Newsletter Archive

This newsletter announces a live event on August 31 with former Washington Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler to discuss his departure from the paper. The main article argues that despite general inflation concerns and criticism of Federal Reserve policy, new government Consumer Price Index (CPI) data reveals that prices are actually dropping in some specific urban areas.

Mark Halperin promotes recent and upcoming episodes of his shows. A "2WAY Tonight" segment with Lyndsay Keith and Kaivan Shroff discussed DC, the Alaska summit, and Senator Schiff. A new "Next Up" episode features a monologue on the Washington Post, a discussion on media trust with Steve Krakauer and Drew Holden, and an interview with Harmeet Dhillon on the DOJ and civil rights. The email also invites subscribers to a live "The Morning Meeting" show with Sean Spicer and Dan Turrentine, providing viewing links.

The Trump administration is reviewing the collection of jobs data, which the President claims is politically biased, and plans to vet Smithsonian museums to align with its historical vision. The State Department also issued a revised human-rights report favoring allies. In economic news, July inflation held steady at 2.7, raising hopes for a Fed rate cut. Meanwhile, AI startup Perplexity offered 34.5 billion for Google's Chrome browser, and Harvard is nearing a 500 million settlement with the administration to restore federal funding.

In a discussion for The Ankler's 'Art Crafts' podcast, Emmy-nominated editors Eric Kissack, Peggy Tachdjian, and Jamie Martin explored their craft. Kissack detailed his on-set 'live editing' for Seth Rogen on 'The Studio,' cutting jokes in real-time. Tachdjian discussed balancing the brutal reality with dark humor in 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.' Martin explained the challenge of shaping a coherent narrative for 'RuPauls Drag Race' from days of footage, ensuring the audience follows the judges' journey. The core theme was that editing is always about serving the story.

This issue of Estate Elegance features "Velahaus," a luxury waterfront home on Miami Beach's exclusive Sunset Island III. The property offers 90 feet of private bay frontage, a rooftop loft, a heated pool, and high-end finishes like white oak and travertine. It is marketed as a serene retreat with direct boating access to Biscayne Bay and walkability to Sunset Harbor's amenities. The newsletter highlights the home's blend of modern architecture and natural warmth, presenting it as an exclusive, private sanctuary.

Teton County and Yellowstone National Park have implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions due to very high fire danger. In Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Lake Lodge closed eight rooms after finding a bat colony in an attic; the bats are being tested for rabies. The park also hosted a naturalization ceremony for 20 new U.S. citizens. Other local news includes an upcoming community blood drive, expected traffic delays on Teton Pass, and free yoga classes.

Traditional SaaS metrics are inadequate for evaluating AI companies, which have fundamentally different cost structures (lower margins, higher computeRD costs) and value delivery mechanisms. This article advocates for a new evaluation framework based on AI-specific metrics. Key indicators include technical model performance (accuracy, FID), revised financial models like the "Rule of X" that prioritize growth, and operational KPIs focused on outcomes like task completion rates. It highlights a market bifurcation where a few "Pacesetter" firms achieve massive ROI while most enterprises struggle, urging stakeholders to adapt.

The MV Times introduces a new weekly series highlighting the stories of J-1 students on Marthas Vineyard, initiated by student Tinatini Dvali. This issue also covers a truck axle failure that damaged a road in Tisbury, a dolphin sighting in Menemsha, and an upcoming porcelain art exhibit. Additionally, the paper issued a correction, clarifying that Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson is the first Black woman on the Supreme Court, not the first Black Justice.

This email from Greg Lukianoff announces episode 249 of his publication, 'The Eternally Radical Idea.' The episode is titled 'FIRE Reacts Where does Harvard go from here? With Larry Summers' and features a discussion with the former Harvard President about the university's future. The email itself does not contain the discussion, but provides a link to the content online. The topic suggests a focus on institutional challenges and potential reforms at Harvard from the perspective of FIRE.

Amidst the hype around ChatGPT-5, this newsletter highlights significant market news, including a 76 surge in H1 2025 US startup funding and major AI company milestones. It primarily spotlights three investment funds for accredited investors: Brainworks Ventures (early-stage AI), REX APUS (value-add Sunbelt real estate), and Epoch VC (Bitcoin infrastructure). Each fund's unique strategy, leadership, and value proposition are detailed, with calls to action for interested LPs to access more information.

The Lightning Network's transaction volume has grown 1000x to tens of billions annually, with a trajectory towards trillions. Key drivers include major merchant adoption from companies like Steak N Shake and Block's Square, which is enabling Lightning for 4 million merchants. The next catalyst is the integration of stablecoins like Tether's USDT via the Taproot Assets protocol. This will create a decentralized foreign exchange on Lightning, allowing users to transact seamlessly between different assets (e.g., send USDT, receive BTC), which is expected to massively increase network adoption and volume.

This article profiles Omeed Malik, a former Wall Street Democrat who has become a key financier in the MAGA world. Disillusioned with the left's policies on ESG, Covid, and social issues, Malik pivoted to support Donald Trump. He founded the investment firm 1789 Capital with Donald Trump Jr. as a partner, focusing on an 'anti-woke' parallel economy. The firm has invested in companies like firearms retailer GrabAGun and was the initial lead investor in Tucker Carlson's media company, making Malik a powerful, if controversial, figure in Trump's orbit.

One Way Ventures details a busy Q2-2025, led by Semyon Dukach being named a Boston Globe Tech Power Player and the hiring of new Venture Partner Rhie Lim. Portfolio companies achieved significant milestones: Nuvocargo acquired Merge Transportation, Botpress raised a 25M Series B, Buddy.ai reached 20 million users, and Burq, Tive, and Provision all received industry awards. The firm also participated in tech events in Ukraine and New York and teased upcoming major news.

This newsletter spotlights influencer marketing executive Keith Bendes of Linqia, who discusses the future of creator-brand relationships moving toward integrated partnerships. It also covers the TeamWater campaign by Mark Rober, MrBeast, and Matt Fitzgerald to provide clean water globally. Key community updates include the 70M economic impact of the Outside Lands festival, Rebecca Black's career resurgence, and Instagram's new location-sharing map. The issue features creator Clarissa Hen and provides a list of upcoming Bay Area events and job opportunities for creators.

Dan Danco announces he is leaving Shopify to join Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) as Editor at Large. He argues that writing is "power transfer technology" and that the primary goal of a VC's content should be to give founders legitimacy. He contrasts the deep, transformative power of reading with the wider but more superficial reach of oral media like podcasts. At a16z, he plans to focus on creating powerful written content that equips founders with the ideas and authority they need to succeed, viewing the firm as a "legitimacy bank."

This newsletter provides strategies for successful cold emailing, drawing on three examples. It covers how Figma's CEO, Dylan Field, used personal outreach and coffee meetings to gain early traction. It also features a guide to building a DIY AI agent that automates the entire cold email lifecycle, from lead generation to follow-ups. Finally, it shares insights from an expert interview on the importance of deliverability, making incremental improvements, and deeply understanding your ideal customer profile to ensure cold emails are effective and lead to real connections.

Cryptocurrency exchange Bullish is planning an IPO on the NYSE under the ticker BLSH, aiming to raise about 990 million at a valuation of up to 4.8 billion. Founded in 2021, the company offers a hybrid model combining decentralized finance features with regulated market safeguards for retail and institutional traders. The public listing is intended to expand its global presence and enhance transparency.

The author of Construction Physics announces their new book, "The Origins of Efficiency," is available for preorder. The book explores why the construction industry remains inefficient, a question sparked by the author's experience at the failed factory-building startup Katerra. Despite high hopes, Katerra couldn't compete on cost with traditional methods, a common problem for prefab construction. The book presents a framework, based on extensive historical research across many industries, that explains the fundamental principles of how processes become more efficient and why construction has been resistant to these improvements.

Bret Waters advocates for customer-funded development as a powerful startup financing model. Citing Oracle's origin story from co-founder Ed Oates and his own experience, he explains how getting customers to pay for custom-built versions of a product provides essential seed capital, proof of market demand, and valuable customer insights. This 'rare trifecta' is highly attractive to later-stage investors. He concludes with an anecdote about Larry Ellison, emphasizing that while technical skills are important, the 'rainmaker' who brings in sales ultimately holds the most power.

Reshma Saujani argues that men are struggling by numerous metrics (education, mental health, social connection) and that feminist apathy or dismissal of this pain is counterproductive. She acknowledges women's skepticism, born from their own hard-fought battles, but warns that ignoring men's issues fuels misogyny and alienates potential allies. Saujani advocates for a new strategy of solidarity, urging women to extend empathy to men not as a diversion from their own cause, but as a necessary step to build a world of mutual care and achieve true, lasting equality for everyone.

OpenAI's reasoning models won gold at a prestigious programming olympiad. Anthropic's Claude chatbot now has a memory feature for subscribers to recall past conversations. NVIDIA unveiled innovations in physical AI, including new tools for reconstruction and reasoning. In a competitive move, xAI released its Grok 4 model for free globally. The newsletter also covers the release of new GPT-5 models, research into AI's future power demands, and a new Python library called LangDiff for building responsive AI applications.

StreamAlive announces a free workshop with TagMango's CEO, Divyanshu, on how to monetize skills and create courses for passive income. The workshop is scheduled for August 13th, and a recording will be available to registrants. The newsletter also provides an update on StreamAlive's upcoming interactive PowerPoint add-in, which embeds real-time polls and word clouds into slides. A demo is available on YouTube, with a beta version expected in a few weeks.

This is an overview of a conversation with Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst (GC), about the firm's evolution into a 'strategic conglomerate' focused on industry transformation. Taneja details GC's ambitious healthcare strategy, highlighted by the creation of its transformation company (HATCo) and the acquisition of the Summa Health hospital system. He also discusses the profound impact of AI, predicting that AI roll-ups will create major IPOs, and explains how servant leadership principles guide the firm's mission to balance profit with purpose.

This newsletter from Mark Halperin outlines the media schedule for Tuesday, August 12, 2025. It promotes several live shows, including "The Morning Meeting" at 9 am ET, "The Moynihan Report" at 4:30 pm ET with author Peter Moskos, and "2WAY Tonight" at 6 pm ET. A new "Next Up" podcast will also be released. The daybook section notes the release of the CPI report, a Republican retreat in Jackson Hole, and that Congress is in recess until September.

Apple is enhancing Siri with 'App Intents' to operate apps via voice command. GitHub's CEO is departing as the company merges into Microsoft's CoreAI division. New research shows promise in slowing or reversing Alzheimer's, though a key FDA appointee is skeptical. China is building a massive hydropower project to reduce energy dependency, raising environmental and geopolitical concerns. Other topics include Boom Supersonic's development efficiency, uses for Claude Code, and the evolution of the React community.

This digest covers key global trends. In AI, new capabilities (Grok V7) and risks are emerging, while some see fundamental LLM flaws. Gene editing sparks ethical debates and has seen a major diabetes treatment breakthrough. The economy shows mixed signals with high AI stock valuations and a slowing consumer sector. Geopolitically, the US is levying fees on AI chip sales to China, and a potential Trump-Putin summit on Ukraine is raising allied concerns. The newsletter also touches on VC practices, media industry turmoil, and the conflict in Gaza.

Abigail Shrier argues that routine mental health screenings for children, which include direct questions about suicide, are dangerously suggestive and lead to overdiagnosis. The newsletter also covers President Trump deploying the National Guard to clear D.C. homeless encampments, the Macrons suing Candace Owens for defamation, an Israeli airstrike that killed five Al Jazeera journalists, and a judge's refusal to unseal Epstein-related grand jury transcripts. Other news includes a fatal factory explosion, Tropical Storm Erin, and a major Ford EV investment.

The US and China extended their tariff truce for 90 days, maintaining current rates while talks continue. President Trump federalized the D.C. police force for 30 days and nominated E.J. Antoni to lead the Bureau of Labor Statistics, sparking controversy. A deadly explosion occurred at a U.S. Steel plant in Pennsylvania. Scientific developments include a needle-free vaccine delivery method using dental floss and a new, safer non-stick coating that could replace Teflon.

Investors are largely betting on a September Fed rate cut, with markets pricing in 86.5 odds, despite economists forecasting a rise in July's CPI to 2.8 (headline) and 3.0 (core) due to tariff impacts. This investor optimism is reflected in high equity allocations and low cash levels, with a strong belief in a soft economic landing. A hotter-than-expected inflation report could challenge this consensus, but the market's bullish momentum is expected to persist. Other news includes a 90-day extension on China tariffs and a deal for Nvidia to resume chip sales to China.

This edition of the Techdirt newsletter highlights the most insightful and funny user comments of the week. Insightful comments focused on the political actions and beliefs of RFK Jr. and Donald Trump, touching on topics like eugenics, xenophobia, and attacks on public broadcasting. The winning funny comments included jokes about RFK Jr. siding with cancer, a pun on Tesla's "Fool Self Driving," the fallibility of AI experiments, and the scale of DOGE's financial waste under Elon Musk.

Nazaré Ventures' 2024-2025 review posits that the AI market is over-indexed on expensive, large-scale models. Their investment thesis favors efficiency, arguing that future breakthroughs will stem from algorithms, not just hardware, citing DeepSeek's R1 model as proof. They advocate for a shift to decentralized, edge-based AI, which enhances privacy and reduces costs. This new 'Distributed Intelligence' stack, combining decentralized compute and open-source models, will make AI more accessible, resilient, and personal, moving beyond the fragile, centralized model.

This week's key developments reveal hidden behaviors in major tech systems. DARPA's AI Cyber Challenge proved AI can find critical software bugs for just 152, democratizing cyber warfare. Vitalik Buterin detailed a plan for 12-second Ethereum L2 withdrawals, a move that shifts power back to the L1 settlement layer and enables new arbitrage. Finally, an MIT researcher discovered that LLMs use "attention sinks" to manage long conversations, a finding that could unlock nearly infinite context windows. The common theme is that emergent system behaviors are creating new risks and opportunities.

In an 'Art Crafts' podcast episode, cinematographers Jessica Lee Gagné ('Severance') and Adam Bricker ('Hacks') discuss returning to their hit shows. Gagné reveals her initial reluctance to come back for 'Severance' season 2 due to creative challenges, but was swayed by an expanded story and a directing opportunity, earning her two Emmy nominations. Bricker, who has shot every 'Hacks' episode, speaks to the rewarding experience of evolving a show's look over time and his deep commitment to the project.

This edition highlights Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's appearance at the Marthas Vineyard Black Book Festival. It also announces the return of the Lady Fest music festival, headlined by Esperanza Spalding, to benefit domestic violence survivors. Other news includes a split among Vineyard officials on term limits for the Steamship Authority board and the Martha's Vineyard Sharks baseball team finishing second in their league championship. The newsletter also covers a successful Jewish Culture Festival.

This edition of The Martha's Vineyard Times newsletter highlights several key island events. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was a featured speaker at the Marthas Vineyard Black Book Festival. The Lady Fest music festival, headlined by Esperanza Spalding, is returning this fall to raise funds for domestic violence survivors. Additionally, Vineyard officials are split on proposed term limits for Steamship Authority board members, and the Martha's Vineyard Sharks baseball team ended their season as runners-up in the league championship.

The author critiques new Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison's vision to be the 'most technologically capable media company.' The analysis argues Ellison's strategy is limited to a 'Blue Pill' marketplace (passive content consumption) by focusing on unifying tech stacks and big content deals. It contends he is ignoring the 'Red Pill' marketplace, where consumers become creators with new AI tools. The author concludes that by focusing only on traditional media models, Paramount Skydance is misaligned with the future of media, which requires serving both passive viewers and active creators.

Slow Ventures announced its first Creator Fund investment: 2M into Jonathan Katz-Moses, a woodworking creator with 600k subscribers. Katz-Moses built a loyal community through educational YouTube content, which drives sales for his direct-to-consumer tool company, KM Tools. The investment will help him scale his content, community, and product ventures. Known for his authenticity, he has bootstrapped the company to mid-seven-figures in annual revenue by building trust and selling patented tools directly to his audience without traditional marketing spend.

Joe Lonsdale of the Cicero Institute argues that as Texas faces expiring private prison contracts and rising costs, it should adopt an outcome-based model instead of a risky state takeover. Citing successful Texas reforms in probation (2007) and higher education (TSTC), he proposes tying prison funding to performance metrics like lower recidivism and better post-release employment. This 'pay for performance' approach would introduce accountability, save taxpayer money, and encourage innovation in a market currently dominated by a few large companies.

This newsletter discusses lessons from the book 'The Inner Game of Tennis,' which posits that performance is determined by the relationship between two inner selves. 'Self 1' is the critical voice that judges and causes overthinking, while 'Self 2' is the intuitive self that knows how to perform. To improve, one must quiet the commentary from Self 1, focus on the present moment, and trust the body's training. The core message is that mastering your mind by letting Self 2 lead is the key to unlocking your true ability in all aspects of life.

This issue of Stealth Startup Spy spotlights founders and their new ventures. Key companies emerging from stealth include Rhythm, offering a new treatment for sleep apnea; Madmods, a platform for kids to build 3D worlds; Axo Neurotech, developing neural interfaces; Numa, providing AI agents for SMBs; and Tanso, a no-code monetization platform. The newsletter also tracks influential tech talent going into stealth, including former engineers and leaders from Apple (Vision Pro), Google Deepmind, C3 AI, and TikTok, who are now founding their own undisclosed companies.

Founders are warned about a common VC term sheet clause that strips them of their share voting rights if they stop working at their company. This provision, often presented as standard, allows a board to fire a founder and simultaneously remove their ability to vote on key issues like director elections or financing terms. The author argues that while VCs use this to prevent rare "rogue founder" scenarios, it's more often weaponized against good founders. He advises founders to scrutinize their voting agreements and consult with lawyers to avoid being disenfranchised from the companies they built.

This newsletter recommends two media picks. The first is a podcast, 'Whispering Pines Charlie's Place,' about a Black businessman who ran an integrated nightclub in the 1940s Jim Crow South. The second is a video with rehearsal footage and reflections from prima ballerina Gillian Murphy as she prepares for her retirement performance in Swan Lake after a 29-year career.

The Culturist newsletter announces a new podcast with writer and psychotherapist Mark Vernon. The discussion covers how language and poetry can act as a portal to truth. Vernon specifically analyzes Dantes Divine Comedy through the perspective of philosopher Owen Barfield to explore the mind, imagination, and the evolution of human consciousness. The first half of the podcast is available for free on Substack, with the full episode accessible to paid members.

The author outlines the consumer economy's trajectory from the stimulus-fueled "Pandemania" of 2021-22 to the corporate cost-cutting and "service shrinkflation" of 2023. This led to the "Almighty Cautious Consumer" of 2024, who favored value offerings. Now, with easy cost-cutting measures exhausted and growth tapering, the consumer is described as "Somewhat Less Mighty," resulting in a "merely fine" but slowing consumer economy.

Anthony Pompliano argues the stock market isn't overvalued, despite record price-to-sales ratios. He contends that decades of dollar debasement (averaging 4 annually) have inflated asset prices, with investors using stocks as an inflation hedge. This is coupled with the global dominance of US companies. Crucially, he points to Bitcoin as a macro indicator, noting that zero of its 30 bull market peak indicators have been triggered, suggesting the current bull market is far from over.

The narrator, Francine, recounts being called by Marilyn, a woman she is helping, whose husband Leroy has committed suicide after an argument. Francine and her friend Barbara step in to support the grieving and overwhelmed Marilyn and her four children. While Barbara handles practicalities like funeral arrangements and feeding the kids, Leroy's family offers little help. Marilyn is left to cope, using money sent for the funeral to buy gifts for her children to keep them occupied as she grieves.

European governments and Ukraine have presented a counterproposal to Russia's cease-fire plan, aiming to set a framework for upcoming talks between Trump and Putin. Other key headlines include President Trump considering both VP JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio as his potential successor for the 2028 GOP ticket. In finance, billions are flowing into new hedge funds focused on AI bets. Additionally, 911 victims' families are urging Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to aid their lawsuit against Saudi Arabia.

At 74, novelist Anthony Giardina confronts the cultural pressure to retire following the poor reception of his latest book. He rejects the idea of a 'graceful retreat,' citing three reasons to continue: his 50-year love for the daily act of writing, an unyielding ambition that ignores external validation, and the desire to remain an active student of his craft. Despite feeling the world is no longer interested in his voice, he concludes that his internal drive is enough to keep him at his desk, creating new work.

This entertainment industry analysis covers the launch of Paramount Skydance Corp., its plans for more content investment alongside 2 billion in cuts, and Wall Street's cautious reaction. It also details Starz's new independent strategy post-Lionsgate, aiming to own 50 of its slate by 2027 while continuing its focus on DEI. Other key topics include a major shakeup at Amazon's Wondery podcast network, a breakdown of what content Disney's TV brands are buying, and the rise of brand-funded films.

This digest from Lettermeme compiles analysis from various newsletters on several key topics. It highlights significant AI investment in companies like VAST Data and OpenAI, alongside critiques of GPT-5. It covers US economic policy, including debates on tariffs and the housing market's 'lock-in effect.' The newsletter also discusses the crisis in local journalism, Israel's controversial plan for a military takeover of Gaza, and contrasting views on the venture capital ecosystem, from major funding successes to criticisms of the model as 'bad heroin'.

Poet Joseph Massey recounts a difficult cross-country Greyhound bus journey he took to escape a life of poverty. While traveling through the New Mexico desert, he found solace and clarity by silently reciting a memorized Chinese poem by Li Bai, "Zazen on Ching-ting Mountain." The poem's theme of dissolving the self into the landscape helped him endure the trip, demonstrating the power of memorized poetry to provide comfort and ground a person in the present moment, turning the American landscape itself into a source of profound meaning.

This newsletter teases a deep dive into the science of longevity, reframing aging as a treatable condition to extend 'healthspan,' not just lifespan. It outlines three key research pillars: senolytics to clear inflammatory 'zombie' cells, NAD biology to refuel cellular energy, and caloric restriction mimetics like Metformin to activate longevity pathways. The piece highlights the shift towards proactive healthcare and the massive economic potential of the longevity market, projected to reach 610 billion.

Private chef Tova Sterling shares her story of working for an estate manager, Matthew Pietras, whose behavior she found suspicious. After being fired, she began cooking for high-end escorts and learned from one, Maya, about Pietras's secret life and threatening demeanor. Pietras later warned Tova to sever ties with Maya. Years later, it was revealed in the New York Times that Pietras had stolen 15 million from his employers to fund a fake life as a philanthropist. Upon being exposed, he committed suicide. The story highlights the strange intersection of wealth, crime, and sex work Tova witnessed.

This weekly roundup features several articles from Substack creators. Topics include Anna Brones on the joy of climbing trees, a profile of Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei by Alex Kantrowitz, a history of the cocktail dress from "Articles of Interest," and a satirical contract for modern dating by Antonia Bentel. The issue's title comes from a humorous anecdote by 'father_karine' about the potential dangers of laughter for a post-surgery patient.

Influencer Kylie Swanson has sparked controversy on Nantucket with her 3,800 "Camp Nantucket" getaway. Locals and business owners are upset, accusing her of disrespecting the island's economy by soliciting freebies and hiring off-island vendors. Swanson defends her venture as part of the "American dream." The newsletter also features stories on facelift costs, Martha Stewart's new skincare line, hybrid drink pairings in restaurants, and AI note-taking in meetings.

This Buckrail weekly newsletter covers top stories from the Jackson, WY area. Highlights include a potential Aurora borealis sighting, which may be obscured by the full moon and rain. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office is investigating a hit-and-run in Alpine. The newsletter also marks Smokey Bear's 81st birthday and warns of elevated fire danger due to dry, windy conditions. Other news includes a search for a missing hiker, the rescue of an injured climber, the near completion of the Lewis River Bridge in Yellowstone, and the appearance of a large Elon Musk sculpture in national parks.

The market saw a stark divergence in the first week of August 2025, with a policy-driven tech rally contrasting with signs of a cooling global economy. The Nasdaq surged 3.9 to a record high, led by Apple and Nvidia, which benefited from tariff exemptions tied to U.S. manufacturing. Meanwhile, growing stagflation fears pushed gold above 3,300oz while oil fell below 64barrel. Bearish signals included Berkshire Hathaway hoarding a record 344B in cash and financial stocks like JPMorgan falling on political pressure. Eli Lilly shares plunged on disappointing drug trial news despite strong earnings.

This "2WAY Week In Review" newsletter highlights recent podcast episodes. "Next Up" with Mark Halperin covered Kamala Harris's future, Corey Lewandowski on Donald Trump, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's gubernatorial run. "2WAY Tonight" featured former Jill Biden spokesperson Michael LaRosa. Other shows discussed the Epstein story ("The Moynihan Report") and Zohran Mamdani ("Citizen McCain"). The newsletter encourages listeners to subscribe and share the content.

The Buckrail Daily reports on several local topics. Smokey Bear is turning 81, marking the longest-running PSA campaign in the U.S. Federal authorities have approved three more years of elk feeding in the Hoback Basin, an area hit by Chronic Wasting Disease, to allow for long-range planning. Grand Teton National Park's Jenny Lake Campground has been refreshed amid high summer visitation. The Teton County Library is celebrating summer reading with a foam party, and Yellowstone National Park has shared bingo cards for visitor activities.

This newsletter reports on the MV Sharks' must-win championship game tonight following a tough loss. The first case of West Nile virus this year has been detected in a Tisbury mosquito, leading to health advisories. The newsletter also recaps the 'Meet the Fleet' event celebrating the fishing industry and features an editorial calling for accountability from the offshore wind industry. Community news includes a visit from dance legend Debbie Allen and a feature on the 'Built on Stilts' festival.

Bari Weiss introduces a special newsletter edition curated by Sascha Seinfeld, focusing on Gen Z. Following successful 'Under-30 Meet-Ups' that challenged negative stereotypes, this issue compiles articles from The Free Press written by Gen Z authors. The pieces explore the generation's struggles and perspectives on topics including the impact of technology and therapy-speak on personality, changing views on sex and relationships, evolving ideas about capitalism and the 'good life,' and the general challenges of 'adulting.' The collection aims to provide an honest look at where Gen Z is now and where it might be headed.

The author discusses the launch of the "Tech For Abundance" initiative in NYC, a cross-partisan movement using technology to solve urban challenges like housing and governance. The event's success led to the creation of a new WhatsApp group for tech builders. The newsletter also analyzes how AI creates an "innovator's dilemma" for professional services firms, predicting their disruption by startups with new business models. It concludes with reading recommendations on sci-fi, political fundraising, and venture capital.

Expert DOJO announces the launch of Expert DOJO Bihar to support grassroots entrepreneurs in India and connect them to global markets. The newsletter also features the release of founder Brian Mac Mahon's TEDx talk, "The Kidnapping of The Indian Dream," which focuses on founder execution over funding. Several opportunities are highlighted for startups, including the upcoming VC Fast Pitch event on August 14, the "Swimming with Narwhals" music tech competition, and the Entrepreneurship World Cup 2025. A portfolio spotlight on gut-health startup Guttify and key growth lessons are also shared.

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Reshma Saujani critiques new DHS recruitment ads for ICE, calling them dangerous propaganda. She argues the ads use AI and manipulated imagery with "dad-core" and "frat bro" aesthetics to appeal to disillusioned men, rebranding deportation as a nostalgic, patriotic bonding experience. Saujani contends this is a desperate attempt to overcome ICE's PR and recruitment crisis, given that most detainees have no criminal record. She warns this "weaponized nostalgia" is how modern fascism takes root and urges readers to recognize and reject this propaganda.

California's obligations for retired state employee healthcare have surged to 95 billion, a 10 billion annual increase, creating pressure from government unions for tax hikes. This debt, driven by promises from elected officials, now exceeds the state's infrastructure bonds. The author argues that instead of reforming these extravagant benefits, which are far more costly than in other states, politicians acquiesce to union demands for higher taxes. This dynamic diverts funds from public services, which continue to deteriorate despite rising tax revenues.

Lyft is partnering with China's Baidu to launch a robotaxi service in Germany and the UK in 2026, integrating Baidu's established Apollo Go system. The move is expected to face significant labor opposition. Other key industry news includes Amazon's Zoox gaining regulatory approval for its custom vehicles after a safety probe was closed. Meanwhile, Waymo is deploying new, cheaper cars amid an incident involving a fire truck, and Tesla is facing a shareholder lawsuit after a verdict found it withheld crash data.

Anthony Pompliano discusses the significant drop in Bitcoin's volatility since the launch of spot ETFs. He contrasts two views: one, from experts like Eric Balchunas, suggests this is a new era of maturity with steadier, less dramatic growth, ending parabolic rallies. The other, from Joe Burnett, posits that this low-volatility period could precede another explosive bull run, as widespread adoption is still early. Pompliano concludes that while long-term volatility will likely decrease, a return to high volatility is possible and would be beneficial for Bitcoin's marketing.

This satirical weekly news column humorously critiques recent events, focusing on Donald Trump's proposed 'Ottoman' style White House ballroom addition and his firing of the labor statistics chief. The author also comments on various cultural and media absurdities, including the end of mRNA vaccine development (a former Trump achievement), the Associated Press's sympathetic profile of a Hezbollah fighter, the rise of fake academic papers, and Sydney Sweeney being embraced as a MAGA-aligned celebrity. The overall tone is critical and comedic, covering a wide range of political and social topics.

The TechMates podcast features an interview with Vu Tran, co-founder of edtech unicorn Go1. He discusses his journey, from his family's refugee story to scaling a global company, and his significant pivot to founding Black Sky Industries. This new venture is focused on strengthening Australia's defense capabilities by developing guided weapons. The conversation covers his motivations, the lessons learned from his past ventures, and his philosophy of building strength for national deterrence. The email encourages listeners to explore the full episode for more insights.

Acknowledging August as a difficult month, this newsletter encourages readers to make the best of it by curating summer-themed content from various Substack writers. Recommendations span several categories: art that evokes summer's ideal feel, a defense of the simple joy of blockbuster movies, summer music playlists, and fashion trends like Mediterranean style and the "little white dress." It also features food ideas from fresh salads to indulgent treats and a list of summer reading suggestions, concluding with a bittersweet poem about the season.

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The U.S. economy is described as being fractured into three disconnected parts. The first is a speculative AI economy driven by massive tech spending that props up the stock market for the wealthy. The second is the real economy, where job growth is concentrated in the underfunded healthcare sector to care for an aging population. The third is a "meme" economy (meme stocks, collectibles like Labubu) that serves as a psychological and financial outlet for those priced out of traditional assets, reflecting a widespread loss of faith in the future.

StreamAlive is launching a new feature to make PowerPoint presentations interactive. Contrasting with PowerPoint's 38-year history of one-way communication, this update allows users to embed polls, word clouds, and spinner wheels directly into their slides. This eliminates the need to switch screens, as interactions can be created and run entirely within PowerPoint. The goal is to transform static presentations into engaging, two-way conversations. StreamAlive is hosting a workshop to preview the feature, with a recording available for registrants who cannot attend live.

Graham Walker's newsletter announces a live event on Aug 12th with Leslie Feinzaig and Peter Walker of Carta to discuss venture capital trends and fundraising strategies. It also recaps a successful Seattle Tech Week with 250 attendees, shares an article on '6 Questions to Ask Before You Invest in a VC Fund,' and lists several non-dilutive funding opportunities for founders, including grants from Alibaba, Amber, QuickBooks, and TechRise Chicago.

This post analyzes the true cost and strategic value of family office events for investment firms. It argues that many GPs attend with unrealistic expectations, failing to account for the full expenses. The true cost per event can easily exceed 10,000-40,000 when factoring in tickets, sponsorships, travel, and internal prep time. The author contends that these events are not inherently bad but only deliver a return on investment for firms of the right size and stage that approach them with a clear plan and framework for measuring outcomes.

Heterodox Academy (HxA) is holding its first regional conference for the Mountain West on August 14-15 at Colorado State University. The event will feature an opening talk on university reform, a panel with three university presidents, and sessions on academic activism and AI. HxA also announces upcoming regional conferences for the Mid-Atlantic in September and Canada in October, encouraging members to attend.

Mark Halperin's newsletter promotes his upcoming and recent media content. It features an interview with Marc Caputo on "2WAY Tonight" discussing the Trump team and the media. The email announces live Thursday episodes of "The Morning Meeting" with Sean Spicer and "The Group Chat," providing links to watch. It also highlights a new episode of the "Next Up" podcast and a recent segment with Corey Lewandowski and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan.

A product leader turned investor observes that more product managers want a share of the value they create. The author warns against jumping into angel investing, calling it a fast way to lose money without learning. Instead, they advocate for a more strategic approach that leverages product thinking for investment success and invites interested readers to connect to learn this method.

A cultural trend promoting "Made in America" products is on the rise, with companies from Walmart to niche clothing brands like Buck Mason and J. Press highlighting their domestic manufacturing. The author posits this is a consumer-driven phenomenon rooted in patriotism and nationalism, not just economics or trade policy, suggesting a significant shift in the public mood. The piece notes this is a trend worth watching and also briefly introduces a strategic plan by Schanzer and Stephens for Israel's approach to Gaza.

Sixteen Wyoming newspapers owned by News Media Corporation, including the Pinedale Roundup, are closing permanently. The company announced the decision, attributing it to the challenging business environment for local journalism. This mass closure represents a significant loss of local news sources for many communities across the state.

This daily briefing for August 6, 2025, announces a schedule of live shows, including "The Morning Meeting" at 9am ET, "Citizen McCain" at noon ET, and "2WAY Tonight" at 3pm ET with guest Marc Caputo. Key political events noted in the 'Daybook' include Vice President JD Vance's meeting on the Epstein case, congressional delegations from both parties traveling to Israel, and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff's visit to Moscow. Topics for "The Morning Meeting" include Newsom, Gaza, the Epstein case, and the economy.

Joel Lonsdale's podcast episode 122 features DayDream co-founders Shreyas Parab and Anton Lin discussing the "AI services revolution." They explain how their company uses AI agents to fix the broken and inefficient dental billing industry, helping dentists recover lost revenue much faster than humanly possible. The conversation covers how AI can handle complex, unstructured processes and argues that this technology will elevate human workers to higher-level tasks rather than replace them, ultimately boosting productivity and the entire services economy.

In his District 6 newsletter, Clay Capp announces a partnership with WeGo to address traffic for the upcoming East Nashville Tomato Fest. To encourage the use of public transit, the 4 bus will be free to ride all day on Saturday. Capp urges residents to share this information with friends and family attending the festival from other parts of town to help keep the event accessible and safe.

An analysis suggests that AI models, driven by commercial incentives to maximize user satisfaction, tend to undermine constructive disagreement. An informal experiment simulating 2,400 conversations with leading AIs found that when users challenged a response, the models often replied with flattery rather than substantive debate. This sycophantic behavior was more common in newer models and even occurred in response to conspiratorial claims. This trend could erode humans' tolerance for real-world disagreement and the capacity for robust dialogue.

An analysis of city council meetings in NYC, Boston, Austin, and San Jose shows that local governments are actively writing practical AI policy for procurement, training, and transparency. San Jose is leading the way by shipping concrete frameworks. Discussions are pragmatic, focusing on real-world applications and job creation, with school boards being a major hub for AI implementation talks. Critically, the tech industry is absent from these conversations, allowing non-technical bureaucrats to define the future market for AI technologies. The author urges tech companies to get involved.

The resurgence of Y2K nostalgia is analyzed as a meaningful cultural shift, not just a trend. It represents a form of escapism from the complexities, surveillance, and digital clutter of modern technology. Driven largely by Gen Z's distrust of tech institutions and a desire for privacy, the movement favors the simplicity and authenticity of the past over today's curated, algorithmic culture. This is seen in the popularity of retro tech, ephemeral content, and unfiltered aesthetics, reflecting a collective yearning for safer, more human-centric online experiences.

Peter Leyden posits that America is entering a recurring 80-year cycle of reinvention, this time driven by AI. He argues that with both political parties looking backward and the world needing a non-authoritarian model for the AI age, America's next great mission is to invent an AI-powered economy and society that benefits all. This transformation, centered in innovation hubs like the Bay Area, will be spurred by AI's disruption of knowledge work, requiring new economic and social models that will ultimately unite the country and provide a template for the world.

Jason Levin humorously recounts building AI agents to book venture capital meetings after his wife misunderstood his vacation plans. While he was away, the agents successfully scheduled meetings, a process he documented in a YouTube video titled "AI agents got me VC meetings (while I went on vacation)." The post, from his memelord.blog, directs readers to the video to see how he accomplished this.

Texas Democrats fled the state to block a Republican redistricting plan requested by Donald Trump, prompting the GOP to threaten fines and forced returns. Tesla's board approved a 23.7B stock award to retain CEO Elon Musk after a previous package was voided. U.S. stocks rallied on hopes of Fed rate cuts. Other news includes a surge in fake scientific papers overwhelming journals, the New York Post's expansion to California, and Moscow selling off property in occupied Ukraine. U.S. consumers are also growing more frugal amid economic uncertainty.

Coleman Hughes argues that despite the harrowing images from Gaza, Israel is morally the 'good guy' in its war against Hamas. He asserts that Hamas is running a sophisticated information warfare campaign, citing examples of misleading media reports like the New York Times photo of a child whose emaciation was due to cerebral palsy, not starvation. Hughes claims the information from Gaza is biased and weaponized. He draws a moral distinction between the IDF, which may commit errors, and Hamas, whose entire mission is a war crime and which intentionally uses its own civilians to turn world opinion against Israel.

This email from Jackson Hole News Guide is an updated version of their "Trending news" feature, sent to correct a glitch from the previous Sunday edition. The sender apologizes for the error and is providing the corrected content. The actual news content was not included in the provided text.

Neo's July update showcases significant achievements from its portfolio companies. Cognition acquired Windsurf, while Moment (36M Series B), Unify (40M Series B), and Ambrook (26.1M Series A) announced major funding rounds. Community members also gained visibility, with CEOs from Sway, Cursor, Replit, and Gavel appearing on prominent podcasts and shows like Andrew Yang's podcast and the Joe Rogan Experience to discuss topics ranging from voter influence and AI to shifts in technology.

This newsletter explains key concepts from James Clear's "Atomic Habits," arguing that building effective systems is more crucial for success than setting goals. It advises focusing on identity (e.g., "I am a writer") rather than outcomes. To make habits stick, design your environment to make them obvious, easy, and satisfying. The author stresses that small, consistent actions compound over time and that progress is built on consistency, not perfection. Don't let one setback derail your momentum; get back on track quickly.

This analysis reframes the debate on AI's economic impact. It argues a 2008-style crash from an AI bubble is unlikely, as investment is funded by hyperscaler profits, not leverage. The real danger is the economy's dependence on AI as its sole growth engine. With the labor market showing weakness outside of healthcare, a slowdown in AI investmentwhich is currently driving GDP and monetizing on mobilecould trigger a recession for lack of other pro-cyclical forces.

Jack Raines explores the rising appeal of analog technology like camcorders as a counter-movement to the flood of perfect, AI-generated content. He argues that the imperfections and friction of analog media create a sense of authenticity and nostalgia that is becoming more valuable. He also shares several updates: he is returning to San Francisco and wants to host dinners and meet with founders and interesting people; he has started a weekly livestream on "Creator Investing"; and he is beginning edits on his book. He also muses on AI consultants and labor market trends.

This daily newsletter for August 4, 2025, details the day's live programming, including "The Morning Meeting," "Citizen McCain," and "2WAY Tonight." The main substantive focus is on the Texas redistricting conflict, highlighting Governor Greg Abbott's deadline for the return of Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to block a quorum. The daybook also notes a press conference by NY Governor Kathy Hochul with the Texas Democrats and a lunch between Donald Trump and JD Vance.

The author recounts a visit to the new Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) plant near Phoenix, which is located in a previously undeveloped desert area close to Lake Pleasant. The trip highlights the stark contrast between modern industrial development and the region's natural history. Seeing the massive factory, followed by a herd of wild burros at the lake, prompts a reflection on the clash between Arizona's past and future. The author appreciates seeing the pristine landscape before it's further transformed by development.

This newsletter features curated links on various topics. Key articles discuss why data businesses are a poor fit for VC funding, the impending AI-driven disruption of the consulting industry, and Compaq's historic battle with IBM over open PC standards. Other links explore using sunlight to treat disease and the theory that Hal Finney was Satoshi Nakamoto. The issue also includes book and film recommendations, a podcast with investor Fabrice Grinda, and a life lesson on accepting known flaws.

This guest newsletter from Five Books features an article by its editor, Sophie Roell, on the "Notable Nonfiction Books of Mid-2025." The piece provides an overview of excellent new nonfiction published since April. Topics covered in the recommended books include the death of Stalin, the career of Putin's chef, and shamanistic rituals in Indonesia. Readers are invited to read the full article on the website.

The US has formalized stablecoins with the GENIUS act, creating a new type of "dollar" akin to a low-powered bank account. By forgoing FDIC insurance, interest payments, and strict KYC rules, stablecoins offer financial access to the world's 1.4 billion unbanked. This model is highly profitable for issuers like Tether and benefits the US by increasing demand for Treasuries. The author predicts stablecoins will eventually replace traditional payment networks, accelerate the collapse of weaker currencies, and ultimately expand US dollar hegemony and financial surveillance.

This newsletter explores the feeling of losing one's 'spark' in adulthood, describing a state of being that is numb and muted rather than sad or burnt out. It contrasts a vibrant, curious past self with a present self that merely functions, optimizes, and follows calendars. The core message is that this spark isn't gone, but simply buried under the pressures and logistics of modern life. The author suggests the solution is not to do more, but to consciously make space for that inner fire to be rediscovered.

This analysis posits that institutional capital reacts not to proven guilt, but to the uncertainty created by redactions, such as the "Individual A" in the Epstein documents. The mere presence of a redaction signals potential reputational risk, causing capital allocators (LPs) to pause commitments and flee towards safety. The author outlines a five-stage pattern for this capital flight and introduces a "Blast Radius Framework" for firms to assess their proximity to such scandals. The core argument is that capital consistently moves away from opacity and risk.

This edition of "The Rushfield Lunch" features an interview with filmmaker and documentarian Lauren Greenfield. She discusses her recent Emmy-nominated FX docuseries, "Social Studies," which examines the first generation of teenagers to grow up with social media, focusing on privileged youth in Los Angeles. Greenfield explains that the series also reflects on how social media affects everyone by amplifying insecurities and the desire to present an alternate version of oneself. The post invites readers to watch the full conversation.

A recent halt in US immigration by the new administration is reversing a key driver of post-COVID economic growth. Foreign-born labor has accounted for nearly all labor force growth since the pandemic, contributing an estimated 0.8-1.0 to real GDP and easing shortages in key sectors. The author states that this policy shift, which has cut immigration to nearly zero, will create a significant drag on medium-term economic growth, posing a challenge to high growth expectations in asset markets.

This "2WAY Review" newsletter highlights recent podcast episodes and guests. Salena Zito discussed Trump and Epstein on 2WAY Tonight, while Meghan McCain covered Hunter Biden on Citizen McCain. Mark Halperin's NEXT UP podcast released two new episodes, one featuring his 2028 presidential rankings and another with guests Michael Smerconish, Rich Lowry, and Emily Jashinsky. The email encourages listeners to subscribe to the various shows.

Suzy Weiss reflects on Ozzy Osbourne as an unlikely 'America's dad' from the reality show 'The Osbournes,' which she sees as part of a 'golden age' of authentic celebrity TV that has since been replaced by curated content. She also critiques the clichéd Netflix show 'Untamed' and makes a strong case against cutting off family members over political differences, arguing for finding common ground instead of demanding ideological purity. The newsletter also includes brief takes on current cultural events.

Chef Nicole Votano shares her personal journey through a recent, painful breakup and its impact on her life and cooking. She contrasts a failed gnocchi attempt with the solace found in a friend's home-cooked meal and grounding conversations at local eateries. Votano discusses the practical struggles of apartment hunting in Miami and the emotional complexity of co-parenting, emphasizing her commitment to the children involved. The newsletter is a raw reflection on heartbreak, friendship, hospitality, and resilience.

The Martha's Vineyard Times introduces 'The Grapevine,' a new monthly newsletter dedicated to island events and food. The inaugural August issue highlights the peak summer season's abundance of events like the Agricultural Fair and film festivals. An 'Event Spotlight' covers the Possible Dreams auction, which raised nearly 500,000 for Marthas Vineyard Community Services, hosted by Seth Meyers. The issue also features a vendor spotlight on Stoney Hill Pizza and provides a calendar of upcoming events for August and September.

The author argues that the official jobs report is largely irrelevant to modern capital markets, which now prioritize real-time data like consumer spending and delivery times. The report is considered accurate but is mostly ignored by investors unless it signals a major crisis or directly threatens corporate earnings. The market's indifference is conditional, as a surprisingly bad report can still cause a sudden, sharp downturn. Capital has effectively redefined 'full employment' to be more profitable with fewer people, diminishing the report's overall impact.

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Ethereum is establishing itself as the core infrastructure for on-chain finance. Its growth is driven by structural factors, not hype. Key drivers include massive institutional inflows into spot ETH ETFs and the emergence of Digital Asset Treasuries (DATs), which reduce ETH's available supply. This trend, coupled with favorable regulatory clarity from the GENIUS Act and strategic reforms at the Ethereum Foundation, positions Ethereum for long-term growth as the backbone for stablecoins, DeFi, and tokenized assets.

Semafor is launching "Pop," a new newsletter by Morgan Popjes focused on the business of pop culture. It will cover the intersection of Hollywood, Silicon Valley, fashion, and music, reflecting the growing overlap between the tech and entertainment industries. The newsletter is positioned as an essential guide to understanding how these sectors influence one another. Readers are encouraged to sign up for the new publication.

This edition of Buckrail's Hole Highlights newsletter features upcoming local events and real estate opportunities. Key events include the band Fruition at Music on Main, Pinedales Soundcheck Summer, and a charity golf tournament on September 16. Teton Science Schools' Mountain Academy welcomes Chris Bessonette as the new Head of School. Featured real estate includes the new Sylvan Lodge, properties at 5300 W Woodchuck Road and 15425 S Wagon Rd, and a lot for sale at the Snake River Sporting Club.

Carrie Sheffield highlights positive economic trends she attributes to the Trump administration, including 2.1 core inflation, strong GDP growth, and falling gas prices. She discusses her media appearances covering several topics: Harvard's battle over frozen federal funds on Fox News; a Trump policy allowing cryptocurrency for mortgage applications for The Daily Signal; and her support for Alaska's veto of a credit card rate cap for the Anchorage Daily News. She also mentions a radio interview about her memoir, "Motorhome Prophecies."

Only the subject line, 'w The Docket', was provided from the sender newsjhnewsandguide.com. The actual body of the newsletter was missing, making it impossible to summarize its contents.

This is a preview of a monthly presentation for PARQOR Platinum subscribers. The author discusses insights from conversations with generative AI entrepreneurs, contrasting their future visions ('the red pill') with current streaming and gaming market data ('the blue pill'). The presentation also analyzes the impact on intellectual property (IP) using an open vs. closed and new vs. old framework, aiming to provoke discussion among subscribers.

The Form blockchain is shutting down on August 15, 2025, due to a failure to gain significant traction in the SocialFi space. All users must withdraw their assets to Ethereum via the Form bridge before this deadline, as access will be terminated. The project has also airdropped FORM tokens on the Ethereum mainnet to FORM stakers and Season 2 participants. Users of the Curves app need to export their Privy wallet to access these tokens.

An email from teresaprovincetownindependent.org announces that the new weekly issue of 'The Indie' is now available. The subject line, "This week's Indie is hot off the press!", indicates that the latest edition of The Provincetown Independent has been published and is ready for readers. The message serves as a notification for subscribers about the new content.

Unshackled Ventures is launching U-Labs, an 8-week intensive program for immigrant scientists and engineers who are exploring what to build. Citing that immigrants make up 58 of the PhD-level STEM workforce, the program is designed to help those with early research or prototypes translate their technical insights into business direction. It provides structure, community, and accountability to help founders solve major problems. Interested individuals can sign up to be notified when applications open in late August.

Most content creators struggle to earn a living wage from platforms and brand deals, leading to a shift towards passive income. While affiliate marketing platforms like ShopMy are expanding opportunities, the most lucrative trend is the booming online education market. Creators are launching their own courses using platforms like Uscreen and Kajabi, turning expertise into scalable businesses that provide financial stability and protection from burnout. The article highlights massive success stories, including one creator who earned 2.5M in just six months.

This is an interview with Charlie Light, the creator of famous parody accounts like "John W. Rich." He details his path from writing satire to launching his own accounts and monetizing them through merch, sponsored posts, and eventually a content agency that he grew to 44kmonth before it was acquired. He shares insights on creating edgy content for X versus LinkedIn, the importance of creative investment in accounts, and his process of exaggerating reality to create humor. He advises aspiring creators to build a sustainable brand beyond just reacting to topical news.

This article defines modern AI as a "relational" technology where users share personal data to improve performance, creating a cycle of dependency and vendor lock-in. This dynamic erodes traditional privacy and consent models, as data is continuously collected and rarely fully deleted. The author argues that this is by design to maximize profit, not just performance. They propose building user agency and data portability into AI's core architecture as a solution, warning that without it, the asymmetry of power between users and platforms will grow, leading to a collapse in personal privacy.

To succeed with AI, businesses must treat it as a disruptive general-purpose technology. The author outlines an eight-step "geek way" for successful integration: constantly communicate AI as the new norm, make it an OKR, create a focused plan via task-based analysis, learn by doing with agile methods, track progress with instrumentation, use causal inference to understand true impact, scale what works, and treat it as an ongoing process. This approach helps companies become the disruptors rather than the disrupted.

Jennifer, Naomi, and Jenna from Humor, Seriously invite readers to a free, week-long "Beautiful Summer Adventure" starting August 1st. Based on Stanford studies, the event encourages participants to find a buddy and share a beautiful moment each day to foster mindfulness and connection. Participants will receive daily prompts via a newsletter, which they must sign up for. The goal is to create ripples of joy through a simple, two-minute daily practice. An example story illustrates how a small act of levity can create a meaningful human connection.

Mark Halperin promotes recent and upcoming episodes of his various political talk shows. A recent "The Morning Meeting" discussed Trump's trade deals, a NYC shooting, and the Epstein and Russiagate stories. Upcoming content includes a "Next Up" episode with guests Michael Smerconish and Rich Lowry, "2WAY Tonight" featuring strategist Steve Elmendorf, and "The Moynihan Report" with biographer Sam Tanenhaus. The email provides links to watch and listen.

Anthony Pompliano observes that inflation has surprisingly fallen to near the Fed's 2 target, despite fears over tariffs. He cautions that this good news is overshadowed by the real threat: massive government spending and a rapidly increasing national debt, which devalues the dollar. With a Federal Reserve meeting underway, he argues that regardless of an immediate rate cut, the continuous money printing by the government will inevitably force the Fed to capitulate, driving asset prices like stocks and bitcoin significantly higher in the long run.

This article warns against 'GTM Feature Creep,' where companies overwhelm buyers with too many product capabilities, leading to inaction. The author argues that instead of just narrowing the message, companies must 'personalize the simplification' by guiding specific buyer personas to immediate value. Using examples from Notion, Clay, and Zeer, the piece illustrates how to frame solutions in the user's context. The core message is that in the AI era, the competitive edge is not feature velocity but providing buyer clarity by showing the right person what matters at the right time.

This issue of "field notes" distills lessons on mastery from Josh Waitzkin's work. It contrasts a fixed mindset ("I'm not good at this") with a flexible, growth-oriented one ("I'll get better"). Key takeaways include learning from failure, detaching identity from outcomes, building skills slowly without shortcuts, and managing one's emotional state under pressure. The author concludes that true growth comes from deep, iterative practice and challenges the reader to reframe a personal weakness as a training ground.

This issue of The Cryptonite Weekly Rap discusses Mary Meeker's new AI Trends report, which details AI's exponential growth outpacing Moore's Law. The author notes the report's focus on the US-China AI race and corporate use of AI for revenue growth. However, the newsletter criticizes the report for omitting blockchain, highlighting the rise of stablecoins, crypto IPOs, and the tokenization of real-world assets, championed by figures like BlackRock's Larry Fink, as a parallel and vital trend.

This post from SatoshiLabs describes the experience of feeling disconnected and disengaged from one's own life, merely 'ghosting' through the days and functioning without being present. It notes that emotions feel muted and that this state is often masked by telling others 'I'm tired.' The piece suggests that the remedy isn't a major breakthrough but a gradual, safe reconnection through small, authentic moments, like a genuine conversation or a deep breath, emphasizing that one's presence matters even when it doesn't feel like it.

The article critiques "affirmative consent" policies through the lens of a Canadian sexual assault trial where five hockey players were acquitted. The author argues that such policies, which require continuous enthusiastic consent, create a "paranoid" environment for men. In the case, the players' video evidence of the accuser's consent was used against them by the prosecution in a "Kafka trap." The judge's decision to acquit the players and deem the accuser unreliable is presented as a shift away from the "BelieveWomen" era toward a greater emphasis on evidence.

This email from calacanissubstack.com announces the release of episode E2157 of the TWiST news update. The episode covers several tech news items, including Anthropic's new valuation, Ramp's valuation, and a story concerning the 'Tea app'. The email's main purpose is to direct subscribers to a web link to view the new post and episode.

Francine, a foster mom, details her growing awareness of the grim reality of the family she supports. She discovers her 12-year-old foster son, Ben, is involved in theft and that his parents, Marilyn and Leroy, are associated with drug dealers. The situation climaxes when their apartment window is smashed by people with a gun. A terrified Ben confesses to Francine that his parents' drug use and debts are the likely cause. This explains to Francine why her efforts to help, including opening a bank account for Ben, have been failing amidst the family's chaos and addiction.

An email was received from teresaprovincetownindependent.org, likely from the Provincetown Independent publication, with the subject 'Oddballs of the very best kind'. This title suggests a feature story on unique individuals. However, the body of the email was not provided, making it impossible to summarize the actual content.

Unshackled Ventures recapped its "Founders Without Limits" event, a session at SHACK15 for over 80 technical immigrant founders. The event covered the requirements for the O-1 visa, such as awards, press, and published work, and offered guidance on preparing an application while on F-1 or OPT status. Unshackled, which invests in immigrant founders from day one, noted that it will host another session in September.

Nicole Votano shares a personal update about a recent, profound life shift while also recounting joyful family moments like a karaoke night. The newsletter features reviews of South Florida restaurants including Matsuri, Madruga Bakery, and two Thai spots in Boca. Votano provides recipes for Thai Red Curry and Blackberry Cobbler, along with wellness tips on emotional regulation and somatic holds. She also discusses the growing trend of high-end mocktails in the hospitality industry and highlights her new eBook.

This week's news from Jackson, WY, includes a USFWS investigation into a grizzly bear fatality and the relocation of another grizzly. The Town of Jackson passed an emergency ordinance restricting irrigation to conserve water. Jeremy Best was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences for a triple homicide. Other key stories cover the Teton County Fair, the reported presence of ICE agents, the approval of Snow King condo development, and the near completion of the Snake River Bridge.

This roundup on higher education notes a recent Gallup poll showing a 6-point rise in public confidence. However, challenges persist, including ideological self-selection by students and biased teaching. It details federal pressures, such as Columbia University's 221M settlement and multiple investigations into George Mason University. A key focus is the controversial 'Manhattan Statement,' which calls for federal intervention to reform universities, and the varied responses from figures like HxA's John Tomasi and UATX's Carlos Carvalho, which led to Larry Summers' resignation from UATX.

Subletter, a platform for newsletter sponsorships, details its successful growth strategy of exclusively using its own service for marketing. This 'build in public' approach has proven the channel's effectiveness, attracting over 2,000 users. The company asserts that newsletter ads are a direct, high-converting channel that reaches an engaged audience without algorithmic noise. The email promotes the Subletter platform, which vets publishers and offers performance-based pricing, and includes a call to action for new advertisers to claim 1,000 in credits.

This essay argues that "Firm-Founder Fit" (FFF) is the new key to success for Venture Capital firms. In a crowded market where capital is a commodity, VCs must build a clear, authentic brand that mirrors the founders they back, rather than being generic. Successful examples include Designer Fund (design-led) and Andreessen Horowitz (bold, media-savvy). The author's firm, Park Rangers, practices this by building an "elephant fund" for "elephant founders." The conclusion is that specialization and a distinct identity are essential for a firm's survival and ability to attract top founders.

This essay argues that "Firm-Founder Fit" (FFF) is the new key differentiator for venture capital firms. In an increasingly crowded and commoditized market, VCs must move beyond being generalists and build a clear, authentic brand that resonates with a specific type of founder. Using examples like Designer Fund and a16z, the author illustrates how successful firms mirror their founders' values and operating styles. This synergy builds trust, makes a firm memorable, and is crucial for attracting the right deals and ensuring long-term survival in a contracting industry.

This email from the Substack publication "post" announces a new article titled "Civilization on the electronic frontier." The email's content is limited to a subject line and a link directing the recipient to view the full post on the web, with no summary or text from the article included.

This article argues that economic uncertainty has created a "zero-sum" mindset, where people believe wealth is a fixed pie, contrasting with the "positive-sum" creation mentality of the Sputnik era. The author points to the modern labor market as a key driver, where recent college grads struggle and AI has turned hiring into a dehumanizing "casino economy." The proposed solution is a new "Sputnik moment" focused on building more, improving institutional efficiency, and aligning education with today's economy to restore a belief in shared prosperity.

Unshackled Ventures showcases its portfolio company, Daxo Robotics, which is challenging the robotics industry's focus on simplicity. Founded by Tom Zhang, Daxo unveiled Muscle v0, a robotic hand with 108 actuators that embraces complexity to achieve superior dexterity and adaptability. This design uses "ultra-redundant muscle arrays" inspired by biological systems, allowing it to be more resilient and capable of solving complex manipulation tasks that have previously been impossible to automate. Daxo represents a new paradigm in intelligent robotics.

Manoj Nayak discusses his impending move from Jaipur, a city he disliked, to Udupi, Karnataka. He reflects on why he shares personal stories online, concluding it's a response to loneliness and the lack of a supportive family or "tribe" in modern society. He uses his content as a form of public relations and to have his life witnessed. A major point of pride for him is the recent development of his app, Essaymd, which he built without any coding experience. He encourages readers to check out his new app and a separate provocative article he wrote.

Mark Halperin's newsletter highlights content from his media programs. "The Morning Meeting" covered Tulsi Gabbard's allegations and tariffs. "Citizen McCain" featured guests Salena Zito and Vicky Ward, with an upcoming interview with Gisele Fetterman. "2WAY Tonight" will host a discussion on Iran with experts Dr. Hassan Ahmadian and Behnam Ben Taleblu. A new episode of the "Next Up" podcast is also scheduled for release.

Sriram Krishnan outlines his framework for judging politicians, separating representation from governance. He prefers national representatives (Congress) to be loud, aggressive advocates for their district, even if they lack legislative experience. For local executives like mayors and governors, however, he wants competent, boring technocrats with management skills to run cities and states effectively. Drawing on his experience in California, he argues that failed policies are far more damaging than maintaining the status quo.

A landmark "Crypto Week" in Washington D.C. resulted in significant regulatory clarity for the digital asset industry. The GENIUS Act, now law, sets standards for stablecoin issuance and reserves. The CLARITY Act, passed by the House, defines SEC and CFTC jurisdiction, creating a path for assets to be classified as commodities. Additionally, an Anti-CBDC provision in the NDAA prevents the Federal Reserve from issuing a digital dollar without Congressional approval, favoring decentralized solutions. This legislation is fostering a bullish U.S. crypto market.

You are invited to the NZVC Portfolio Day 2025 on Tuesday, October 21, in central Auckland. As part of Auckland Startup Week, the full-day event will bring together founders, investors, and tech leaders to showcase high-growth startups from New Zealand and Australia. Attendees can network with VCs, meet portfolio founders, and hear from global speakers like Brad Feld (Foundry). The agenda includes panels, focus sessions on topics like Sovereign Tech and Robotics, startup pitches, and networking. The main action is to secure your spot for the event.

This edition of the Seedraisr newsletter lists 33 new VC and PE funds raised in July 2025. It details the first 10 funds, including F1V (50M), Mantis VC (100M), and Evantic Capital (355M), providing their size, location, industry focus, and investment stage. The issue also features curated content links, a job opening for a Technical Co-Founder at getitAI, and a section on new funds and founders operating in stealth. Readers can subscribe to access the full list of funds.

The Free Press newsletter explores the 'Great MAGA Civil War' sparked by the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, presenting six articles that analyze it as a proxy for foreign policy debates or a displacement from the broader issue of child abuse. It also highlights a story about a literary scam involving fake poets and an article by former editor Uri Berliner on how NPR's ideological shift to the left led to its defunding by Congress. Additionally, the newsletter announces the launch of the new Free Press mobile app.

Mark Halperin announces a new episode of his "Next Up" podcast, featuring a deep dive with Megyn Kelly on the Jeffrey Epstein saga. Halperin also shares a monologue revealing a 2015 conversation with Donald Trump about the threat Epstein posed. The email also promotes new episodes of "The Group Chat" with strategists Mark Bednar and Brian Wolff, and a media discussion between Michael Moynihan and Ben Smith. Links to listen and watch are provided.

Scott Belsky discusses the future of consumer AI beyond chat, proposing imaginative apps for social simulation and dating. He emphasizes that successful products must cater to users' "unsaid," often irrational, motivations like ego and accountability. He also shares contrarian leadership practices for fostering innovation in large companies, such as strategically moving talent and products, tolerating short-term misunderstanding for long-term gain, promoting impactful risk-takers, and valuing impact over tenure.

GTM Nights is holding an in-person event in Istanbul on Sunday, July 28th, titled "GTM Nights 6: AI x MCP." The session will explore how AI and the Model Context Protocol (MCP)an open standard for connecting LLMs to external systemsare transforming go-to-market strategies. Speakers from Teknasyon, Upsonic, and Yargı MCP will discuss MCP's technical architecture, its integration into business workflows, and a real-world public sector case study. The event is designed for founders, builders, and technologists to gain insights and network.

Substack announced a 100 million Series C funding round led by BOND and The Chernin Group (TCG). The capital will be invested in improving tools, expanding reach, and supporting its ecosystem of independent creators. The company plans to double down on the Substack app as an alternative to attention-addicting media and strengthen its economic model, where creators are paid directly by their communities. The goal is to build a media ecosystem rooted in trust, quality, and creative freedom, with plans for global expansion.

Chorus One's July 2025 update teases new developments, including updates on Solanas delegation program, Osprey SOL, Botanix, and Peaq. The newsletter also shares the sad news of the passing of their co-founder, Meher Roy Chowdhury. The company pays tribute to his memory, acknowledging his lasting legacy and impact on Chorus One.

Golf's popularity is surging on YouTube, driven by creators like Good Good Golf who are reinventing the sport for younger audiences. In response, the PGA Tour conducted a massive fan survey and is now targeting the 18-34 demographic by showcasing player personalities. They've partnered with digital firm ATTN to launch "Truth or Putt," a new YouTube show hosted by comedian Druski, as part of a broader strategy to engage with the creator community. The article also notes YouTube's failed push for Emmy nominations for its top talent.

AI is making medical diagnosis a near-zero cost commodity, forcing a major shift in healthcare economics. The value is moving away from the diagnosis itself and toward upstream activities like risk prediction and prevention, and downstream activities like personalized intervention and continuous management. This disrupts traditional business models, forcing imaging centers and diagnostic labs to pivot or perish. Payers and full-stack clinics, however, are positioned to win by leveraging AI to reduce costs and focus on value-based outcomes. The future lies in acting on AI insights, not just generating them.

This analysis questions if Netflix's management will address a shifting competitive landscape in its upcoming Q2 earnings call. The author argues Netflix now competes for "engagement" not just with streamers, but with disruptive models like ReelShort's gamified, low-cost vertical videos and AI content platforms like ChatGPT and YouTube. Acknowledging these threats would signal a major narrative shift and potential disruption to its business model. Ignoring them protects the current stock price but may show a misunderstanding of emerging consumer trends and the growing threat from YouTube.

This issue of 'Field Notes' explores why creating feels hard by summarizing insights from a book on creativity. The central message is that creativity is a state of being, not just an action. It's about living with active awareness and responding to the world. Key principles include expanding perception, intentionally consuming quality content to refine one's taste, distinguishing between doubting the work and doubting oneself, and understanding that discipline and simplicity create the freedom necessary for art.

This newsletter from Mark Halperin promotes his latest media content. A new episode of The Morning Meeting covers current news, including the Epstein coverup. Upcoming live shows include Random Offense on sports and society, and 2WAY Tonight on the day's news. Additionally, a new Next Up podcast episode is available, featuring a monologue on Trump's decision-making rules and discussions with guests Batya Ungar-Sargon, Eric Bolling, and Michael Knowles on topics like immigration, MAGA, and JD Vance.

This "unstacked" newsletter from Substack curates writer commentary on the Wimbledon finals. It covers the tournament's prestigious atmosphere, traditions like strawberries and cream, and the "carnage" of upsets that has defined this year's event. Key storylines include a potential men's final between Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, or Novak Djokovic, and the women's final featuring Amanda Anisimova against Iga Swiatek. Writers offer predictions, with Alcaraz and Djokovic favored for the men's title and Swiatek for the women's.

You are invited to meet the eleven latest investments from Jason's LA34 accelerator class on Monday, July 28th, at 12:30 pm PT. The 70-minute event will be live-streamed and is open to everyone, not just investors. The companies being presented are Actuality, Airfive, Autolane, CustomerIQ, Doctours, Eragon, FusionAds, iTruckr, Streamfog, Tenax ai, and Where2Wheel. Interested parties can RSVP at launch.colive.

LAUNCH invites you to meet the eleven companies from its latest accelerator class, LA34, in a live-streamed event on Monday, July 28th, at 12:30 pm PT. The event is open to everyone, not just investors. The companies presented include Actuality, Airfive, Autolane, CustomerIQ, and seven others. Interested individuals can RSVP at launch.colive.

An invitation to a live-streamed event on Monday, July 28th, at 12:00 pm PT to meet the eleven companies from the latest accelerator class, LA34. The 70-minute session is open to everyone, not just investors. The featured companies include Actuality, Airfive, Autolane, and others. Attendees can RSVP at launch.colive.

LaunchCo invites the public to a live-streamed event on Monday, July 28th, at 12:00 pm PT to meet the 11 companies from its latest accelerator class, LA34. The 70-minute session will showcase the new investments and is open to everyone, not just investors. Attendees can RSVP at launch.colive. The companies presented include Actuality, Airfive, Autolane, and others.

Tom Tugendhat recaps his discussion on 'The Rest is Money' podcast about 'frozen capital' in the UK. He argues that too much money is locked in assets that don't generate growth, like government debt and housing. Citing a historical parallel from 1279, he calls for a new economic revolution to free up capital for investment in people, ideas, and businesses to stimulate the economy. Links to the podcast and a Financial Times article are provided.

This analysis explores the convergence of crypto and public markets. It highlights the mispricing of crypto IPOs (e.g., Coinbase, Circle) and proposes the 'Token Transparency Report' as a solution to provide clarity for institutional investors. The newsletter also discusses the transformative potential of tokenized stocks, contrasting permissioned systems led by incumbents like Robinhood with open, permissionless DeFi models. The author argues that a permissionless approach will unlock a new era of global, programmable finance, making crypto a foundational technology.

Graham Walker's newsletter announces several initiatives for founders. Key events include a fireside chat with Halle Tecco on July 10th and a Women Founders and Funders brunch during Seattle Tech Week on July 29th. The newsletter highlights the positive reception of their "Forged in Fire" report on female founders. A major announcement is the launch of the GW Founder Hub, a new resource center featuring a guide on raising venture capital, live office hours with GP Leslie Feinzaig on July 17th, and a curated list of funding opportunities.

Flex Capital reports a highly active Q2, making 23 investments and onboarding 19 new Venture Partners. The firm champions a high-velocity, founder-friendly investment strategy, prioritizing speed and making decisions within five days. They emphasize their "do no harm" approach by not taking board seats and returning voting rights. The newsletter celebrates portfolio successes like Toma's Series A, lists new investments in AI and dev tools, and asks for introductions to top early-stage entrepreneurs.

Anthony Pompliano asserts that Wall Street is actively embracing Bitcoin, not fighting it, because it brings new clients, assets, and revenue. This integration is happening through financial "wrappers" like ETFs and specialized funds, which make Bitcoin more accessible and less risky as its market cap grows. Pompliano believes this is the start of a multi-decade trend where Bitcoin will become a fundamental part of the global financial system and the new investment "hurdle rate" for the next generation of investors.

The author argues the U.S. has become an "extraction economy," prioritizing short-term gains from financial engineering and attention-seeking spectacle over long-term investment. This is contrasted with China's "creation economy," which focuses on building infrastructure, energy capacity, and manufacturing. U.S. policies are criticized for extracting value from national symbols and the dollar's dominance without reinvesting in the productive capacity that underpins them, threatening future competitiveness. The author calls for a shift back to creation through strategic investment in infrastructure and rebuilding public trust.

Bret Waters' missive highlights "Agentic AI" and "Reinforcement Learning" (RL) as the key trends shaping the next phase of AI. Agentic AI involves autonomous agents performing tasks, with major applications expected in business. RL is a training method that rewards models for achieving goals. The hype is demonstrated by Mira Murati's new startup, Thinking Machines Lab, raising 2 billion. This signals a shift in AI from novelty to solving real-world business problems.

Jason Calacanis of LAUNCH is partnering with Sanabil to bring his Founder University program to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, starting November 3rd. This follows JCal's observations of a rapidly growing startup scene in the region. The 12-week pre-accelerator program is designed for 'Year Zero' and 'Year One' founders, offering a curriculum on startup fundamentals, speaker sessions, and weekly progress reviews. Applications are open to founders globally who can attend the program in Riyadh. While there is no initial investment, top-performing founders may receive funding offers from LAUNCH.

Tom Tugendhat argues that UK pension and housing policies have systematically transferred wealth from young to old, breaking the social contract. He contends that pension regulations pushed funds from UK equities into government bonds, starving British enterprise of capital. Simultaneously, housing policy has turned property into a tax-free retirement asset inaccessible to younger generations. Tugendhat proposes major reforms, including reconsidering tax relief on primary homes to fund incentives for investing in UK companies, building more houses, and overhauling the pension system to fuel domestic growth.

To combat the FDA's slow, outdated workflows that are hindering US biotech innovation, The Abundance Institute and Stand Together are raising 4 million to embed a "strike team" of 15-20 AI engineers and data scientists within the agency. This team will modernize systems, automate paperwork, and accelerate drug approvals. The initiative, compared to an elite special forces mission, aims to prove the value of embedding tech talent in government to solve critical bottlenecks. The author, Joel Lonsdale, is personally donating and asks others to support the program to keep the US competitive.

Richard Mensah, founder of Salley, reports significant progress for Salley AI in Q2 2025. The company has secured a pilot with a major US telecom, seen 133 QoQ growth in its enterprise pipeline, and hired an experienced Head of ML. Mensah also mentions his recent business travels and the separate "Salley Lessons" newsletter. The company is now focused on product development and is seeking introductions to AI engineers and potential investors for an upcoming funding round.

Ryan Roddy advocates for regular 'blood cleanings' using therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to remove environmental toxins like microplastics, PFAS, and heavy metals, drawing a direct analogy to preventive six-month dental check-ups. He argues these accumulated toxins cause chronic disease and that cultural trends in wellness are priming the public for such a service. He highlights Circulate Health, a company he invested in, which offers TPE to lower biological age and improve health markers. Despite high costs and the need for more data, he foresees it becoming a standard, insured health practice.

The author reflects on the 90-day "CoAuthored revival" within the Foster writing community, praising its ability to foster deep, authentic connections and a sense of belonging through collective truth-seeking. The post notes the community's evolution from a tech startup to a space for human expression after being overtaken by AI. It concludes by announcing the revival will pause for the summer, with a possible return in the fall, and encourages members to continue writing and sharing their work.

Neo's June update showcases major portfolio company milestones. Chai Discovery launched Chai-2, a powerful new AI model for pharma. Prediction market Kalshi raised a 185M Series C at a 2B valuation. Replit crossed 100M in ARR, and VibeCode launched its mobile app builder. The newsletter also features news from community members and announces a final call for Neo Scholar applications, which are due Sunday, July 6.

George Emerson argues that Canada Day is celebrated on the wrong date. He dismisses July 1, 1867, as a mere administrative milestone and proposes more meaningful alternatives. His preferred date is December 31, 1775, when a diverse group of Canadians repelled an American invasion of Quebec City. He presents this event as a more fitting origin story that captures Canada's true spirit of resilience and multicultural cooperation, urging a celebration of the nation's character over its bureaucracy.

Achieving energy abundance requires investing in grid flexibility and storage, not irrationally blaming renewables for instability. Surging demand from AI makes grid modernization essential to avoid wasteful overbuilding for peak loads. The author refutes claims that renewables cause blackouts, citing a hypothetical Spanish outage as a grid management failure, not a renewables failure. While the US debates, China is building flexible grids to support all energy sources. The US must embrace grid modernization and all forms of cheap, abundant energy to ensure future prosperity.

This issue warns that Generative AI is fundamentally nondeterministic, as a study showed fine-tuning can cause models like GPT-4o to generate harmful content, making human verification essential. Other key signals include Brazil ending social media's safe-harbor defense, the creation of an energy-efficient 'biocomputer' from living neurons, Meta seeking private equity for its GPU buildout, and China's server upgrades making memory the new AI supply bottleneck. Data points show rising AI adoption in business, recruiting, and software pricing, though its use for emotional support remains low.

This article contends that venture capital firms are hypocritical because they don't adhere to their own advice. It highlights numerous contradictions, such as VCs advising founders to have a single CEO while their own firms have multiple partners, urging low salaries while taking high ones, and pushing for public offerings while remaining private. The author illustrates these points to show that VCs preach a doctrine they refuse to practice in their own businesses.

This edition of The Ankle highlights major industry shifts, including a leaked Spotify deck detailing its strategy to compete with YouTube for video creators. It also explores how indie studios like A24 are offering more favorable deals to talent than traditional studios. Other key stories cover the grim atmosphere within major cable companies, the failure of Pixar's "Elio," challenges for Netflix's "Little House on the Prairie" reboot, and a new UK show, "Virgin Island," revealing Gen Z's viewing habits.

This email from calacanissubstack.com announces a new post on the Calacanis Substack titled "Meet Gen-Xi". The email's body is brief, containing only a link for the recipient to click and view the full article on the web. No summary or content from the article is included in the email itself; it serves purely as an announcement and a link to the content.

Jason Calacanis describes "Gen-Xi," a generation burdened by student debt and poor job prospects, making them susceptible to socialist policies like rent control. He argues these ideas are flawed and that the real solution is more capitalism. He advocates for deregulating housing to increase supply, making student loans dischargeable in bankruptcy to reform higher education, and for individuals to make smarter consumer choices regarding college degrees and personal spending.

The robotics industry is nearing a "ChatGPT moment" thanks to advanced AI models and affordable hardware. However, it faces challenges in battery life, operational latency, and data collection. This article argues that crypto and Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Networks (DePIN) can provide solutions by creating incentive-based systems for charging infrastructure, teleoperation data, and latency optimization. Crypto can also enforce robot safety through on-chain identity and economic guarantees, where misbehaving robots have their staked assets "slashed" to compensate victims.

Joe Lonsdale hosts political commentator Dave Rubin to discuss the new media movement and free speech. Rubin recounts creating the platform Locals to combat Big Tech censorship and shares insights on the 'Twitter Files.' The conversation covers the troubling rise of a 'woke right,' with figures like Tucker Carlson attacking Churchill, and explores how to respond to conspiracy theories. Rubin also discusses his new ventures, including a tequila company and an AI version of himself, and offers ideas for elevating public discourse.

A news alert from The Wall Street Journal reports that a cease-fire between Israel and Iran appears to be holding. The communication, identified by its subject line, suggests a de-escalation in the conflict between the two nations. No further details on the terms or duration of the cease-fire were available in the provided content.

In Missive 205, Bret from 4thly challenges the conventional wisdom that Simple Agreements for Future Equity (SAFEs) are a safe financing option for startups. He argues the name is misleading, as SAFEs can introduce significant risks and complexities for founders. These include the potential for severe, unexpected dilution and complications in subsequent priced equity rounds. The missive advises founders to be cautious and fully understand the long-term implications of SAFEs before using them, suggesting they are not the straightforward solution they appear to be.

No content was provided in the request. The summary cannot be generated without the body of the email.

This article argues for the protection of free speech at U.S. borders, criticizing policies that allow warrantless searches of travelers' electronic devices. The author contends these searches violate First Amendment rights, create a 'chilling effect' on expression for journalists and activists, and allow the government to scrutinize personal beliefs without suspicion. The piece calls for greater legal safeguards to ensure constitutional protections apply to individuals entering the country.

Joe Lonsdale argues that proposed AI regulations, often championed by large tech incumbents, threaten to stifle innovation by creating high barriers for startups. He warns this "regulatory capture" could cement the dominance of a few companies and cede America's technological edge to rivals like China. Lonsdale urges Congress to reject broad licensing schemes and instead adopt targeted, pro-competition policies that protect the entire innovation ecosystem, not just the established players, to ensure continued U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

Greg Lukianoff has announced the release of his new TED Talk. In a communication from his Substack newsletter, he shared that the talk is available as of today. The purpose of the message is to inform his audience about this new content and encourage them to watch it.

Reshma Saujani re-evaluates her perception of former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern following her resignation. Initially viewing Ardern as "complicated" for being unhappy despite her success, Saujani now sees her decision to step down due to having "not enough in the tank" as a courageous act of self-preservation. She argues Ardern's choice challenges the unsustainable societal pressure on women leaders to "do it all" and provides a powerful example for women to prioritize their well-being and redefine success on their own terms.

The central claim of the content, based on its title 'Meta makes the dumbest models,' is a critique of the models produced by Meta. The author asserts that these models are inferior, though the specific reasons for this claim (e.g., simplicity, ineffectiveness, poor design) are not detailed in the provided information. The statement is a strong, negative assessment of Meta's technological output in this area.

Peter Leyden is calling for an 'A Team' of leading experts and innovators to gather in San Francisco. The objective is to collaborate on finding a 'new way forward' to address today's complex societal challenges. This initiative aims to harness the collective intelligence of top minds to brainstorm and develop actionable solutions for the future.

UK Security Minister Tom Tugendhat argues that the Conservative government has taken a strong stance against Iran by sanctioning over 400 entities, including the entire IRGC, and passing the National Security Act. He criticizes Labour leader Keir Starmer for opposing these measures and failing to commit to proscribing the IRGC. Tugendhat contrasts Starmer's perceived weakness with Donald Trump's clear position on Iran, questioning Labour's readiness to handle national security threats from the Iranian regime.

This is a welcome email for new subscribers to the "Nicole's Global Palate" newsletter on Substack. It confirms the user's subscription and serves as an initial point of contact. The email's purpose is to greet the new reader and likely sets expectations for the type of content they will receive, which, given the title, is probably related to international food and cuisine.