August '25
Thinking big (and going blind)
ZAP Comix by Spain Rodriguez
Broad Strokes
My fundamental problem with most people’s opinion on AI right now is that they either:
Think too small
“Build me a Chatbot Aidan”
Think too big
“AI eat world”
When in reality, its somewhere in-between. Instead of going to ChatGPT and expecting an answer to your problem, look for ways that it can accelerate what you’re doing. Enabling you to move faster.
— And one last tangent —
Do you think people from the early 1900s would consider what we do today as ‘work’? Sitting behind a computer in comparison to manufacturing steel? What about hunter gathers? Fighting off predators in comparison to smelting ore? Point being, that technology and innovation tend to improve our quality of life. And there’s something inherently optimistic in that.
Going Blind
As of late, I’ve been having a friend run my Hinge account. She’s married with two kids and a full-time job, but when I asked her if she’d be interested in participating in this little social experiment she was more than happy.
So I sent her a couple dozen of my best photos and told her what I’m looking for — which was harder than anything honestly — and she made me a profile. Clearly communicating that she’s acting as my matchmaker and setting me up on blind dates.
To which, the results have been really interesting. For starters, it seems like women are more inclined to talk to her than any man (myself included)? She’s been answering questions as to my faith, interests, personality, and seems to be having more fun than I am sometimes. As if having a female vouching for me signals that women can ask the real questions (and not feel like they’re giving anything away).
And from my perspective, not having to swipe/chat/overthink has been a burden off my own shoulders. I merely suggest a couple date ideas and communicate my schedule. I’m given a phone number and a first name. That’s it. Send a text the morning of and confirm our date. Seeing them for the first time unbiased.
And you know what? This has been the most refreshing dating experience I’ve ever had. Finally feels like I can go on dates and not be sucked into the OLD whirlpool.
Thank you Anne.
And P.S. — if anyone else is looking for a matchmaker, she comes highly reviewed :p
A Few More Ideas
Apple’s production of the film ‘F1’ starring Brad Pitt was very much strategic
The F1 gaming commission has now publicly stated that they want to be America’s “next big sport” (with Apple allegedly in talks for the streaming rights)
Lead with a blockbuster film, follow with ‘Watch live on AppleTV+’
Sam Altman and OpenAI announced a partnership with Jony Ive (the guy who designed the iPhone, MacBook, and Apple Watch)
I also read that Meta’s VR deal with Ray-Bans has drastically exceeded sales expectations
Which is interesting, when you consider that every VR product preceding this has been a complete and utter flop (such as the Apple Vision Pro)
What does this signal about the broader market? Are consumers ready for AI wearables?
Airbnb didn’t build software for hotels, they changed what a hotel meant
Uber didn’t build software for taxis, they changed what a taxi meant
True disruption changes our definition of the market.
Some Literature
From thirty feet away she looked like a lot of class.
— Raymond Chandler (The High Window)