Weekend Briefing No. 563
Beyond the Bots -- The Lonely Technology Trap -- Africa’s Healthcare Paradox
Welcome to the weekend.
Prime Numbers
6,200,000 — A banana duct-taped to a wall, titled "Comedian" by Maurizio Cattelan, sold for a staggering $6.2 million (including fees) at a Sotheby's auction in New York, with the buyer receiving a roll of duct tape, a banana, and a certificate of authenticity.
10.3 — According to a new analysis of satellite imagery, ships are allegedly swapping sanctioned Iranian oil worth billions of dollars into China-bound vessels off the coast of Indonesia, with the percentage of ships positioned side by side, a clear indication of a swap, rising from 5% in 2020 to 10.3% in 2024.
9 — The MTA board approved a revised version of congestion pricing for lower Manhattan, which will impose a $9 daytime fee to enter the area south of 60th street, with planned increases in 2028 and 2031, to fund major improvement projects for the New York City transit system, despite Albany's attempted sabotage and pending federal approval.
Beyond the Bots
Forget talking bots—the real AI revolution is about to transform industries, from healthcare to transportation, in ways we never imagined. The transformer, a groundbreaking AI algorithm, allows computers to understand the underlying structure of any data and generate similar output, paving the way for innovations far beyond chatbots. Companies like EvolutionaryScale are using transformers to design new protein molecules, potentially leading to plastic-eating bacteria and personalized cancer treatments. Meanwhile, startups like Physical Intelligence are developing universal AI to power any robot, from laundry-folding arms to self-driving cars, by training them on vast amounts of data. While these systems still have limitations and require human oversight, they are poised to revolutionize various sectors as helpers rather than replacements. Wall Street Journal (7 minutes)
The Lonely Technology Trap
Our constant connection to technology may be fostering a culture of isolation, as studies reveal the complex links between tech use and loneliness. Recent research has uncovered striking correlations between technology use and loneliness, particularly among younger generations. Social media apps like Instagram can fuel unhealthy comparisons and feelings of inadequacy, while an overreliance on text messaging may hinder authentic connection. Binge-watching streaming content has also been linked to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Experts suggest that these behaviors—making judgmental comparisons online, lacking rich communication, and using tech as a coping mechanism—create a "recipe for loneliness." To combat this, individuals can take steps like hiding like counts, favoring video calls over texts, and setting screen-time limits. However, as technology evolves and new trends emerge, such as the use of AI chatbots for companionship, the relationship between tech and loneliness remains a moving target that demands ongoing research and awareness. New York Times (7 minutes)
Painless People Management
Are you struggling with people management in your company? You're not alone. A staggering 65% of new ventures fail due to people issues, making it the #1 challenge for founders. But here's the good news: it doesn't have to be frustrating, time-consuming, or thankless. Talentism has cracked the code on effective people management. They've helped over 900 companies simplify their processes and skyrocket their revenue. The result? An average 4.4x financial return for their clients. Want to know the secret? It starts with understanding where you spend your time as a leader. Ready to transform your people management and boost your bottom line? Check out this article. Talentism (Sponsored)
Africa’s Healthcare Paradox
There's something paradoxical happening right now in Africa: many countries face high healthcare worker unemployment while simultaneously coping with a severe shortage of healthcare professionals. Five strategic shifts could help narrow the gap: planning the workforce strategically using data analytics and digital tools, reforming healthcare worker training with flexible and cost-effective methods, increasing entrepreneurial ventures by partnering with the private sector and developing health-enabling industries, managing talent proactively through incentives and community-based initiatives, and optimizing productivity with digital solutions and redesigned processes. While implementing all shifts simultaneously may not be realistic, leaders must prioritize changes based on their country's unique needs, starting with a commitment to equitable, inclusive, and high-quality healthcare jobs, and then cascading and scaling additional shifts to drive progress towards a healthier and more productive population. McKinsey (9 minutes)
Elite College Students Can’t Read Books
In a troubling trend, even elite college students are struggling to read entire books, as many high schools have shifted away from assigning complete texts in favor of excerpts and informational passages. Professors report that students are overwhelmed by the thought of finishing multiple books in a semester, lacking the focus and persistence to engage with challenging texts. This decline in reading aptitude is often attributed to the distractions of smartphones and social media, as well as educational initiatives that prioritize standardized tests and informational texts over long-form reading. As a result, college instructors are forced to assign less reading and lower their expectations, with some opting for shorter works or trimming down their syllabi. However, this approach may not foster a love of reading or cultivate the empathy, critical thinking, and self-reflection that come from deep, sustained immersion in a text, leaving a generation of students ill-equipped to appreciate and understand the greatest works of literature. The Atlantic (7 minutes)
Deathbed Finances
How should we think about money when we're dying? Since learning of his terminal cancer, Wall Street Journal columnist Jonathan Clements has been working tirelessly to simplify his finances, closing accounts, updating beneficiary designations, and revising his will. He has also been making strategic financial gifts to his children, forgiving a private mortgage to ease the settlement of his affairs and minimize inheritance taxes, while encouraging them to maximize the tax-free growth of their inherited Roth IRAs. Despite the temptation to indulge in luxurious experiences during his final months, Clements remains committed to the frugal values he has lived by throughout his adult life, ensuring that his legacy is one of love, generosity, and fiscal responsibility. Wall Street Journal (7 minutes)
Kafka on Friendship
Even the loneliest souls, riddled with self-doubt, can forge the most steadfast friendships—if they dare to embrace the paradoxes of connection. Franz Kafka, known for his existential angst and feelings of isolation, grappled with the complexities of friendship throughout his life. Despite declaring himself "unfit for friendship" and "incapable of tolerating a friendship," he yearned for the solace of deep connection. Kafka recognized that true friendship is built on a profound understanding of each other's souls, yet requires a willingness to meet anew each time, as we are constantly changing. He also understood that the interruptions and discontinuities in friendships, caused by the demands of daily life, can create unease before each reunion—but that this unease is a necessary part of the process of reconnection and reaffirmation of the bond. Ultimately, it was Kafka's unwavering friend Max Brod who championed his talent and preserved his legacy, embodying the power of steadfast love in the face of self-doubt. Marginalia (6 minutes)
Should We Work Together?
Hi! I’m Kyle. This newsletter is my passion project. When I’m not writing, I run a law firm that helps startups move fast without breaking things. Most founders want a trusted legal partner, but they hate surprise legal bills. At Westaway, we take care of your startup’s legal needs for a flat, monthly fee so you can control your costs and focus on scaling your business. If you’re interested, let’s jump on a call to see if you’re a good fit for the firm. Click here to schedule a one-on-one call with me.
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Weekend Wisdom
A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same. - Elbert Hubbard
Technology connects us yet often isolates us, ...perfect time to rethink how we use it. Explore more on my site.