Internal Tech Emails
When Apple considered buying Bing
Can I imagine that Apple can build a search engine to compete. Yes but it’s probably not the best...
9 months ago
Can I imagine that Apple can build a search engine to compete. Yes but it’s probably not the best way to differentiate our products.
Roberto Vitillo's...
Testing and operating distributed systems
I am excited to announce that the first edition of my book about distributed systems is finally...
over a year ago
I am excited to announce that the first edition of my book about distributed systems is finally complete! First things first, I have…
Rest of World -...
OpenAI cuts its last and most important link to China
A milestone in the militarization of AI.
6 months ago
A milestone in the militarization of AI.
Ed Zitron's Where's...
Pop Culture
A week and a half ago, Goldman Sachs put out a 31-page-report (titled "Gen AI: Too Much Spend, Too...
5 months ago
A week and a half ago, Goldman Sachs put out a 31-page-report (titled "Gen AI: Too Much Spend, Too Little Benefit?”) that includes some of the most damning literature on generative AI I've ever seen. And yes, that sound you hear is the slow deflation of
Rest of World -...
ShopeeFood underestimates delivery distances. Gig workers in Vietnam are paying the price
Rest of World reviewed nearly 50 orders on Vietnam’s second most popular food delivery app, and in...
10 months ago
Rest of World reviewed nearly 50 orders on Vietnam’s second most popular food delivery app, and in most cases, the distance was estimated lower than Google Maps’ estimate.
Paul Graham: Essays
The Two Kinds of Moderate
over a year ago
David Perell
How Learning Happens
From music, we learn what humanity has always known but schools have forgotten: learning begins with...
over a year ago
From music, we learn what humanity has always known but schools have forgotten: learning begins with inspiration.
The post How Learning Happens appeared first on David Perell.
Data Boutique
How Data Boutique Works #1: Data Auctions
The data auction system explained
9 months ago
The data auction system explained
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.
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...
Inverted Passion
How to increase wealth for everyone
I’ve started reading The Capitalist Manifesto, a book full of data on how free markets generate...
a year ago
I’ve started reading The Capitalist Manifesto, a book full of data on how free markets generate prosperity. The author is nuanced and uses data and logic to show how we should be rooting for capitalism (instead of bringing it down). Income and wealth inequality created as a...
Platformer
Another Facebook content moderation company quits the business
Amid worker unrest and a lawsuit, Sama says it's done. Will others follow?
a year ago
Amid worker unrest and a lawsuit, Sama says it's done. Will others follow?
Rest of World -...
The best articles we didn’t publish in 2023
Our favorite global tech stories from publications not named Rest of World.
a year ago
Our favorite global tech stories from publications not named Rest of World.
Noahpinion
The student debt revolt failed, but Millennials will be fine
My generation will bear some minor economic scars into our prosperous middle age.
a year ago
My generation will bear some minor economic scars into our prosperous middle age.
Rest of World -...
“Gig reviewers” are endorsing fake products for quick cash in Brazil
For a few dollars, paid reviewers will record a video vouching for anything. Scammers love them.
a year ago
For a few dollars, paid reviewers will record a video vouching for anything. Scammers love them.
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...
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.
AVC
The Hour Of Code
I have written many times about the Hour Of Code here at AVC. It is the highlight of the annual...
over a year ago
I have written many times about the Hour Of Code here at AVC. It is the highlight of the annual Computer Science Education Week which is the first week of December, which is this week. Yesterday Marco Argenti, Goldman Sachs’ CIO, and I went with NYC Schools Chancellor David Banks...
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…
Rest of World -...
Chinese startups supported by Microsoft and Google incubator programs worked with police
Documents reviewed by Rest of World show several companies backed by U.S. tech giants provided...
a month ago
Documents reviewed by Rest of World show several companies backed by U.S. tech giants provided policing or censorship tools to Chinese law enforcement.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Why the web economy will continue growing rapidly
Here’s the really good news for the web economy over the next decade. Consumers are spending more...
over a year ago
Here’s the really good news for the web economy over the next decade. Consumers are spending more and more time online, yet only about 1…
Internal Tech Emails
Bill Gates on "hard-core detractors" | Elon Musk responds to Tesla investor
The key point is that they can't both be right. They share only one thing - saying negative things...
over a year ago
The key point is that they can't both be right. They share only one thing - saying negative things about Microsoft.
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...
Noahpinion
The economics of "Rich Men North of Richmond"
It made some good points, and some not-so-good points.
a year ago
It made some good points, and some not-so-good points.
Paul Graham: Essays
The Pooled-Risk Company Management Company
over a year ago
David Perell
Lifting Alone
Gyms were once communal places. Nobody wore headphones. People helped each other out and talked...
over a year ago
Gyms were once communal places. Nobody wore headphones. People helped each other out and talked between sets. Today, things have changed. Everybody is plugged into their own virtual reality world where they craft their desired mood and intensity level, which definitely gives...
Rest of World -...
For South Africa’s female ride-hailing drivers, customers are the biggest hazards
Desperate to make ends meet, female Uber and Bolt drivers say abuse and attacks are a constant part...
a year ago
Desperate to make ends meet, female Uber and Bolt drivers say abuse and attacks are a constant part of the job.
Internal Tech Emails
Steve Jobs and Palm
This is not satisfactory to Apple.
2 weeks ago
This is not satisfactory to Apple.
Tech + Economics +...
Breaking up with Slack and Discord: why it's time to bring back forums.
When I first found my people online, forums were the main way people
gathered to discuss shared...
11 months ago
When I first found my people online, forums were the main way people
gathered to discuss shared interests. Web-based bulletin boards allowed
members to have ongoing, asynchronous conversations over days or weeks as
participants logged in to read and respond on their own...
Noahpinion
Price controls: Too early for a victory lap
Narrative-driven triumphalism does not make for sound policy.
a year ago
Narrative-driven triumphalism does not make for sound policy.
Tech + Economics +...
A few thoughts on the end of Omegle.
In 2009, Omegle was more than just a website to me; it was a lifeline when
I felt adrift and...
a year ago
In 2009, Omegle was more than just a website to me; it was a lifeline when
I felt adrift and isolated from any real sense of community or network. I
was struggling with depression, alcohol abuse and the recent end of my
music career and my life on tour.
Omegle's premise...
Noahpinion
Economic losses for our allies are not wins for the U.S.
Stop comparing ourselves to countries who are on our side.
11 months ago
Stop comparing ourselves to countries who are on our side.
David Perell
Coolest Things I Learned in 2020
This is a collection of the most popular ideas I shared in 2020.
The post Coolest Things I Learned...
over a year ago
This is a collection of the most popular ideas I shared in 2020.
The post Coolest Things I Learned in 2020 appeared first on David Perell.
42!
How to conduct a good demo of your SaaS
Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
Frequently, when we finish a demo session of our HR app,...
over a year ago
Photo by Chris Montgomery on Unsplash
Frequently, when we finish a demo session of our HR app, customers will tell us “Wow, that was a great demo!” when signing off. I never really thought about it, other than the fact that I usually had a good time showing them around, and that...
Paul Graham: Essays
Is There Such a Thing as Good Taste?
over a year ago
Working Theorys
Zero-Sum vs. Positive-Sum Product Theory | Theory No. 25
What kind of product are you building?
12 months ago
What kind of product are you building?
Rest of World -...
How Careem went from Pakistan’s ride-hailing leader to stuck on the sidelines
After falling from dominance, Careem is experimenting — from corporate rides to price bidding — to...
7 months ago
After falling from dominance, Careem is experimenting — from corporate rides to price bidding — to maintain its presence in Pakistan.
Internal Tech Emails
The Sam Bankman-Fried Files
In LA last weekend, I met with Michael Kives and his firm, K5. He is, probably, the most connected...
a year ago
In LA last weekend, I met with Michael Kives and his firm, K5. He is, probably, the most connected person I’ve ever met. In attendance at the dinner at his house were: 1) Hillary Clinton 2) Doug Emhoff 3) Katy Perry 4) Orlando Bloom 5) Kate Hudson
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Big timing
“Big timing” is a phrase I’ve heard a lot lately which refers to people who are “higher ranking”...
over a year ago
“Big timing” is a phrase I’ve heard a lot lately which refers to people who are “higher ranking” acting disrespectfully toward people who…
cdixon.org RSS Feed
How We Got To Now
I really enjoyed Steven Johnson's How We Got To Now. I read a lot of history and science books, but...
over a year ago
I really enjoyed Steven Johnson's How We Got To Now. I read a lot of history and science books, but this book stood out because 1) the…
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?
Platformer
How BeReal missed its moment
To become the next big social app, competitors have to move faster
a year ago
To become the next big social app, competitors have to move faster
David Perell
Why You’re Christian
Becoming an educated citizen starts with understanding the lineage of your beliefs. For example,...
over a year ago
Becoming an educated citizen starts with understanding the lineage of your beliefs. For example, look at this iconic line from one of America’s founding documents:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal.”
The post Why You’re Christian appeared...
Essays - Benedict...
AI and problems of scale
Generative AI means things that were always possible at a small scale now
become practical to...
8 months ago
Generative AI means things that were always possible at a small scale now
become practical to automate at a massive scale. Sometimes a change in
scale is a change in principle.
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.
Rest of World -...
Scan to donate: Brazil’s instant digital payment system brings relief to flood victims
As flooding battered the country, Pix became the most popular way to send and receive aid — and a...
7 months ago
As flooding battered the country, Pix became the most popular way to send and receive aid — and a target for scammers.
Ed Zitron's Where's...
Expectations Versus Reality
A few months ago, OpenAI showed off “Sora,” a product that can generate videos based on a short...
7 months ago
A few months ago, OpenAI showed off “Sora,” a product that can generate videos based on a short prompt, much like ChatGPT does for text or DALL-E does for images, and I asked myself a pretty simple question:
"...how can someone actually make something useful out of
Rest of World -...
The AI artist who used Bad Bunny’s voice — and shot to fame
Meet the Chilean artist who made it big using others’ voices.
5 months ago
Meet the Chilean artist who made it big using others’ voices.
Noahpinion
How Ireland got so rich
Once an underdog, the Emerald Isle is now on top.
a year ago
Once an underdog, the Emerald Isle is now on top.
Rest of World -...
The SoftBank-backed fintech that helped Nigerians through a cash crisis is eyeing “innovative...
Olu Akanmu, co-CEO and president of OPay Nigeria, on the importance of cloud infrastructure and the...
a year ago
Olu Akanmu, co-CEO and president of OPay Nigeria, on the importance of cloud infrastructure and the company’s future plans.
Steve Blank
The Semiconductor Ecosystem – Explained
The last year has seen a ton written about the semiconductor industry: chip shortages, the CHIPS...
over a year ago
The last year has seen a ton written about the semiconductor industry: chip shortages, the CHIPS Act, our dependence on Taiwan and TSMC, China, etc. But despite all this talk about chips and semiconductors, few understand how the industry is structured. I’ve found the best way to...
Paul Graham: Essays
Do Things that Don't Scale
over a year ago
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Coinbase
One of the interesting things about Bitcoin is the contrast between how it is portrayed in the press...
over a year ago
One of the interesting things about Bitcoin is the contrast between how it is portrayed in the press and how it is understood by…
Noahpinion
Why Trump (or Harris) might fail to stand up to China
A very real possibility that more people need to be worried about.
5 months ago
A very real possibility that more people need to be worried about.
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...
2 months 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?
Working Theorys
What I Talk About When I Talk About Reading
Optimize your life for good conversations.
8 months ago
Optimize your life for good conversations.
Rest of World -...
The end of anonymity on Chinese social media
Forced to use real names on platforms like Weibo, Chinese influencers quit social media instead.
a year ago
Forced to use real names on platforms like Weibo, Chinese influencers quit social media instead.
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.
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...
SatPost by Trung...
11 Creative Lessons from Brian Eno
The legendary composer on the creative process, importance of deadlines, problem with software in...
a year ago
The legendary composer on the creative process, importance of deadlines, problem with software in arts and what is art actually for?
Steve Blank
Technology, Innovation, and Great Power Competition – 2022 Wrap Up
We just wrapped up the second year of our Technology, Innovation, and Great Power Competition class...
a year ago
We just wrapped up the second year of our Technology, Innovation, and Great Power Competition class – now part of our Stanford Gordian Knot Center for National Security Innovation. Joe Felter, Raj Shah and I designed the class to 1) give our students an appreciation of the...
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.
Noahpinion
Pakistan needs a plan
The country can't go on like this. It needs stability, privatization, education, foreign investment,...
10 months ago
The country can't go on like this. It needs stability, privatization, education, foreign investment, and peace.
Ed Zitron's Where's...
The Rot-Com Bubble
If you enjoy this post, why not subscribe to my podcast Better Offline? This week's a two parter...
7 months ago
If you enjoy this post, why not subscribe to my podcast Better Offline? This week's a two parter that further expands on the Rot-Com Bubble, coming out Wednesday and Friday.
The noxious growth-at-all-costs mindset of the Rot Economy sits at the core of every issue that I'
Noahpinion
What should China do to revive its economy?
There are a couple of aces that the government hasn't yet played.
a year ago
There are a couple of aces that the government hasn't yet played.
Business Brainstorms
💡 Business Brainstorms 💡- My favorite ideas of the week
#1 💡 Andrej Karpathy announced that he’s building an AI + education company.
5 months ago
#1 💡 Andrej Karpathy announced that he’s building an AI + education company.
Rest of World -...
Our favorite Rest of World photos from 2023
39 photographers, 31 cities, 22 countries. This is what global tech looked like this year.
a year ago
39 photographers, 31 cities, 22 countries. This is what global tech looked like this year.
Rest of World -...
Ride-hailing unions in Africa are struggling for traction
Drivers’ unions in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania say they’re no match for...
a year ago
Drivers’ unions in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania say they’re no match for companies like Uber, Bolt, and inDrive.
SatPost by Trung...
11 types of cross-industry innovation
PLUS: AI spam, Disney vs. BuzzFeed.
a year ago
PLUS: AI spam, Disney vs. BuzzFeed.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Why does it matter that Twitter is supplanting RSS?
The other day I claimed that Twitter is supplanting RSS, and that long term that’s a bad thing....
over a year ago
The other day I claimed that Twitter is supplanting RSS, and that long term that’s a bad thing. Andrew Weissman had a very reasonable…
cdixon.org RSS Feed
What’s the relationship between cost and price?
What’s the relationship between price – the ability to charge for your product – and cost – how much...
over a year ago
What’s the relationship between price – the ability to charge for your product – and cost – how much it costs you to produce it? Price is a…
Blog posts of...
AngelList is the NASDAQ of our generation.
It’s fair to say that Angellist is the most exciting (web/mobile) tech startup in 2013. Even before...
over a year ago
It’s fair to say that Angellist is the most exciting (web/mobile) tech startup in 2013. Even before they launched syndicates, earl...
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.
Blog posts of...
#fyi: How founders can avoid drive-by-management
Suggestions by founders, managers, or anyone with authority in a startup, might often be...
over a year ago
Suggestions by founders, managers, or anyone with authority in a startup, might often be misunderstood as directions or decisions...
Entrepreneur's Edge
Organizational Design: Balancing Technology and Operations
Understanding the Three Essential Roles for Scale
a year ago
Understanding the Three Essential Roles for Scale
Tom Blomfield
Don't write tests - The Hidden Cost of TDD
I’ve been following the TDD/testing debate with some interest; I work at an early-stage payments...
over a year ago
I’ve been following the TDD/testing debate with some interest; I work at an early-stage payments startup called GoCardless where we test religiously. We’re not dogmatic about whether the tests come first or not, but code doesn’t get deployed without full unit & acceptance tests....
Roberto's blog
Decision matrices as a thinking tool
Some decisions require comparing multiple options where it’s not immediately apparent which is best....
6 months ago
Some decisions require comparing multiple options where it’s not immediately apparent which is best. One common way of doing that is to list the pros and cons of each option. For example, option A lists low latency as a pro, while option B lists high throughput as a pro. But do...
Stephen Diehl
The Internet's Casino Boats
over a year ago
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...
Noahpinion
How technology has changed the world since I was young
A bit of future shock.
a year ago
Devmoh
How Google Stores 10,000 Petabytes of Data Efficiently
Google Colossus Explained Simply
a year ago
Google Colossus Explained Simply
Noahpinion
How much can you really learn about a country from visiting it?
Not as much as people think.
7 months ago
Not as much as people think.
Rest of World -...
Scale AI is on a hiring spree for speakers of under-represented languages
But some languages pay a lot better than others.
a year ago
But some languages pay a lot better than others.
Rest of World -...
Foreign tech workers hit hard by South Africa’s new immigration laws
Lured by rich job opportunities in South Africa's tech scene, thousands of migrants from across the...
a year ago
Lured by rich job opportunities in South Africa's tech scene, thousands of migrants from across the continent flooded into the country. Now, those jobs are out of reach.
Platformer
The surgeon general's warning is a wake-up call for social networks
A growing body of evidence suggests that social products pose significant risks to teenagers
a year ago
A growing body of evidence suggests that social products pose significant risks to teenagers
Noahpinion
How did the U.S. achieve a soft landing?
Four simple theories.
a year ago
Rest of World -...
The job listing app where you can slide into a recruiter’s DMs
Boss Zhipin’s AI connects job seekers directly with recruiters, and it’s thriving on China’s...
a year ago
Boss Zhipin’s AI connects job seekers directly with recruiters, and it’s thriving on China’s employment crisis.
Rest of World -...
A local ride-hailing service can’t beat Uber and Bolt, so its drivers are beating up their rivals
Shesha was launched as a fair-minded local competitor to Western companies in South Africa. It has...
2 months ago
Shesha was launched as a fair-minded local competitor to Western companies in South Africa. It has acquired an ugly reputation for intimidating drivers and passengers.
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...
7 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 -...
How AI shook the world in 2023
With commercial tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney becoming widely available, AI was used for all...
a year ago
With commercial tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney becoming widely available, AI was used for all things wonderful … and worrying.
Noahpinion
In which I rebut Nate Silver on the economy and Matt Yglesias on nuclear
Bloggers love to argue.
2 months ago
Rest of World -...
TikTokers are documenting — and monetizing — anti-government protests in Kenya
At least 23 people have reportedly been killed as crowds oppose proposed tax increases.
a year ago
At least 23 people have reportedly been killed as crowds oppose proposed tax increases.
Business Brainstorms
Hard startups, importance of founder-led sales, Netflix for written content
Hey, this is Jakob Greenfeld, author of the Business Brainstorms newsletter - every week I write...
a year ago
Hey, this is Jakob Greenfeld, author of the Business Brainstorms newsletter - every week I write this email to share the most interesting trends, frameworks, opportunities, and ideas with you. Let's dive in! 💡 Opportunities “I wish I could pay per newspaper article, with only...
Rest of World -...
Forget a U.S. ban — TikTok is thriving in its second-biggest market
TikTok Shop, the controversial app’s ambitious next phase, has caught fire in Indonesia. “This is...
a year ago
TikTok Shop, the controversial app’s ambitious next phase, has caught fire in Indonesia. “This is truly the year of TikTok,” says one seller.
Steve Blank
Hacking for Defense @ Stanford 2024 – Lessons Learned Presentations
We just finished our 9th annual Hacking for Defense class at Stanford. What a year. Hacking for...
6 months ago
We just finished our 9th annual Hacking for Defense class at Stanford. What a year. Hacking for Defense, now in 60 universities, has teams of students working to understand and help solve national security problems. At Stanford this quarter the 8 teams of 40 students collectively...
Tech + Economics +...
The everything app has to work for everyone.
Building an "Everything" app — encompassing payments, commerce, messaging,
etc — hinges critically...
a year 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...
Stephen Diehl
FPTs: Pure Fungibility on the Blockchain
over a year ago
Devmoh
Protobufs Explained, and why Google, Apple, and LinkedIn use it over JSON
Faster than JSON, clearer than XML, cross-language, type-safe, and backwards compatible.
a year ago
Faster than JSON, clearer than XML, cross-language, type-safe, and backwards compatible.
Noahpinion
How Latin America started to beat inequality
It can be done.
8 months ago
Business Brainstorms
💡 Business Brainstorms 💡- My favorite ideas of the week
#1 💡 “When I've worked for organizations without QA teams, I introduce the concept of "sniff...
a year ago
#1 💡 “When I've worked for organizations without QA teams, I introduce the concept of "sniff tests". This is a short (typically 1 hour) test session where anybody in the company / department is encouraged to come and bash on the new feature. The feature is supposed to be...
Working Theorys
The Lost Sense
OR: The Marginalization of "Touch" in a Digital World
4 months ago
OR: The Marginalization of "Touch" in a Digital World
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Institutional failure
The TV show The Wire is an incredibly instructive lesson on how the modern world works (besides...
over a year ago
The TV show The Wire is an incredibly instructive lesson on how the modern world works (besides being a great work of art). The recurring…
Tech + Economics +...
The internet is broken. Here’s how we fix it.
In 1971, Ray Tomlinson, an engineer working on the ARPANET project — the
predecessor to the...
a year ago
In 1971, Ray Tomlinson, an engineer working on the ARPANET project — the
predecessor to the Internet — sent the first email. The message was nothing
profound; it was a series of random characters that looked more like the
utterance of a toddler on a typewriter than a...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Why the integrated approach to mobile devices is winning
Until last week’s announcement of the new Surface tablet, Microsoft had taken the same approach to...
over a year ago
Until last week’s announcement of the new Surface tablet, Microsoft had taken the same approach to mobile devices that they had with PCs…
Articles - Alex...
What’s the big idea?
To make a big impact, we need a big idea. In brand communications, coveting
the ‘big idea’ is...
over a year ago
To make a big impact, we need a big idea. In brand communications, coveting
the ‘big idea’ is commonplace. We look for them. Long for them. Laud them
and lionise them. And yet, despite its ubiquitous use, the ‘big idea’
remains incredibly ill-defined. This article is an...
SatPost by Trung...
Beating the Auction Duopoly
Sotheby's and Christie's are a combined 538 years old. Can the 48-year old Heritage Auctions topple...
11 months ago
Sotheby's and Christie's are a combined 538 years old. Can the 48-year old Heritage Auctions topple this duopoly?
Noahpinion
An Age of Austerity is probably on the way
It's not the 2010s anymore.
a year ago
It's not the 2010s anymore.
Essays - Benedict...
Back to the trend line?
The Covid Rotation turns, and ecommerce penetration is back to the trend
line. But which trend...
over a year ago
The Covid Rotation turns, and ecommerce penetration is back to the trend
line. But which trend line, and which penetration?
Rest of World -...
A buy-now-pay-later company is behind the explosion of EVs in Kenya
In just two years, M-Kopa has become the biggest financier for EVs in East Africa’s largest market.
5 months ago
In just two years, M-Kopa has become the biggest financier for EVs in East Africa’s largest market.
SatPost by Trung...
Jim Simons and the Making of Renaissance Technologies
The philosophy and lessons behind "a moneymaking machine like no other" (with a cumulative trading...
7 months ago
The philosophy and lessons behind "a moneymaking machine like no other" (with a cumulative trading profit of $100B +).
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Software eats software development
Software is eating the world, and doing so using smaller and smaller teams. WhatsApp was able to...
over a year ago
Software is eating the world, and doing so using smaller and smaller teams. WhatsApp was able to disrupt the global SMS industry with only a…
Tech + Economics +...
Why are we so obsessed with the multiverse?
Why are we so drawn to the idea of multiple realities? More than a trend,
it seems to come from a...
a year ago
Why are we so drawn to the idea of multiple realities? More than a trend,
it seems to come from a deep emptiness within us—a longing for a place
where our world's limits don't exist, where anything is possible. From the
alternate timelines and worlds of Scott Pilgrim Takes...
Tom Blomfield
Getting Shit Done
I was recently talking to a handful of successful startups founders about issues they were facing as...
over a year ago
I was recently talking to a handful of successful startups founders about issues they were facing as they scaled up their companies. Unanimously, hiring and retaining people who “get shit done” seemed to be their biggest problem. I’ve been thinking about this for the last few...
Blog posts of...
Refactoring larger legacy codebases
This article is based on a comment of mine to a HackerNews question. Thought it might be useful to...
over a year ago
This article is based on a comment of mine to a HackerNews question. Thought it might be useful to explain it here a bit more in d...
Rest of World -...
Why China still runs on Windows
And what it means for Microsoft.
7 months ago
And what it means for Microsoft.
Data Boutique
Using Historical Data: Basic Knowledge
Elements to consider when using historical data from web scraping
6 months ago
Elements to consider when using historical data from web scraping
Rest of World -...
Ride-hailing drivers in Nigeria are suffering after government triples fuel prices
Uber and Bolt drivers say the fuel subsidy removal has put them at risk of losing their livelihoods.
a year ago
Uber and Bolt drivers say the fuel subsidy removal has put them at risk of losing their livelihoods.
Noahpinion
Thus passes Robert Lucas
Farewell to the most influential macroeconomist of his generation.
a year ago
Farewell to the most influential macroeconomist of his generation.
Rest of World -...
Rappi: the app trying to do everything for everyone in Latin America
This budding super-app will get you (almost) anything in minutes.
a year ago
This budding super-app will get you (almost) anything in minutes.
Nadia Asparouhova
Mapping digital worlds
I gave a talk at The Stoa in February about “Mapping digital worlds to understand our present and...
a year ago
I gave a talk at The Stoa in February about “Mapping digital worlds to understand our present and future.” You can watch the video here; the following is a transcript of that talk.
Peter Limberg asked me to talk about an analysis I did late last year, where I mapped out all the...
Blog posts of...
Managing people 🤯
I believe almost all first-time founders burn out their first employees – maybe this article helps...
over a year ago
I believe almost all first-time founders burn out their first employees – maybe this article helps you avoiding this
Steve Blank
What’s Plan B? – The Small, the Agile, and the Many
This post previously appeared in the Proceedings of the Naval Institute. One of the most audacious...
over a year ago
This post previously appeared in the Proceedings of the Naval Institute. One of the most audacious and bold manifestos for the future of Naval innovation has just been posted by the Rear Admiral who heads up the Office of Naval Research. It may be the hedge we need to deter China...
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...
Rest of World -...
Employees allege sexual harassment and intimidation at CCI, Africa’s largest call center company
CCI Kenya has over 1,400 employees and its clients include T-Mobile and Instacart.
a year ago
CCI Kenya has over 1,400 employees and its clients include T-Mobile and Instacart.
Devmoh
3 key tips for maximum impact, and the myth of the "lazy" Big Tech Engineer
On forums with startup-heavy presences, it’s a common occurrence to sing about the downfall of FAANG...
a year ago
On forums with startup-heavy presences, it’s a common occurrence to sing about the downfall of FAANG and the uselessness of Big Tech for an engineer’s career. This specific tweet went viral recently and I wanted to do a little deep dive on the underlying implications of it:
Noahpinion
The Super-Scary Theory of the 21st Century (repost)
The haunting specter of techno-authoritarianism has only gotten more haunting
a year ago
The haunting specter of techno-authoritarianism has only gotten more haunting
AVC
Threads
Like tens of millions of others, I downloaded Threads onto my phone yesterday and signed up. The...
a year ago
Like tens of millions of others, I downloaded Threads onto my phone yesterday and signed up. The thing that Twitter has been missing since it killed off its ecosystem over a decade ago is competition. And as we all know, lack of competition is a very bad thing. In governments and...
42!
The case of WOPR and the lost code...
I got an email earlier this week from a guy reaching out after he read a post of mine on a gaming...
over a year ago
I got an email earlier this week from a guy reaching out after he read a post of mine on a gaming forum that was posted over two decades ago!
I couldn't for the life of me remember what I had said, but he reiterated that it was about a simulation that I wrote in BASIC that was...
Dustin Curtis
Tesla and Storytelling
Last week, Tesla unveiled two world-changing products: Robotaxi1, a fully self-driving taxi with no...
2 months ago
Last week, Tesla unveiled two world-changing products: Robotaxi1, a fully self-driving taxi with no steering wheel or pedals, and an autonomous humanoid robot, called Optimus2, that can walk and has fully functioning hands and feet. Both of these products have been depicted in...
Rest of World -...
What do platforms actually want out of elections?
Nobody seems to know.
a year ago
Tech + Economics +...
How to quit capitalism.
Let's start with something controversial: Capitalism is not an economic
system. It is a...
12 months ago
Let's start with something controversial: Capitalism is not an economic
system. It is a philosophical and ideological force that shapes our lives,
environment, and perception of humanity.
It's a behemoth that thrives on relentless growth, often at a devastating
cost....
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...
SatPost by Trung...
Mailbag Request
PLUS: Super Sports App, Economics of Ski-ing and more Apple Vision Pro memes.
10 months ago
PLUS: Super Sports App, Economics of Ski-ing and more Apple Vision Pro memes.
David Perell
People Don’t Actually Read
People don’t read as much as they say they do. This trend is accelerating too. I’m in a friend group...
over a year ago
People don’t read as much as they say they do. This trend is accelerating too. I’m in a friend group of intellectually curious people, and just about everybody says they’re reading fewer books than they used to. But at the risk of sounding like your 5th grade English teacher,...
Noahpinion
At least five interesting things for the middle of your week (#43)
Slop wars; Poland and Ukraine; AI bubble; MMT reversal;
5 months ago
Slop wars; Poland and Ukraine; AI bubble; MMT reversal;
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.
Noahpinion
At least five interesting things for the middle of your week (#21)
Saudi oil, delayed economic optimism, the EV revolution, U.S. education performance, Indian...
a year ago
Saudi oil, delayed economic optimism, the EV revolution, U.S. education performance, Indian industrialization, and Chinese urbanism
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...
10 months ago
Pelonomi Moiloa explains why making AI widely available requires building language models that need less data and other resources.
Rest of World -...
The Mexican senator building a plan for artificial intelligence
Alejandra Lagunes leads Mexico’s National Artificial Intelligence Alliance.
a year ago
Alejandra Lagunes leads Mexico’s National Artificial Intelligence Alliance.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The bowling pin strategy
A huge challenge for user-generated websites is overcoming the chicken-and-egg problem: attracting...
over a year ago
A huge challenge for user-generated websites is overcoming the chicken-and-egg problem: attracting users and contributors when you are…
Paul Graham: Essays
Chapter 2 of Ansi Common Lisp
a year ago
Rest of World -...
New data reveals exactly when the Chinese government blocked ChatGPT and other AI sites
Rest of World received exclusive access to a platform that tracks patterns and timing of Chinese...
3 months ago
Rest of World received exclusive access to a platform that tracks patterns and timing of Chinese online censorship.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Non-linearity of technology adoption
When I was in business school I remember a class where a partner from a big consulting firm was...
over a year ago
When I was in business school I remember a class where a partner from a big consulting firm was talking about how they had done extensive…
Rest of World -...
Why IBM employees in Brazil are suing to be classified as tech workers
Unions in two Brazilian states are suing IBM in an effort to be recognized as tech employees, giving...
8 months ago
Unions in two Brazilian states are suing IBM in an effort to be recognized as tech employees, giving them access to better wages, benefits, and profit participation.
Blog posts of...
Q-Codes; Or… Stop repeating yourself ⌨️
I use apple’s keyboard “text” shortcodes to setup a lot of things i have to type regularly. It’s...
over a year ago
I use apple’s keyboard “text” shortcodes to setup a lot of things i have to type regularly. It’s easily one of my favorite productivity hacks!
Paul Graham: Essays
Let the Other 95% of Great Programmers In
over a year ago
Varun's Notes
Please Build More Silly Things
Hacking on fun things with curious co-conspirators is a superpower
a year ago
Hacking on fun things with curious co-conspirators is a superpower
Paul Graham: Essays
Chapter 1 of Ansi Common Lisp
a year ago
Rest of World -...
A U.S. outsourcing company brought lofty promises to Nepal. Then came the layoffs
Former employees say the company killed the dream it once sold them.
a year ago
Former employees say the company killed the dream it once sold them.
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
Yes, we still have to work
The automated luxury paradise is still just science fiction.
5 months ago
The automated luxury paradise is still just science fiction.
Tom Blomfield
Taking Risk
I just spent a week talking with some exceptional students from three of the UK’s top universities;...
7 months ago
I just spent a week talking with some exceptional students from three of the UK’s top universities; Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial College. Along with UCL, these British universities represent 4 of the top 10 universities in the world. The US - a country with 5x more people and...
Paul Graham: Essays
Why There Aren't More Googles
over a year ago
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.
Stephen Diehl
Building a Better Custom Haskell Prelude
over a year ago
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Once you take money, the clock starts ticking
One of the interesting things about having been investing in startups for a number of years is that...
over a year ago
One of the interesting things about having been investing in startups for a number of years is that at any moment you get an inside peek at…
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 -...
The startup offering free toilets and coffee for delivery workers — in exchange for their data
Argentine startup Nippy aggregates data from gig workers and sells it to companies like Mastercard...
8 months ago
Argentine startup Nippy aggregates data from gig workers and sells it to companies like Mastercard and Movistar, who in turn offer workers their services.
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
Paul Graham: Essays
Chapter 2 of Ansi Common Lisp
a year ago
Steve Blank
How Saboteurs Threaten Innovation–and What to Do About It
“Only the Paranoid Survive” Andy Grove – Intel CEO 1987-1998 I just had an urgent “can we meet...
2 months ago
“Only the Paranoid Survive” Andy Grove – Intel CEO 1987-1998 I just had an urgent “can we meet today?” coffee with Rohan, an ex-student. His three-year-old startup had been slapped with a notice of patent infringement from a Fortune 500 company. “My lawyers said defending this...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The real strategy behind tiered data plans
Over the past year, Comcast and other broadband providers have been forcing tiered data plans on...
over a year ago
Over the past year, Comcast and other broadband providers have been forcing tiered data plans on customers. The New York Times recently…
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.
Working Theorys
Rise of the Silicon Valley Small Business | Theory No. 7
In 2023, we’ll see more Silicon Valley startups that operate like small businesses. And some of them...
a year ago
In 2023, we’ll see more Silicon Valley startups that operate like small businesses. And some of them will have big outcomes. Perhaps even billion-dollar ones. I call this phenomenon the Silicon Valley small business (an SV-SB for short).
Tech + Economics +...
The patriarchy is a modern invention, not the natural order.
The "patriarchy", a male-dominated social order with entrenched hierarchies
giving power and...
11 months ago
The "patriarchy", a male-dominated social order with entrenched hierarchies
giving power and authority to men over women, is pitched by masculinity
influencers and pop social scientists as humanity's natural state. They
argue patriarchy represents the primal hard-wiring of...
Noahpinion
How China's "debt traps" actually work
Raiding the Global South like a piggy bank.
a year ago
Raiding the Global South like a piggy bank.
Rest of World -...
When EV startups shut down, will their cars still work?
As Chinese EV makers close, drivers of “smartphones on wheels” say software updates and maintenance...
4 months ago
As Chinese EV makers close, drivers of “smartphones on wheels” say software updates and maintenance are in jeopardy.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Different types of risk
The idea that founders take on “risk” is a misleading generalization. It is far more informative to...
over a year ago
The idea that founders take on “risk” is a misleading generalization. It is far more informative to separate the specific types of risks…
Noahpinion
The China 2023 series
All the posts in one handy list
a year ago
All the posts in one handy list
SatPost by Trung...
Economics of Taylor Swift's $2B+ Eras Tour
Breaking down the numbers for the most successful concert tour ever.
3 weeks ago
Breaking down the numbers for the most successful concert tour ever.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Agency problems
“Agency problems” are what economists call situations where a person’s interests diverge from his or...
over a year ago
“Agency problems” are what economists call situations where a person’s interests diverge from his or her firm’s interests. Large companies…
Paul Graham: Essays
What I've Learned from Users
over a year ago
Stephen Diehl
Functional Programming, Abstraction, and Names
over a year ago
Rest of World -...
How Bangladesh’s tech industry navigated an unprecedented political crisis
July’s internet blackout and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sudden exit is estimated to have cost...
4 months ago
July’s internet blackout and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sudden exit is estimated to have cost the industry $300 million.
Noahpinion
Our climate change debates are out of date
Solar and batteries are going to win, and our thinking needs to adjust accordingly.
a year ago
Solar and batteries are going to win, and our thinking needs to adjust accordingly.
Paul Graham: Essays
Chapter 1 of Ansi Common Lisp
a year ago
Noahpinion
Is the West falling behind in science?
China is now the leader in applied physical sciences. How can the U.S. and its allies catch up?
6 months ago
China is now the leader in applied physical sciences. How can the U.S. and its allies catch up?
Noahpinion
At least five interesting things to start your week (#38)
WW2 production; "Neopopulism"; fake science; desire modification; deregulation ideas
7 months ago
WW2 production; "Neopopulism"; fake science; desire modification; deregulation ideas
Rest of World -...
The Vietnamese military has a troll army and Facebook is its weapon
Force 47 abuses Facebook's safety tools to silence government critics at home and anywhere in the...
a year ago
Force 47 abuses Facebook's safety tools to silence government critics at home and anywhere in the world.
Platformer
The secret list of Twitter VIPs getting boosted over everyone else
Congratulations to Ben Shapiro, AOC, and ... LeBron?
a year ago
Congratulations to Ben Shapiro, AOC, and ... LeBron?
Business Brainstorms
Operational Minimalism, Zero shame in pulling the plug, OpenAI blog posts, ...
Welcome to another edition of Business Brainstorms - your weekly dose of invaluable insights, trends...
a year ago
Welcome to another edition of Business Brainstorms - your weekly dose of invaluable insights, trends and opportunities served up fresh from the cerebral kitchen of Jakob Greenfeld. Time to brainstorm! 💡 Opportunities “Whoever can find out how to crack the operational hurdles of...
Internal Tech Emails
Mark Zuckerberg: Could Facebook move faster?
In China there is this strong culture of cloning things quickly and building lots of different...
over a year ago
In China there is this strong culture of cloning things quickly and building lots of different products instead of just focusing on one thing at a time. This allows them to plant lots of seeds, and although it yields lower quality products in the short term as they're cloning and...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
How to select your angel investors
I’ve seen a number of situations recently that are something like the following. A VC firm signs a...
over a year ago
I’ve seen a number of situations recently that are something like the following. A VC firm signs a term sheet with an early stage company…
Nadia Asparouhova
Mapping out the tribes of climate
Climate is a gravity well for talent, but why don’t other, equally impactful topics attract talent...
over a year ago
Climate is a gravity well for talent, but why don’t other, equally impactful topics attract talent in the same way? Why isn’t everyone dropping everything to work on homelessness, or global poverty, or curing cancer? With many peers in tech now working on climate issues, I tried...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Some thoughts on incumbents
Reposted from Oct 7, 2010 from cdixon.posterous.com By “incumbents” I mean the big companies that...
over a year ago
Reposted from Oct 7, 2010 from cdixon.posterous.com By “incumbents” I mean the big companies that are loosely competitive to your startup…
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"
Noahpinion
At least five things for your weekend (#30)
"Are we better off", the economy of Dune, energy abundance, wacky polls, doomscrolling, anger about...
10 months ago
"Are we better off", the economy of Dune, energy abundance, wacky polls, doomscrolling, anger about interest rates, and visualizing urban density
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Growth curves of startups
Pick whatever metric you want for gauging the success of a particular startup: profits, revenues,...
over a year ago
Pick whatever metric you want for gauging the success of a particular startup: profits, revenues, pageviews, etc. A graph I’d love to see is…
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
Paul Graham: Essays
Chapter 2 of Ansi Common Lisp
a year ago
Rest of World -...
Mexico’s $100-billion auto parts industry is reinventing itself for the EV era
Behind the excitement around electrification, Mexican manufacturers are figuring out what their own...
a year ago
Behind the excitement around electrification, Mexican manufacturers are figuring out what their own transition will look like.
Dustin Curtis
Bourdain on The Journey
Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your...
over a year ago
Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with...
SatPost by Trung...
Best of SatPost (First Half of 2024)
PLUS: Solar Industry, LVMH Real Estate, Delta Airlines is Winning.
6 months ago
PLUS: Solar Industry, LVMH Real Estate, Delta Airlines is Winning.
Unpacked
Meta, News Outlets and the Canada Online News Act
On Thursday last week, the Canadian Senate finally passed into law the Canada Online News Act, which...
a year ago
On Thursday last week, the Canadian Senate finally passed into law the Canada Online News Act, which will force tech giants (predominantly Meta and Google) to pay news organizations in Canada for content that is shared on these platforms. The foundational premise of the law is...
Noahpinion
The perverse incentives of euthanasia
Suggesting that people die is not a good way of saving taxpayer money.
9 months ago
Suggesting that people die is not a good way of saving taxpayer money.
Rest of World -...
The AI project pushing local languages to replace French in Mali’s schools
RobotsMali uses ChatGPT, Google Translate, and other AI tools in hopes of helping young students...
10 months ago
RobotsMali uses ChatGPT, Google Translate, and other AI tools in hopes of helping young students learn faster and stay in school.
Noahpinion
Europe's fate is in Germany's hands now
That's a scary thought, but not for the reason it used to be.
5 months ago
That's a scary thought, but not for the reason it used to be.
Working Theorys
Writers Block
What I learned from Version 1.0, plus Version 2.0 soon :)
6 months ago
What I learned from Version 1.0, plus Version 2.0 soon :)
Rest of World -...
Indian government gives itself the power to “fact-check” and delete social media posts
Journalists, opposition parties, and advocacy groups are worried what this “absolute power” means...
a year ago
Journalists, opposition parties, and advocacy groups are worried what this “absolute power” means for press freedom in India.
Rest of World -...
“China’s K-pop moment”: Wukong’s global success sparks government embrace of video games as soft...
China is changing its long-critical stance thanks to the smash hit, according to Chinese game...
3 months ago
China is changing its long-critical stance thanks to the smash hit, according to Chinese game developers and industry analysts.
Rest of World -...
Argentines are recruiting friends, strangers into Worldcoin’s cash-for-eyeballs scheme
With inflation and unemployment gripping the nation, a burgeoning network of intermediaries is...
8 months ago
With inflation and unemployment gripping the nation, a burgeoning network of intermediaries is convincing people to have their irises scanned at Worldcoin Orb centers.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Is it a tech bubble?
Every week a “we are in a tech bubble” article seems to come out in a major newspaper or blog....
over a year ago
Every week a “we are in a tech bubble” article seems to come out in a major newspaper or blog. People who argue we aren’t in a bubble are…
Rest of World -...
Uber’s largest vehicle financing partner is an African startup with global ambitions
From India to the U.K., UAE, and Thailand, Nigeria-founded Moove is chasing profitability.
9 months ago
From India to the U.K., UAE, and Thailand, Nigeria-founded Moove is chasing profitability.
Rest of World -...
African startups need more than just funds from their investors
Anne-Marie Chidzero, chief investment officer at FSD Africa Investments, talks about the risks and...
a year ago
Anne-Marie Chidzero, chief investment officer at FSD Africa Investments, talks about the risks and opportunities in backing Africa’s early-stage startups.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The importance of investor signaling in venture pricing
Suppose there is a pre-profitable company that is raising venture financing. Simple, classical...
over a year ago
Suppose there is a pre-profitable company that is raising venture financing. Simple, classical economic models would predict that although…
Internal Tech Emails
Facebook and Google "at Defcon 2"
From: Sheryl Sandberg We really want a deep relationship – or at this point any relationship – with...
6 months ago
From: Sheryl Sandberg We really want a deep relationship – or at this point any relationship – with Google
Working Theorys
Crypto social games don’t need the crypto
Crypto social games, work "trials," and meeting your creations in the wild
11 months ago
Crypto social games, work "trials," and meeting your creations in the wild
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.
Data Boutique
How To Monitor Retailer's Prices
A Practical Data Boutique Use Case
a year ago
A Practical Data Boutique Use Case
Unpacked
Apple Watch pulls blood oxygen feature, and how big a deal is the GPT Store really?
Listen now | In the second episode of this year, we peel a few layers beneath Apple's decision to...
11 months ago
Listen now | In the second episode of this year, we peel a few layers beneath Apple's decision to pull the blood oxygen feature after losing a patent battle against Massimo. We then pivot to understanding the GPT Store and our analyses / hot takes on how big a deal this really...
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".
Rest of World -...
Mexico’s growing e-commerce infrastructure is built on top of its smallest shops
Amazon and MercadoLibre get all the credit, but it’s really a patchwork of mom-and-pop shops that...
a year ago
Amazon and MercadoLibre get all the credit, but it’s really a patchwork of mom-and-pop shops that keep Mexico’s e-commerce running.
Platformer
The Biden administration turns its attention toward AI
The Commerce Department asks for public comment. Here are three problems it should consider
a year ago
The Commerce Department asks for public comment. Here are three problems it should consider
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.
SatPost by Trung...
The LEGO Star Wars Inception
LEGO and Star Wars created a $1B+ a year toy monster by combining two iconic brands that appeal to...
8 months ago
LEGO and Star Wars created a $1B+ a year toy monster by combining two iconic brands that appeal to both children and adults.
Rest of World -...
Google turns to AI in the race to dub YouTube
YouTube’s new automatic dubbing system is competing with with human firms to help creators scale the...
a year ago
YouTube’s new automatic dubbing system is competing with with human firms to help creators scale the language barrier.
Aaron's Essays
I and We
Starting a company is, in large part, an act of ego. When that business is a startup, the ego...
over a year ago
Starting a company is, in large part, an act of ego. When that business is a startup, the ego component is even larger. This is a good thing.
Ego is what gives the founder the confidence to create something new. Ego powers the belief that the new thing the founder creates will...
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.
Noahpinion
Interview: Jean Twenge, psychologist
In which we talk all about generational differences, Millennial angst, and the effects of social...
a year ago
In which we talk all about generational differences, Millennial angst, and the effects of social media and cell phones
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The “thin edge of the wedge” strategy
Establishing relationships with new users is the hardest part of growing a startup. For consumer...
over a year ago
Establishing relationships with new users is the hardest part of growing a startup. For consumer products establishing relationships can…
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
Steve Blank
Cram Down – A Test of Character for VCs and Founders
This article previously appeared in TechCrunch. Cram downs are back – and I’m keeping a list. At the...
over a year ago
This article previously appeared in TechCrunch. Cram downs are back – and I’m keeping a list. At the turn of the century after the dotcom crash, startup valuations plummeted, burn rates were unsustainable, and startups were quickly running out of cash. Most existing investors...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Apple and the TV industry
The TV industry is a major segment of the consumer electronics industry and Apple is the leading...
over a year ago
The TV industry is a major segment of the consumer electronics industry and Apple is the leading consumer electronics company in the world…
Internal Tech Emails
Samsung vs. iPhone | Elon Musk's schedule
Steve Job's passing has led to a huge wave of press coverage of Apple's and iPhone's "superiority",...
over a year ago
Steve Job's passing has led to a huge wave of press coverage of Apple's and iPhone's "superiority", all created by the, "passionate, tireless, perfectionist..." The point here is that there is an unintended benefit for Apple, since the external messages by 3rd parties are all...
Paul Graham: Essays
Default Alive or Default Dead?
over a year ago
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Improbable: enabling the development of large-scale simulated worlds
Over the past decade, computing resources that were previously available only to large...
over a year ago
Over the past decade, computing resources that were previously available only to large organizations became available to almost anyone…
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The inevitable showdown between Twitter and Twitter apps
People usually think of business competition as occurring between substitutes – products that serve...
over a year ago
People usually think of business competition as occurring between substitutes – products that serve similar functions for the user. Famous…
Noahpinion
Feeling strangely optimistic about Egypt
It has many of the building blocks for a successful industrialization story.
a year ago
It has many of the building blocks for a successful industrialization story.
Folklore.org:...
Revolution in the Valley
The story of how this site turned into a book
a year ago
The story of how this site turned into a book
Rest of World -...
Nigeria’s Ogun State wants to lead the country’s EV revolution
But experts fear long-term success may not follow as Nigeria lags other African countries when it...
a month ago
But experts fear long-term success may not follow as Nigeria lags other African countries when it comes to EV adoption.
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…
David Perell
The Paradoxes of Modern Life
The Paradox of Reading: The books you read will profoundly change you even though you’ll forget the...
over a year ago
The Paradox of Reading: The books you read will profoundly change you even though you’ll forget the vast majority of what you read. The Paradox of Writing: Great writing looks effortless. But because the ideas are so clear, casual readers don’t appreciate how much time it took to...
Internal Tech Emails
Microsoft exec on the iPod: "Apple is just so far ahead"
I bought the high end creative labs portable player. It was the NOMAD Jukebox Zen Xtra. I have to...
over a year ago
I bought the high end creative labs portable player. It was the NOMAD Jukebox Zen Xtra. I have to tell you my experience with our software and this device is really terrible.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
The problem with tranched VC investments
In venture capital, tranching refers to investments where portions of the money are released over...
over a year ago
In venture capital, tranching refers to investments where portions of the money are released over time when certain pre-negotiated…
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...
Noahpinion
Techno-optimism for 2024
What you should be excited about
11 months ago
What you should be excited about
Rest of World -...
Apple’s biggest gamble isn’t the Vision Pro — it’s India
Don’t be distracted by this week’s gadget hype cycle.
a year ago
Don’t be distracted by this week’s gadget hype cycle.
cdixon.org RSS Feed
What carries you up will also bring you down
In Rules of Thumb, Alan Weber quotes legendary venture capitalist John Doerr discussing the original...
over a year ago
In Rules of Thumb, Alan Weber quotes legendary venture capitalist John Doerr discussing the original business plans for companies he…
Paul Graham: Essays
Chapter 2 of Ansi Common Lisp
a year ago
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...
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...
5 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...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Shoehorning startups into the VC model
Tech startups go in an out of fashion. When they’re in fashion, as they are now, entrepreneurs and...
over a year ago
Tech startups go in an out of fashion. When they’re in fashion, as they are now, entrepreneurs and VCs get lots of attention. Most of this…
Data Boutique
What's New on Data Boutique
Noteworthy stuff from the web data platform
11 months ago
Noteworthy stuff from the web data platform
Rest of World -...
23 Rest of World stories that defined 2023
This year, Rest of World published around 500 articles from more than 50 countries. Here are our...
a year ago
This year, Rest of World published around 500 articles from more than 50 countries. Here are our favorites.
42!
Finding and fixing slow queries
Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash
I love dashboards, and I run several on my system to...
over a year ago
Photo by Caspar Camille Rubin on Unsplash
I love dashboards, and I run several on my system to monitor my HR startup in real time. I love collecting data points around subscriptions, user activity, and most importantly, server uptime and performance. Especially now that we are...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Timing your startup
I never had the opportunity to invest in YouTube but I have to admit that if I did I probably would...
over a year ago
I never had the opportunity to invest in YouTube but I have to admit that if I did I probably would have passed (which of course would have…
Rest of World -...
Argentina’s Mercado Pago is like Venmo plus investing
Latin America’s answer to Venmo helps Argentines survive sky-high inflation.
a year ago
Latin America’s answer to Venmo helps Argentines survive sky-high inflation.
Rest of World -...
Six companies making it easier for Africans to send money globally
Africa is the most expensive region to send money, but these companies are making it faster,...
a year ago
Africa is the most expensive region to send money, but these companies are making it faster, cheaper, and easier.
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...
Noahpinion
China's demographics will be fine through mid-century
There is no imminent crisis.
6 months ago
There is no imminent crisis.
Noahpinion
What drove Asian and Hispanic voters to the right in 2024
A guest post by Dhaaruni Sreenivas.
a month ago
A guest post by Dhaaruni Sreenivas.
Noahpinion
At least five interesting things for the middle of your week (#29)
AI might help the middle class, Americans can afford food, narratives about science, Europe's...
10 months ago
AI might help the middle class, Americans can afford food, narratives about science, Europe's defense industry, and Native American YIMBYism
AVC
What Does “Native” Mean
When a new technology comes to market, we often look for “native” applications of that technology....
a year ago
When a new technology comes to market, we often look for “native” applications of that technology. What is a “native” AI application? What is a “native” Web3 application? I have not seen a better articulation of “native” than my partner Albert’s post from 2009 on native mobile...
Rest of World -...
The ByteDance streaming app that’s quietly going global
Resso could give Spotify a run for its money.
a year ago
Resso could give Spotify a run for its money.
tomcritchlow.com
Work is a Place
My buddy Luke recently started a band called Tattoo Mustache. While we were chatting, his eyes lit...
10 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...
Noahpinion
At least five interesting things to start your week (#50)
Permitting reform; industrial policy progress; China stimulus/bailouts; men and politics; wokeness;...
3 months ago
Permitting reform; industrial policy progress; China stimulus/bailouts; men and politics; wokeness; tariffs; a bad union demand
SatPost by Trung...
I want Apple's Vision Pro
The Apple Vision Pro has a very appealing use case: "the workplace of your dreams".
a year ago
The Apple Vision Pro has a very appealing use case: "the workplace of your dreams".
Noahpinion
Putin is a rest stop on the road of post-Soviet collapse
The narrative of Russian revitalization is more hype than reality.
a year ago
The narrative of Russian revitalization is more hype than reality.
SatPost by Trung...
The Science and History of the iPhone Screen
In 2007, one conversation convinced Steve Jobs to pick Corning and Gorilla Glass for the iPhone.
a year ago
In 2007, one conversation convinced Steve Jobs to pick Corning and Gorilla Glass for the iPhone.
Rest of World -...
AI’s “tech tsunami” is coming for call center workers
The Philippines’ 1.6 million outsourced workers fear they may soon be automated out of a job.
a year ago
The Philippines’ 1.6 million outsourced workers fear they may soon be automated out of a job.
Noahpinion
In which British writers scold America on trade
If you don't acknowledge the point of tariffs, how can you hope to criticize them?
7 months ago
If you don't acknowledge the point of tariffs, how can you hope to criticize them?
SatPost by Trung...
Amazon's $43B ad business, explained
Jeff Bezos long shunned ads. However, Amazon's juicy first-party data has enabled it to compete with...
a year ago
Jeff Bezos long shunned ads. However, Amazon's juicy first-party data has enabled it to compete with Alphabet and Meta in the new digital advertising landscape.
Noahpinion
Will Elon Musk kill Substack?
The fragmentation of the internet gets a push.
a year ago
The fragmentation of the internet gets a push.
Tom Blomfield
What is “founder mode”?
We held a YC event a couple of months ago where Brian Chesky from Airbnb gave a passionate talk...
2 months ago
We held a YC event a couple of months ago where Brian Chesky from Airbnb gave a passionate talk about his experience running Airbnb over the last 17 years. He believed that as Airbnb hired more professional managers, he lost a close connection with the details of the end product...
tomcritchlow.com
9 Years on the Road
October 24th is my indie-versary, the anniversary of quitting my last full time job. Every year I...
a year ago
October 24th is my indie-versary, the anniversary of quitting my last full time job. Every year I write a set of reflections about this strange and magical journey.
Blog posts of...
Close your office. Now. How to operate your startup under lock-down.
What a week. The US declared the state of emergency. Many leading startups closed their office. And...
over a year ago
What a week. The US declared the state of emergency. Many leading startups closed their office. And I expect that all startups in...
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Financing risk
Startups that raise seed funding face the risk of not being able to raise additional money. This is...
over a year ago
Startups that raise seed funding face the risk of not being able to raise additional money. This is what is sometimes known as “financing…
cdixon.org RSS Feed
Strong and weak technologies
During a media tour in 2007 in which Steve Jobs showed the device to reporters, there was one...
over a year ago
During a media tour in 2007 in which Steve Jobs showed the device to reporters, there was one instance in which a journalist criticized the…
Steve Blank
Mapping the Unknown – The Ten Steps to Map Any Industry
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Lǎozi 老子 I just had lunch with Shenwei, one...
over a year ago
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Lǎozi 老子 I just had lunch with Shenwei, one of my ex-students who had just taken a job in a mid-sized consulting firm. After a bit of catching up I offered he was looking a bit lost. “I just got handed a project to […]
Rest of World -...
Parents turn to AI tablets after China’s tutor crackdown
Tech companies iFlytek, Baidu, and BKK are cashing in on parents who fear their child will fall...
10 months ago
Tech companies iFlytek, Baidu, and BKK are cashing in on parents who fear their child will fall behind their peers.
Rest of World -...
Courts in Buenos Aires are using ChatGPT to draft rulings
Generative AI is replacing a successful AI project that drafted legal rulings. Experts worry about...
a month ago
Generative AI is replacing a successful AI project that drafted legal rulings. Experts worry about data privacy, ethical quandaries, and the need for specialized training.
Steve Blank
Reorganizing the DoD to Deter China and Win in the Ukraine – A Road Map for Congress
This article previously appeared in Defense News. It was co-written with Joe Felter, and Pete...
a year ago
This article previously appeared in Defense News. It was co-written with Joe Felter, and Pete Newell. Today, the U.S. is supporting a proxy war with Russia while simultaneously attempting to deter a China cross-strait invasion of Taiwan. Both are wakeup calls that victory and...
Stephen Diehl
The Joy and Agony of Haskell in Production
over a year ago
Rest of World -...
Why thousands of Chinese young people use a pink dinosaur as their alias
Users adopt the alias “momo” as a way to speak more freely, evade harassment and protect personal...
a year ago
Users adopt the alias “momo” as a way to speak more freely, evade harassment and protect personal privacy on Douban and Xiaohongshu.
David Perell
The TWA Hotel
The core concepts are simple. The implementation is borderline excessive.
The post The TWA Hotel...
over a year ago
The core concepts are simple. The implementation is borderline excessive.
The post The TWA Hotel appeared first on David Perell.
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...
7 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
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…
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?
Full Width 
Shortcuts 
Sign Up 
Log In 
Articles 
Reading List 