Absolutely breathtaking and crystal clear. So very impressed by what seems to be the last remaining honorable and rational Republican leader.
Product & Startup Builder
Impeachment: Activating The Base
Many Trump voters are not stupid, they just watch Fox News. Watch a little of the alternative reality playing out over there in the attached clip.
- Investigating people who have no power framed as more important than corruption from a sitting president
- Acquitting without witnesses framed as justice for the victim President
- Pervasive and ongoing fear about a reckless president framed as baseless Hysteria
- The whole thing used as a call to activate the base and get them to vote against their interests
Daily Habits That Will Change Your Life
No Witnesses
No witnesses = no conviction. So now...
He won’t lose, but even if he loses he won’t leave. Even if he leaves he won’t shut up. Even if he shuts up, Trumpism (and worse) is here to stay in the form of shattered norms, a broken Overton window & a precedent that the executive can abuse its power & obstruct congress.
America, as we knew it, is lost. My heart is broken.
“Lucky”
This beautiful machine has carried us safely for thousands of miles across five states all along the Eastern and Southern coastline of Australia over 26 days.
We just gave it a thorough wash from top to bottom (including the undercarriage).
Truly grateful for its amazing ability to combine so many seemingly contradictory characteristics. From the practical: Storage, fuel economy, Apple CarPlay etc, to the fun: howling engine with crackles and pops (soon to be a relic of the past), big breaks and a stunning look.
It’s quite amazing how a car can have a soul. It even breathes every time we park it. Even after endless miles and 8 hour stretches I’m still excited to get into it and drive again. I think Aliya Saad and I will forever look back fondly on “Lucky” - our 718.
As always, though, it’s not the “thing” that matters, but the experiences it gives you with your loved ones. And oh the experiences we’ve had!
Now it’s time for it to relax and be carried back to Brisbane in the lap of luxury on the back of a special purpose car carrying transport by Ceva.
Do the small things well. The rest takes care of itself.
You can’t do big things. You can only do small things. Do them well and they might add up to something big over time.
Our Shared Humanity
Last night at an after party the topic of Israel and Palestine came up.
Me: "These are a brutalized people who've been oppressed, slaughtered and dehumanized by the other side. They are lashing out with whatever they have at their disposal. Their enemy wants them eradicated off the face of the earth - wouldn't you want to defend yourself under these circumstances?"
Her: "Which side are you talking about?"
Me: "Exactly..."
---
Until we (globally) understand our shared humanity, and let go of our historical narratives, nothing can get better.
How To Identify Toxic People
How to identify toxic people:
When you encounter people who are regularly badmouthing others and constantly surrounded by drama that “isn’t their fault” - you can usually be rest assured that they are the source of the problems in their life.
It’s pretty easy to tell how they operate, though, because as part of their bad mouthing, they are typically reflecting their worst traits onto others. Just listen. Whatever they’re blaming others for is exactly what they themselves have done.
Historically the small tech community has hesitated to call these kind of people out because we don’t want blow back. But many of us know who they are. I think it would help a lot of founders if we collectively made a stand against these people more swiftly.
Sometimes it’s extra hard because these people, at times, appear to add a lot of value. But really it’s like an abusive relationship. As a friend of mine once said, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
Star Trek: Picard Episode 1
Star Trek: Picard episode 1 was really great. I’m so, so happy that it all felt intentional, patient and nostalgic without being stuck in the past.
Also, the afteshow hosted by Will Weaton was equally amazing.
Can’t wait to see where it goes next!
Samasource Mourns Loss of CEO
This really breaks my heart. I barely knew her personally but her energy and positivity leapt off the screen. Life isn’t fair.
Win or Learn
Articulate your vision
Believe in the abundance
Bet on yourself
Have conviction
Act decisively and effectively
Win or learn
Late Show: Deepest Anxieties
One of the best interviews I've seen on Colbert. So honest and heartfelt between host and guest.
Youtube Video: “John Mulaney And Stephen Colbert Explore Each Other's Deepest Anxieties”
Cruise's First Driverless Car
This is the future. Any mobility company not aggressively perusing this form-factor is in trouble. Traditional car layouts (with a drivers seat etc) will become small-scale luxury items (like horses). This chariot style vehicle running on ride share networks are going to take over most mobility needs currently serviced by cars and even busses.
Youtube Video: “Exclusive look at Cruise’s first fully driverless car”
Fox News Is A Threat To National Security
Hah! There’s an Arabic saying that literally translates to “slow down” said in a sarcastic way. It means “what the hell took you so long”. Never been a more appropriate use of the term.
Spacex Blows Up Falcon 9 Rocket
Another major milestone toward a multi-planetary future. Inspiring and exciting
The Need to Reintroduce Ourselves
Sometimes I feel like I’m regularly reintroducing myself to people. Every few years. As a son, as a student, as a graduate, as an entrepreneur, as a worker, as a husband, etc.
We all change all the time. If we’re very lucky we’re evolving into better, more comfortable versions of ourselves.
If that’s the case, we have to keep reintroducing ourselves to our lifelong friends and family and measure the distance we’ve come by the new connections (often with old people) that we form.
Porsche vs. Tesla
People (especially Robert) have asked me why I don’t drive an electric car - particularly a Tesla. Here’s my thinking...
Remember when horse riding was a thing people did out of necessity, and now it’s a sport and novelty?
That’s the difference between a Porsche sports car and a Tesla with its self driving tech.
As a practical car that gets you from A to B, probably nothing beats a Tesla. It drives itself!
As a thing you do as a hobby/sport/activity in and for itself, nothing (for me) beats a Porsche. You drive IT.
I don’t have a commute, so that’s why I’m comfortable driving a car with a combustion engine every now and then. I believe, in the future, a few classic relics (used infrequently) will be fine. But the vast majority of travel and power must come from clean sources.
This is How You Respond to Bullies
This is how you respond to bullies, liars and psychopaths
(Link to Marco Heithaus Facebook Post)
Google and Amazon Are Now in the Oil Business
Let's Make This Easy For Climate Change Deniers
You know what. I take all of the thoughtful rhetoric back. Park your car in your garage turn it on and sit there and take deep breaths. See how you like it.