Education and AI Tutors

Ours is the age of substitutes: instead of language, we have jargon; instead of principles, slogans; and, instead of genuine ideas, bright ideas ........ Eric Bentley(American writer, New Republic 1952)

Traditional educational culture doesn’t fail because it’s old and irrelevant. It fails because it’s misunderstood. It’s treated as branding, not behavior. As output, not infrastructure. And when that happens—even the most well-meaning efforts can erode the very trust they’re meant to build.

Rebuilding education around AI tutors is a powerful idea — but whether it should be done depends on how we define the goals of education.

 Why Education Could Be Rebuilt Around AI Tutors

• Personalized Learning at Scale- AI can adapt lessons to each student’s pace, interests, and learning style — something human teachers can't always do. Students who struggle can get more time and support; advanced learners can move ahead.
• 24/7 Accessibility-AI tutors can provide help any time, removing barriers related to time zones, class schedules, or teacher availability.
• Feedback and Assessment - Real-time feedback allows students to learn from mistakes immediately. AI can track progress over time more precisely than many traditional assessments.
• Equity, Cost and Access - In regions with a teacher shortage or underfunded schools, AI tutors could provide a baseline of high-quality instruction. Over time, AI could reduce some costs of delivering education, particularly for repetitive or content-based instruction.

However, we Should Be Cautious

• Learning is social and emotional. Human teachers provide empathy, encouragement, and mentorship — AI can't fully replicate that.
• Group dynamics, collaboration, and discussion are critical parts of education.
• AI systems collect vast amounts of data. Mismanagement or misuse could put students' privacy at risk. AI tutors can perpetuate biases or misinformation if not carefully trained and audited.

On final thought; rather than rebuilding education entirely around AI tutors we must be clear about their limitations and ethical challenges, a more balanced and realistic approach should be a  Human-led, AI-supported Education where Teachers remain central, using AI as a tool to enhance teaching and personalize support. By Offloading grading, diagnostics, and repetitive tutoring to AI, You can free up teachers to focus on deeper instruction.

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Change in Thinking

I am American bred, I have seen much to hate here and much to forgive, But in a world where England is finished and dead, I do not wish to live. ------ Alice Duer Miller (American writer, 1874- 1942)

We’re now closer to 2050 than to 2000. How does that change your thinking about the world?

• Big tech is hiring 25% fewer new grads in 2025 than 2024; startups are down 11%. The shift may reflect the growing influence of AI on early-career hiring, or changing employer preferences. Irrespective, AI models are still vulnerable to malicious commands.
• AI models can create poetry in any style or language, write computer code in any programming language or domain, and they are capable of much more. These models may not be superior to skilled humans, but no single human could outperform top-tier generative models across all fields. The combination of these competencies generates value.
• Europe can no longer rely on America, it must build mega businesses worthy of staffing the technological talent it produces, particularly in artificial intelligence, deep tech, and defence.
• Antarctic sea-ice has collapsed to levels four standard deviations below the 1991–2020 average. Statistically, that should happen once every 31,600 years. And yet, it’s happened three times in the past 24 months.
• Asia (e.g., Japan, South Korea, China) face rapid aging and population decline. Others (e.g., India, Southeast Asia) will have large working-age populations—raising the need for jobs and education. Migration and urban growth will continue to reshape cities.
• Africa’s population is projected to double to 2.5 billion by 2050.Rapid urbanization could overwhelm infrastructure, housing, sanitation, and transportation systems. Youth unemployment will be a central issue—with over 60% under age 25.

 Africa will shape demographic and economic growth. Asia will drive technological and geopolitical outcomes. Investments in people, peace, and the planet—especially education, governance, green energy, and cooperation—are crucial to ensure these challenges don't become crises.

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Oceans Economy

The waters were his winding sheet, the sea was made his tomb; yet for his fame the ocean sea was not sufficient room ...........Richard Barnfield (English poet, The Encomion of lady Pecunia,1598)

Fish say we have the stream and the pond,  But what is beyond?

Protecting ocean health equals growing economic health. A healthy ocean isn’t just about ecology—it’s an economic powerhouse. 

Smart investment in marine conservation and sustainability:

• Pays for itself (returns from 4× up to 10×)
• Supports billions of livelihoods
• Shields communities from climate threats
• Boosts fisheries and tourism sectors
• Opens financial innovation and green job opportunities

1. Huge financial returns on investment. Investing in sustainable ocean solutions—like restoring mangroves, expanding offshore wind, decarbonizing shipping, and scaling blue protein—yields a 4 to 6× return, with some estimates even reaching $10 return per $1 spent. A World Bank–commissioned study notes that every $1 in marine protected areas (MPAs) and eco-tourism returns $6 .

2. billion people rely on marine resources; fisheries/aquaculture employ ~62 million directly, and another 600 million are indirectly dependent. Coastal and marine tourism pulls in hundreds of billions annually—coral reefs alone add ~$36 billion/year and support millions of jobs 

3. Natural protection, climate resilience & carbon storage. Coastal habitats such as mangroves and seagrass absorb more carbon than forests and provide vital coastal defense against storms and erosion. Coral reefs alone reduce wave energy by ~97%, shielding ports and shorelines—and without them, flood damage could nearly double 

Financing ocean health through innovation Blue bonds—like those from Seychelles, Belize and Palau—have funded MPAs, fisheries upgrades, and coastal resilience. 

Emerging instruments, including coral reef bonds and the Ocean Risk and Action Alliance, seek to mobilize billions more.

The ocean economy contributes over $2.5 trillion to global GDP annually and supports nearly 350 million jobs worldwide.

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Space Inspired

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breath free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door .... Emma Lazarus, American poet (Inscription on the statue of liberty, New York 1883)

First order thinking is a way of analyzing problems or decisions by focusing on the immediate, direct consequences or effects of an action.

• It looks at the immediate, obvious result of a choice or event.
• It’s often simple and straightforward.
• It doesn’t consider the longer-term or indirect effects.

What is Second Order Thinking?

• It’s about thinking beyond the immediate consequences.
• You consider the longer-term, indirect, or ripple effects of a decision or action.
• It requires anticipating what happens next, and what follows after that.
• It’s often more complex and strategic

Second order thinking applied on space exploration is beginning to power the future of commerce. From fleet efficiency to climate resilience, space-based systems are helping companies move goods, manage risks and unlock new opportunities.

Space exploration has driven tons of tech innovations that have also transformed everyday life on Earth. 

Some cool space-inspired technologies:

1. Solar Panels

Originally developed to power satellites and spacecraft, solar panel technology has improved efficiency and durability because of the harsh space environment. Now, they’re everywhere on Earth, from rooftops to calculators.

2. Memory Foam

Developed by NASA in the 1970s to improve cushioning in spacecraft seats, memory foam is now widely used in mattresses, pillows, and sports gear.

3. Water Purification Systems

NASA needed reliable ways to recycle water on the International Space Station. This tech has been adapted for clean water solutions on Earth, including portable water filters and purification systems in disaster zones.

4. Cordless Power Tools

To help astronauts work on the moon, NASA helped develop cordless tools with rechargeable batteries. This innovation directly influenced the design of modern cordless drills and other battery-powered tools.

5. Insulation Materials (e.g., Aerogel)

Aerogels and other lightweight, high-performance insulation materials were refined for spacecraft. These materials are now used in building insulation, clothing, and even sporting equipment.

6. Freeze-Dried Food

To feed astronauts on long missions, NASA developed freeze-dried food that retains nutrients and lasts long. This technology is common now in camping and emergency food supplies.

7. Satellite Communication

Satellite technology has revolutionized global communication, GPS navigation, weather forecasting, and television broadcasting.

8. Scratch-Resistant Lenses

NASA created coatings for astronauts’ helmet visors that resist scratches and glare. These coatings are now used in eyeglasses, sunglasses, and camera lenses.

9. Fire-Resistant Materials

Materials designed to protect spacecraft and astronauts from fire have found uses in firefighting gear and fireproof clothing.

10. Infrared Ear Thermometers

Infrared sensors, originally developed for monitoring the temperature of stars and planets, were adapted to quickly and non-invasively measure body temperature through the ear.

First order thinking can sometimes lead to short-sighted decisions. Second order thinking helps you avoid unintended consequences and make better long-term choices. It’s useful in investing, business, relationships, and pretty much any complex decision-making.

Apply second order to your TAM

What is TAM?

Total Addressable Market is the total revenue opportunity available for a product or service if it captured 100% market share.

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Liquid Democracy

All political lives, unless they are cut off in midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure because that is the nature of politics and of human affairs ........... Joseph chamberlain 1977

Liquid democracy is a system of voting that combines direct and representative democracy. The idea is that everyone has a vote and can assign it to anyone they choose.

Individuals can vote on issues directly, but they also have the option to delegate their vote to someone they trust—essentially creating a fluid, flexible delegation of voting power. This delegation can be revoked at any time, which is where the "liquid" aspect comes in.

A representative collects the proxies assigned to him or her and can either vote directly on the issues or assign all the proxies to someone else. Perhaps proxies could be divided: this person for economic matters, another for health matters, a third for national defense, and so on. There would be no more election days: vote counts might change every day.

Key Features:

Direct Voting: People can vote on issues themselves, just like in a traditional direct democracy.

Delegation: Instead of voting directly, a person can delegate their vote to someone else—say, a representative or an expert—whom they believe is more knowledgeable or better equipped to make the decision. This delegation can be on a per-issue basis.

Revocability: A person can change their delegation or vote at any time. If they feel their delegate is no longer representing their interests, they can reassign their vote.

Flexibility: It’s more fluid and adaptable than traditional representative democracy because delegation can change based on the issue at hand.

It’s seen as a way to empower individuals by allowing them to choose when and to whom they want to delegate their vote, offering more control over the decision-making process than in traditional systems.

Some platforms and experiments have tried to implement liquid democracy in online decision-making, such as in open-source communities or even political systems like in the case of some political parties. It’s still mostly theoretical or in experimental phases, though, in terms of large-scale implementation.

Liquid democracy, despite its appeal, faces several challenges that hinder its widespread adoption and implementation, especially on a large scale. Here are some of the key challenges:

1. Delegation Inequality

Problem: In practice, people may delegate their votes to individuals or groups they trust, but this could end up creating a concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals who are considered "experts" or leaders.

Impact: This defeats the purpose of liquid democracy, as it could potentially lead to a system where the decisions of a small elite group dominate, rather than being genuinely fluid and decentralized.

2. Voter Apathy and Delegation Fatigue

Problem: Many people might not be deeply engaged in the political process or the issues at hand, leading them to delegate their votes to others, perhaps without fully understanding or tracking who they are delegating to.

Impact: This could lead to apathy and over-reliance on a small number of people, potentially resulting in unbalanced representation and the consolidation of power in the hands of a few.

3. Security and Manipulation Risks

Problem: Since liquid democracy often relies on digital platforms for vote delegation and tracking, it could be vulnerable to cyberattacks, vote manipulation, or other forms of tampering.

Impact: Security is a critical concern, as manipulation of the voting process or the delegation system could undermine the legitimacy of decisions and elections.

Potential Approaches to Challenges:

Transparency and Accountability: Clear tracking of delegate voting history and public profiles could help reduce the risk of abuse and improve accountability.

Deliberative Processes: Incorporating deliberation and public discourse into decision-making might counteract some of the apathy and complexity issues, giving people more of an understanding of the issues they’re voting on.

Education and Outreach: Providing better education about the system and encouraging informed participation could help mitigate the risks of delegation fatigue and apathy.

Security Innovations: Implementing advanced encryption and blockchain technology could help ensure the integrity and security of votes, reducing the risk of manipulation.

While liquid democracy has intriguing potential, it’s clear that it will require overcoming significant challenges before it can be implemented in a way that’s both equitable and practical, especially in large-scale, diverse societies.

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The Economy of the Unborn

The critics say you can't run government like a business. I respond, well we can't run government like a government anymore ------ Ralph Klein (Canadian Progressive Conservative Politician, 1994)

As life expectancy rises and populations age, we will need to rethink retirement and empower people to live longer, healthier lives in financial security. By 2050, the number of people aged over 60 is expected to more than double to 2.1 billion, which will have implications for the workforce and financial and care systems globally.

If you look at fertility, there are a few social trends that are the proximate causes of its decline. That includes norms around longer schooling, more parental attention paid to kids, less grandparent involvement in parenting, low religiosity, higher vanity, and moving from “cornerstone” in the past to today’s “capstone” late marriages.

Fertility and productivity are interconnected in several ways, particularly as they relate to demographic trends, workforce availability, and economic outcomes. While it may not seem like an obvious connection, changes in fertility rates can have a significant impact on businesses, labor markets, and overall economic productivity.

Some countries with declining fertility rates, like Japan or Italy, have turned to immigration as a way to boost the workforce. Immigrants, especially those of working age, help to replenish the labor pool, ensuring that businesses continue to have access to a sufficient and diverse talent pool. Immigration can help mitigate some of the adverse effects of declining fertility by increasing the working-age population and sustaining overall business productivity.

Declining Fertility Rates: In many developed countries, fertility rates are declining. When fertility rates fall below the replacement level (around 2.1 children per woman), the population ages, and the proportion of working-age people decreases. This leads to a shrinking labor force, which can result in labor shortages in various industries. As fewer young people enter the workforce, businesses may face difficulties in hiring and retaining talent. With fewer workers available, businesses may need to increase wages to attract employees, but this can raise operational costs and decrease profitability.

Aging Population: As fertility rates drop, the population tends to age, meaning there are more elderly individuals relying on pensions and healthcare systems, and fewer younger people to support them. This shift can create a growing burden on businesses to fund pensions, healthcare benefits, and other welfare systems. Moreover, an aging workforce may face challenges in maintaining high levels of productivity, as older workers may experience health issues or may be less adaptable to new technologies and methods.

Younger Population and Innovation: Younger workers tend to be more innovative, technologically savvy, and flexible in adapting to new business environments. In countries with lower fertility rates, businesses may have fewer younger individuals entering the workforce, which could slow down innovation and the adoption of new technologies. This could have a longer-term impact on overall productivity as industries face difficulties in staying competitive.

The economy of the Born is powered by human attention, human desires, human biases, human labor, human attitudes, human consumption. The economy of the unborn, a synthetic economy, is powered by artificial minds, machine attention, synthetic labor, virtual needs and manufactured desires. [...] We are not replacing existing humans with bots, nor are we replacing unborn humans with bots. Rather we are replacing never-to-be-born humans with bots, and the relationship that we have with those synthetic agents. 

The economy of the unborn will be powered by bots.

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Spread your Wings

 "I know very well that the stability pact is stupid like all decisions that are rigid" ........Romano Prodi (Italian statesman, president of the European Commission,1999)

I hope you consume much higher quality information, and I hope you create greater distance between the social opinions and gain greater proximity to your own. 

Youth is a privilege, use it to experiment, to test the boundaries of the world, to make mistakes while Europe is boxed into excessive regulations and struggling to match the energy behind the US and Chinas economy, you should spread your wings. 

Elons Musk’s $432 billion makes up approximately 1.5% of US GDP, with time on his side he could accumulate $1trillion, just like the oil magnate John D. Rockefeller with 2.3% of America’s GDP at $900 million in 1913. 

The world’s largest tech companies have substantial free cash reserves:  Apple ($109 billion), Microsoft ($74 billion), Alphabet ($64 billion), Meta ($44 billion), Amazon ($32B) and Nvidia ($27 billion). As a result, these companies will ramp up their acquisition activities in AI, data, hardware, and energy. They all hope to face less pushback from the Federal Trade Commission.

DeepSeek at a Glance

Cost breakthrough: DeepSeek’s R-1 rivals OpenAI’s o1 in performance (not o3) at 10% the cost, enabling affordable, high-quality AI.

Open-source edge: Freely available, runs on modest hardware, sparking rapid developer adoption and open-source innovation.

Industry disruption: Big Tech (OpenAI, Google, Meta) and Nvidia’s GPU business face pressure as low-cost models challenge closed, expensive systems. Could have made a fortune from shorting NVidia's stock.

China looked at the U.S. and saw the overbearing importance of the finance industry at the expense of the real economy. Many of the top US graduates ended up in the increasingly parasitic finance industry instead of working on projects that move society forward. 

Simply put you want your best minds building real value, not just extracting it.

For Technology, The US is ahead however, China has the momentum with a more focused research brain power on Tech as opposed to wall street and just like the GDP, China still has some mileage to overcome.

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In The Beginning

To begin at the beginning: It is spring, moonless night in the small town, starless and bible black------(Dylan Thomas, UnderMilk Wood 1954)

In Technological Innovation, The U.S. and China have been leading in technology and innovation, especially in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. Companies such as Tesla, Google, Microsoft, and Chinese giants like Huawei and Tencent dominate global markets in tech development.

Similarly, Sam Altman anticipates the emergence of a one-person unicorn—a billion-dollar enterprise managed by a single individual leveraging an army of AI agents.

Today’s AI assistants, like ChatGPT, require constant human input—they’re co-pilots, not autonomous actors. The next evolution, already well underway, is of agents that execute tasks independently once given an objective, much like delegating to a seasoned team and stepping back while they handle the rest. And there is no limit to the size of this team.

While it's true that Europe is perceived to be lagging behind the U.S. and China in several critical areas such as technology innovation, venture capital, and global influence, it remains a significant player on the global stage. Europe has distinct advantages in fields such as regulatory frameworks, sustainability, manufacturing, and certain sectors of high-tech engineering. 

Moving forward, the challenge for other nations will be to foster more cohesive innovation ecosystems, invest in digital transformation, and ensure that policies allow for competitiveness on the global stage without compromising core values.

By leveraging on the army of AI agents, the perceived gap between nations will slowly give way, then we are back to the beginning.

See You at The Top and Enjoy the Holidays,,,,,,,,,,,,

National Life

This is not about solving the problem. This is about actually solving the team and allowing people to bring their discretionary effort and their full energies to the problem ------- Alexi Robichaux, CEO, Better Up

The private sector is indispensable in shaping the national life of any country. Through its contributions to economic development, technological progress, employment, social welfare, and government revenue, the private sector supports the overall functioning of society. A healthy relationship between the private sector and the government, characterized by clear regulations, a conducive business environment, and responsible corporate practices, is essential for sustainable national growth. 

While governments protect global commerce, the private sector also has a prominent seat at the geopolitical table. That is only becoming clearer in the modern knowledge and innovation-driven economy. The annual revenues of top global companies now exceed the gross domestic products of approximately three-quarters of all nations. Many of these corporations have capabilities that governments don’t, from talent to cutting-edge technologies

• Innovation in the private sector helps the nation remain globally competitive by developing new products and services that meet the demands of international markets.
• The private sector is a major source of tax revenue for governments, which are used to fund public services, infrastructure projects, and social welfare programs.
• Many successful entrepreneurs and private sector leaders become important political figures, advising governments on economic strategies or even taking up political offices.
• Private companies shape consumer habits and lifestyle through advertising, branding, and product offerings, influencing societal norms and values.

Businesses can’t succeed in a world that doesn’t work. They need rules that are respected, property rights that are protected, laws and norms that are understood, and innovations that don’t just happen, but are rewarded and adopted at scale.

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Natures Technology

If anyone wishes to observe the works of nature, he should put his trust not in books of anatomy but in his own eyes...... Galen(Greek Physician, AD 129-199)

Nature’s technology, often referred to as biomimicry or bioinspiration, involves looking to nature for innovative solutions to human challenges.

Numerous studies have shown clear evidence of the mental and physical benefits of spending time in natural environments. During the pandemic, when indoor gatherings were restricted, access to green spaces was crucial for community health and resilience. A robust network of healthy ecosystems is essential for physical protection and resilience and for maintaining urban biodiversity.

Here are some ideas that draw on natural principles:

Self-Healing Materials: Inspired by how some organisms, like certain reptiles and amphibians, can regenerate lost limbs or heal wounds, researchers are developing materials that can repair themselves when damaged.

Water Filtration Systems: Studying natural filtration systems, such as how wetlands purify water, could lead to new, efficient water treatment technologies.

Animal-Inspired Robotics: Designing robots that mimic the movement and agility of animals, like birds or insects, could improve efficiency in tasks like search and rescue or surveillance.

Natural Cooling Systems: Inspired by termite mounds, which maintain a stable internal temperature, architects are developing buildings that naturally regulate temperature without relying heavily on air- conditioning.

Pollination Drones: Learning from bees and other pollinators, engineers are creating drones that can help with pollination in areas where bee populations are declining.

Biodegradable Packaging: Using materials inspired by natural processes, such as chitin from crustaceans, to create packaging that breaks down naturally without harming the environment.

Wind and Water Energy: Designing turbines and water wheels that mimic fish fins or bird wings for improved efficiency in harnessing renewable energy.

These concepts showcase how observing and understanding natural systems can lead to innovative and sustainable technological advancements.

San Francisco 1t.org pledges commitment to a future where nature and urban life harmoniously coexist. By enhancing biodiversity, fostering equitable access to natural spaces and bolstering community engagement, San Francisco sets a transformative example for urban sustainability.

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Intelligent Age

“Creativity is not predictable, linear, or programmable....People who creatively think about financial challenges are as creative as the people who get paid with the word ‘creative’ in their job title."-----JKR’s Rolston

Gig Economy and rise of gig work can lead to income instability.

The Intelligent Age is fundamentally altering how we communicate — both with one another and with the world around us. AI is taking instantaneous and global communication to the next level, enabling real-time translation across languages and content generation that caters to individual preferences.

The term "intelligent age" can refer to several concepts, often related to advancements in technology, artificial intelligence, and the evolving role of intelligence in society. It might denote:

Technological Advancement- The period where AI and machine learning play a crucial role in various sectors, enhancing decision-making and efficiency.

Information Age- A continuation of the digital revolution where access to information and the ability to process it effectively define success and progress.

Human-AI Collaboration- An era where human intelligence complements artificial intelligence, leading to new innovations and solutions.

Societal Impacts- The implications of these technologies on employment, ethics, education, and daily life.

let's look at the Social Impact

1- Digital Divide: Access to AI technology can exacerbate inequalities, leaving marginalized communities further behind.

2- Wealth Disparity: Companies leveraging AI effectively may accumulate wealth faster, widening the gap between tech-savvy and less tech-savvy populations.

3- Social Interaction: Increased reliance on digital communication can impact interpersonal relationships, potentially leading to loneliness or anxiety.

4- Mental Health: AI tools offer support for mental health through chatbots and apps, but they also raise questions about efficacy and human connection.

5- Informed Citizenship: Access to AI-driven data analytics can enhance public awareness and engagement in civic matters.

6- Misinformation: The spread of AI-generated misinformation poses challenges for democratic processes and informed decision-making.

The intelligent age offers opportunities and challenges that require thoughtful engagement from individuals, communities, and policymakers. Balancing technological progress with ethical considerations and social equity will be crucial in shaping a future that benefits everyone.

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A Genius and A Fool

Those who know how to win are much more numerous than those who know how to make proper use of their victories ------- (Polybius, Greek historian, c.200-c.118 BC)

The dichotomy between a genius and a fool is a fascinating one. A genius is often characterized by exceptional intellectual or creative ability, possessing insight or skills that are far beyond the norm. In contrast, a fool is typically seen as someone lacking in wisdom or common sense, often making decisions or behaving in ways that seem irrational or naive.

However, this contrast isn’t always so clear-cut. Sometimes, what appears as foolishness can be a sign of unconventional thinking that leads to groundbreaking ideas. Similarly, what seems like genius can sometimes be based on eccentric or unorthodox views that others might initially perceive as foolish.

We want our technological infrastructure to mimic nature in the way things fail. That will give us deep complexity rather than just surface complexity, and resilience rather than brittleness.

Elon Musk’s most significant businesses have started with a mission, not a business. Rather than finding a gap in the market to exploit or a tempting arbitrage opportunity, the process begins with him discovering what he considers a species-scale problem.

Musk created SpaceX after realizing that at some point in the future, Earth would die, and humanity would perish with it if it had not populated other planets. His solution was a commercial rocket company capable of delivering humans to Mars.

Just like Musk, China’s innovation ecosystem uniquely combines top-down government–industry coordination with the bottom-up drive of Chinese entrepreneurs. Startups that align with government-picked growth industries of the future can prosper through favorable policies, regulations, and centralized investment in scientific research.

A “whole-of-nation” approach to innovation marshals almost unlimited state resources. From 1995 to 2021, China’s total R&D outlay soared from $18.2 billion to $620.1 billion — a 3,299% increase compared to America’s 277%, according to the Netherlands’ Rathenau Institute. 

China has become a leading global hub for advanced scientific research. According to The Economist, Chinese scientists now lead the world in producing high-impact papers and contributing to famous scientific publications selected after rigorous peer review.

No segment better illustrates China’s technological prowess than clean tech. China now accounts for over 80% of global production capacity in 11 essential technologies, including solar wafers and lithium-ion battery components Just as Chinese companies once benefited from decades of Western investments in traditional industries like autos and chemicals, U.S. and European companies should now cash in on China’s colossal expenditures on clean tech.

China excels at tailoring affordable, innovative solutions to local needs. For instance, Chinese smartphone companies, led by Transsion Holdings, Xiaomi, and Huawei, captured 76% of the smartphone market in India and more than 60% of the African market by 2021. Similarly, Chinese EV manufacturers dominate Latin America, holding an impressive 86% market share. 

China’s markets — often described as a “Gladiators Arena” — often emerge as global champions. Think of CATL (batteries), BYD (batteries and electric vehicles), Tongwei (solar), Goldwind (wind), or Huawei (information and communications technology).

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Algorithms and Monopoly

“When a distinguished but elderly scientist states that something is possible, he is almost certainly right. When he states that something is impossible, he is very probably wrong” ............Arthur C. Clarke

With digital natives. digital is just not an accessory; it is the fabric of everyday life, and a “computer” is where life pulsate. The internet a playground, the smartphone a trusted friend and social media the town square. The unique understanding of these preferences becomes a dynamic entrepreneurial insight for emerging technology.

Funny memes, shocking news, and images all provide social platforms with unprecedented access to society. The platform influences and determines who sees what when and where. 

Chinese-owned companies are often in service to the Chinese Communist Party, while US-owned companies are in service to business goals. They both have unchecked surveillance power; they are both reshaping societies extracting data to serve content and develop products.

Key Considerations and Challenges

Algorithmic Opacity: The complexity and proprietary nature of algorithms can make it challenging for regulators to understand how decisions are made, assess their fairness, and ensure compliance with regulations.

Accountability: Ensuring that companies are held accountable for the outcomes of algorithmic decisions, particularly when these decisions affect competition and consumer welfare.

Bias and Discrimination: Algorithms can inadvertently perpetuate biases present in training data, leading to unfair treatment of certain groups of consumers.

Consumer Privacy: The extensive use of data by algorithms raises concerns about consumer privacy and the potential for misuse of personal information.

Rapid Innovation: The fast pace of technological innovation can outstrip the ability of regulatory frameworks to keep up, making it challenging to effectively oversee and regulate the use of algorithms.

Global Considerations: The global nature of many dominant firms, especially in technology, complicates the enforcement of antitrust laws, as different jurisdictions may have varying regulations and enforcement capabilities.

 A good question to ask now is when do I accept big data and algorithms to make decisions? 

 - To automatically control my thermostat 

 - To drive my car 

 - To optimize the traffic lights in the city. 

OR

 - To set tax rates, 

 - To set corporate regulations 

 - To set foreign policy. 

OR  

 - To declare war -- right now. 

Every individual, company and government can define their own limits. 

For now I prefer algorithms under my control that works on my behalf and not controlled by a large corporate monopoly. 

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Wellbeing Algorithm

 “If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it”...... W.E. Deming (business theorist)

The health care industry produces an astonishing amount of data: nearly one-third of the world’s data volume. The amount of data health care providers generate can seem overwhelming—and it can overwhelm your ability to find valuable insights that can help physicians and its patients.

Algorithms analyze genetic data to tailor treatments to individual patients, improving efficacy and reducing side effects. It is about identifying areas where computational intelligence exceeds our capacity to do a given thing. 

We see this already in navigation, algorithms fly planes safer than humans can.

To list AI’s core competences. 

1- AI is really good as a summarizer. 

2- AI is good at explaining things, teaching with infinite patience.  

3- AI is fundamentally a prediction technology. Predictions about whether turning left or right will get you to your destination faster. Predictions about whether a tumor is cancerous might improve medical diagnoses. 

4- AI can assess. Assessing requires outside context and criteria.  

5- AI can decide. A decision is a prediction plus an assessment. We are already using AI to make all sorts of decisions.

At some point everyone will have an algorithm that will maintain their health and wellness.

Health machine learning algorithms analyze medical data (e.g., imaging, lab results) to assist in diagnosing diseases and recommending treatments. Examples include detecting cancers in medical images and predicting the onset of diseases like diabetes.

The Major Attributes:

Data Collection- Gathers data from wearable devices, user inputs (e.g., age, weight, fitness goals), and external sources (e.g., weather, location).

Activity Tracking- Monitors physical activity, heart rate, sleep patterns, and calorie expenditure.

Personalized Recommendations- Uses machine learning to analyze data and suggest tailored workout plans, nutrition advice, and wellness tips.

Progress Monitoring- Tracks progress over time, providing feedback and adjusting recommendations as needed.

Customization- Offers personalized plans that are more effective than generic advice.

Motivation- Provides regular feedback and goals to keep users motivated.

Health Improvement- Helps users achieve better health outcomes through consistent, data-driven advice.

 As a business you should regularly update algorithms based on new research and user feedback to maintain accuracy. As a client using an intuitive user interface, ensure your data is encrypted and only accessible to authorized personnel. 

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Build or Invest

I like reading all day. I can read all day, every day. If you’re the kind of person who wants to read all day every day, that’s probably a good signal you want to invest, not build. --------- Kyle Samani (2024, Venture Capitalist)

It takes over a decade for a successful startup to develop into a thriving public company. As an investor, you won’t receive positive feedback for over 10 years. You will receive plenty of negative feedback while many of your companies shut down. Maintaining belief in your abilities and processes takes a degree of productive delusion and strong self-confidence. 

Due Diligence and Analytical Skills

Evaluation Process: Employs a data-driven approach, with a dedicated team for market research and financial analysis.

Risk Management: Focuses on startups with strong management teams and scalable business models to mitigate risks.

Personal Traits and Skills

Visionary Thinking: Known for identifying disruptive technologies early.

Decisiveness: Quick to make investment decisions, often outpacing competitors.

Resilience: Has experienced failures but learned and adapted from them.

A successful investor combines industry expertise, a strong network, and a keen eye for innovative startups, which together drive their continued success in the venture capital ecosystem.

As a builder Elon Musk said, “boil things down to their fundamental truths and reason up from there as opposed to reasoning by analogy.”

This involves a three-step process: 

(1) challenging conventional thinking, 

(2) breaking problems into their fundamental principles (i.e., their most basic elements or truths) 

(3) creating new solutions from scratch. 

Musk famously used this process to come up with Space X’s affordable and reusable rockets. 

His original plan was to buy secondhand rockets in Russia, but they were too expensive. 

Starting with first principles thinking,

(step 1) he wondered why rockets are so expensive. 

(step 2) After breaking them down into their components, he noticed that the cost of materials 

was only two percent of the total price. 

(step 3) Therefore, he decided to buy materials (such as aluminum alloys, titanium and carbon fiber) on the commodity market and build his own rockets.

See You at The Top 

Robot Population

"Robots are the expression of our highest aspirations as human beings: to make life easier, to explore the universe, to extend our reach beyond the limits of our bodies and our minds." - Daniel H. Wilson

The term "robot population" typically refers to the number of robots in existence within a particular context, such as a country, industry, or specific application. Robot population can vary significantly depending on factors such as technological advancements, economic conditions, regulatory frameworks, and societal acceptance of automation.

If Big Tech’s trajectory is any signal, AI tools will increasingly be involved in how we learn and how we express our thoughts. But these tools will also influence how we schedule our daily activities including laundry, how we design products, how we write laws, and even how we diagnose diseases. 

The expansive role of these technologies in our daily lives gives corporations opportunities to exert control over more aspects of society.

• AI-powered ads, industry leaders say, will be much better. 
• Google assures you that AI can tweak your ad copy in response to what users search for, and that its AI algorithms will configure your campaigns to maximize success. 
• IBM is confident its Watson AI will make your ads better.
• Amazon wants you to use its image generation AI to make your toaster product pages look cooler.

Different experts mean different things when they talk about “AI”, but they also hold widely different views on how good it is and where it’s going. 

• Elon Musk thinks we’ll have AI smarter than humans by 2025. 
• Dario Amodei predicts that by2025 “AI models could be able to replicate and survive in the wild”. 
• Yann LeCun of Meta says today’s systems are stupider than a house cat.
• Gary Marcus reckons it’s nothing more than a magic trick. 

Demis Hassabis says Google will spend $100 billion developing AI. And every week, a new AI model appears to supposedly rival GPT-4, but never quite manages it; and each week brings yet another example of the weaknesses of these models. 

Chinese company SenseTime has released SenseNova 5.0, which is reportedly better than GPT-4 in a range of scenarios.  Sam Altman said: “We can say right now, with a high degree of scientific certainty, GPT-5 is going to be a lot smarter than GPT-4 and GPT-6 will be a lot smarter than GPT-5, we are not near the top of this curve.”

However, the impending robot “population boom” is the result of technological breakthroughs, intense investor appetite, labor cost arbitrage, and long-standing demographic trends. 

But buying a robot outright is expensive. 

• Will large corporations choose to buy machines outright? 
• Will they lease them similar to a car? 
• Will they simply “hire” them, as you would any other worker? 

Or should robotics companies give them away for free, receiving a portion of the efficiency gains as royalty? 

In addition to industrial robots, there are various other types of robots, including service robots (such as those used in healthcare, hospitality, and domestic settings), agricultural robots, autonomous vehicles, and drones. The population of these robots varies depending on their respective applications and adoption rates.

The next decade will reveal which model best meets commercial realities.

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The Art of Skills

“The fox knows many things; the hedgehog knows one big thing.” ------ Archilochus, 8th century BC 

A degree outside the mainstream there is a rare gift that is best appreciated by those with a deep understanding of the craft. That gifted man may not fill the biggest arenas, but he has a fine talent that earns esteem.

•  Warren Buffett hasn’t had to work for money since he was 25 years old and yet he keeps working well into his 90s. 
• Sam Walton who was a successful teenage entrepreneur and kept going long after he became the richest person in America.
• Leonardo da Vinci carried a notebook wherever he went and in 1519 on his death bed he was observing in scientific detail the nature of his illness. 

There is a concept defined in the book Finite and Infinite Games by James Carse; Life is divided into two types of games. “Finite games” exist to be won; “infinite games” are designed simply to keep playing. Lifelong art like writing, painting, and company-building fall into the latter. You can practice and learn until your dying breath.

In a rapidly evolving business environment with a competitive talent marketplace, your organization’s skilled workforce is your most powerful differentiator. Finding and tapping the skills you need—and recruiting and retaining that talent—is critical to the success of any organization.

A recent Deloitte Insights report said organizations with a skills-first hiring approach to talent are 107% more likely to place talent effectively, 98% more likely to retain high performers, and more likely to build reputations as great places to grow a career. Two-thirds of workers say they would be more attracted to join—and more likely to remain at—an organization that values and makes decisions based on their skills rather than on their degrees and previous jobs.

Learn from these differentiators:

“Every great institution is the lengthened shadow of a single man. His character determines the character of the organization.”......Ralph Waldo Emerson: 

“We provide autonomy and space with freedom to operate, without fear of failure. We’re curious, open minded, and collaborative. And although we’re thought leaders, we’re humble, and willing to share knowledge and learn from one another.” .......Former CEO Richard Goyder of Wesfarmers aptly encapsulates the pivotal importance of culture to the company’s trajectory on growth noting that “culture is very hard to build and easy to destroy.”

These differentiators possess industry knowledge and focus on key financial metrics like return on capital employed complemented with “above-the-waterline characteristics” with “below-the-waterline characteristics.” like: 

• emotional intelligence, such as interpersonal sensitivity
•  broad interests that encompass diverse areas
• the ability to contemplate how global issues may impact the business. 

A skilled workforce is essential for driving productivity, innovation, and competitiveness across industries. Employers must invest in recruiting, developing, and retaining skilled talent to support organizational objectives and maintain a competitive advantage in today's dynamic and fast-paced business environment. Additionally, governments, educational institutions, and industry stakeholders play crucial roles in fostering a skilled workforce through investments in education, training, workforce development programs, and policies that support lifelong learning and career advancement.

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Wealth Beyond Career

“A shoe is just a shoe until somebody steps into it. Then it has meaning.” .........Nike marketer Sonny Vaccaro

In business school, corporate finance professors teach three well-established principles about value:

1. The value of a business is equal to the present value of its expected future cash flow (CF).

2. Revenue growth and return on capital (ROC) drive CF.

3. For growth to create value, ROC must exceed the cost of capital.

In the 40 years “Jordan Brand” has grown into a global franchise, with Nike’s 2023 annual report attributing $6.6 billion in gross revenue to the sub-division.

In many respects, the brand has extended beyond basketball into other sports and public consciousness. Around the world, “Jumpman,” the brand’s iconic logo, will outlive Jordan.

The rise of social media and software allows individuals to monetize directly, cut out intermediaries, and build extraordinary wealth. Rather than relying on executives like Sonny Vaccaro and Nike founder Phil Knight, today’s Air Jordan could run on Shopify, collect payments through Stripe, and advertise over Instagram and TikTok with 100% ownership.

A few athletes building wealth beyond their careers. 

LeBron James, $1 billion. One of the challengers to Jordan’s title as the NBA’s greatest ever has reached $1 billion in net worth while still competing for championships. In addition to banking high salaries, James has taken equity in brands like Beats by Dre and Blaze Pizza. He has also spearheaded a holding company of his own, SpringHill Entertainment. That vehicle has spawned movies, game shows, and talk shows and is about to launch a men’s grooming line called “The Shop.”

Serena Williams, $290 million. The GOAT of women’s tennis is a prolific venture investor. As an angel, Williams backed Zipline, Masterclass, Daily Harvest, and many others. A dedicated $111 million fund, Serena Ventures, debuted in 2022 and has started capitalizing a host of other startups. Alongside her venture activities, Williams has launched two fashion brands and taken minority positions in the Miami Dolphins and UFC. Forbes estimated her 2023 net worth at $290 million.  

Maria Sharapova, $220 million. The retired tennis star has grown her confectionary brand, Sugarpova, into a viable business, earning a reported $20 million annual revenue. Sharapova capitalized the business herself and still owns 100% of it. She has also invested in Public.com, Supergoop, and MoonPay. Her net worth is pegged at $220 million. 

By investing savvily, especially in sports franchises or mass-market consumer brands, athletes can earn far more in retirement than they ever did as athletes. 

Social media has eaten traditional media and changed the equation, allowing talent to talk to an audience intimately, repeatedly, and on a global scale. Traditional gatekeepers no longer have the same leverage – people have greater control than ever over their story and its distribution.

Technology has reduced startup costs, removed complexity, and increased upside. It is cheaper than ever to start a company. It is also, easier, to launch an e-commerce brand, you can use a platform like Shopify. If you want to test out a new media property, you can use tools like Anchor to launch a podcast and YouTube to distribute videos.

See You at the Top 

Learn with Speed

The greater our knowledge increases, the greater our ignorance unfolds........President Kennedy of USA (Rice University 1962)

Very few vocations require as much rapid learning as an innovative startup leader, a role that requires flexible intelligence and constant adaptation. The leader of an early-stage company might split their time between decoding governmental regulations, hiring staff, wooing investors, scanning deal documents, reviewing code, reviewing design, running a marketing campaign, and making sales. It is a learning treadmill that doesn’t stop. Though some functions are absorbed as a business grows, an innovative company will always find a new frontier to conquer.

The most important thing you need to do as a CEO is learn faster than the pace at which your company is growing. you shouldn’t think about learning as simply absorbing information and then copying what others are doing, but understanding the HOW and the WHY in a way that makes sense for your company.

Leadership skills are necessary in order for you to be successful with the company. Thankfully, leadership is a learned skill.

• Being a leader doesn’t mean you have to manage 100+ people.
• Being a leader doesn’t mean you have to be a “smooth talker.”

Being a leader often means “listening more than speaking.”: That means listening to market trends, customer feedback, and ideas from your team. 

Being a leader often means Patience: Though there’s value in speed, but most of the best things in life take time to reveal themselves. They take time to unfold and play out. That process often makes the outcome richer, the learnings deeper, and the rewards much better. And sometimes, sitting in discomfort along that path is essential to finding the truth. 

Bringing people along professionally requires patience, building a company requires patience, and often finding answers requires patience. 

Being a leader often means Reading: The key nugget for a leader is to treat every resource – conversations, books, blog posts, etc. – as one single data point that will feed your own strategy.

Here are a few good books recommended by Mathilde Collin, CEO and Co-founder at Front.

- The Effective Executive. 

- High Output Management. 

- The Hard Things About Hard Things.

Finally, being a leader means Networking: Find coaches, mentors and create a group of peers (similar-stage companies) you can learn from and then hire people better than yourself.

See You at The Top

Enjoy the Season

 Happy Holidays...

True Love Heals 

True Love Shares

Share words that are True to Heal and Restore

Daniel Williams, a philosopher, argues that misinformation is the symptom of deeper societal issues rather than the cause. It emerges from polarization, institutional distrust and governmental corruption.

Misinformation refers to false or inaccurate information that is spread, whether intentionally or unintentionally, misleading people and potentially causing harm. In the age of rapid information dissemination through the internet and social media, misinformation has become a significant concern.

Types of Misinformation:

Disinformation- False information that is deliberately spread with the intention to deceive or mislead.

Malinformation- True information that is shared with the intent to harm, often by disclosing private or sensitive details.

Misleading Information- Information that is presented in a way that leads people to draw incorrect conclusions.

Satire or Parody- Content created for humor or satire that may be misconstrued as factual information.

Misinformation poses significant challenges to society, impacting public discourse, decision-making, and trust in information sources. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach involving individuals, technology platforms, media organizations, and policymakers. Promoting a culture of critical thinking, fact-checking, and responsible information sharing is essential to mitigate the impact of misinformation.

Enjoy the Holidays