Reading Digest, September #6
Hey there, my incredible readers! I hope you’re ready for another thrilling edition of my daily reading digest. If you’re new here, get ready for a wild ride through the captivating world of online content. And if you’re a regular, thank you for your continued support — it means the world to me!
Today’s digest is a true treasure trove of fascinating topics, ranging from the mom who moved in with her sperm donor to why generalists own the future. We’ll explore how Elon Musk is influencing Donald Trump and how start-up investors are pushing back against venture capital’s bigger-is-better mantra.
But that’s not all — we’ve got some intriguing pieces on the latest developments in tech and entrepreneurship. From Julia Child’s kitchens to Apple’s cement overshoes, this digest has something for everyone. We’ll even dive into my take on the journalists vs content creators debate and how to launch a clothing brand in NYC.
For the tech enthusiasts among us, we’ve got articles on how Apple Pay is amazing and about to change 10 years later, as well as the three startup pitch deck mistakes that are red flags for venture investors. We’ll also explore the unjust demise of RAG in favor of long-context LLMs and the concept of seeking a “minimum viable softness.”
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg, my friends. From the lean startup being a con to pattern breaking startup ideas, this digest covers a wide range of topics that are sure to pique your interest. We’ll even dive into analyzing NBA timeouts and a centaur solution for customer support that amplifies AI efficiency with human empathy.
So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfortable, and join me on this thrilling journey through the world of online content. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and reactions in the comments below!
Happy reading, my fantastic friends!
Opinion | An Experiment in Lust, Regret and Kissing
The article describes an experiment between author Curtis Sittenfeld and the AI chatbot ChatGPT to write a “beach read” story. The key points are:
- Sittenfeld and ChatGPT were given prompts from readers about desired themes for a beach read story, including lust, regret, kissing, middle-age, etc.
- Sittenfeld and ChatGPT each wrote a 1,000-word story based on the prompts, and readers were asked to judge which was better.
- Sittenfeld reflects on the differences between her own writing process and the speed at which ChatGPT generated its story, suggesting that the human approach brings more nuance and depth.
- The article explores the capabilities and limitations of AI writing compared to human creativity.
The Kindle: Reinventing the Book — Commoncog Case Library
The article provides a detailed history of the development and evolution of e-readers, with a focus on the Kindle and its competition. It covers the early attempts at e-readers, the challenges they faced, and how Amazon’s Kindle ultimately became the dominant player in the market.
A Centaur Solution For Customer Support: Amplifying AI Efficiency with Human Empathy
The article discusses the need for implementing more “centaur” solutions — a combination of automation/AI and human support — to enhance customer service experiences, particularly in the context of travel and airline operations. It highlights a personal experience of the author being stuck in an automated system at an airport, unable to resolve the issue through either the website or phone support. The article then proposes a framework for a “centaur-powered support system” that leverages AI and human agents to provide seamless and effective customer support.
Analyzing NBA Timeouts
The article analyzes the effectiveness of timeouts taken by NBA coaches to stop opposing teams’ scoring runs. It examines the relationship between timeout effectiveness, team performance, and coaching strategies.
Pattern Breaking Startup Ideas
The article discusses the author’s journey as a seed investor and the insights they gained about what makes some startups more successful than others. The key points covered are:
The Lean Startup is a con
The article discusses the impact of the “Lean Startup” methodology on the business landscape, particularly the misconceptions and unintended consequences it has created for aspiring entrepreneurs. It highlights the importance of relationship-building over just data-driven decision making, and argues that successful startups are often built on strong customer and stakeholder relationships rather than just technical competence.
Seeking a “Minimum Viable Softness”
The article explores the author’s ongoing inquiry into the nature of lines, which are seen as dangerous constructs that divide and categorize our social fabric, identities, and understanding of the world. It examines how these lines, from the everyday to the profound, are not fixed or inevitable but rather stories we tell ourselves that shape our reality in ways we often fail to recognize. The article delves into the limitations of linear problem-solving frameworks, such as the Double Diamond, and how they can be instrumentalized for profit and control, leading to unintended consequences. It contrasts the linear nature of soccer with the non-linear, circular form of capoeira as an example of alternative ways of being and knowledge production. The article ultimately aims to disrupt the repetition of following lines and open up new possibilities for innovation and self-transformation.
“J’accuse! The Unjust Demise of RAG in Favor of Long-Context LLMs: A Rebuttal”
The article discusses the limitations of large language models (LLMs) and the emergence of a new paradigm called retrieval augmented generation (RAG). It examines the debate around whether long-context LLMs (LC-LLMs) can replace RAG, and presents research findings that challenge the perceived superiority of LC-LLMs over RAG.
Three Startup Pitch Deck Mistakes That Are Red Flags For Venture Investors
The article discusses the role of a venture investor and the common mistakes they see in startup pitch decks. It covers three main issues: exit slides, milestones, and founder/team bios.
Opinion | Who Gets to Kill in Self-Defense?
The article discusses the challenges faced by women who kill their abusive partners and the shortcomings of the U.S. legal system in addressing domestic violence. It examines the cases of Anita Ford and Shajia Ayobi, who were convicted of murdering their husbands despite evidence of long-term abuse. The article also presents findings from a Stanford study that surveyed hundreds of incarcerated women in California, revealing the high rates of domestic violence experienced by those convicted of homicide-related crimes. The article explores the legal principles of self-defense and how they often fail to account for the realities of domestic abuse, and it compares the U.S. approach to that of Canada, which has implemented more expansive self-defense laws. The article argues that the legal system needs to better understand and accommodate the experiences of abused women who resort to violence as a means of survival.
Founder Mode: A sign you have yet to, or failed to, hire the right people and build the right…
The article discusses the concept of “founder mode” in growing a business, and why the author believes it is not a good long-term strategy.
We’re Living In A Golden Age of Bullshit
The article discusses the concept of the “Bullshit Economy” — where people and companies sell products or services that do not actually provide any real value to the customer. It explores various examples of this phenomenon, such as online courses that teach how to create online courses, consultants selling unproven frameworks, and middlemen contractors who outsource all the work. The author argues that this type of deception is widespread and that a more balanced skepticism towards such claims is needed in the mainstream.
“Smart” Phones Have Made Us All Increasingly Stupid
The article discusses how smartphones have become a character flaw of modern society, akin to the biblical tale of King Nebuchadnezzar’s transformation into a beast due to his hubris and pride. It explores how smartphones have made humans less resilient and adaptable, and how the constant consumption of information through these devices has blurred the line between fact and fiction, turning people into “zombies” who are easily manipulated.
Language is NOT about the World
The article discusses different theories of linguistic meaning and their relationship to the external world. It outlines the traditional views of language representing ideas and concepts, and then presents Wittgenstein’s critique of the truth-conditional theory of meaning. The article explores how Wittgenstein’s “meaning as use” theory challenges the direct connection between language and the world, leaving language in a precarious position without a clear alternative to reference.
The housing theory of everything — Works in Progress
The article discusses the various problems facing the Western world, including slow growth, climate change, poor health, financial instability, economic inequality, and falling fertility rates. It argues that the root cause of these issues is a shortage of housing, particularly in high-demand urban areas, and that addressing this housing shortage could help solve many of the other problems.
10 years later, Apple Pay is amazing — and about to change
The article discusses the evolution and impact of Apple Pay, Apple’s mobile payment system, over the past decade. It examines how Apple Pay has become ubiquitous and the challenges it now faces as regulators and competitors seek to open up the platform.
How to Launch a Clothing Brand in NYC
The article discusses strategies for successfully launching a new brand, covering various aspects such as social media, seeding strategy, launch event, store location, and PR.
My take on the journalists vs content creators debate
The article discusses the backlash and criticism faced by content creators who were credentialed to cover the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) alongside traditional media. It provides the author’s perspective on the role and value of content creators in journalism and the evolving media landscape.
Apple’s Cement Overshoes
The article discusses Apple’s war on repair and the company’s efforts to make its products difficult to repair, leading to increased e-waste and forcing customers to buy new devices. It also covers the independent repair sector’s efforts to work around Apple’s tactics and the ongoing fight for “Right to Repair” legislation.
Julia Child’s Kitchens
The article explores Julia Child’s influence on design, particularly how her ethos and approach to cooking shaped the environments in which she worked. It discusses how her home kitchen and the design principles behind The French Chef TV show inspired a user-centered design movement in the late 1970s, led by designers like Bill Stumpf. The article also examines Child’s involvement with the Universal Kitchen project at RISD, which aimed to make kitchens accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Overall, the article highlights how Child’s emphasis on rationality, functionality, and accessibility in cooking had a significant impact on design philosophy and practice.
Start-Up Investors Push Back Against Venture Capital’s Bigger-Is-Better Mantra
The article discusses a small but vocal group of investors who are forming new funds and taking new approaches to counter the recent surge of money into venture capital.
How Elon Musk Is Influencing Donald Trump
The article discusses the potential conflicts of interest that could arise if Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, is appointed to lead a government efficiency commission by former President Donald Trump if he is elected in 2024. The article highlights Musk’s close relationship with Trump and his influence over the Republican presidential nominee, as well as the potential for Musk’s businesses to benefit from government contracts and subsidies.
Why Generalists Own the Future
The article discusses the role of generalists in the age of AI, arguing that contrary to the view that specialization is the key to success, generalists have an advantage in navigating “wicked” environments where the rules are unclear and feedback is delayed or inaccurate. The article contrasts “kind” environments, where experts thrive, with “wicked” environments, where generalists excel by using their diverse experiences to tackle novel problems in unique ways.
The Mom Who Moved in With Her Sperm Donor
The article tells the story of Ashley, a woman who decided to have a child on her own using a sperm donor. After unsuccessful attempts at online dating and fertility treatments, she asked her friend Andrew, who was initially hesitant, to be the sperm donor. They eventually had a son together, and Ashley and Andrew have formed an unconventional family, with Andrew becoming the child’s father despite not initially wanting children.
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