Cards · Friday, May 22, 2026 · 159 newsletters
Today's reads
Every newsletter in the inbox, distilled to 3-5 claims. The briefing for this day at /whatimreading/2026-05-22 is the editorial curation on top of this layer.
4 Minute Fridays
by Dan Go
Boost energy and health by focusing on your goals.
- V02 max is a strong predictor of both lifespan and healthspan.
- The author shares tips on boosting V02 max in just 10 minutes.
- Focusing attention on goals, not avoiding failure, improves performance.
- The newsletter also covers two free anti-aging 'drugs'.
Links: VO2 max
a16z
by Moses Sternstein
Charts of the Week feature insights from the Sohn Investment Conference.
- The weekly charts are presented by Moses Sternstein, author of Random Walk.
- Investing requires a multi-disciplinary mindset, reflecting Munger's philosophy.
- The Sohn conference is idea-dense, featuring pitches from professional investors.
- It is also highly performative, reflecting desired market views.
Links: Peter Levine back as a full-time GP, Moses Sternstein, Random Walk, Sohn Investment Conference
After School
by Casey Lewis
Gen Z is embracing new rituals, from tanning to AI readings.
- Tanning remains popular, with Gen Z relocating the trend from beds to outdoors.
- Young people are using AI tools for fortune telling and tarot readings.
- The trend is called “bust-time reenchantment,” blending tech and spirituality.
- A youth Christian revival is underway, marked by pop gospel and influencers.
Links: allure, sfstandard, cultural critic Mitch Therieau calls the trend “bust-time reenchantment”, thenation, even if statistics keep failing to confirm it
Against All Enemies
by Rick Wilson
The author critiques the Democratic Party's recent political failures.
- The piece critiques the Democratic Party's recent actions.
- The author calls the Democratic Party a 'Democratic Autopsy.'
- The analysis is presented in the 'Elephant In The Room' column.
Agentic AI
by Ken Huang
Agentic workflows require a structured harness, not just fast agents.
- The bottleneck in agentic coding is coordination, not output generation.
- Compound Orchestrator provides a project-local operating model for agent work.
- It formalizes requirements using six planning contracts, like prd.html.
- The process must parallelize drafting but serialize acceptance and integration.
Links: Compound Orchestrator on GitHub
Agentic AI Design
by Ken Huang
Secure-by-construction is essential for robust agentic AI systems.
- Retrofitting security onto agentic AI is untenable due to probabilistic behavior.
- Secure-by-construction makes security properties structural invariants of the architecture.
- ORCHIDEAS is a nine-pillar framework integrated with MAESTRO threat modeling.
- The pillars govern Autonomy, Identity, Data Governance, and Context controls.
AI as Normal Technology
by Stephan Rabanser et al.
Google's AI OS claim is misleading due to lack of transparency.
- The 'single prompt' claim is misleading, as the prompt was thousands of lines long.
- The system used a specialized scaffold, limiting its general applicability.
- Google did not define 'no human guidance' or report necessary retries.
- The lack of code logs and similarity analysis prevents independent evaluation.
Links: Gemini 3.5 Flash, Antigravity 2.0
App Economy Insights
by App Economy Insights
NVIDIA's Q1 earnings show AI compute demand is parabolic.
- NVIDIA's CEO stated that AI demand has gone parabolic.
- Compute is shifting from infrastructure spending to raw AI revenue.
- Q1 FY27 revenue accelerated 85% year-over-year to $81.6 billion.
- Data Center revenue grew 92% year-over-year, reaching $75.2 billion.
- Miso Robotics offers an early investment angle in AI automation.
Links: Free Cash Flow Explained, Google: The Anthropic Paradox, Palantir: Tokens Are the New Coal, Miso Robotics
Artforum
Artforum offers a limited-time 50% discount on annual subscriptions.
- The offer provides one year of print and digital magazine access.
- Artforum has been a defining voice in contemporary art since 1962.
- Content covers artist projects, reviews, and essays on media.
- The subscription is available for $37.50, saving 50% off the regular rate.
Links: View in Browser, Privacy Policy, Your Privacy Rights, Unsubscribe
Axios AI+ Government
by Ashley Gold and Maria Curi
Trump's AI executive order signing was delayed due to regulatory concerns.
- The anticipated AI executive order signing fell apart before it could happen.
- Trump reportedly dislikes regulation, causing the delay and tech CEO input.
- Reflection AI will power the Genesis Mission with open-source models.
- This partnership advances open-weight AI at U.S. National Labs.
Links: Ashley Gold, AI adviser David Sacks, reported details, Full story
Bankless
by David C
Crypto's influence grows as the internet faces new infrastructure challenges.
- Kevin Warsh replaced Jerome Powell as the Federal Reserve chair.
- This marks the first time the Fed is led by a crypto-savvy individual.
- Old business models are breaking due to machine proliferation online.
- Matthew Prince suggests stablecoins and a 100M TPS chain are needed fixes.
Links: Metaversal + Mindshare will be folding into the Bankless Daily
Bloomberg
by David E. Rovella
Retailers warn war inflation will soon hit consumer goods prices.
- High gas prices and inflation are lowering consumer sentiment.
- Retailers warn that fuel costs will soon raise product prices.
- Analysts predict lower-income consumers will face greater financial challenges.
- Consumer sentiment indices are hitting record lows.
- Walmart noted fewer gallons purchased per visit, signaling stress.
Links: inflation angst spreads as consumers spooked by rising gas bills, walmart posts steady sales gain while flagging higher fuel cost, us consumer sentiment slumps to record low on inflation worries, us retail sales moderated in april as gas surge crimped budgets
by Angela Cullen
Stocks dismiss inflation woes, while AI spurs new market winners.
- The S&P 500 is on its longest streak of weekly wins, ignoring inflation and war worries aside.
- Geopolitical tensions, such as those involving Iran, show no signs of escalating conflict.
- The AI boom is creating new beneficiaries beyond major tech players.
- However, the promise of AI remains largely aspirational in some sectors.
Links: Listen to the day’s top stories, longest streak of weekly wins, war worries aside, spurring new winners, still largely aspirational
Bloomberg Technology
Tech news covers Spotify partnerships, Nintendo production, and AI growth.
- Spotify is partnering with Live Nation for early concert ticket access.
- Manus is exploring fundraising to unwind a controversial Meta takeover.
- Nintendo plans to produce 20% more Switch 2 consoles this fiscal year.
- Lenovo's shares surged due to strong AI-related earnings.
Links: Here’s what else the company announced during its investor day., This is one major option for a fix., The memory crisis isn’t slowing down the new Switch., Lenovo Shares Near All-Time High After Strong AI GrowthLenovo Group Ltd. shares were on track to close at their highest
Brew Markets
Technical notice regarding email delivery issues.
- The email provider may be scrambling the content.
- Users can read the full content online via a provided link.
- An option is available to unsubscribe from the mailing list.
ByteByteGo
New intensive course teaches advanced production workflows with Claude Code.
- The 2-day cohort course is taught by John Kim, an expert in Claude Code.
- Topics include agentic loops, context engineering, and memory layers.
- Learn to build with Claude Code Skills, MCPs, and feedback loops.
- The curriculum culminates in a capstone project on a real stack.
Category Pirates
The Pirate Street Journal offers deep-dive business analysis through a category lens.
- PSJ is a new weekly deep-dive analysis, providing a unique business perspective.
- The content is framed as entertainment, not professional financial advice.
- Subscribers gain access to deep-dive written analysis and mini-books.
- Founding members receive unlimited access to all past content and AI tools.
Chartr | Data Storytelling
Heinz brings back glass ketchup bottles while Airbnb expands into 'everything app' status.
- Kraft Heinz is reintroducing its iconic glass ketchup bottle for a limited time.
- The company is focusing on condiments and sauces for growth after merger struggles.
- Airbnb is expanding its services to become a comprehensive travel platform.
- The platform is adding hotels, car rentals, and grocery delivery options.
Links: Airbnb is expanding its hotel offerings and adding car rentals to its app, Kraft Heinz is bringing back the glass ketchup bottle as it leans on sauces for growth
ChinaTalk
by ChinaTalk
China's AI optimism reflects a learned response to economic disruption.
- Chinese citizens show higher trust and optimism regarding AI than Americans.
- This response is not mere enthusiasm, but a learned coping mechanism from historical upheaval.
- China transitioned from central planning to a market economy, adapting to constant change.
Links: afraid, see, are willing to trust, close to, declared, decided, coined
Claude Cowork
by Claude Cowork
Anthropic's update reveals a complex split in Claude's operating surfaces.
- Claude work is splitting into distinct operating surfaces, not just a pricing change.
- The update separates interactive chat from programmatic Agent SDK usage.
- Users must map workflows to specific, owned 'rooms' like Cowork or Chat.
- Unmanaged personal shortcuts can become fragile, unowned company systems.
Links: Claude Cowork, Agent SDK usage, Claude Code, Claude chat
Claude Team
by Claude Team
Claude boosts usage limits and introduces advanced agent capabilities.
- Claude Code limits were doubled across Pro, Max, and Team plans.
- Agent view allows managing multiple Claude Code sessions from one screen.
- Managed Agents feature 'Dreaming' to help agents self-improve over time.
- Agent SDK usage is now separate from standard Claude plan limits.
Links: higher-limits-spacex, Claude Code, Agent view, Changes to using the Claude Agent SDK with your Claude plan, Claude Managed Agents: Dreaming
Collateral
by Niko From Collateral
Lessons in finance and real estate from industry titans.
- William Zeckendorf mastered real estate finance, stabilizing downtown banks and anchoring the UN.
- Schwarzman built Blackstone by refining his pitch after hundreds of investor rejections.
- Bridgewater maintained LP trust through radical transparency, even when shrinking by 18%.
Links: Research, Case Studies, Contact
Columbia Business School Executive Education
Join the forum to discuss the future of business and global trends.
- Attend the Executive Education Forum and Networking Event in NYC.
- Featured topics include AI strategy, global economic trends, and leadership.
- The event is held at Columbia Business School on September 16, 2026.
- This is a paid event; formal registration details will follow.
Links: view map, Add to iCal, Add to Google Calendar, Add to Outlook Calendar, Contact Us
Consuming Collective
Win a 4-night culinary adventure exploring Finland's best regions.
- Eight winners will travel on a 4-night group trip to Finland.
- The journey includes experiences in the Coast & Archipelago and Lapland.
- Participants can discover Finnish cuisine and local traditions like sauna.
- Entry requires a social media video challenge and filling out an application form.
Links: social media video challenge, Coast and Archipelago application form, Lapland application form
Content Marketing Institute
by Ann Gynn
How to save valuable work when a content campaign is canceled.
- Even successful content initiatives can be canceled.
- Follow a three-phase process to protect valuable work.
- This approach helps respect your audience and find new opportunities.
Links: Your Best Content Campaign Got the Ax: How To Save the Work That Matters, 4 Personalization Lessons From American Airlines’ Loyalty Strategy
Cooking Up GTM
by Crissy Saunders
AI skepticism mirrors early internet doubts, predicting massive future change.
- AI skepticism parallels early doubts about mobile internet technology.
- Arguments like technical limits and lack of revenue are common to both eras.
- GTM operators who harness AI will become extremely valuable.
- Future AI adoption will feel as normal as today's tech in the 2030s.
Links: Track Star* on YouTube, Cillian Murphy’s ep., 2000: Are Internet Mobiles Really the Future?, GTM Ops
coolstuff.nyc
Five new openings and local highlights across Brooklyn and the Hudson Valley.
- My Neighbor’s opened a new Hudson location featuring female-owned brands.
- Lonnie’s Restaurant & Bar brings a new, anticipated spot to Boerum Hill.
- Buddies Coffee reopened in Loisaida, bringing Coquito cold brew to a new neighborhood.
- Birdee expands with Birdee Botequim, a Brazilian-inspired wine bar.
- Confidant, a new restaurant, was opened by friends with deep pizza backgrounds.
Links: My Neighbor’s, Lonnie’s Restaurant & Bar, Buddies, Birdee, Confidant
Crooked
by Matt (Crooked)
Trump's actions and endorsements are causing a major rift among GOP lawmakers.
- Trump dropped his IRS tax lawsuit and supported a $1.8 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund.
- GOP lawmakers left town, frustrated by the president's recent actions.
- Some Republicans criticized the fund, suggesting Congress could "nuke it."
- Steve Bannon suggests the rift stems from Trump's endorsements, not the fund.
Links: sued the IRS for $10 billion, Anti-Weaponization Fund, tense meeting, Steve Bannon, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Culture Study
The community encourages members to ask for and give advice.
- The 'Advice Time' tradition allows asking for advice on any topic.
- Topics range from relationships to buying new appliances.
- Members are encouraged to respond with compassion and good faith.
- The goal is to keep the space comfortable for earnest discussion.
Links: View in app, Become a paid member, Upgrade to continue, Upgrade to unlock, Privacy policy, Terms of use, Download the app - Google Play, App Store
Daily Awesome Thing
by Neil Pasricha
A reader is using AI to visualize and learn from Neil's messages.
- Camila F shared how she is using AI to process Neil's texts.
- She transforms his messages into images to better understand concepts.
- This process helps her learn new vocabulary and visualize situations.
- Neil's reflections are helping her improve her English language skills.
Links: Neil Pasricha
Dan Mall
by Dan Mall
Owning a niche is more important than finding the perfect size.
- To succeed, you must own a niche, not just pick one.
- Owning a niche allows you to command maximum pricing power.
- The Serviceable Obtainable Market (SOM) should target 40–60 companies.
- The ideal SAM should contain 400–600 companies for a $1M agency.
Links: picking a niche, red ocean, vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, market sizing with TAM SAM SOM
Democracy Docket
by Jen Rice
The redistricting war is already underway, not waiting for 2028.
- GOP lawmakers are taking votes to eliminate majority-Black districts in states like SC and LA.
- Voting advocates are fighting in court to block these gerrymandered maps.
- The nation's district lines remain unstable following the weakening of the VRA.
- The fight for fair maps is already happening, predating the 2028 cycle.
Links: redistricting arms race
by Democracy Docket
Intelligence official Tulsi Gabbard resigns amid election probe controversy.
- Tulsi Gabbard, who investigated the 2020 election, is resigning as director of national intelligence.
- Gabbard previously participated in the FBI's raid on an election facility in Georgia.
- GOP official Tina Peters criticized Democrats and the censure of Gov. Jared Polis.
- Peters suggested the censure proves the Democratic Party is covering up.
- A judge dismissed the DOJ's criminal case against Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Links: More on Gabbard’s resignation
by Marc Elias
Georgia GOP primary results highlight election denialism in the party.
- Primary elections reveal the current temperature and state of the Republican Party.
- In Georgia, election deniers dominated key GOP primary races.
- Voter suppression and election denialism are becoming litmus tests for the GOP.
- The gubernatorial primary saw election deniers defeat Secretary Raffensperger.
Links: Upgrade and stay informed with trusted, expert insights during this critical election year, STAY IN THE KNOW
Design Better
by Aarron & Eli from Design Better
AI tools empower designers to build functional prototypes rapidly.
- AI tools drastically reduced the time needed to build complex web apps.
- Designers can now create functional prototypes, even if scaling requires developers.
- Fundamental skills like empathy and aesthetic judgment remain vital.
- Design jobs are not lost, but rather repositioned and refocused by AI.
Links: Design Better Style Guide, Braun’s classic radio, teenage engineering’s, Listen to the episode and join the conversation
DesignTAXI: From The Community
by DesignTAXI: From The Community
Mastering Claude AI helps professionals stay ahead in their workflow.
- The guide shows how to configure Claude to be a perfect assistant.
- Learn to master AI-powered content creation techniques.
- Transform complex data into actionable strategies easily.
- Harness Claude’s full potential to boost productivity.
Links: free guide, guide to using Claude at work, Get The Free Guide
Digital Commerce 360
Real-time personalization interprets in-session behavior signals for better engagement.
- Outdated personalization strategies fail to engage anonymous visitors.
- Real-time personalization interprets in-session behavior signals.
- This approach delivers more relevant experiences for shoppers.
- Implementing this boosts conversions, retention, and loyalty.
Links: DOWNLOAD NOW
DTC Newsletter
Rhode's marketing shows how to build exclusivity and drive sales.
- Rhode leverages celebrity culture and minimalist aesthetics for growth.
- Keep ads running even if the product is sold out to maintain demand signal.
- Improve landing pages by linking to in-stock items or collecting restock emails.
- Cult brands thrive using vague, aesthetic ads to build exclusivity.
- Product-focused B-roll is essential for all ad accounts.
Links: Pilothouse
Dwarkesh Patel
by Dwarkesh Patel
Chip design explained: From logic gates to AI hardware architectures.
- The lecture traces chip function from basic logic gates upward.
- It compares the architecture of GPUs, TPUs, FPGAs, and the human brain.
- Topics covered include systolic arrays, cache vs scratchpad, and core design.
- The talk suggests a GPU is fundamentally a collection of tiny TPUs.
Links: Reiner Pope, MatX, Google, software, Watch this one on YouTube, Crusoe, Cursor, Jane Street
Eater New York on Substack
by Melissa McCart
Williamsburg bakery transforms into wine bar; En Brasserie hosts pop-up.
- Birdee, the Williamsburg bakery, is launching Botequim, a Brazilian-style wine bar.
- The new menu features Brazilian snacks like pão de queijo and brigadeiro.
- Dom Pérignon is hosting a free pop-up with En Brasserie.
- This limited event celebrates Dom Pérignon's vintages in the West Village.
Links: Birdee, Botequim at Birdee, En Brasserie, Dom Pérignon
EMARKETER
by Peter Allen Clark
Mobile gaming is an underutilized channel for modern media budgets.
- Nearly nine in ten marketers are confident in mobile gaming's reach.
- Only one in ten organizations use the channel regularly, showing a contradiction.
- A new report analyzes measurement and audience reach in this space.
- The research argues for making mobile gaming an essential part of the media mix.
Links: From Experiment to Essential: Why Mobile Gaming Belongs in the Modern Media Mix
EMARKETER Events
Measuring AI-driven commerce value is a significant challenge for marketers.
- Only 15% of marketers can effectively measure revenue from AI-influenced consumers.
- This gap leaves value uncaptured and uncompensated in the AI journey.
- An upcoming event will share new data on AI-driven commerce trends.
- Experts will discuss measuring and allocating value in the AI consumer journey.
Links: SAVE YOUR SEAT, Register here
Every
by Alex Duffy
Google I/O focused on crucial iteration, not flashy announcements.
- Google I/O emphasized iterative improvements over flashy announcements.
- The biggest hurdle for AI is convincing society of its value.
- Demis Hassabis called the current moment the "foothills of the singularity."
- For AI, "Evals Are the New PRD," replacing traditional product specifications.
Links: Read the full piece, Read it now., How Google’s AI roadmap got a lot clearer at this year’s conference, Why the AI race is between progress and public trust
Exec Sum - Litquidity
by Exec Sum - Litquidity
AI adoption and high stakes signal major shifts in finance and tech.
- JPMorgan is hiring more AI staff and fewer traditional bankers.
- Mosaic is expanding its platform into banking and credit services.
- SpaceX is preparing for an IPO with another Starship test flight.
- Earnings reports show strength from Zoom and Workday's AI strategies.
Links: Mosaic, you should give it a try, Autopilot, CNBC, YH, BBG, WSJ, here, Polymarket
Feed Me
by Emily Sundberg
The sudden hype surrounding Loonen water bottles is remarkable.
- The author reflects on the cultural significance of bottled water brands.
- Loonen's popularity surged after being mentioned by several influencers.
- The brand emphasizes its glass bottling and third-party testing.
- The high price point fuels the 'holy water' status among consumers.
Links: magenta hibiscus and tropical leaves, glass Loonen, Patrick
FinAi News
Complete the annual survey to help shape FinAi News content.
- FinAi News is conducting an annual reader survey.
- Feedback is needed on AI, automation, and financial services.
- The survey takes less than five minutes to complete.
- Participants are entered for a chance to win a $50 gift card.
Links: TAKE SURVEY
LLM providers scale AI infrastructure as tokens become profitable.
- LLM providers are rapidly scaling their AI infrastructure.
- The profitability of tokens is driving increased investment in AI capacity.
Links: LLM providers race to scale AI infrastructure after tokens become profitable, FinAi News
Fintech Wrap Up
by Sam from Fintech Wrap Up
Banks are using outdated methods to fight sophisticated AI fraud.
- AI agents are becoming crucial tools in fighting financial crime.
- Traditional rules-based systems are insufficient for modern fraud.
- Machine learning models struggle against sophisticated threats.
- Fraud is becoming faster, more automated, and complex.
Foreign Affairs This Week
Iran's situation mirrors Vietnam, and Ukraine's mirrors Korea.
- Iran's current trajectory is compared to Vietnam's historical path.
- U.S. concessions may be quietly increasing Chinese influence.
- Europe is forging a new consensus and finding renewed unity.
- The global role of the United Nations is facing challenges.
Links: Iran as Vietnam, Ukraine as Korea, by Gideon Rose, Spheres by Default, by Rebecca Lissner and Mira Rapp-Hooper, How Europe Found Its Nerve, by Matthias Matthijs and Nathalie Tocci
Foreign Affairs Today
Geopolitical tensions warn of conflict in the Indo-Pacific and Middle East.
- Hormuz Strait poses a warning for the stability of the Indo-Pacific.
- China's weapons buildup increases the risk of nuclear conflict between China and America.
- Turkey, Ankara, faces potential blowback from an Iran conflict.
- Congress must restore legislative oversight on American trade.
Links: Hormuz Is a Warning for the Indo-Pacific, China and America Are Courting Nuclear Catastrophe, The Iran War’s Threat to Turkey, Only Congress Can Fix American Trade
Fortune
Anthropic is undergoing a period of intense share sales.
- The company is experiencing a frenzy of share sales.
- This activity suggests significant capital raising efforts.
- Investors are closely watching the implications of these sales.
Fortune Tech
Major tech shifts and regulatory changes are priced into current markets.
- AI development continues to accelerate, with major players vying for market share.
- Regulatory scrutiny remains high, particularly regarding AI and cybersecurity policies.
- Market volatility is evident, affecting chip suppliers and software valuations.
- Geopolitical factors, like sanctions, continue to influence global tech supply chains.
Links: White House postpones executive order on AI and cybersecurity., The EU may temporarily lift sanctions on a Chinese chip supplier, Grok is far behind ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude, Anthropic may rent servers running on Microsoft’s custom silicon
Frontier
by Atlas
Access deeper insights into future technology at the Frontier Community.
- The newsletter shares surface-level ideas and patterns.
- The Frontier Community is a private network for builders and investors.
- Discussions focus on AI, energy, defense, and frontier systems.
- Access to deeper conversations requires applying to join.
Links: Apply to Join the Frontier Community →
FSA Store
by FSA Store
FSA funds can cover a wide range of health and wellness products.
- The FSA can cover a wide variety of health and wellness products.
- The store guarantees that every product is FSA eligible.
- Browse curated sections like Best Sellers and Hi-tech Health.
Links: Best Sellers, New, Hi-tech Health
FWIW
Political ad spending reveals key trends across major platforms.
- U.S. political advertisers spent $16.7M on Facebook and Instagram ads last week.
- American Petroleum spent heavily, linking economic success to oil and gas.
- Tom Steyer was noted as a top spender on Google and YouTube ads.
- The article warns that CTV measurement is lagging behind ad spend growth.
Links: Learn more >
Gothamist
Luxury renters in NYC are forming tenant associations.
- Tenants in a Downtown Brooklyn complex faced severe issues like lack of water and heat.
- After management downplayed problems, residents organized a tenant association.
- This activism is growing alongside rising rents and housing code violations.
- The movement shows tenants taking collective action against poor building conditions.
Links: The unlikely organizers: Even NYC luxury renters are starting tenant associations, this kind of tenant activism appears to be growing
Gothamist Daily
Stowaway fox Basil is doing great at the Bronx Zoo.
- Basil the fox sailed from England to New York City.
- He arrived as a stowaway on a cargo ship.
- The Bronx Zoo is managing his care and figuring out next steps.
Links: A fox crossed the Atlantic on a cargo ship. The Bronx Zoo is figuring out what's next., Brooklyn man rescued after 6 hours stuck in upstate cave, NYC health department investigates Legionnaires' cases in East Village, Grand Central Madison station gets new entrance for LIRR riders, Immigrants at NJ Delaney Hall ICE detention center go on hunger labor strike
Gov Brief Today
Congress gridlocks over Trump bills, forcing both chambers to adjourn.
- Speaker Mike Johnson sent the House home, failing to pass Trump's war bill.
- Senate Republicans also walked away from Trump's $72 billion immigration bill.
- The article urges readers to call Congress to end the Gulf war.
- The newsletter provides curated headlines on extremism and foreign relations.
Links: The San Diego Union Tribune, UPI, CBS News, CNN, Gov Brief Today
Green Lights
by David Callaway
Energy deals and climate policy shifts signal changing market dynamics.
- The NextEra/Dominion merger suggests the AI investment boom may be slowing.
- The UK cut its climate fund commitment, signaling potential policy rollbacks.
- Wildfire risks and El Nino shifts pose significant financial and political threats.
- The White House's anti-offshore wind stance was exposed by recent heat waves.
Links: NPR, UN
Growth with Sean Ellis
by Kei Watanabe, Kazuki Nakayashiki
Glasp grew ChatGPT traffic 37x by optimizing for AI search.
- Glasp is a knowledge-sharing platform for highlighting online content.
- A side product, YouTube Summary with ChatGPT, drove most of the growth.
- The company bet on ChatGPT, prioritizing AI optimization over traditional SEO.
- Daily ChatGPT sessions grew from 517 to 19,129 in four months.
- AI assistants are expanding search, requiring optimization for new surfaces.
Links: Glasp, YouTube Summary with ChatGPT, Hatching Growth #8, Glasp Talk #46
GTM Strategist
by Maja Voje
Superhuman AI agents are transforming sales, moving beyond basic SDR functions.
- Superhumans integrate into workflows to qualify buyers and book meetings.
- The Solutions Engineer role is a bottleneck; AI should handle repeatable Q&A.
- The standard buyer journey is structurally broken and outdated.
- GTM leaders must adopt an "AI-first" approach to sales.
Links: 1mind, he Future of Sales with AI, Jonathan Kvarfordt, Maja Voje
GTMnow by GTMfund
Okta's CRO reveals key lessons for B2B GTM strategy.
- Okta achieved profitability by focusing on go-to-market levers, not just cost cuts.
- Specialization is crucial for managing a broad, multi-product platform.
- Partner-led growth requires a multi-year cultural rebuild, not just a program.
- Modern selling emphasizes validation, replacing the traditional discovery call.
- GTM strategy must adapt to the specific phase of market disruption.
Links: Canva’s CCO on CPG discipline and human-centric marketing., Vanta’s CRO on execution, competition, and post-sales loyalty., Snowflake’s CRO on scaling from zero to category leader., Vercel’s COO on GTM as a product and picking winning companies., Jon Addison
Hank and John
by Hannah Ritchie and Pablo Rosado
China added a Germany-sized electricity grid in one year.
- China's electricity generation increased by almost 500 TWh in 2025.
- This amount is comparable to the total annual generation of Germany.
- Most of this new capacity came from solar and wind sources.
- China's solar generation surpassed the combined output of the UK and Spain.
Have Your Cake
by Have Your Cake
Apricot galettes are a simple, quick, and flavorful bake.
- Galettes are ideal for their simple and speedy assembly.
- Apricots are dry, so baking does not risk juice leakage.
- Frangipane adds sweetness; almonds pair exceptionally well with apricots.
- Using a commercial jam glaze provides shine and flavor.
Hebba Youssef
by Hebba Youssef
Measuring remote work output requires clarity, not surveillance.
- Tracking 'online time' is a weak metric for assessing remote performance.
- Performance issues usually stem from a lack of clarity, not availability.
- Focus on systems like team working agreements and role clarity matrices.
- A simple work plan detailing deliverables helps manage projects and PTO.
Links: submit them here!
Here's the Thing with Reshma Saujani
by Reshma Saujani
Reshma Saujani will appear on Meet the Press this Sunday.
- She will join host Kristen Welker on Meet the Press.
- The segment is titled 'Meet the Moment' on NBC.
- The full conversation will be published online afterward.
- The appearance is scheduled for 9:00 am ET.
Links: Meet the Press, NBC, NBCnews.com
How Leaders Lead with David Novak
by David Novak
Leaders can make faster, bolder decisions without all the answers.
- Perfectionism can slow down critical decision-making.
- Leaders must learn to make bold choices quickly.
- It is possible to act decisively even when information is incomplete.
IDEO U
The world's high uncertainty requires learning how to embrace not knowing.
- Global economic uncertainty measurements are at an all-time high.
- Mentions of uncertainty in employee reviews are up 80% year over year.
- Certainty is seductive, but the hunger for it often causes trouble.
- The key skill is learning how to build the ability to not know.
Links: READ THE RECAP
Influence Weekly
Creators are shifting to equity deals and professionalizing their businesses.
- VidCon is launching the Brand Match Accelerator for curated creator-brand networking.
- Celebrities are investing in tech startups, signaling a shift to equity deals.
- Brands increasingly prefer equity partnerships over traditional advertising endorsements.
- Major companies are expanding creator teams, hiring for high-level marketing roles.
Links: VidCon Returns To Anaheim For 15th Annual Event With Twitch, Snap, Spotify Execs, Debut Brand Match Accelerator, Charli XCX’s Investment In Tech Startup Nothing Signals The Future Of Influencer Deals, Creator Economy Job Radar - May 19, 2026 - TikTok, JPMorganChase, And Coty Expand Influencer Divisions, Boston Celtics Seeking Creator Academy Consultant
International Intrigue
Global brand value is high, but geopolitical risks loom large.
- Top 100 brands are collectively worth $13T, up 22% yoy.
- The report warns of geopolitical risks, including the 'splinternet'.
- US tech giants dominate, but their dominance is vulnerable to export controls.
- Nvidia's 'CUDA' moat faces long-term erosion from Chinese alternatives.
Links: my wild tale, Become an Insider, Kantar BrandZ Report
International Monetary Fund
IMF advises targeted support for energy shocks and notes Greece's tax reforms.
- Energy subsidies must be temporary and targeted, not generalized.
- Poorly designed measures risk fueling inflation and worsening fiscal fragility.
- Vulnerable households need temporary assistance, not price controls.
- Greece's tax reforms helped it achieve a primary budget surplus.
Joanna Wiebe
by Joanna Wiebe
Tap your copywriter network for easy $1K job leads.
- The easiest way to get a $1K job is often within your immediate network.
- Ask copywriter friends for their overflow work or excess leads.
- Large groups of freelancers are full of potential leads needing distribution.
- Tell them you are a trusted resource for their extra work.
Judd at Popular Information
New reports detail government misconduct and financial conflicts of interest.
- Trump purchased stocks after publicly praising companies, raising conflict concerns.
- CA DOJ found a human rights crisis in ICE facilities due to medical care cuts.
- Trump minimized the high cost of the Iran War, despite billions in extra spending.
- The Department of Energy lost over 50% of its staff managing nuclear waste.
- Community members are suing over intimidation during Memphis immigration operations.
Links: Mother Jones, WIRED, NOTUS, ProPublica
Kieran's Substack
by Kieran Flanagan
Claude Code ships powerful new features for GTM operations.
- Routines allow agents to run proactively via schedules or webhooks.
- Chrome integration lets Claude interact with logged-in apps like Gmail and Notion.
- Auto-Dream builds context across sessions, improving continuity.
- The Agent view lets users define goals and run processes until completion.
Linas's Newsletter
by Linas
SpaceX's massive IPO valuation may make it uninvestable.
- SpaceX is attempting the largest IPO, valued at $1.75 trillion.
- Starlink is valuable, but xAI is dragging the company into annual losses.
- Musk's 85.1% voting power creates poor governance for public shareholders.
- The valuation metrics suggest the IPO lacks any margin of safety.
Links: merged into SpaceX earlier this year, Anthropic, $TSLA
Lincoln Square
Supreme Court contradicts its own ruling on Alabama voting rights.
- The Supreme Court previously ruled Alabama's map violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- The Court had ordered the creation of a second majority-Black district in 2023.
- A recent 6-3 order allowed Alabama to revert to its discriminatory map.
- This action disregards the legal principle of stare decisis.
Links: Allen v. Milligan, Voting Rights Act of 1965, 6-3 order, written about this Court’s overreach before
The GOP's extremist movement and challenges are analyzed.
- Harry Litman and Stuart Stevens discussed the GOP's extremist movement.
- Even figures like Thomas Massie remain far-right, voting with Trump.
- Absolute fealty is becoming the only option for Republicans.
- The GOP faces significant challenges in the upcoming election.
David Hogg critiques the DNC's 2024 election autopsy report.
- The DNC released a 192-page autopsy report on the 2024 election.
- DNC Chair Ken Martin disavowed the report, stating it did not meet his standards.
- The report allegedly shifts blame away from the DNC and party leaders.
- David Hogg, an activist, discusses strategies for Democrats to win.
Maritime Analytica
by Maritime Analytica
AI adoption is rising, but proving measurable operating value is the real challenge.
- AI activity is increasing, but proving measurable operating value is difficult.
- The report separates companies using AI for capability from those in pilots.
- For container shipping, AI must manage existing complexity like compliance and schedules.
- AI can either add noise or help companies run cleaner, faster, and more reliably.
by Maritime Analytica
Hapag-Lloyd CEO warns of long-term container shipping issues after Hormuz crisis.
- Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen gave clear views on the Hormuz crisis.
- The issue is a real container shipping problem with a long tail, not speculation.
- Visible problems include stuck ships, delayed cargo, and exposed crews.
- The deeper question is the full recovery beyond reopening Hormuz.
Links: Maritime Analytica
MasterClass
Save 50% on MasterClass this Memorial Day weekend.
- The service offers lessons in business, wellness, and cooking.
- It is a limited-time Memorial Day promotion.
- Users can unlock potential and build priceless skills.
- The deal allows joining the world's best.
Links: Get MasterClass, Sign Up Now, MasterClass at Work, MasterClass
Maxi's Kitchen
by Maxine Sharf from Maxi's Kitchen
Behind the scenes of appearing on The Today Show.
- The author achieved a long-time goal by appearing on The Today Show.
- She shares a recipe for Chopped Salad Tostadas with avocado and dill.
- Preparing for national TV was stressful, but practicing helped her relax.
- She learned that nerves are simply a readiness to perform.
Links: Andrew Huberman says
McKinsey & Company
by Andy West and Sébastien Lacroix
Restructuring is vital and should be considered before executing a spin-off.
- The principles for managing spin-off transactions remain enduring.
- Leaders should improve assets through restructuring, not just spin them off.
- Key considerations include acting before the deal is finalized.
- Success requires beating the odds and inspiring business growth.
Links: Act before the deal is done, Consider Beating the odds: What really matters for successful spin-offs, Inspired for business growth: How five companies beat the market
by Dan Tinkoff and Lieven Van der Veken
AI advantage comes from building uncopyable competitive moats.
- Winners use AI to build advantages that competitors cannot copy.
- The research explores 6 strategies and 3 capabilities for advantage.
- It also addresses building businesses faster and better with AI.
- The state of AI in 2025, including agents, is covered.
Links: From AI table stakes to AI advantage: Building competitive moats, Also Consider How to build businesses faster and better with AI, The state of AI in 2025: Agents, innovation, and transformation
McPherson Strategies
by Susan McPherson
Connection requires intentional infrastructure, not just good intentions.
- Connection must be treated as a measurable strategy, not just a cultural byproduct.
- Leading companies are building infrastructure now, tying connection to social impact.
- True engagement requires systems that make showing up possible.
- Intent without infrastructure is insufficient for deep employee connection.
- Reliable support systems enable teams to focus on purpose rather than paperwork.
Links: Justworks
Meanwhile
by Daniel Benneworth-Gray
Culture is being categorized, replicated, and analyzed in many ways.
- Online, images are increasingly treated as pieces of a searchable aesthetic puzzle.
- The pressure to follow famous parents is visible in literature.
- Design discussions often rely on nostalgic, cherry-picked bias.
- Fake art in film raises questions about its artistic validity.
- Picture books show tension between spontaneity and precision.
Links: the push to categorise visual culture, the rise of the literary nepo baby, the state of non-fiction book covers, tiny papercraft synthesisers, is fake art in film actually ‘fake’?, this thorough analysis of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Headnotes, How Far Can I Get Round The Corner Before I Meet Someone Coming The Opposite Way And Have To Stop Filming Because It Feels Awkward And Intrusive
MKT1
by Emily Kramer from MKT1
Paid advertising is fine, but your marketing playbooks need an AI upgrade.
- Paid fundamentals, like targeting and messaging, still work.
- Success requires teams to test faster, at higher volume, and with AI.
- Traditional paid channels, like Search and LinkedIn, are highly saturated.
- The focus must be on better audience data for efficient scaling.
Links: MKT1 MCP Server, 100+ templates & resources, MKT1 Job Board, MKT1 Perk Stack
Modern Freedom
by Tim Denning
A limitless mindset can fundamentally change your life and career.
- A true limitless mindset is more than just positive thinking or good luck.
- The author gained opportunities by calling high-level staff and assuming future roles.
- The world often tries to limit imagination by requiring permission or patience.
- Modern technology has removed barriers, allowing people to act without limits.
- Ferdinand Demara performed surgeries without training because he believed he could.
Morning Consult
Vuori is an under-the-radar brand with strong consumer relevance.
- Vuori has low awareness but high purchase linkage among those who know it.
- Its network size is comparable to much more famous brands.
- The brand excels in ergonomic design and athleisure segments.
- Growth potential is limited by awareness, not product relevance.
Links: See the research in action., athletic apparel category brands research, Category Advantage research framework
MPW Daily
Profiling one of India's most influential and powerful women.
- The article introduces a key figure in India's business landscape.
- She holds significant influence across multiple economic sectors.
- The piece details her professional journey and impact on the market.
Nate from Nate’s Substack
by Nate from Nate’s Substack
AI writing success depends on preparing the source material, not just the prompt.
- AI often fails because the source material, or 'room,' is messy.
- The real work is organizing sources, creating an inventory, and auditing files.
- Modern agents excel at boring, file-level operations, shifting the bottleneck.
- Preparation involves building a bounded workspace and tracking source lineage.
Links: AI project room, source inventory, bounded workspace, four prompts
Nautilus
Spend your long weekend reading deliberately with Nautilus.
- Long weekends often lead to excessive digital content consumption.
- Nautilus encourages readers to slow down and read deliberately.
- A Memorial Day sale offers 25% off membership with code READSLOW.
- Membership allows for thoughtful engagement with ideas.
Links: Join, Nautilus, Become a member today
Are humanoid robots truly the end of human work?
- The worry about robot replacement is a cultural fear dating back over a century.
- Recent AI advances, like ChatGPT and Optimus, have accelerated job displacement concerns.
- Companies have already implemented mass workforce cuts, citing AI efficiency.
- The hype surrounding AI has led to public skepticism, even at commencement speeches.
Links: Are humanoid robots the end of human work?, Read what a UC Berkeley professor of robotics says about the coming robotic revolution →, What We Misunderstand About Robots, How Human Is Human?
Newcomer
SpaceX's IPO valuation rests entirely on Musk's grand, multiplanetary promises.
- SpaceX's mission is to make life multiplanetary and extend consciousness to the stars.
- The company is described as unfocused, combining rockets, Starlink, and an AI lab.
- Musk's success relies on investors believing in his massive, ambitious promises.
- The IPO seeks a $1.75 trillion valuation, pushing investor limits.
Links: SpaceX’s full mission statement
News Items
by John Ellis
Russia's war effort stalls as US-Iran talks suggest a withdrawal.
- Ukraine's drone strikes and front-line stabilization are causing war fatigue in Russia.
- Trump reportedly proposed a 'letter of intent' to formally end the Iran war.
- Analysts suggest the US is effectively walking away from the crisis.
- Iran is demanding victory terms, showing no sign of concession.
- Militia activity in Iraq raises fears of Iranian retaliation.
Links: with some senior Kremlin officials believing the conflict has reached a dead end with no clear way to resolve it, Robert Kagan, a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The purpose and effect of such an agreement should be clear: The United States is walking away from the crisis, “terrorist”, post
News Items by John Ellis
by John Ellis
Podcast covers global conflicts, US interests, and geopolitical tensions.
- The discussion reviews the current status of the war in the Gulf.
- It examines diverging U.S. and Israeli interests.
- The episode addresses strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan.
- It analyzes Ukraine's resilience versus Putin's paranoia.
- The conversation covers the GOP's political challenges and the NBA.
No-Code Exits
Solo founders build a deep, operational relationship with AI.
- For solo founders, AI is the core operation, not just a bolted-on tool.
- Leaders often treat AI as a procurement step, leading to bureaucracy.
- The best leaders build a personal AI practice before organizational rollout.
- Solo founders must use AI as a sparring partner to challenge personal bias.
Not Boring
Retatrutide shows massive weight loss results in Phase 3 trial.
- Retatrutide achieved 28.3% bodyweight loss in Phase 3 trials.
- The drug is a triple hormone receptor agonist (GIP + GLP-1 + glucagon).
- Nuclear energy is advancing, with multiple new reactors going critical.
- Lightwork assessed the sender's home, finding air and water quality issues.
Links: Retatrutide Stuns In Phase 3 Obesity Trial, summary of the results, electromagnetism does run the world, Dose #175
Numlock News
by Walt Hickey
Global supply chains, media consumption, and social biases are shifting.
- Sulphuric acid supply is low due to the Iran war, impacting copper mining.
- Panama Canal traffic is near maximum capacity, prompting water level monitoring.
- People tend to underestimate their friends' cynicism, showing a positive bias.
- Foreign-language content now accounts for a third of Netflix viewing.
Links: Henry Lazenby, Mining.com, Mike Schuler, gCaptain, Shelly DeJong, Michigan State University
Off Message
by Brian from Off Message
Filibuster reform alone is insufficient for democratic stability.
- Abolishing the filibuster is no longer enough for a fair democracy.
- Reform must be paired with court expansion and other measures.
- Otherwise, Republicans will gain power through partisan judges.
- The last chance for sufficient procedural reform was 2021.
Links: standing rules
Paul Kedrosky
by Paul Kedrosky
Solving US obesity may lead to unexpected economic and social shifts.
- The US may have passed peak obesity, showing a downward trend.
- Commercial real estate and suburban medical demand could weaken.
- Airline economics might improve due to lower average passenger weight.
- Dating dynamics could shift, potentially raising fertility rates.
- Longevity inequality may compound, stratifying health advantages.
Links: Paul Kedrosky © 2026 – Unsubscribe
Paul Krugman
by Paul Krugman
Bezos's tax claims on CNBC were inaccurate and uninformed.
- Bezos appeared on CNBC praising billionaires and opposing taxes on the wealthy.
- Krugman argues Bezos was unprepared and factually incorrect during the interview.
- Bezos repeats 'zombie' economic myths to justify low taxes on the superrich.
- Tax burdens fall more heavily on the working and middle classes, not the elite.
- The tax system has become less progressive due to recent policy changes.
Links: went on CNBC, defined, Source
Pearmill
by Nima from Pearmill
Webinar shows how to ship better static ads using AI systems.
- AI creative work should start with systems, not just single prompts.
- The session covers creating 'environmental' ads that feel organic.
- It details a workflow combining AI, human judgment, and strategy.
- Attendees will learn to turn real-world inspiration into performance statics.
- Taste and human judgment remain critical despite AI acceleration.
Links: Ship More (and Better) Static Ads with AI
Pirate Wires
by Pirate Wires
Influencer meets superfan, revealing online cultural dynamics.
- A speed-dating stream featured OnlyFans influencer Alice Rosenblum.
- The interaction exposed the digital disconnect between creator and consumer.
- The superfan's extreme spending highlighted online superfandom dynamics.
- This reflects a modern phenomenon where addiction is the economic product.
Links: whose centralizing economic product is addiction itself
Anthropic co-founder joins Pope for AI ethics encyclical.
- Anthropic will feature its co-founder with Pope Leo XIV.
- The encyclical, "Magnifica Humanitas," addresses AI ethics.
- The event will break tradition by having the Pope present the letter.
- The focus is on safeguarding the human person in AI's era.
- The timing echoes the historical doctrine of "On New Things."
Links: safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence., White House will be frustrated seeing a firm it shut out, Pope Leo XIII, published the Rerum Novarum, Machines of Loving Grace, a renewed appreciation of all that is human.
Pirate Wires Daily
Homelessness reporting is flawed, SpaceX IPO is massive, and Hooters is pivoting.
- Homelessness data is questionable, with many surveyed individuals in LA being from other areas.
- SpaceX filed its S-1, revealing Anthropic pays $1.25 billion monthly for compute.
- The IPO is framed as an investment in Musk's vision for interplanetary humanity.
- Hooters is attempting a turnaround by abandoning its sexual marketing for a 'family-friendly' theme.
Popular Information
by Judd
Investigative journalism is vital for reshaping the national debate.
- The publication investigates and uncovers facts to hold power accountable.
- Their reporting has caused real-world changes, including policy reversals and court orders.
- They were recently honored with the David Nyhan Prize for Public Policy Journalism.
- They need 115 paid subscribers to keep crucial information accessible to everyone.
Product Growth
by Aakash Gupta from Product Growth
Learn how to run Claude Code evaluations using Arize.
- The guide focuses on building robust evaluations in Claude Code.
- Two major evals platforms are available: Braintrust and Arize.
- Arize is used by major companies, including Uber and Booking.com.
- The episode provides actionable advice for technical interviews.
Links: Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Arize, Claude Code
Product Market Fit
by Guillermo Flor
AI has shifted the bottleneck from writing code to reviewing it.
- AI has increased shipping speed, making code review the primary bottleneck.
- Specialized AI reviewers are necessary because general agents have blind spots.
- The optimal workflow involves planning, agent writing, and a separate agent review.
- Providing context via an AGENTS.md file significantly improves agent performance.
Links: Before You Prompt Anything, The Review Loop, Overnight Review, The Full Loop
Retail Brew
by Retail Brew
The article suggests a perspective on the jewelry industry.
- The full content of the article is not available in the provided snippet.
- The subject line suggests a discussion about accountability in the jewelry sector.
Roundhill Investments
Physical assets offer structural resistance to AI disruption.
- AI disruption is at an all-time high, prompting a search for resistant markets.
- The HALO ETF targets 'Heavy Asset, Low Obsolescence' companies.
- These companies own physical infrastructure, such as hydrants and billboards.
- Tangible assets provide a structural hedge against rapid technological change.
Links: Learn about the stocks behind LOHA
by Roundhill Investments
WeeklyPay™ ETF Suite distributions announced for this week.
- Roundhill Investments announced the weekly distributions for the WeeklyPay™ ETF Suite.
- The performance data quoted represents past performance only.
- Investment returns and principal values may fluctuate.
- Investors can review recent performance data for various ETFs.
Sacra
by Jan-Erik Asplund
Prolific's human personality data is key for next-gen AI.
- Prolific built a provenance-first worker marketplace after Mechanical Turk was gamed.
- It collects longitudinal data on personality, demographics, and cultural fluency.
- This data is crucial for AI use cases like therapy and education.
- Sacra estimates Prolific reached $350M in annualized revenue by 2026.
Links: full report, dataset on Prolific, interview with COO Jemma White
Sahil Bloom's Curiosity Chronicle
by Sahil Bloom
Exploring the 'Eject Button Mentality' in life decisions.
- The article examines the concept of the 'Eject Button Mentality.'
- This concept was studied by Harvard psychologists in 2002.
- It explores how people approach making major life changes.
- The discussion provides actionable ideas for a better life.
Links: YouTube, sahilbloom.com
Semafor DC
Green card rules change, Taiwan support, and political gridlock dominate DC.
- Trump requires green card applicants to apply overseas, potentially delaying residency for millions.
- Senators passed a resolution reaffirming US support for Taiwan's defense arms sales.
- Trump's ongoing conflict with Senate Republicans continues to deepen political gridlock.
- Tulsi Gabbard resigned as Director of National Intelligence, creating a Cabinet vacancy.
Links: Green card rules change, Senators support Taiwan, Trump lays gridlock groundwork, Tulsi Gabbard resigns
by Semafor DC
Trump's influence wanes amid GOP rifts and economic doubts.
- Trump's standing with Senate Republicans is low due to political and policy schisms.
- Fewer Republicans are feeling confident about the US economy, per new polling from Gallup.
- Tech leaders successfully persuaded the White House to put on hold this week the AI executive order.
- Secretary Rubio reported little bit of movement in Iran talks, rejecting toll demands.
Links: Burgess Everett and Shelby Talcott report, feeling confident, new polling from Gallup, put on hold this week, little bit of movement
SHIFT
Tips for maintaining a high-protein diet without overspending.
- Focus on affordable, protein-rich staples like beans and eggs.
- Meal planning is key to sticking to a budget.
- Incorporating varied, budget-friendly sources keeps costs down.
Links: 7 Ways To Follow A High Protein Diet Without Overspending
Side Projects from Side Projects
by Clara Malley
Nothing is trying to bring 'cool' back to the tech industry.
- Nothing aims to disrupt mainstream tech by making it exciting again.
- They hired celebrities like Elton John and Victoria Beckham for marketing.
- The newsletter critiques the general lack of 'cool' in tech companies.
- It questions if Nothing can challenge Apple’s 'Think Different' legacy.
Links: Nothing, Nothing’s stated mission, Charlie Smith, Elton John, Apple’s “Think Different” throne
Sidebar.io
Tech industry's imperial mindset is crumbling at a major inflection point.
- The tech industry faces a major inflection point due to social backlash.
- Predictable CSS state resolution is vital for modern web development.
- The web remains less accessible despite professional efforts.
- The newsletter curates design resources and lost internet history.
Links: Internet Politics, CSS Programming, Branding Resources UX, Accessibility, History Internet Gallery
Simon Willison’s Newsletter
by Simon Willison
Datasette Agent is a new AI assistant for querying data.
- Datasette Agent is an extensible AI assistant for Datasette.
- It provides a conversational interface for querying stored data.
- A plugin can generate charts directly from your data.
- The live demo runs on agent.datasette.io using Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite.
Links: Datasette Agent, announced the first release of Datasette Agent, LLM, Datasette, datasette-agent-charts, agent.datasette.io, Gemini 3.1 Flash-Lite
Snacks
Quantum stocks soar after $2 billion in government grants.
- Quantum stocks surged after the Trump administration awarded $2 billion in grants.
- IBM received $1 billion to build an American quantum chip foundry.
- Other companies like GlobalFoundries and D-Wave Quantum also received major funding.
- The funding process involved a rigorous technical evaluation of many quantum companies.
Links: Quantum stocks soar after Trump administration awards $2 billion in grants, in deals that include government equity stak, IBM, GlobalFoundries, D-Wave Quantum, show of confidence in the nascent technology
Snaxshot
by Andrea Hernández
Oasis app faces credibility crisis over health data reporting.
- Oasis built its following using clickbait headlines about food safety.
- The app's success relies on a loop: viral Reels, downloads, and affiliate revenue.
- The app faced backlash after misreading tests published in Consumer Reports.
- Original authors are now pointing out the app's misuse of their work.
Links: Localize, App store, Oasis House, Consumer Reports, Angel Acres
Sonny Bunch - The Bulwark
by Sonny Bunch - The Bulwark
Movies exploring the unique bonds and sacrifices of combat.
- The bond formed in combat is unique, emerging from shared fear and responsibility.
- Veterans deeply respect Americans who contribute to society in countless ways.
- Black Hawk Down is cited as a film showing the unique intimacy of combat.
- Glory examines American citizen soldiers' willingness to risk their lives.
- Warfare offers a realistic portrayal of small unit leadership in ground combat.
Links: Glory, Warfare, If I Don’t Return, Black Hawk Down is one of the best films I’ve ever seen
SpyTalk News
by SpyTalk News
Gabbard's successor, Aaron Lukas, takes over as DNI.
- Tulsi Gabbard's tenure was marked by disagreements with President Trump.
- She claimed to resign for her husband's health, but reports suggest she was 'forced out.'
- Her acting successor is Aaron Lukas, a former Cato Institute specialist.
- Lukas joined the CIA during the early years of the war on terror.
Links: Aaron Lukas, Cato Institute, Reuters report
STACKED MARKETER
Google and LinkedIn are making marketing AI-first, changing how ads and content work.
- Google is building an AI-first ad ecosystem with conversational ads and agent tools.
- Tools like Ask Advisor automate campaign building and operational tasks for advertisers.
- LinkedIn restricts AI content reach but remains highly cited by major AI chatbots.
- To succeed on LinkedIn, focus on expert-led posts and structured, human-written content.
Links: Google Marketing Live., Restricting AI-generated content, Meltwater study of 9.5M citations,, post-bid measurement, here.
Stratechery
by Ben Thompson
AI's digital threat faces a physical veto power from data center construction.
- AI's impact is felt digitally, threatening jobs that are highly digital.
- However, AI depends on physical data centers, which require local permissions.
- This physical constraint gives people a veto power over AI development.
- Understanding this dynamic is more important than correcting misinformation.
Links: data-center-discontent-understanding-the-opposition-fixing-the-problem/, Sharp Tech, The Agentic Web and Original Sin
Stuart Stevens for Lincoln Square
by Stuart Stevens for Lincoln Square
Democrats must focus on a governing vision, not past failures.
- The recent Democratic 'autopsy' fails to provide a clear vision for the future.
- Parties should focus on how they will win, not just why they lost.
- Democrats must look beyond the midterms to present a governing vision.
- A clear vision of governance is what motivates people to vote.
Substack
Brian Beutler and David Seligman discuss current issues live.
- A live video conversation is available now.
- The discussion features Brian Beutler and David Seligman.
- The conversation is hosted on Substack.
tastylive
AAPL is bullish, suggesting a potential rally over weeks.
- The analysis suggests AAPL may continue to rally in the coming weeks.
- A potential trade is outlined using a short put vertical strategy.
- The suggested trade is long the 297.5 put and short (details cut off).
Tech Brew
The email body contained no substantive article content.
- The provided text was a boilerplate error message.
- No specific claims regarding Musk's stock were visible.
- The email only contained links for viewing the full article.
Tech Buzz China Insider Newsletter
Robotics hype overlooks the critical, undervalued problem of hands.
- The current focus on humanoid bodies is missing the core challenge.
- The true bottleneck in robotics is advanced manipulation, specifically the hand.
- Investment should prioritize deployment utility over impressive demonstrations.
- The market is currently undervaluing sophisticated grasping and dexterity.
Links: The hand is the actual unsolved problem, The marathon was looking at the wrong body part, What investors should watch
Techmeme
Trump delays AI EO; Meta launches standalone Forum app.
- Trump postponed the AI EO, citing concerns about regulation.
- Industry officials reportedly influenced the cancellation of the order.
- Meta released Forum, a standalone app for Facebook groups.
- The launch caused Reddit's stock to drop significantly.
Links: TRUMP DELAYED SIGNING THE AI EO BECAUSE “HE JUST HATES REGULATION”, Meta RELEASES FORUM, A REDDIT-LIKE STANDALONE APP FOR FACEBOOK GROUPS, WITH A FEED SHOWING GROUP CONVERSATIONS AND AN AI-POWERED “ASK” FEATURE, ON IOS, REDDIT STOCK FELL 5%+ ON FRIDAY AFTER META LAUNCHED A STANDALONE APP FOR ONLINE FORUMS, CALLED FORUM
The Average Joe
by The Average Joe
Federal backing accelerates quantum tech race, signaling major investment wave.
- The 'lipstick effect' is fading as high gas prices impact consumer spending.
- The Commerce Department invested $2B in nine quantum technology companies.
- IBM launched a foundry venture targeting $450B to $850B in value.
- National security concerns are driving the race toward quantum advantage.
Links: isn’t recession-proof, $2B, IBM, $450B to $850B, national security, machines capable of cracking encryption
The Big Newsletter
by Matt Stoller
Utility price hikes are excessive, and the money is not reaching the grid.
- Voters are furious about high utility costs, sometimes foregoing food and medicine.
- Electric utility prices have risen much faster than general inflation.
- Policymakers are considering revamping the basic utility model.
- A recent $67 billion acquisition shows how the regulatory scheme incentivizes overpaying investors.
Links: to forego food and medicine so they could afford their utility bills, dozens of significant rate hikes last year, up at one and a half times the rate of general inflation, pollsters that electric utility prices are at crisis levels, to talk about a revamp of the basic utility model, the largest ever acquisition in the utility space, single most important chart
The Breakdown
Nockchain proposes making mining useful by integrating AI compute.
- Crypto saw broad gains today, led by Perps and DeFi.
- Oil prices remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions.
- Nockchain uses ZK-PoW, generating STARK proofs over NockVM traces.
- This infrastructure can process AI inference, creating market value.
Links: 0xResearch, Nockchain, whitepaper
The Brief
AI improves design quality, plus Memorial Day discounts.
- The Memorial Day Sale is active through May 28th.
- Discounts are available for all courses, including AI for UX Design.
- Beginners can save $150 on UX Academy Foundations.
- Experienced designers can get $250 off Advanced Design Craft.
Links: Memorial Day Sale, Our Memorial Day Sale is Here, $150 off ALL courses, Click here to claim the discount, Advanced Design Craft, Claim the discount here
The Bulwark
by Tim, Sarah and JVL - The Bulwark
Trump could tarnish the GOP for years to come.
- The hosts debate if Democrats should let Trump's approval numbers crater.
- The MAGA coalition is beginning to fracture.
- Rubio takes heat over Iran.
- The discussion includes ranking Trump's worst cabinet members.
by Andrew Egger
GOP lawmakers resist Trump's controversial anti-weaponization slush fund.
- Oman is negotiating with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
- Trump's $1.8 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund faces strong GOP opposition.
- The fund's existence derailed a must-pass reconciliation bill in the Senate.
- The White House's attempts to pressure Republicans failed.
- Sen. McConnell criticized the fund, calling it 'morally wrong.'
Links: negotiating, Andrew Egger, Substack, YouTube, said in a statement
The Creative Independent
by Vic Liu
Liu discusses the body under capitalism and the value of empathy.
- Art was historically not viewed as a legitimate career path.
- The discussion explores the body's experience within capitalist structures.
- Liu emphasizes that empathy is a crucial value in modern life.
- He reframes burnout, arguing it is not a sign of failure.
Links: Art, Writing, Mental health, Adversity
The Daily | FreightWaves
Freight rates rally; Montgomery ruling impacts shipper liability.
- Freight rates are rallying strongly into Memorial Day.
- Industrial demand, driven by AI data centers, is fueling the rally.
- The supply overhang from immigrant owner-operators has diminished.
- The Montgomery ruling may extend liability concerns to shippers.
- Shippers must vet carriers to avoid increased legal exposure.
Links: National Truckload Index, AI data center construction, Montgomery
The Daily Skimm
Memorial Day sales guide features must-have fashion and beauty finds.
- The guide recommends sale items like the '90s-inspired cami and Glossier You Fleur.
- Mattress deals are available, including discounts on the Avocado Mattress.
- Functional activewear and classic tees are recommended for summer style.
- Specific products, like the 12-pack of the Cherry Cola Olipop, are featured.
Links: Memorial Day sales, ‘90s-inspired cami, Glossier You Fleur, 12-pack of the Cherry Cola Olipop, up to 20% off, Madewell’s Perfect Crewneck Tee in Allday Jersey
The Daily Upside
Anthropic claims surprise Q2 profitability; OpenAI solves 80-year math problem
- Anthropic projects $559M operating profit on $10.9B revenue in Q2, reversing prior 2028 profitability timeline.
- Company improved compute efficiency to 56 cents per dollar revenue from 71 cents in Q1.
- OpenAI solved Erdős planar unit distance problem but faces higher costs than rival Anthropic.
- Anthropic's profitability may be temporary; scaling data centers will reduce margins.
Links: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, Pre-IPO, Anthropic Shows Up OpenAI with Surprise Profit Projection, one of its research models, Wall Street Journal, a report by The Information
The Friday Brief
by Rick Wilson
Trump's slush fund and federal impunity signal a new era of corruption.
- The $1.776 billion slush fund mocks the founding principles of the nation.
- The fund lacks independent oversight and operates under Trump's ultimate control.
- Federal agencies are dropping charges against wealthy figures, like Gautam Adani.
- This pattern suggests corruption is now openly performed, not concealed.
Links: Rick Wilson
The GIST
Poulin wins Walter Cup, cementing her status as a hockey champion.
- Marie-Philip Poulin won the Walter Cup and playoff MVP award.
- She played for Montréal Victoire in the championship win.
- Poulin helped lay the groundwork for the PWHL's existence.
- Her victory is seen as a long-overdue and serendipitous moment.
Links: unfiltered reaction, jailbreak goal, Walter Cup, all over your feed, laying the groundwork
The Information AM
by Stephanie Palazzolo
OpenAI may file for IPO but plans to delay the actual listing.
- Altman suggested filing for an IPO is separate from being ready to go public.
- OpenAI plans to file its prospectus soon, potentially aiming for a September listing.
- The White House delayed an event for signing an AI executive order.
- SpaceX postponed its Starship test launch after encountering problems.
Links: Exclusive: OpenAI’s Altman Talks to Staff About IPO Timing, Read more briefings
The IRA
by R.C. Whalen
Inflation sinks GOP, while private credit remains a focus for major banks.
- Inflation is negatively impacting the Republican party.
- Citi and BLK are doubling down on private credit investments.
- Michael Saylor may sell Bitcoin to fund dividends.
- This represents a stark reversal of Saylor's public stance.
The Lily & Fox Team
by The Lily & Fox Team
A stunning new collection of pretty colors is available for summer nails.
- The team encourages readers to treat themselves to a new manicure.
- A stunning collection of pretty colors is available for summer.
- The new designs are perfect for a bright seasonal look.
Links: Shop pretty nails!
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Fashion shapes identity, culture, and politics through art.
- Fashion is a powerful mode of personal expression and political agency.
- The Met explores historical resistance, from Hollywood stars to the Harlem Renaissance.
- The magazine features art history through the lens of fashion and culture.
- Contemporary designers address colonialism while expanding traditional forms.
Links: Perspectives Magazine, Fashion and politics, The Met's online magazine, A recent study of Jacques-Louis David's 1788 double portrait of the Lavoisiers
The Neuron
OpenAI's model disproved an 80-year-old math conjecture.
- OpenAI's reasoning model disproved the Erdős unit distance conjecture.
- The problem asks for the maximum pairs of points one unit apart.
- The model found a counterexample, proving the original conjecture false.
- This new finding beats the previously established mathematical bounds.
Links: OpenAI’s new claim, proof, companion remarks
The Newsette
Microinjections offer a sun-safe alternative to summer laser treatments.
- Aggressive laser treatments increase risks of infection and hyperpigmentation in summer.
- Microinjections, like Aquagold, are low-downtime and sun-safe for spring/summer.
- These procedures stamp active ingredients directly into the skin using microinjectors.
- Experts recommend scheduling aggressive treatments for fall or winter months.
Links: microinjections, Aquagold, CONTŌR
The Physics of Startups
by Rob Snyder
Finding PMF doesn't make things easier; the reward is harder work.
- Achieving Product-Market Fit (PMF) increases stress, rather than reducing it.
- The reward for hard work is often the necessity of even harder work.
- The ultimate constraint is psychological, wanting the struggle to end.
- Success requires adapting to handle increasingly difficult challenges.
The Publish Press 💬
Creator Jenny Hoyos hit 1 billion views with a massive rebrand.
- Hoyos increased posting frequency from once a day to 20-100 videos daily.
- She works with a team to film and repurpose content efficiently.
- Weaving personal storylines created a curiosity gap across her channel.
- This strategy boosted audience connection and total viewing time.
Links: A creator’s rebrand leads to 1 billion views, Jenny Hoyos, getting ready, friend group, will-they-won't-they
The Wrap | Your Evening Briefing
S&P 500 gains continue amid AI and quantum tech rallies.
- The S&P 500 posted gains for its eighth consecutive week.
- AI demand boosted stocks like Dell and Super Micro Computer.
- Quantum computing stocks rallied following government grants.
- Chinese stocks dropped due to regulatory crackdowns.
- Airbnb is expanding its hotel offerings and adding car rentals to its app.
Links: Quantum computing CEOs hope “validating” government backing proves their technology is no longer speculative, Airbnb is expanding its hotel offerings and adding car rentals to its app, Report: White House AI oversight executive order DOA
theSkimm
Memorial Day sales are here, offering deals across multiple categories.
- Fashion retailers offer discounts on summer dresses and apparel.
- Mattress and body care brands have sales for summer upgrades.
- Kids can find fun summer activities through STEM camps.
- Multiple brands offer deals on jewelry, deodorants, and shapewear.
Links: Click here for our recs on what to buy, click here for our cheat sheet
TLDR
AI ads, Starship delays, and advanced robotics dominate tech news.
- Google is testing AI-generated ads in search and AI Mode.
- SpaceX postponed the Starship launch due to a malfunctioning part.
- Experimental drug Retatrutide showed weight loss comparable to surgery.
- Figure AI's humanoid robots are generating viral interest online.
- Google is improving web extensions with AI-integrated tooling.
Links: Google Pushes AI-Generated Ads Further Into Search Results (6 minute read), SpaceX Postpones Launch of Newly Redesigned Starship (6 minute read), Experimental Drug Yields Dramatic Weight Loss (7 minute read), The Internet can't stop watching Figure AI's humanoid robots handling packages (10 minute read), What's new in web extensions: I/O 2026 recap (6 minute read)
Today's Elevator
by Today's Elevator
The newsletter explores the cultural shift from motorcycles to fetish magazines.
- The content discusses a transition in cultural focus.
- It examines the evolution of niche interests and media.
- The subject matter moves from mechanical hobbies to specialized publications.
Trivium China
Guangdong and Zhejiang lead China's growth through skilled migration.
- China's provincial demographics are rapidly diverging.
- Guangdong and Zhejiang recorded the largest population gains.
- Growth is driven by high-skilled migration, not natural increase.
- This creates a self-reinforcing cycle of consumption and investment.
Links: Population growth in Guangdong and Zhejiang point to localized consumption tailwinds
Uncrate
Featured luxury items, including a 1965 Porsche 911 Coupe.
- Check out the classic 1965 Porsche 911 Coupe.
- Shop luxury goods like The Night Before Christmas.
- Explore the Holme & Hadfield The Collector watch case.
- Discover Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Finish whisky.
Links: Uncrate Supply, The Night Before Christmas, Holme & Hadfield The Collector, Glenmorangie Calvados Cask Fin, Taylor Stitch
Vittles
New guide reveals 99 lunch spots in Central London.
- Vittles announced its guidebook, Ice Cream City.
- The new guide covers areas like Shoreditch and Brick Lane.
- It is a subjective map of personal favorite lunch spots.
- Options range from noodles to Bengali curries.
Links: Oxford Circus, Farringdon 99s, Vittles