A Few Things: The Future 100, Die With Zero, Isaacson's da Vinci, Sam Altman on OpenAI, The Future of Crypto.....

January 20, 2023

Jan 20

Quotes I’m Thinking About:

“For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are.”

- Niccolo Machiavelli

“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

- Warren Buffett

“Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.”

- Winston Churchill

A. A Few Things Worth Checking Out:

1. Wunderman Thompson Intelligence does great work on emerging and future global trends, consumer change, and innovation patterns.

The Future 100 is Wunderman Thompson Intelligence’s annual snapshot of the year ahead and identifies the most compelling trends to keep on the radar.

The report charts 100 trends across 10 sectors, spanning culture, tech and innovation, travel and hospitality, brands and marketing, food and drink, beauty, retail and commerce, luxury, health, and work.

I find these reports interesting because they encapsulate and capture the zeitgeists of our time and the direction of society.

Here are 5 that I see around me more regularly:

2. It’s only January, but I have a feeling that Die With Zero might be one of the most profound books I read this year.

Bill Perkins is a successful hedge fund manager and entrepreneur, and the author of the bestseller, Die With Zero.

His book Die With Zero challenges conventional thinking related to the balance between health, wealth, and time—the three variables important for fulfilment.

Bill makes the case that we should strive for maximum net fulfilment rather than net worth (or even health). He argues that we need to optimise our life to have memorable experiences before it’s too late and that most people are over-saving and under-living.

He had a great discussion with Peter Attia on optimising life for maximum fulfilment which I highly recommend. It will help you think about how to use your key resources: time, health and wealth to be more fulfilled.

Have a listen. It might be the most mind altering thing you do.

3. Last week we discussed my obsession with the Founders podcast by David Senra.

This week’s favourite episode was what David learned reading Leonardo da Vinci’s biography by by Walter Isaacson.

Growing up da Vinci was probably the historical figure I most admired. He was a big thinker, ahead of his time and a true polymath. This discussion really brought out just how amazing he was then and now.

David’s podcasts are a great resource for books I want to read but know I will likely never get around it.

Here is Walter Isaacson sharing his thoughts on da Vinci:

B. News You Might Have Missed:

1. Scientists successfully steered lightning bolts with lasers last year during heavy storms on top of a Swiss mountain.

The feat involved firing powerful laser pulses at thunderclouds for more than six hours. By changing the refractive index of air and ionizing the air molecules around them, the lasers created an easier path for electrical discharge to flow down.

The technology could lead to laser-based lightning protection systems at airports, launchpads, and tall buildings.

2. Prince Harry's "Spare" sold more than 3.2 million copies worldwide, half of those in the US, after just one week of publication, making it one of the bestselling memoirs of all time. The book is out in 15 other languages. 10 more languages are expected.

3. More than 1 million French people protested President's plan to raise the country’s minimum retirement age from 62 to 64 yesterday. Many workers also went on strike, resulting in the closing of schools and the cancellation of transit routes and flights.

Major French unions announced a second day of strikes on January 31. President says lifting the retirement age is necessary to keep the country’s pension fund from drying up.

4. Is all the retail money gone?

5. This always shocks me

C. The Tech and Crypto Section:

1. OpenAI and Sam Altman is the subject of the majority of conversation in technology and especially AI today.

Sam doesn’t speak to the world much, but here is a good interview he did a few days ago with StrictlyVC. They cover a lot of ground from what’s next, views on AGI and OpenAI’s other investments…..