Signal: Waiting on a Remedy 📧
Interesting that we're now into September and we still haven't heard what the remedy will be in the Google antitrust case (the first one). The court was guiding towards a decision in August, but clearly has needed more time which is... interesting. Not sure if that's good or bad for Google. Perhaps it's all about the ever-evolving AI situation and not wanting to make the wrong call for the future there. Or maybe they're debating the price of Chrome. Or the impact here on Apple (and Mozilla). Or maybe they're just waiting until right after Labor Day...
Happy Great British Bake Off Day to those who celebrate... 🇬🇧🍰🥖🥧
I Wrote...
M.G. Siegler
M.G. Siegler
I Link...
⚛️ The Quantum Computer Race
IBM thinks they can have a viable system by the end of the decade. Amazon thinks it's more like 15 to 30 years away. Good to know that with the AI/AGI/Superintelligence debate far from settled, we have a new technological debate to argue about. It's also interesting that the target cost for such machines – Google thinks they can get it built for $1B – is significantly less than the AI systems (right now, it's costing quite a bit more in the R&D phase, obviously). And unlike AI, where everyone (well, at least the big players) are doing the same basic thing right now with LLMs, there are a few different approaches to quantum being explored – Microsoft and IBM think Google's approach won't work, or won't work as soon as their approaches (and vice versa). [FT 🔒]
📰 The Atlantic Envy
In an age when other storied publications are kowtowing or cutting (or both), it's... something that The Atlantic's model of paying to hoover up talent appears to be working. No one wants to lose millions – even billionaires – but I'm sort of surprised that more aren't following Laurene Powell Jobs' playbook. And just as importantly, sticking with it, for the undoubtedly long-term legacy benefits. And, apparently, it's working, even perhaps as a business. The Atlantic isn't losing millions – I still don't fully understand how WaPo is closing in on $100M in losses a year – but is making money with their model. I can't imagine most could make that work in our current age, but still, there's a playbook to try. [TheWrap]
🌅 The Case For Doing Everything Early
Some compelling thoughts from Derek Thompson, kicked off by his own recent usage of an Oura ring (something I've started wearing myself again recently). At the highest level, it's interesting to remember that a lot of modern life has been about leveraging technology to allow us to do more things throughout a day whereas the "natural" world dictated that you had to do most things early – making hay when the sun shines, in the very literal sense. But I also appreciate Thompson's tone which is basically, "look, you should do what you want and what makes you happy." I've always appreciated Thompson's more nuanced takes on provocative topics. And I swear I'm not just saying this because I was a small part of his book, Hit Makers, back in the day... [Derek Thompson]
I Hear You...
So far, a lot of the feedback about the new format has been about the blue – "very blue" – background of the email. A few like it! But many more aren't so sure. I obviously was going for something more distinctive in the inbox (the version on the site remains nice and white – with far better fonts, I might add!) I am monitoring the situation and will figure out what to hue...
Below, members of The Inner Ring will find thoughts on:
• The Rising Cost of AI
• Sam Altman Saying Things
• YouTubers as Sportscasters
• Walmart's Streaming Options
• Cracker Barrel Logo!
• and more...