-oriented interfaces across all mobile and desktop
environments on a customized cloud platform, and finally...
Platformer
Reddit goes dark
As it moves to shut down third-party apps, the site’s self-governing ethos comes back to haunt it
a year ago
As it moves to shut down third-party apps, the site’s self-governing ethos comes back to haunt it
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Platform distribution risks
When your product extends a platform’s functionality, one of the main risks you face is that the...
over a year ago
When your product extends a platform’s functionality, one of the main risks you face is that the platform could embed your product’s key…
Noahpinion
The Middle East is getting older
Why I'm optimistic about the waning of conflict in the region.
a year ago
Why I'm optimistic about the waning of conflict in the region.
tomcritchlow.com
Work is a Place
My buddy Luke recently started a band called Tattoo Mustache. While we were chatting, his eyes lit...
9 months ago
My buddy Luke recently started a band called Tattoo Mustache. While we were chatting, his eyes lit up talking about jamming in the studio with his bandmates - his arms were flailing and you could feel the energy coming off him like steam from a hot pan. These weekly jam sessions...
Rest of World -...
Nigeria will become a net exporter of tech talent: Nigerian Minister Dr. Bosun Tijani
The tech entrepreneur-turned-bureaucrat spoke to Rest of World about his year in government, his...
2 months ago
The tech entrepreneur-turned-bureaucrat spoke to Rest of World about his year in government, his administration’s priorities for advancing AI in Nigeria, and the difficult task of choosing between allies.
SatPost by Trung...
Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash and AI Art
Context matters more than content in the age of AI-generated audio, images and videos.
a year ago
Context matters more than content in the age of AI-generated audio, images and videos.
Noahpinion
Interview: Heather Boushey, economist and member of the Council of Economic Advisers
In which we talk all about Bidenomics.
a year ago
In which we talk all about Bidenomics.
Rest of World -...
Beyond a Barbie ban, Vietnam sets its censors on Netflix
It’s not just the summer blockbuster that’s hit a nerve.
a year ago
It’s not just the summer blockbuster that’s hit a nerve.
42!
The folly of trying to replace spreadsheets
Our very earliest marketing copy for our HR SaaS was “Replace your spreadsheet nightmare with a nice...
a year ago
Our very earliest marketing copy for our HR SaaS was “Replace your spreadsheet nightmare with a nice clean HR database…”
We thought it was a cute and quirky tagline, and that it would immediately relatable to our target audience of business and human resource managers. After all...
Rest of World -...
The Northeast Indian YouTubers challenging cultural stereotypes through mukbang
Tribes in Northeast India have long been isolated from the rest of the country. Creators are using...
5 months ago
Tribes in Northeast India have long been isolated from the rest of the country. Creators are using YouTube to challenge the cliches that isolate them.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The experience economy
Before World War 2, the middle-class in the developed world struggled to afford basic needs. In the...
over a year ago
Before World War 2, the middle-class in the developed world struggled to afford basic needs. In the post-war boom, standards of living rose…
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Three types of acquisitions
There are three types of technology acquisitions: - Talent. When the acquirer just wants the team...
over a year ago
There are three types of technology acquisitions: - Talent. When the acquirer just wants the team (generally just engineers and sometimes…
Rest of World -...
Sierra Leone’s first lady hopes going viral on TikTok will secure Saturday’s elections
Amid economic turmoil, President Julius Maada Bio is seeking re-election in Sierra Leone. His wife,...
a year ago
Amid economic turmoil, President Julius Maada Bio is seeking re-election in Sierra Leone. His wife, Fatima, is dancing to a crowd of over 200,000 on TikTok to drum up votes.
Articles - Alex...
The age of average
In the early 1990s, two Russian artists named Vitaly Komar and Alexander
Melamid hired a market...
a year ago
In the early 1990s, two Russian artists named Vitaly Komar and Alexander
Melamid hired a market research firm to survey the public on what they
wanted in a work of art. Across 11 countries they then set about painting a
piece that reflected the results. Each piece was...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Inside versus outside financings: the nightclub effect
At some point in the life of a venture-backed startup there typically arises a choice between doing...
over a year ago
At some point in the life of a venture-backed startup there typically arises a choice between doing an inside round, where the existing…
XO Capital - Field...
Deal Structures
A couple of people have asked about deal structures so here are a few we commonly use for buying...
10 months ago
A couple of people have asked about deal structures so here are a few we commonly use for buying micro saas companies.
All Cash
Pretty straight forward. You do all cash. Usually it's 100% into escrow.com and release maybe 50% before asset transfer and 50% after asset
Rest of World -...
The startup founder bootstrapping his creator economy business
Douglas Kendyson, a former engineer at Flutterwave and Paystack, has built a profitable bootstrapped...
10 months ago
Douglas Kendyson, a former engineer at Flutterwave and Paystack, has built a profitable bootstrapped African startup.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Come for the tool, stay for the network
A popular strategy for bootstrapping networks is what I like to call “come for the tool, stay for...
over a year ago
A popular strategy for bootstrapping networks is what I like to call “come for the tool, stay for the network.” The idea is to initially…
Rest of World -...
Online sports betting in South Asia has a new target: Archery
Teer, a century-old game in India, is now attracting gamblers from Bangladesh and Bhutan.
a year ago
Teer, a century-old game in India, is now attracting gamblers from Bangladesh and Bhutan.
Nadia Asparouhova
Idea machines
Tech as a system of values, and not just an industry, is heavily driven by its subcultures and their...
over a year ago
Tech as a system of values, and not just an industry, is heavily driven by its subcultures and their ideologies. Where do these ideologies come from, and how do they influence what’s accomplished?
One of the most visible ideologies in tech is effective altruism (or EA), a...
Unpacked
FTC's case against Amazon is misunderstood
The case makes a nuanced argument about how Amazon abused monopoly power through anti-discounting...
a year ago
The case makes a nuanced argument about how Amazon abused monopoly power through anti-discounting measures and tying in Prime with Fulfilled by Amazon
Rest of World -...
Worldcoin has a problem
India already has a Worldcoin competitor, and other countries are taking note.
a year ago
India already has a Worldcoin competitor, and other countries are taking note.
Internal Tech Emails
Scott Forstall emails Steve Jobs | Elon Musk on tweeting
He mentions third party developers. I do think at some point we will want to enable third parties to...
over a year ago
He mentions third party developers. I do think at some point we will want to enable third parties to write apps for P2.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
One man came to Mozart and asked him how to write a symphony.
One man came to Mozart and asked him how to write a symphony. Mozart replied, “You are too young to...
over a year ago
One man came to Mozart and asked him how to write a symphony. Mozart replied, “You are too young to write a symphony.” The man said, “You…
Noahpinion
At least five interesting things: Nerdy economics edition (#54)
The DBCFT; Construction productivity and regulation; Rationality and complexity; U.S. productivity...
2 weeks ago
The DBCFT; Construction productivity and regulation; Rationality and complexity; U.S. productivity growth; Demand-side inflation; Health care monopsony and innovation
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Founder Stories
Erick Schonfeld from TechCrunch asked me a few months ago if I’d be on a TechCrunch video show where...
over a year ago
Erick Schonfeld from TechCrunch asked me a few months ago if I’d be on a TechCrunch video show where we interviewed startup founders. I love…
AVC
The Buy And Hold Mindset
When markets are in turmoil, like they have been for most of this year, I like to have a...
over a year ago
When markets are in turmoil, like they have been for most of this year, I like to have a buy-and-hold mindset when it comes to making new investments. It is hard to know when you’ve reached the bottom and can start buying again, but if you think about a ten or twenty-year hold,...
Internal Tech Emails
The Tech Emails Library
The ultimate index of internal tech industry emails 🔍
a year ago
The ultimate index of internal tech industry emails 🔍
Noahpinion
Bank weakness is how our economy cools off
Not polycrisis, but stabilization.
a year ago
Not polycrisis, but stabilization.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
If Verizon’s Droid is good, that’s bad for the wireless ecosystem
I carry around an iPhone and a Blackberry Tour. I know that’s ridiculous. The iPhone is a great...
over a year ago
I carry around an iPhone and a Blackberry Tour. I know that’s ridiculous. The iPhone is a great device on an awful network; the Tour is an…
Tech + Economics +...
Nazis don’t deserve free speech.
Reality check: Nazism is not an intellectual hypothetical that bears good
faith discussion. It's...
a year ago
Reality check: Nazism is not an intellectual hypothetical that bears good
faith discussion. It's not a controversial thought experiment. It is a
historical movement designed to demonise and exterminate the Other. Born in
the tumultuous aftermath of World War I, Nazi...
42!
F1, Sport and Reality TV
It’s been two days now since I stayed up late to watch the final race of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi...
over a year ago
It’s been two days now since I stayed up late to watch the final race of the F1 season in Abu Dhabi with my sons.
Full disclosure, we are all team Hamilton fans here, and were excited to watch the final deciding race as to who would take out the 2021 World Driver’s...
SatPost by Trung...
5 Good Evergreen Podcasts
Baller topics include food, explorers, record labels, Vietnam War films and iconic sounds.
a year ago
Baller topics include food, explorers, record labels, Vietnam War films and iconic sounds.
Internal Tech Emails
Steve Jobs on iPod and DRM
Guys – We need to make sure that when Music Match launches their download music store they cannot...
a month ago
Guys – We need to make sure that when Music Match launches their download music store they cannot use iPod. Is this going to be an issue?
Steve Blank
Why Large Organizations Struggle With Disruption, and What to Do About It
Seemingly overnight, disruption has allowed challengers to threaten the dominance of companies and...
4 months ago
Seemingly overnight, disruption has allowed challengers to threaten the dominance of companies and government agencies as many of their existing systems have now been leapfrogged. How an organization reacts to this type of disruption determines whether they adapt or die. I’ve...
Data Boutique
The hidden costs of asking for quotations in the data market
Working towards faster, cheaper and safer data projects
10 months ago
Working towards faster, cheaper and safer data projects
Rest of World -...
Vietnam’s made-to-measure fashion brands are thriving in the TikTok era
As shoppers sour on Chinese fast fashion, more sustainable Vietnamese brands — loved by K-pop...
6 months ago
As shoppers sour on Chinese fast fashion, more sustainable Vietnamese brands — loved by K-pop artists and Western celebrities alike — are booming online.
Rest of World -...
How Microsoft and the UAE got caught in the crossfire of the U.S.-China tech war
Geopolitical tensions have ensnared Microsoft’s deal for AI company G42.
5 months ago
Geopolitical tensions have ensnared Microsoft’s deal for AI company G42.
Rest of World -...
Why Chinese EV battery manufacturers are flocking to Hungary
They are drawn to the country’s access to European automakers, government subsidies, and favorable...
a year ago
They are drawn to the country’s access to European automakers, government subsidies, and favorable relations with China.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Bedrock programming
“Bedrock programming” is a phrase used to describe a style of programming that favors building code...
over a year ago
“Bedrock programming” is a phrase used to describe a style of programming that favors building code from the ground up versus reusing…
Data Boutique
How to Estimate Sales Using Inventory Web-Scraped Data
A powerful use case for web data
9 months ago
A powerful use case for web data
Platformer
Reddit doubles down
Delaying its API changes would benefit everyone — but users have other options, too
a year ago
Delaying its API changes would benefit everyone — but users have other options, too
Stephen Diehl
Haskell for Web Developers
over a year ago
Rest of World -...
What Elon Musk’s new biography leaves out
Looking beyond the Tesla reality-distortion field.
a year ago
Looking beyond the Tesla reality-distortion field.
Working Theorys
Unbundling Cash & Equity | Theory No. 15
a heretical take on "total compensation"
a year ago
a heretical take on "total compensation"
42!
Wrestling with the scammers
Photo by Dan Nelson on Unsplash
I guess one of the downsides of the rising popularity and profile of...
over a year ago
Photo by Dan Nelson on Unsplash
I guess one of the downsides of the rising popularity and profile of our HR startup is that it attracts the lowest online lifeforms to try and see if they can make illicit profit from it.
We have been getting the occasional trial user signing up...
Ed Zitron's Where's...
In Response To Google
Google has chosen to send a response to my article to Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable....
8 months ago
Google has chosen to send a response to my article to Barry Schwartz of Search Engine Roundtable. Here is my response.
(1) On the March 2019 core update claim in the piece: This is baseless speculation. The March 2019 core update was designed to improve the quality of our search
Paul Graham: Essays
Chapter 1 of Ansi Common Lisp
a year ago
Rest of World -...
This app makes sure dinner is halal
The Indonesian app Momasa features recipes, cooking lessons, and restaurants that meet the standards...
2 months ago
The Indonesian app Momasa features recipes, cooking lessons, and restaurants that meet the standards of Islamic law.
Tech + Economics +...
Don’t look down on TikTok creators. Learn from them.
It’s both terrifying and fascinating to watch a generation half my age
redefine creativity on...
a year ago
It’s both terrifying and fascinating to watch a generation half my age
redefine creativity on platforms like TikTok. As a 34-year-old writer, I’ve
seen the evolution of storytelling from physical print to digital media to
the dazzling, and fast-paced world of social video....
Platformer
It's time to change how we cover Elon Musk
After a weekend of whoppers about X and fighting Mark Zuckerberg, the press should take a more...
a year ago
After a weekend of whoppers about X and fighting Mark Zuckerberg, the press should take a more skeptical approach
haseeb qureshi
The Life and Death of Plasma
By Haseeb Qureshi and Ashwin Ramachandran
It was August 2017. The price of Ether was near an all...
over a year ago
By Haseeb Qureshi and Ashwin Ramachandran
It was August 2017. The price of Ether was near an all time high, the Ethereum blockchain was exploding with usage, and the chain was buckling under the ever increasing demand. Researchers and developers were frantically searching for new...
Steve Blank
The Secret History of Minnesota Part 1: Engineering Research Associates
This post is the latest in the “Secret History Series.” They’ll make much more sense if you watch...
a year ago
This post is the latest in the “Secret History Series.” They’ll make much more sense if you watch the video or read some of the earlier posts for context. See the Secret History bibliography for sources and supplemental reading. Silicon Valley emerged from work in World War II...
Noahpinion
Why targeted tariffs are more effective than broad tariffs
Something the Trump administration should probably think about.
a month ago
Something the Trump administration should probably think about.
tomcritchlow.com
Clients Have a Surprising Amount of Detail
There’s a wonderful blog post called “Reality has a surprising amount of detail” which talks about...
a year ago
There’s a wonderful blog post called “Reality has a surprising amount of detail” which talks about how interesting the world is and how much depth there is to every concept. Here’s a quote about boiling water:
SatPost by Trung...
Taylor Sheridan's Extreme Productivity
The prolific mind behind "Sicario" and "Yellowstone" only started his writing career at 40. The...
2 weeks ago
The prolific mind behind "Sicario" and "Yellowstone" only started his writing career at 40. The realest deadlines (a young family, a $350m ranch) have pushed him to grind at an unbelievable pace.
Essays - Benedict...
Ads, privacy and confusion
Privacy is coming to the internet and cookies are going away. This is long
overdue - but we don’t...
over a year ago
Privacy is coming to the internet and cookies are going away. This is long
overdue - but we don’t know what happens next, we don’t have much consensus
on what online privacy actually means, and most of what’s on the table
conflicts fundamentally with competition.
Working Theorys
Status Limbo | Theory No. 27
To get status, you have to give up status.
11 months ago
To get status, you have to give up status.
Business Brainstorms
💡 Business Brainstorms 💡- My favorite ideas of the week
#1 💡 Massviews Analysis is a super useful free tool to identify niche trends, whether you’re trying...
11 months ago
#1 💡 Massviews Analysis is a super useful free tool to identify niche trends, whether you’re trying to research content ideas or doing research on business opportunities. You can put in any Wikipedia category, and it will show you what pages inside that category are most...
Noahpinion
Singapore urbanism
Thoughts from a visit to the solarpunk city.
a year ago
Thoughts from a visit to the solarpunk city.
Paul Graham: Essays
What I've Learned from Users
over a year ago
Nothing Human
Metrics, Cowardice, and Mistrust
why we need better ideologies than "data driven decision making"
a year ago
why we need better ideologies than "data driven decision making"
Rest of World -...
Indonesia’s e-bike shops are building their own batteries
Battery-pack builders chase maximum range, despite safety risks.
9 months ago
Battery-pack builders chase maximum range, despite safety risks.
Paul Graham: Essays
An Alternative Theory of Unions
over a year ago
42!
Hanging on to 'stuff'
Like most families, we like to start the new year with a bit of a clean slate, which means moving on...
a year ago
Like most families, we like to start the new year with a bit of a clean slate, which means moving on old pieces of furniture and belongings that are just cluttering our life and no longer needed.
But this is a surprisingly difficult task.
Almost every time we go to get rid of a...
Rest of World -...
ElevenLabs’ first Indian partnership banks on AI voice clones to make audio stories faster and...
Pocket FM creators can convert scripts to audio in English and German with one click. The company...
4 months ago
Pocket FM creators can convert scripts to audio in English and German with one click. The company plans to add more languages as it expands across Europe and Latin America this year.
Noahpinion
At least five things for your weekend (#30)
"Are we better off", the economy of Dune, energy abundance, wacky polls, doomscrolling, anger about...
9 months ago
"Are we better off", the economy of Dune, energy abundance, wacky polls, doomscrolling, anger about interest rates, and visualizing urban density
Noahpinion
Why do economists get paid more than sociologists?
An economic explanation.
a year ago
Business Brainstorms
💡 Business Brainstorms 💡- My favorite ideas of the week
#1 💡 While alcohol is becoming less and less nicotine is having a comeback. Even Einstein...
8 months ago
#1 💡 While alcohol is becoming less and less nicotine is having a comeback. Even Einstein reportedly believed that Nicotine contributed to a calm and objective judgment. But while there are thousands of “premium” options when it comes to consuming alcohol, all Nicotine...
Platformer
The unbearable slowness of Meta's Oversight Board
A 234-day wait to get a ruling in a case about incitement to violence suggests that something...
a year ago
A 234-day wait to get a ruling in a case about incitement to violence suggests that something important is broken
Noahpinion
Five things to be optimistic about in America today
Enough doom and gloom, let's allow ourselves a moment of happiness.
8 months ago
Enough doom and gloom, let's allow ourselves a moment of happiness.
Stephen Diehl
The Non-Innovation of Cryptocurrency
over a year ago
Rest of World -...
Ultra-cheap meals from China’s delivery giant are hugely popular. Drivers are bearing the costs
Meituan’s group order program boomed amid China’s post-Covid-19 thrift economy, but delivery drivers...
6 months ago
Meituan’s group order program boomed amid China’s post-Covid-19 thrift economy, but delivery drivers say they’re working longer for less pay.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
"There's no way to tell where the border is between measurement and manipulation"
Jaron Lanier discussing whether machine learning systems like Netflix recommendations, Facebook's...
over a year ago
Jaron Lanier discussing whether machine learning systems like Netflix recommendations, Facebook's newsfeed, Google search etc are…
Tech + Economics +...
The worst part of tech layoffs? The corporate bullshit.
EBay to eliminate about 1,000 jobs, or 9% of full-time workforce
Jamie Iannone, eBay’s CEO,...
11 months ago
EBay to eliminate about 1,000 jobs, or 9% of full-time workforce
Jamie Iannone, eBay’s CEO, told employees in a letter published on a
corporate blog, that the company will also “scale back the number of
contracts we have within our alternate workforce over the...
Unpacked
The EU's war on behavioral advertising
Meta recently conceded that in-app behavioral advertising in the EU can no longer be opt-in by...
a year ago
Meta recently conceded that in-app behavioral advertising in the EU can no longer be opt-in by default, marking the end of an era. The regulators won, at least for now.
SatPost by Trung...
Blumhouse: The Hollywood Horror Hit Machine
How Jason Blum turned "constraints breed creativity" into a business model.
a year ago
How Jason Blum turned "constraints breed creativity" into a business model.
Rest of World -...
Muzz, the world’s largest Muslim dating app, is struggling in India
India is home to 172 million Muslims, and the world’s second-largest market for dating apps. But...
a year ago
India is home to 172 million Muslims, and the world’s second-largest market for dating apps. But Indian women say Muzz is a bad match.
Rest of World -...
A former fish farmer’s startup is flourishing during a tech downturn
Gibran Huzaifah’s eFishery made a case for tech companies solving rural issues.
a year ago
Gibran Huzaifah’s eFishery made a case for tech companies solving rural issues.
Tech + Economics +...
There is a deep rot at the heart of Australian tech.
Steve Baxter, one of Australia's most prominent investors and a judge on
Shark Tank, is on record...
11 months ago
Steve Baxter, one of Australia's most prominent investors and a judge on
Shark Tank, is on record as saying that I am a man pretending to be a
woman. It's an old, outdated, obsolete and uninteresting transphobic trope.
In itself, it's almost not worth mentioning. But...
tomcritchlow.com
Building a New Project in Public
Nate Kadlac runs Approachable Design an online course to teach the basics of visual aesthetic and...
a year ago
Nate Kadlac runs Approachable Design an online course to teach the basics of visual aesthetic and design.
Rest of World -...
Malaysia’s new data centers create thousands of jobs — and worries about power and water shortages
Data centers for companies like Google, Amazon, and Nvidia are transforming Johor state, with locals...
a month ago
Data centers for companies like Google, Amazon, and Nvidia are transforming Johor state, with locals bracing for higher real estate costs and resource shortages.
David Perell
Saving the Liberal Arts
We start with their history by returning to the origins of Western thought. We argue that splitting...
over a year ago
We start with their history by returning to the origins of Western thought. We argue that splitting education into two halves — Professional and Civilized — is the only way to think about education clearly. We then outline the evolution of the Liberal Arts, from the ancients to...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Entrepreneurs need to learn some law
I recently wrote a post where I said entrepreneurs need to understand term sheets on their own,...
over a year ago
I recently wrote a post where I said entrepreneurs need to understand term sheets on their own, without the assistance of lawyers. I got…
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The new economy
According to the Business Insider, Facebook is “‘Beating The S— Out Of Its Numbers’ Thanks To...
over a year ago
According to the Business Insider, Facebook is “‘Beating The S— Out Of Its Numbers’ Thanks To Zynga’s Virtual Goods.” I wanted to try to…
Noahpinion
Harris needs to be Pennsylvania fracking's biggest champion
Biden already boosted fracking. Harris needs to promise more of the same.
3 months ago
Biden already boosted fracking. Harris needs to promise more of the same.
Rest of World -...
The music streaming app for those who can’t pay for downloads
Ad-driven Trebel has scooped up 13 million users across Latin America who don't want to pay for...
a year ago
Ad-driven Trebel has scooped up 13 million users across Latin America who don't want to pay for YouTube or Spotify.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Developing new startup ideas
If you want to start a company and are working on new ideas, here’s how I’ve always done it and how...
over a year ago
If you want to start a company and are working on new ideas, here’s how I’ve always done it and how I recommend you do it. Be the opposite…
Rest of World -...
Breaking down the world’s tariffs against China’s tech industry
President-elect Donald Trump pledges to escalate the trade war, but non-Western nations have...
3 weeks ago
President-elect Donald Trump pledges to escalate the trade war, but non-Western nations have targeted China with tariffs, too.
Entrepreneur's Edge
Recommended Books
A collection of books that have changed how I think about the world.
a year ago
A collection of books that have changed how I think about the world.
Platformer
How Google is making up for lost time
The company is finally bringing AI to the places that matter
a year ago
The company is finally bringing AI to the places that matter
Rest of World -...
It’s not (just) Ticketmaster’s fault
A Mexican superstar’s concert tour proves no ticketing company’s tech is a match for fans and fraud.
a year ago
A Mexican superstar’s concert tour proves no ticketing company’s tech is a match for fans and fraud.
haseeb qureshi
What explains the rise of AMMs?
Imagine a college friend reached out to you and said, “Hey, I have a business idea. I’m going to run...
over a year ago
Imagine a college friend reached out to you and said, “Hey, I have a business idea. I’m going to run a market making bot. I’ll always quote a price no matter who’s asking, and for my pricing algorithm I’ll use x * y = k. That’s pretty much it. Want to invest?”
You’d run...
tomcritchlow.com
Don’t Give Advice, Be Useful
“It is not enough for a professional to be right: An advisor’s job is to be helpful.” David Maister...
11 months ago
“It is not enough for a professional to be right: An advisor’s job is to be helpful.” David Maister - The Trusted Advisor
Noahpinion
The U.S. must not ignore Indonesia
We have the opportunity to befriend an Asian country with a huge population, a large and growing...
a year ago
We have the opportunity to befriend an Asian country with a huge population, a large and growing economy, and a strategic location.
Noahpinion
Real estate is China's economic Achilles heel
It's the country's biggest engine of growth an employment, financial asset, and source of government...
a year ago
It's the country's biggest engine of growth an employment, financial asset, and source of government revenue.
Rest of World -...
At home with Asia’s shopping influencers
In Vietnam, Pakistan, and Indonesia, three livestreamers build well-paid but precarious careers.
a year ago
In Vietnam, Pakistan, and Indonesia, three livestreamers build well-paid but precarious careers.
Rest of World -...
How translator-influencers bring banned foreign videos onto China’s internet
On social media platform Weibo, influencers curate, translate, and edit content from the outside...
a year ago
On social media platform Weibo, influencers curate, translate, and edit content from the outside world.
Noahpinion
You're not going to like what comes after Pax Americana
Welcome to the jungle.
a year ago
Paul Graham: Essays
The Hardest Lessons for Startups to Learn
over a year ago
Rest of World -...
A changing tech landscape makes for weird birthdays online
As social media as we know it crumbles around us, birthday greetings have become the province of...
a year ago
As social media as we know it crumbles around us, birthday greetings have become the province of aunties and corporations.
Rest of World -...
Why Nigerian filmmakers are skipping Netflix to go straight to YouTube
Filmmakers say YouTube prevents piracy and is more accessible than Netflix, Prime Video, and...
a year ago
Filmmakers say YouTube prevents piracy and is more accessible than Netflix, Prime Video, and Showmax.
Noahpinion
Biden should run on a message of abundance
Things are going pretty well in America, and Biden's policies have largely helped.
10 months ago
Things are going pretty well in America, and Biden's policies have largely helped.
Rest of World -...
India banned a Chinese app four years ago. Government agencies are still using it
CamScanner was one of 59 Chinese apps the Indian government banned in 2020, amid a border conflict...
3 weeks ago
CamScanner was one of 59 Chinese apps the Indian government banned in 2020, amid a border conflict with China.
Data Boutique
Web Data in Emergency Situations: The MatchesFashion case
More case studies for web data
9 months ago
More case studies for web data
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The challenge of creating a new category
One of the hardest things to do as a startup is to create a new category. Bloggers and press have a...
over a year ago
One of the hardest things to do as a startup is to create a new category. Bloggers and press have a natural tendency to “pigeonhole” – to…
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Don’t shop your term sheet
There are all sorts of protocols in the VC world. Most of them make sense upon further examination,...
over a year ago
There are all sorts of protocols in the VC world. Most of them make sense upon further examination, but if you’re a first time entrepreneur…
Internal Tech Emails
Bill Gates tries to install Movie Maker
I am quite disappointed at how Windows Usability has been going backwards and the program management...
a year ago
I am quite disappointed at how Windows Usability has been going backwards and the program management groups don't drive usability issues.
Rest of World -...
Why Tesla isn’t worried about BYD
Two companies, two visions of our EV future.
11 months ago
Two companies, two visions of our EV future.
Internal Tech Emails
Microsoft execs on TikTok, Nintendo, Apple, and more
At some point, getting Nintendo would be a career moment and I honestly believe a good move for both...
a year ago
At some point, getting Nintendo would be a career moment and I honestly believe a good move for both companies.
Rest of World -...
China’s EV giant BYD is picking up speed in Jordan
How Jordan became a battleground for Chinese EVs.
a year ago
How Jordan became a battleground for Chinese EVs.
Noahpinion
The danger of another American civil war is low
Re-upping some arguments I've made before.
a year ago
Re-upping some arguments I've made before.
Rest of World -...
Meet the alliance helping Google and Meta fight election-related misinformation in India
The Misinformation Combat Alliance, set up by Bharat Gupta, sees participation from 12 fact-checking...
7 months ago
The Misinformation Combat Alliance, set up by Bharat Gupta, sees participation from 12 fact-checking organizations.
Unpacked
Uber Ads: Accelerating the path to profitability
What makes advertising attractive is that it's a 100% margin product that can subsidize the lower...
a year ago
What makes advertising attractive is that it's a 100% margin product that can subsidize the lower margin core business.
Paul Graham: Essays
Do Things that Don't Scale
over a year ago
essay – snarfed.org
Blockchain’s real world problem
A while back, early in the blockchain hype cycle, a startup called Verisart popped up and promised...
over a year ago
A while back, early in the blockchain hype cycle, a startup called Verisart popped up and promised to “fix” fine art. Not sure if that painting is real? Can’t find out who owns it, or where they got it? Worried that the gallery you’re emailing is a scammer? Worry no more!...
Rest of World -...
The best articles we didn’t publish in 2023
Our favorite global tech stories from publications not named Rest of World.
12 months ago
Our favorite global tech stories from publications not named Rest of World.
Tech + Economics +...
The everything app has to work for everyone.
Building an "Everything" app — encompassing payments, commerce, messaging,
etc — hinges critically...
12 months ago
Building an "Everything" app — encompassing payments, commerce, messaging,
etc — hinges critically on universal appeal and acceptance.
The concept is predicated on inclusivity, which means the app must cater to
a diverse user base with varying beliefs, backgrounds, and...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
As [Edwin] Land ultimately recognized, the adoption of his [polarized headlight] system was fatally…
As Edwin Land ultimately recognized, the adoption of his polarized headlight system was fatally...
over a year ago
As Edwin Land ultimately recognized, the adoption of his polarized headlight system was fatally hampered by the fact that there was no…
Rest of World -...
How Apple’s India gamble paid off
India’s growing middle class is fueling a billion-dollar sales surge.
5 months ago
India’s growing middle class is fueling a billion-dollar sales surge.
Rest of World -...
U.S tech giants are building dozens of huge data centers in Chile. Locals are fighting back
Multiple groups are working to keep Amazon, Google, and Microsoft from doubling the number of...
6 months ago
Multiple groups are working to keep Amazon, Google, and Microsoft from doubling the number of centers in the country, fearing environmental devastation.
Rest of World -...
The CEO who believes Africans must make their own AI tools
Pelonomi Moiloa explains why making AI widely available requires building language models that need...
9 months ago
Pelonomi Moiloa explains why making AI widely available requires building language models that need less data and other resources.
Working Theorys
The Time-Boxed Startup
What if startups had an expiration date?
9 months ago
What if startups had an expiration date?
Throwable
How Twitter Survives (Or Doesn't)
Meta's approach, Twitter's moat and a few different future scenarios
a year ago
Meta's approach, Twitter's moat and a few different future scenarios
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Naming your startup
The Name Inspector has a good post today regarding 6 naming myths to ignore. I think it’s generally...
over a year ago
The Name Inspector has a good post today regarding 6 naming myths to ignore. I think it’s generally right on. Naming is so important and…
Internal Tech Emails
Mark Zuckerberg and Peter Thiel
Peter and I have had a number of conversations about what we expect the world to look like in 2030...
5 months ago
Peter and I have had a number of conversations about what we expect the world to look like in 2030 so we can plan and position our future work accordingly.
haseeb qureshi
How DeFi cannibalizes PoS security
On-chain lending has become the most popular decentralized finance (DeFi) application today,...
over a year ago
On-chain lending has become the most popular decentralized finance (DeFi) application today, with over $600M in loans originated this year across MakerDAO, Compound, and dYdX. On-chain lending has the potential to disrupt traditional secured lending. But it seems it may do more...
Noahpinion
The U.S. needs to pay more attention to electronic warfare
A guest post by Steven Glinert.
3 months ago
A guest post by Steven Glinert.
Paul Graham: Essays
The Power of the Marginal
over a year ago
Stephen Diehl
Currency in the Age of Digitization
over a year ago
Rest of World -...
This delivery app takes away health insurance when workers don’t meet quotas
Rest of World spoke with 40 riders for Swiggy in India. Many described losing coverage when they...
8 months ago
Rest of World spoke with 40 riders for Swiggy in India. Many described losing coverage when they needed help the most.
Rest of World -...
Why are Apple and Tesla losing ground in China?
The Chinese market isn’t quite as untapped as U.S. companies thought.
9 months ago
The Chinese market isn’t quite as untapped as U.S. companies thought.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
VC’s care about the upside case, not the mean
The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when pitching VCs is to argue that their startup is likely to...
over a year ago
The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make when pitching VCs is to argue that their startup is likely to succeed. Instead, they should argue…
AVC
Art On The Wall
I’ve written about this topic a bunch over the years. It is something I’ve been interested in for...
a year ago
I’ve written about this topic a bunch over the years. It is something I’ve been interested in for quite a while. Our homes are filled with big hunks of plastic hanging on the wall that are off most of the time. They look like this: Now that’s a lovely scene. Some nice plants. A...
Ed Zitron's Where's...
One Month of Better Offline
Hello!
I have been deliberately not dropping every episode of my new show iHeartRadio/Cool Zone...
9 months ago
Hello!
I have been deliberately not dropping every episode of my new show iHeartRadio/Cool Zone Media show Better Offline onto the newsletter feed, as I don't want to start sending you two emails a week, or make you feel like you're being spammed. I am
Stephen Diehl
Dive into GHC: Targeting Core
over a year ago
David Perell
Rob Henderson: An Internet Academic
Rob Henderson is one of my favorite up-and-coming writers. I like him because he’s one of those...
over a year ago
Rob Henderson is one of my favorite up-and-coming writers. I like him because he’s one of those people who doesn’t fit into a category. He’s a Ph.D. candidate in psychology, but I met him in a book club about technological stagnation. He’s spent years in the academy, first at...
haseeb qureshi
Another decade
I recently turned 30. When the decade began in 2010, I was still 20, a professional poker player, a...
over a year ago
I recently turned 30. When the decade began in 2010, I was still 20, a professional poker player, a college dropout, and deeply unhappy. What did I believe I’d be doing a decade later? I don’t think I knew, only that I definitely wouldn’t be playing poker anymore. I’d be doing...
Paul Graham: Essays
A Word to the Resourceful
over a year ago
Rest of World -...
Jumia Food delivery workers’ final payments are still missing
Jumia says it paid its logistics partners. Logistics partners say they paid all the workers. The...
7 months ago
Jumia says it paid its logistics partners. Logistics partners say they paid all the workers. The workers say they haven’t been paid.
Rest of World -...
The Chinese founder who is betting on the Western appetite for short soaps
Mega Matrix and FlexTV want to succeed where Quibi has failed by embracing the allure of “so bad...
7 months ago
Mega Matrix and FlexTV want to succeed where Quibi has failed by embracing the allure of “so bad it’s good” shows.
Rest of World -...
India’s plan to export its wildly successful digital payments system
After starting cross-border payments with Singapore, India is now setting up more international...
a year ago
After starting cross-border payments with Singapore, India is now setting up more international partnerships.
David Perell
Trevor Bauer: Playing Professional Baseball
My guest today is Trevor Bauer, who is arguably the very best pitcher in Major League Baseball. In...
over a year ago
My guest today is Trevor Bauer, who is arguably the very best pitcher in Major League Baseball. In 2020, he had the lowest Earned Run Average of any pitcher and won the National League Cy Young Award, which goes to the top pitcher in the game. I wanted to interview Trevor not...
Rest of World -...
How Singapore became the ideal testing ground for self-driving cars
The tiny country has embraced autonomous vehicles as a way to overcome labor shortages and use its...
3 weeks ago
The tiny country has embraced autonomous vehicles as a way to overcome labor shortages and use its scarce land more efficiently.
Paul Graham: Essays
The Pooled-Risk Company Management Company
over a year ago
Ed Zitron's Where's...
The Subprime AI Crisis
None of what I write in this newsletter is about sowing doubt or "hating," but a sober evaluation of...
3 months ago
None of what I write in this newsletter is about sowing doubt or "hating," but a sober evaluation of where we are today and where we may end up on the current path. I believe that the artificial intelligence boom — which would be better described as a
cdixon.org RSS Feed
"Natural languages are adequate, but that doesn't mean they're optimal"
Languages are something of a mess. They evolve over centuries through an unplanned, democratic...
over a year ago
Languages are something of a mess. They evolve over centuries through an unplanned, democratic process that leaves them teeming with…
AVC
Sign Everything
The advances in AI over the last year are mind-boggling. I attended a dinner this past week with USV...
over a year ago
The advances in AI over the last year are mind-boggling. I attended a dinner this past week with USV portfolio founders and one who works in education told us that ChatGPT has effectively ended the essay as a way for teachers to assess student progress. It will be easier for a...
SatPost by Trung...
From Beatlemania to Taylor-mania
How the meteoric rise of The Beatles helps to explain Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour, on pace to be the...
a year ago
How the meteoric rise of The Beatles helps to explain Taylor Swift's "Eras" tour, on pace to be the first tour ever to gross $1B.
Noahpinion
The Roaring 20s are back on track
A healthy economy, strong productivity growth, and a continuing tech boom.
a year ago
A healthy economy, strong productivity growth, and a continuing tech boom.
Internal Tech Emails
Inside Apple's Marcom meeting
To come back and suggest that Apple needs to think dramatically different about how we are running...
10 months ago
To come back and suggest that Apple needs to think dramatically different about how we are running our company is a shocking response.
tomcritchlow.com
Notes on Search and AI
What to say about the future of AI and search?
10 months ago
What to say about the future of AI and search?
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Exponential curves feel gradual and then sudden
"How did you go bankrupt?" "Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” – Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also...
over a year ago
"How did you go bankrupt?" "Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” – Ernest Hemingway, The Sun Also Rises The core growth process in the…
Paul Graham: Essays
What Kate Saw in Silicon Valley
over a year ago
Rest of World -...
Catching a break: How gig workers find rest
Rest of World asked over 100 gig workers across 10 cities how they take a break between tasks.
9 months ago
Rest of World asked over 100 gig workers across 10 cities how they take a break between tasks.
Platformer
Five reasons Threads could still go the distance
One week later, engagement is down — but the prize is still there for the taking
a year ago
One week later, engagement is down — but the prize is still there for the taking
Blog posts of...
ADHD 🧠
I want to preface this by saying that I have only a mild case of ADHD, eg I don’t take any...
over a year ago
I want to preface this by saying that I have only a mild case of ADHD, eg I don’t take any medication. I get regularly asked about...
Rest of World -...
Mexico’s women gig workers are making a dangerous job safer
Women delivery workers are pushing for protection from gender-based violence, creating safe meeting...
a month ago
Women delivery workers are pushing for protection from gender-based violence, creating safe meeting spots and WhatsApp support groups, and fighting for legal protections.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
E-commerce startups
Very few successful e-commerce companies were started in the 2000s. Since then, e-commerce startups...
over a year ago
Very few successful e-commerce companies were started in the 2000s. Since then, e-commerce startups have enjoyed a revival. Dozens of…
Ed Zitron's Where's...
We're Watching Facebook Die
In the first quarter of 2024, Meta made $36.45 billion dollars - $12.37 billion dollars of which was...
6 months ago
In the first quarter of 2024, Meta made $36.45 billion dollars - $12.37 billion dollars of which was pure profit. Though the company no longer reports daily active users, it now uses another metric: “family daily active people.” This number refers to “registered and logged-in
Rest of World -...
Uber’s big plan for India: buses
Uber Shuttle, a shared bus ride service, is available in two Indian cities. The company plans to...
2 weeks ago
Uber Shuttle, a shared bus ride service, is available in two Indian cities. The company plans to launch in three more cities soon.
Noahpinion
Secrets of Japanese urbanism (part 2)
A review of "Emergent Tokyo", by Jorge Almazan and Studiolab
9 months ago
A review of "Emergent Tokyo", by Jorge Almazan and Studiolab
Essays - Benedict...
Unbundling AI
ChatGPT and LLMs can do anything, so what can you do with them? How do you
know? Do we move to...
a year ago
ChatGPT and LLMs can do anything, so what can you do with them? How do you
know? Do we move to chat bots as a magical general-purpose interface, or do
we unbundle them back into single-purpose software?
Rest of World -...
Meet the Nigerian YouTuber bringing a positive lens to African stories
With 600,000 subscribers, Tayo Aina is one of Africa’s most prominent creators.
a year ago
With 600,000 subscribers, Tayo Aina is one of Africa’s most prominent creators.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
function my_exit_payout(…)
/* aggregateoptionsstrike_price = your options strike price per share * number of shares you own...
over a year ago
/* aggregateoptionsstrike_price = your options strike price per share * number of shares you own company sale price is 1) if private…
Noahpinion
Try patriotism
A repost, with some updates.
8 months ago
A repost, with some updates.
Data Boutique
How Data Boutique Works #1: Data Auctions
The data auction system explained
9 months ago
The data auction system explained
Data Boutique
Expensive Data and Cannibalism
Or.. Why some data products are priced so high
a year ago
Or.. Why some data products are priced so high
Platformer
How you want me to cover artificial intelligence
Seven principles for journalism in the age of AI
a year ago
Seven principles for journalism in the age of AI
SatPost by Trung...
Francis Ford Coppola: The Entrepreneur
Exploring the legendary director's business career in 8 films, a studio and a winery.
3 months ago
Exploring the legendary director's business career in 8 films, a studio and a winery.
AVC
Coding Again
It has been many years since I’ve written code. I’ve hacked around in HTML and CSS a bit on this...
a year ago
It has been many years since I’ve written code. I’ve hacked around in HTML and CSS a bit on this blog and a few other places. But I have not actually written an application in a very long time. I think it might be thirty years since I’ve done any real programming. Over the...
Noahpinion
Why the U.S. should fight Cold War 2
And what it means to "fight" in this case.
a year ago
And what it means to "fight" in this case.
SatPost by Trung...
Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Art of Re-invention
The icon's biggest financial film success came from his riskiest bet: the comedy "Twins".
a year ago
The icon's biggest financial film success came from his riskiest bet: the comedy "Twins".
Rest of World -...
The secret ingredient to hustle culture: A virtual assistant in the Philippines
How the office grind is being outsourced from Silicon Valley to Manila.
a year ago
How the office grind is being outsourced from Silicon Valley to Manila.
Rest of World -...
The entrepreneur trying to make thrifting truly eco-friendly with AI
Nofal Khan is the co-founder and CEO of Swag Kicks, one of Pakistan’s largest online thrift...
7 months ago
Nofal Khan is the co-founder and CEO of Swag Kicks, one of Pakistan’s largest online thrift platforms.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The computing deployment phase
Technological revolutions happen in two main phases: the installation phase and the deployment...
over a year ago
Technological revolutions happen in two main phases: the installation phase and the deployment phase. Here’s a chart (from this excellent…
Rest of World -...
Movie stars, matchmakers, and aunties: How WhatsApp became an unstoppable cultural force
The world’s most popular messaging platform is synonymous with the internet for millions of people.
a week ago
The world’s most popular messaging platform is synonymous with the internet for millions of people.
David Perell
Punctuation is Music
If you want to improve your writing, match your punctuation to the mood. Punctuation is to writing...
over a year ago
If you want to improve your writing, match your punctuation to the mood. Punctuation is to writing as music is to movies. In The Joker, the renowned composer Hildur Guðnadóttir used the cello in the opening scenes to create empathy with the protagonist. But then, as The Joker’s...
Paul Graham: Essays
The Bus Ticket Theory of Genius
over a year ago
Working Theorys
Pursuits that can’t scale
What you should do "instead of going to therapy”
10 months ago
What you should do "instead of going to therapy”
Tom Blomfield
When to join a startup
Something has changed in the last few years which has made an increasing number of people want to...
over a year ago
Something has changed in the last few years which has made an increasing number of people want to join startups. It seemed to start around the time the Social Network movie came out - perhaps it’s just a coincidence, but part of me imagines a group of MBAs sitting around watching...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Designing products for single and multiplayer modes
The first million people who bought VCRs bought them before there were any movies available to watch...
over a year ago
The first million people who bought VCRs bought them before there were any movies available to watch on them. They just wanted to “time…
Essays - Benedict...
A decade of the Tim Cook machine
In all the enthusiasms, arguments and panics around tech, Apple is the $2tn
elephant in the...
over a year ago
In all the enthusiasms, arguments and panics around tech, Apple is the $2tn
elephant in the corner, mostly silent and serenely indifferent to the news
cycle. It just ships - and it ships market-leading products, with
metronomic precision, at massive scale, on a decade-long...
SatPost by Trung...
The Tale of Two Phones
Notes on trying to break my smartphone addiction: by having a "Cocaine Phone" and a "Kale Phone".
a year ago
Notes on trying to break my smartphone addiction: by having a "Cocaine Phone" and a "Kale Phone".
Aaron's Essays
Abundant Capital
The venture capital industry was built on the premise that both capital and high quality companies...
over a year ago
The venture capital industry was built on the premise that both capital and high quality companies are scarce. For most of the history of the industry, this has been true. I remember sitting at demo day in 2011 and marveling at the fact that the combined capital of all the VCs in...
Noahpinion
Car wars
A flood of cheap Chinese imports is upsetting the global industrial order.
a year ago
A flood of cheap Chinese imports is upsetting the global industrial order.
SatPost by Trung...
11 types of cross-industry innovation
PLUS: AI spam, Disney vs. BuzzFeed.
a year ago
PLUS: AI spam, Disney vs. BuzzFeed.
Tech + Economics +...
Red state politics are too much of a headache for tech.
Is the Texas boom town of Austin losing its luster?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, investors...
a year ago
Is the Texas boom town of Austin losing its luster?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, investors and startup founders alike
flocked to the Texas capital, attracted to the lower cost of living,
“hip” lifestyle and business-friendly environment (i.e. no state income
...
Rest of World -...
Forget Quibi. Chinese streamers are hooking Americans with werewolf love triangles
Billionaire werewolf love triangles, that is.
a year ago
Billionaire werewolf love triangles, that is.
Noahpinion
Heterodox vs. mainstream macroeconomics
If you're skeptical of one, you should be skeptical of the other too.
a year ago
If you're skeptical of one, you should be skeptical of the other too.
Paul Graham: Essays
Snapshot: Viaweb, June 1998
over a year ago
Ed Zitron's Where's...
OpenAI Is A Bad Business
OpenAI, a non-profit AI company that will lose anywhere from $4 billion to $5 billion this year,...
2 months ago
OpenAI, a non-profit AI company that will lose anywhere from $4 billion to $5 billion this year, will at some point in the next six or so months convert into a for-profit AI company, at which point it will continue to lose money in exactly the same way. Shortly after
Noahpinion
At least five interesting things to start your week (#42)
The end of Chevron deference; export controls; jerky American profs; basic income; economics of AI;...
5 months ago
The end of Chevron deference; export controls; jerky American profs; basic income; economics of AI; solar power uses; Global South tariffs; Gen Z wages; Stiglitz
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Do you want to sell sugar water or do you want to change the world?
“Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life or come with me and change the world?” –...
over a year ago
“Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life or come with me and change the world?” – Steve Jobs I sometimes wish that instead…
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