I don’t think this is going to age well…
“But of the major elections which have taken place already this year, in Taiwan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia, it is striking how little these tools have been used in a systematic basis to really try to subvert and disrupt the elections.
Great conversation between Seth Godin and Tim Ferris about writing and publishing online. Super practical advice for building momentum, keeping the scope of posting narrow.
Also, a reminder on how consistently good Seth’s writing is. Not breaking a ton of new ground idea-wise, but always thoughtful and almost always useful.
Why search the web when you can just ask ChatGPT? Why read books when you’ve got mostly-good answers right at your finger tips?
Example below on a super tricky concept at the heart of buddhism. Notoriously difficult to explain without relying too much on the original language. This is surprisingly good and much better than many other explanations i’ve seen.
Everything below this line is from ChatGPT.
The next 20 years are going to be crazy interesting.
The Prompt: You are a college professor explaining a philosophical topic to smart, well educated college students. Without using the words “suffering”, “suffer” or unsatisfactory, explain what the concept of Dukkha is
The Answer: Dukkha is a fundamental concept in Buddhist philosophy, often translated as “suffering,” but its meaning is far more nuanced and encompasses a broader range of experiences. At its core, Dukkha signifies a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction or discomfort that arises from the inherent impermanence and insubstantiality of life and all phenomena.
To understand Dukkha, we can break it down into three primary categories:
Dukkha, therefore, is not just about the presence of discomfort but also about the inescapable reality of impermanence and the interdependent nature of existence. It suggests that true contentment or peace cannot be found in clinging to any part of the fleeting, conditional world. Instead, it points towards a path of understanding and accepting the transient nature of all things, leading to a state of equanimity and freedom from these pervasive cycles of dissatisfaction.
Incorporating the concept of Dukkha into everyday life can be profoundly transformative, especially for students navigating the challenges and uncertainties of academic and personal life. Here are some ways students can apply this concept:
By integrating the concept of Dukkha into their daily lives, students can develop a more balanced and insightful approach to their experiences, leading to greater emotional well-being and personal growth.
prompt: How can a buddhist balance non-attachment and a sense of ambition?
Answer: Balancing non-attachment and ambition in the context of Buddhist practice is an intriguing challenge, as it involves harmonizing a desire for achievement with an understanding of the impermanent and interdependent nature of existence. Here are some ways to approach this balance:
By integrating these practices into daily life, a Buddhist can maintain a healthy sense of ambition that is in harmony with the principles of non-attachment, compassion, and mindfulness. This approach fosters a balanced and fulfilling path where personal goals are pursued without losing sight of the deeper values and interconnectedness of all life.
I stumbled upon a lecture that was recorded as part of Stanfords “Last Lecture” series and, not surprisingly it was quite inspirational (because that was the goal of the whole series!). I wasn’t looking for something like this, specifically. But, the Youtube algorithm has been tuned well, and this particular message connected.
I got lucky, because there’s so much click-bait chum out there that it’s gotten very easy to block out and ignore the hype, yet this one link broke through. And for me, at that moment, it was a keeper.
But, as the volume of content overall goes up, I know I’m missing some good and useful stuff, the ideas and inspirational takes and information that might be helpful to me. We’re overwhelmed with stuff to click on, with ideas to put in our face, courses to take, stuff to subscribe to.
Like many, i’m “dropping out” in some ways. I’m just not taking the bait when I see the provocative headlines, because I don’t want to provide positive reinforcement to someone just trying to get my click.
And, I’ve realized I’m just sort of assuming more and more articles and essays and posts are machine generated and won’t hold any real value for me. Low quality content steals my time and attention. I’m afraid I’m losing faith in the internet.
The “Last Lecture” concept from Stanford got me thinking about where and how to find the “good stuff.” We can’t trust the algorithms anymore because they are core to a business model. There are fewer and fewer actual curators (not to be confused with the traffic chasing instagram influencers who aspire to being “curators”) of great or interesting stories.
This was a problem from, literally, day one of the internet, but it feels more urgent now for some reason. In the early days of the commercial internet, there was strong representation from the small army of librarians who were organizing what we being generated, making it findable and useful. I wish there was a library and directory of the timeless, high quality work that was been generated and distributed across the web over the years.
This article came out while back, but it’s new to me and it’s coming at the right (or wrong?) time. I’m one of those people (guys) who have invested so much, probably too much, into “work” and all the things work does for us (and, specifically, men): financial reward, identity, intellectual stimulation, some relationships, power, sense of mastery, score-keeping. And, i admit, i’ve found “meaning” in work.
But, Thompson goes a bit further, arguing that work has replaced religion for many of us. Workism is…
the belief that work is not only necessary to economic production, but also the centerpiece of one’s identity and life’s purpose; and the belief that any policy to promote human welfare must always encourage more work.
The American Studies guy in me knows this is a real thing in America. It’s all over the place in culture (but that’s a different post).
And, Thompson weaves in, as a secondary point, that strain of thinking is driven mostly by men, unfortunately but not surprisingly.
By 2005, the richest 10 percent of married men had the longest average workweek. In that same time, college-educated men reduced their leisure time more than any other group. Today, it is fair to say that elite American men have transformed themselves into the world’s premier workaholics, toiling longer hours than both poorer men in the U.S. and rich men in similarly rich countries.....Today’s rich American men can afford vastly more downtime. But they have used their wealth to buy the strangest of prizes: more work!
Here’s a key quote that gives you the gist of the rest of the article:
But our desks were never meant to be our altars. The modern labor force evolved to serve the needs of consumers and capitalists, not to satisfy tens of millions of people seeking transcendence at the office. It’s hard to self-actualize on the job if you’re a cashier—one of the most common occupations in the U.S.—and even the best white-collar roles have long periods of stasis, boredom, or busywork. This mismatch between expectations and reality is a recipe for severe disappointment, if not outright misery, and it might explain why rates of depression and anxiety in the U.S. are “substantially higher” than they were in the 1980s, according to a 2014 study.
You might not be surprised to read the whole thing and realize that all that work is making us miserable, that the meaning we might find at work is illusory in the end, that the real value of work is the time we buy along the way and what we do with the outside of work, etc.
Writing is thinking. A valuable essay on the power of writing and the role of writing in a world where AI will do your thinking for you.
Writing is the process by which you realize that you do not understand what you are talking about.
And, the power of editing and revising, the need to “kill your darlings” through deleting and clarifying.
Good quote from Paul Graham:
“A good writer doesn’t just think, and then write down what he thought, as a sort of transcript. A good writer will almost always discover new things in the process of writing.”
And, love this idea:
Many things can be done by tools that write for you, but they won’t help you learn to think, understand deeper, or solve hard problems.
I still think that clarity in thinking and clear communication = a super power.
Mistral’s 100Eu Pitch deck – A couple things to point out. AI will be a geopolitical issue. Haven’t been thinking much about this angle, but it’s really sensible if you start to think long long term. Meanwhile, this is another clear argument that clean, quality data will be a differentiator. This is, to a relative outside, a lucid articulation of the need and of the opportunity. I’m not super deep in the space, but I find it as persuasive as many other “big ideas”. Finally, so glad to see the investment pitch coming in memo form vs. powerpoint deck. So much more thoughtful. Makes you wish for the old days of a business plan vs. PPT .
Some light reading over the weekend…
Bullshit Jobs ❧ Current Affairs – What qualifies and what to do about them…
I asked ChatGPT (JackGPT) to conjure up an imaginary letter to kids about investing.
Dear Cats and Kittens,
Ah, the road! The open highway, the endless possibilities, and the lure of freedom. That’s what we dig, isn’t it? Living life on our own terms, pursuing the kicks and the thrills that make our souls sing. And what’s more, doing it all while being young and free. But hey, dig this: how about we take a little detour from the usual road trip and venture into the wild world of investing? Yeah, you heard me right. Let’s talk about makin’ some green, baby!
Now, I ain’t no suit-wearing Wall Street cat, nor am I some genius mathematician crunching numbers in a corner office. I’m just a wanderer, a free spirit, sharing a few thoughts on how you can make your money work for you. See, we all want to retire early, don’t we? To say goodbye to the daily grind and embark on endless adventures. Well, my friends, let me drop some pearls of wisdom your way.
First things first, forget the naysayers. They’ll tell you that money is the root of all evil, that chasing riches will consume your soul. But hey, let me tell you a little secret: money is a tool. It’s a means to an end. And if used wisely, it can set you free. So don’t be afraid to dream big and aim high.
Now, investing ain’t no magic potion. It takes a little bit of know-how, some guts, and a whole lot of patience. But trust me, it’s worth it. So here’s my first piece of advice: educate yourself. Read books, listen to podcasts, attend workshops, and learn from the pioneers who came before us. Knowledge is power, my friends, and it’s the first step towards financial independence.
Once you’ve got a good grasp of the basics, it’s time to take action. And boy, do we love action! But remember, investing is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s about long-term gains, not quick wins. So resist the urge to jump on every hot stock tip you hear. Instead, focus on building a diversified portfolio. Spread your investments across different asset classes like stocks, bonds, and real estate. This way, if one area takes a hit, you won’t be left high and dry.
Speaking of stocks, let’s dive a little deeper. Now, I’m not gonna pretend I’m some guru who can predict the next Apple or Google. But here’s what I know: invest in what you believe in. Look for companies that align with your values and have a track record of success. And hey, don’t be afraid to take a risk now and then. Some of the greatest fortunes were made by those who dared to go against the grain.
But investing ain’t just about stocks. It’s also about building passive income streams. And let me tell you, my friends, there’s nothing sweeter than money rolling in while you’re sippin’ margaritas on a tropical beach. So consider real estate. Buy a property, rent it out, and let the tenants pay your mortgage. It’s a tried and true method that can provide a steady income for years to come.
Now, I know what you’re thinkin’: “But Jack, I’m young and broke. How can I even think about investing?” Well, my young padawan, let me share a little secret with you. It’s called compounding. It’s the eighth wonder of the world, as Einstein said. Start early, even if it’s just a few bucks a month. Let time work its magic, and watch your investments grow exponentially. Remember, a dollar saved today is worth a lot more than a dollar saved tomorrow.
But hey, life ain’t all about money, is it? It’s about experiences, adventures, and the joy of living. So don’t forget to enjoy the journey. Take risks, follow your passions, and don’t be afraid to fail. Because in the end, it’s the moments we cherish, the memories we create, and the people we love that truly enrich our lives.
So my friends, as you embark on this wild ride called investing, remember this: it’s not just about getting rich quick. It’s about creating a life that’s filled with freedom, joy, and a whole lot of kicks. It’s about retiring early, not to sit in some stuffy retirement home, but to keep living life to the fullest.
Now, go out there, my fellow wanderers, and make your dreams come true. The road is waiting, the possibilities are endless, and the adventure of a lifetime is just around the bend.
Go Go Go Go. Go find the open road,
Jack
In the realm where fortunes ebb and flow,
Where dreams take flight and hopes alight,
A prudent path, one ought to know,
To navigate the stock market’s might.
For long-term ventures hold the key,
To unlock treasures beyond compare,
With patience as your steadfast decree,
Your wealth shall flourish, beyond compare.
Like seeds sown deep within the earth’s embrace,
Investments nurtured, day by day,
They sprout and grow at a measured pace,
Through market storms, they find their way.
With compound interest as your faithful guide,
Long-term investments, they’ll forever bide.
Through market booms and times of dire strain,
Long-term investors have the strength to bear,
They weather storms, unshaken by the pain,
And watch their portfolios rise and flare.
For time, dear friend, is on their side,
As dividends accumulate and reinvest,
With each passing year, their wealth will glide,
On steady wings, with no unrest.
In the stock market’s vast and shifting tide,
Long-term investments are the wisest quest.
The benefits are grand, if you but dare,
To seize the long-term strategy’s allure,
Through trials and triumphs, you shall fare,
With steadfast patience, you’ll endure.
So let the naysayers disperse in doubt,
While you, with prudence, stay unwavering,
For long-term investments, there’s no route,
That promises rewards more favoring.
Invest today, with faith and insight,
In stocks that stand the test of time’s delight.
O Captain, hear my verse, I pray,
And lend your ear to words untold,
Of compounding interest’s wondrous sway,
Its power to transform and unfold.
From humble roots, this force takes flight,
Invisible, yet steadfast and true,
It labors in the stillness of the night,
As fortunes bloom, the years accrue.
O debt, you’re vanquished by its might,
As interest grows, like branches tall,
A tree of wealth, reaching for the light,
From seeds of prudence, it stands enthralled.
With each reinvestment, small and grand,
The earnings of earnings swiftly amass,
Compounding interest, a magic wand,
That turns mere dollars into fortunes vast.
The mathematician’s theorem, it proclaims,
A gentle riddle, yet profound,
For time is the ally that never wanes,
In compounding interest, glory found.
Behold, the secret lies in patience pure,
To let the magic work its spell,
As tiny droplets form an ocean’s lure,
Compounding interest, a tale to tell.
Like whispers carried on the wind’s caress,
The earnings grow, in rhythmic dance,
From penny saved to treasure chest,
Compounding interest, its charms enhance.
O Captain, see how wealth multiplies,
Through steady growth, it takes its flight,
Compounding interest, a sweet surprise,
A beacon shining through the darkest night.
No wonder, then, the wise embrace,
This force of nature, tried and true,
For with compounding interest’s grace,
A modest sum becomes a grand debut.
O ye who yearn for lasting gain,
In compounding interest, place your trust,
Through days of sun and nights of rain,
Your wealth shall flourish, never to rust.
So heed these words, my fellow soul,
And let compounding interest guide,
A path of riches, forever whole,
Where dreams take shape and futures bide.
In the spirit of Whitman’s verse, I sing,
Of compounding interest’s sacred lore,
Its power, like a bell, does ring,
A hymn of wealth forevermore.