Five Links for November 2023
Every month, I share the most mind-expanding links to read/watch/listen. If you find these interesting, please do share with your friends.
Here are five links worth reading…
Corry Wang on Ozempic
A fascinating thread on the wide-ranging implications of a real anti-addiction drug. An under-appreciated number of consumer categories depend on a tiny cohort of super consumers (including gambling, alcohol, candy and soda). What happens when addiction is curable?
The Techno-Optimist Manifesto by Marc Andreessen
Techno pessimism is denouncing our birthright— our ability to control nature and build a better world.
Andreessen: “We believe a Universal Basic Income would turn people into zoo animals to be farmed by the state. Man was not meant to be farmed; man was meant to be useful, to be productive, to be proud.”
Banking on Status by Julian Lehr
How luxury takes on the next frontier: Software. (or, why increasingly dull apps and services all look like lifestyle brands)
Bonus (Listen) Andrew Ross Sorkin: SVB, Lessons from the 2008 Financial Crisis & VC on World of DaaS pod
Andrew (author of “Too Big to Fail” and creator of the show “Billions”) shares some unique ideas on SVB vs the 2008 crisis, and we discuss our favorite AI agents.
Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube
if you are not already a World of DaaS (my podcast) subscriber, please SUBSCRIBE Spotify Podcasts | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
The Six Moats of Data Businesses by Travis May
Travis outlines the features that aren’t moats, and what effective moats actually look like in data businesses.
Jared Kushner: Israel, Palestine, Hamas, Gaza, Iran, and the Middle East on Lex Fridman Podcast
A real-time reaction to the Oct 7 terrible terrorism and a deep-dive into the history of the Abraham Accords.
Bonus (Heartwarming): Stay in the Game by Drew Dickson
A beautiful, honest story about one of the hardest things in the world to be open about: a troubled child. Plus, an amazing twist ending.
Bonus (Listen): Ben Horowitz, co-founder of a16z: Venture Capital on World of DaaS pod
A wide-ranging conversation with one of the greats of modern venture capital. Ben and I discuss culture, the war-time CEO playbook, and whether AI will eat the world like software.
Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts or watch on YouTube
More reading links at https://twitter.com/AurenReads
Books I read last month:
Target Tehran by Yonah Jeremy Bob & Ilan Evyatar
HT: Johnnie Moore (highly recommended)
Anatomy of Love by Helen Fisher
HT: Daniel Pink
(highly recommended)
Going Infinite by Michael Lewis
Fall In Love with the Problem, Not the Solution by Uri Levine & Perry Daniels
HT: Lauren Spiegel
Deploy Empathy: A Practical Guide to Interviewing Customers by Michele Hanse
HT: Mathias Hansen
Graph of the Month:
Already, there are studies showing AIs are more empathetic than people. do you think these lines will cross, or do you think they already have?
Auren Hoffman is CEO of SafeGraph (geospatial data on physical places) and GP at Flex Capital ($200M Series A and B VC firm). Engage on Twitter: @auren
and please share Five Links with your friends.