Cards · Wednesday, May 27, 2026 · 171 newsletters

Today's reads

Every newsletter in the inbox, distilled to 3-5 claims. The briefing for this day at /whatimreading/2026-05-27 is the editorial curation on top of this layer.

• (Self) Listening Session

  by Tanya Windman

  Prop stylist Ariadna Pedret discusses creativity, community, and career growth.

  • Persistence, like cold emailing, was key to starting her career as a stylist.
  • Digital tools streamlined prep, but personal connections with artisans are still vital.
  • She advises leaving the ego at the door to remain present and collaborative.
  • Success is defined by ease, loved ones, and the ability to give rather than take.

• a16z

  Avoid the Yellow Brick Road; build complex, vertical AI applications.

  • The Yellow Brick Road is the path where AI labs are committing resources.
  • Labs excel at generic tasks like code generation and writing.
  • Value comes from scaffolding, ensuring output is trustworthy and compliant.
  • Successful apps must solve complex, vertical problems, not just horizontal ones.

  Links: a16z Podcast, Yellow Brick Road

• After School

  by Casey Lewis

  Teen life is shifting due to screen time and a tough job market.

  • The summer teen job market is projected to be the toughest in decades.
  • Teens are spending nine hours a day on screens, emptying out public spaces.
  • Online homogenization means slang reads as algorithmic brain rot.
  • Parents face 'iPad rages,' with studies showing negative reactions to screen-time limits.

  Links: THIS SUMMER’S TEEN JOB MARKET IS THE TOUGHEST IN DECADES, WHERE HAVE ALL THE TEENAGERS GONE?, DOES YOUR KID HAVE IPAD RAGES?

• AI Research Briefing

  by Ken Huang from Agentic AI

  SkillOpt advances agents by treating skills as trainable, deterministic weights.

  • SkillOpt moves agents from brittle prompting to deterministic skill engineering.
  • It uses an edit budget, acting as a textual learning rate for controlled updates.
  • A validation gate ensures edits only improve performance on unseen data.
  • The system achieves massive gains with minimal, high-impact procedural edits.

• Aletheia China Strategy

  by Vincent Chan

  Analyzing China's economy, strong supply, and weak demand dichotomy.

  • The discussion covers the current status of the Chinese economy.
  • It explores the reasons behind the strong supply and weak demand dichotomy.
  • Topics include listed company profits, employment, and China's AI stance.
  • The call will conclude with an analysis of market implications.

  Links: Please click here

• Amanda Natividad

  by Amanda Natividad

  Small DTC brands must simplify their complex marketing tech stacks.

  • Skincare is a highly personal category, making quiz funnels ideal for lead capture.
  • A full quiz funnel requires many tools, including CRMs, SMS platforms, and ESPs.
  • This conventional stack is expensive and prone to data loss and inefficiency.
  • The solution is consolidating the entire process into a single platform like Typeform.

  Links: Zero Click Marketing podcast

• Amazon Seller Newsletter

  Prime Day deadlines loom; AI shopping assistants reshape Amazon search.

  • Prime Day 2026 deal submissions close tonight, May 26.
  • External traffic strategies are crucial to reach the top page.
  • Amazon Rufus surfaces products via conversational queries, bypassing traditional ranking.
  • Amazon is systematically retooling the buyer journey toward AI discovery.

  Links: sellercentral.amazon.com, stackinfluence.com, helium10.com, amazonrankpro.com

• Andrew Wilkinson

  by Andrew Wilkinson

  Click the link to confirm and activate your subscription.

  • The user must click the provided link to confirm their subscription.
  • This action is required to fully activate the account.
  • Standard options are available to update your profile or unsubscribe.

  Links: Unsubscribe, Update your profile

• Atoms

  Tatami Brown Model 000 is the most sought-after shoe this month.

  • The Tatami Brown colorway is soft, versatile, and easy to style.
  • Customers are drawn to the shoe's comfort and lightweight feel.
  • It provides soft steps and easy wear for all-day comfort.
  • Stock is moving fast, so it is best to grab your size now.

  Links: Get My Pair, Unsubscribe, Privacy Policy

• Axios AI+

  by Ina Fried and Madison Mills

  AI's job impact is messy, falling between hype and doom.

  • AI leaders are split between job apocalypse and supercharging work.
  • Anthropic emphasizes AI's potential to displace human labor widely.
  • OpenAI suggests AI is unlikely to cause a jobs apocalypse.
  • Job data shows growth in AI-exposed sectors, but costs are rising.
  • The most likely outcome is an uneven transition, defying a clean narrative.

  Links: agentic shopping and investing, AI costs a lot of money

• Balancing Act

  by Nikunj Kothari

  Modern pitches require unique insights and compelling narratives, not just revenue.

  • The market now demands unique insights in tech, market, or GTM motion.
  • True value comes from deep problem understanding, not just applying tech.
  • Founders should leverage historical analogies or unique customer data.
  • The best pitches build a narrative that keeps people thinking afterward.

  Links: Early revenue, deep into the problem, exact steps

• Bankless

  DeFi's future is uncertain amid rising hacks and AI exploits.

  • DeFi remains vulnerable, highlighted by recent hacks like Stake DAO.
  • The threat landscape is worsening, especially with AI-assisted exploits.
  • Experts are questioning the current safety and stability of the sector.
  • The article analyzes the factors and implications of DeFi risk.

  Links: WMP, Join in on MetaMask

• Big Think

  Learn to reclaim focus and manage attention in a distracted world.

  • Neuroscientist Amishi Jha explains we are living in an attention crisis.
  • Attention is key for problem-solving and emotional regulation.
  • The class teaches meta-awareness to strengthen your focus.
  • Techniques include mindfulness, Body Scan, and Breath Awareness.

  Links: Body Scan Practice, Breath Awareness Practice, meta-awareness

• Bloomberg

  Hotel rooms are becoming uniform due to modern shifts in travel and tech.

  • Hotel rooms increasingly look alike, regardless of cost.
  • Social media shifts focus attention to common areas like lobbies and spas.
  • Changes in tech, culture, and hospitality models drive this uniformity.
  • A quiz is available to test knowledge of luxury vs. cheap stays.

  Links: all started to look the same, Take the quiz

  by David E. Rovella

  Wall Street is reducing software exposure in loan deals amid AI fears.

  • Major firms are slashing software exposure in CLO deals.
  • This follows a sharp selloff in debt from software firms.
  • Fears that AI will render software obsolete are driving investor selling.
  • Some CLO managers still successfully market software-heavy portfolios.
  • A concern remains regarding inconsistent industry classifications.

  Links: new CLOs at Blackstone Guggenheim boast key perk less software, private software companies open their books early to calm nerves, salesforce gives lukewarm outlook that fuels disruption fears, one big private credit investor forced vista's fund to limit-

  by Hellmuth Tromm

  Paxton wins Texas runoff, while AI fuels record market highs.

  • Paxton won the state’s Republican Senate runoff, strengthening Trump's GOP grip.
  • The result could set up a tougher challenge from well-funded Democrat James Talarico.
  • AI euphoria continues to power global stock markets to fresh records.
  • Major chipmakers are seeing valuations reach $1 trillion.

  Links: won the state’s Republican Senate runoff, well-funded Democrat James Talarico, climbed to fresh records, each topped $1 trillion

• Bloomberg Technology

  Travel giants like Airbnb and Uber are aiming to become super apps.

  • Airbnb and Uber are attempting to reimagine themselves as one-stop travel super apps.
  • ByteDance is poised to be a major customer for Qualcomm's AI-focused chips.
  • American Airlines plans to install Starlink across over 500 aircraft.
  • Xiaomi announced a buyback program after disappointing earnings.

  Links: It’s a win for the US company diving deeper into AI infrastructure., Profit was dinged by a predictable industrywide bottleneck., It adds to an accelerating race among carriers to offer faster and more reliable onboard connectivity.

• Breaking News from Pod Save America

  Trump-backed Ken Paxton is bad news for Republicans.

  • Paxton's political standing is problematic for the GOP.
  • His association with Trump is detrimental to the party.
  • The news presents a significant challenge for Republicans.

• Brew Markets

  Robinhood's robot traders raise questions about market stability.

  • The article discusses the use of automated trading systems on Robinhood.
  • These 'robot traders' introduce new dynamics to retail investing.
  • Concerns exist regarding the impact of algorithmic trading on market volatility.

• ByteByteGo

  by ByteByteGo

  Airtable built its AI search layer based on data constraints.

  • Airtable's AI features require finding semantically relevant data.
  • The architecture was dictated by data properties, not just vendor choice.
  • Key constraints include 500ms query latency and high write throughput.
  • The system must scale for millions of isolated, often idle bases.
  • It must find relevant rows quickly to avoid LLM context limits.

  Links: WorkOS launches auth.md - an open protocol for agent registration

• Callaway Climate Insights

  by David Callaway

  Greenhushing, or strategic silence, may signal the most ambitious climate efforts.

  • Many companies are choosing to underreport their climate efforts.
  • Greenhushing is the strategic downplay of environmental improvements.
  • This practice contrasts with the negative act of greenwashing.
  • A study found up to one-quarter of firms engage in greenhushing.

  Links: Value of Silence: Determinants and Consequences of Greenhushing

• Category Pirates 🏴‍☠️

  Anthropic may be surpassing OpenAI as the leading AI category.

  • Anthropic is currently showing higher growth and valuation than OpenAI.
  • The company is attracting key talent, including Andrej Karpathy.
  • The analysis suggests the focus should be on the new AI category itself.
  • The newsletter covers AI's poor marketing reception and SpaceX's IPO pitch.

  Links: Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceX

• Cautious Optimism

  by Alex Wilhelm

  Tech power struggles involve regulation, politics, and corporate leadership.

  • Prediction markets face state and international challenges regarding 'gambling' laws.
  • The author critiques the 'golden age of corruption' in regulatory capture.
  • Mahan's tech donors failed to secure the governorship in California.
  • Drew Houston is stepping down as CEO of Dropbox after two decades.

  Links: Prediction market challenges, California governor race, Drew Houston is stepping down as CEO of Dropbox

• Chartr | Data Storytelling

  Teens face record-low summer jobs; Temu recovers US web traffic.

  • Summer hiring for US teens is projected to be the lowest since 1948.
  • Employers, particularly in leisure, announced significantly fewer hiring plans.
  • Temu's US web traffic has recovered to pre-tariff levels.
  • Despite traffic recovery, Temu's margins and parent company's ADRs are down.

  Links: Temu’s US web traffic quietly recovered from last year’s tariff blow, We have Temu at home

• ChinaTalk

  by Aqib Zakaria

  China's robotics dream began on factory assembly lines, not in tech hubs.

  • Early Chinese AI research focused on industrial automation, like car plants.
  • US export controls in 1991 spurred domestic development of robotics.
  • Jiang Xinsong is credited as China's "father of robotics."
  • His pioneering work predates modern deep-learning AI, focusing on industry.

  Links: Aqib Zakaria, Unitree, dubbed, “father of robotics.”, Qian Xuesen, ChinaTalk

• Columbia Business School Executive Education

  by Rita McGrath

  Leading growth requires new strategies for uncertain, disruptive markets.

  • Executives must lead growth amid uncertainty and disruption.
  • Traditional planning approaches are no longer sufficient for modern markets.
  • Leaders can apply tools like assumption-based planning and portfolio thinking.
  • The session offers ideas for driving growth in real time.

  Links: Register, Contact Us, execednews@gsb.columbia.edu

• Contentment

  by Tracey Wallace

  Bots are the primary audience for modern performance content.

  • Google and LLMs are becoming zero-click platforms, changing SEO dynamics.
  • Impressions are vital, as buyers research on search engines without visiting sites.
  • Focus on conversion rate, not just traffic, from organic channels.
  • Performance content must be written to influence bots and LLMs.

  Links: Subscribe Here

• Contrary Research

  by Contrary Research

  US munitions stockpiles are critically low due to global conflicts.

  • Global conflicts reveal the frailty of US munitions stocks.
  • Stockpiles have declined significantly since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
  • A Pacific conflict could deplete supplies in as few as three days.
  • The bottleneck is solid-rocket motor casting, limited by ammonium perchlorate (AP).

  Links: frailty of US munitions stock, US warheads, Cuban Missile Crisis, solid-rocket motor (SRM) casting, ammonium perchlorate (AP)

• Creator Economy

  by Peter Yang

  Build beautiful, animated slide decks using Claude Code in minutes.

  • A new skill converts rough outlines into fully animated HTML decks.
  • HTML output enables live charts and automatic image resizing.
  • The skill offers 12 formats and three visual templates.
  • Users can generate a complete, polished deck quickly.

  Links: Watch my tutorial now, Oceans Talent, oceanstalent.com/peter, behindthecraft.com

• Crooked

  by Matt (Crooked)

  Paxton's win forces Republicans to defend a controversial figure.

  • Paxton won the GOP primary despite numerous scandals.
  • Democrats hope his history of scandals will boost Talarico.
  • Republicans previously impeached Paxton but now support him.
  • Talarico is using Paxton's past to contrast with his own record.

  Links: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Democrats hope Paxton is dreaming, Texas Republicans impeached him, Talarico thanked Cornyn for his public service

• Culture Study

  The diagnostic crisis highlights systemic failures in understanding the human body.

  • Diagnostic errors are common, affecting at least five percent of adults yearly.
  • An estimated three million people in the US live with undiagnosed diseases.
  • The crisis involves failures to collaborate and issues of medical trust.
  • A 2015 report warned that diagnostic error remains underappreciated in medicine.

  Links: Get All the Good Stuff Here, Alexandra Sifferlin's new book on the "diagnostic crisis", here, The Elusive Body: Patients, Doctors, and the Diagnosis Crisis

  The Mystic flood raises questions about camp's role in identity.

  • Camp has long been seen as a place for personal transformation and freedom.
  • The Mystic flood tragedy forced a critical look at the camp's identity.
  • The conversation explores camp's larger role in identity formation.
  • Kerry Howley reported on the aftermath for New York Magazine.

  Links: Kerry Howley, a stunning feature for, Listen now

  by Culture Study

  The future of summer camp is discussed in this episode.

  • The full article content is restricted to paid members.
  • Access requires upgrading to a paid membership.
  • The subject is the evolution of summer camp experiences.

  Links: Listen now, View in app, Upgrade to unlock

• Democracy Docket

  by Democracy Docket

  Paxton's election denialism and voter suppression efforts continue.

  • Paxton's lawsuit challenging 2020 results highlights election denialism in GOP politics.
  • Paxton previously led a legal effort for Donald Trump to overturn 2020 election results.
  • Chip Roy, author of the SAVE Act, lost the AG primary to election denier Mayes Middleton.
  • A judge ordered the Trump administration to hand over plans for armed agents at polls.

  Links: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) winning the state’s U.S. Senate Republican runoff, Paxton played a leading role in an outrageous legal effort, Remember Paxton’s “constitutional coup d’état” lawsuit?, SAVE Act author Chip Roy loses AG primary to election denier Mayes Middleton

  by Matt Cohen

  Trump earmarks $1.8 billion fund for election deniers and rioters.

  • Trump earmarked $1.8 billion for a 'slush fund.'
  • The money is designated for victims of 'weaponization and lawfare.'
  • Election deniers, Jan. 6 rioters, and fake electors hope for a payday.
  • The newsletter also covered Jared Polis and Tina Peters' statements.

  Links: earmarked

  by Ashley Cleaves

  DOJ's attempts to obtain voter roll data are failing in court.

  • The DOJ filed 31 lawsuits demanding sensitive voter roll data.
  • The department has faced consecutive losses in multiple states.
  • Federal judges, including Trump appointees, have rejected the demands.
  • The DOJ's efforts to access voter data are proving unsuccessful.

  Links: consider supporting our newsroom

• Design Better

  by Aarron & Eli from Design Better

  The Portfolio Club live stream has launched for members.

  • Eli Woolery started the first Portfolio Club session.
  • The event is live for Design Better members.
  • Members can join the discussion via the Substack app or web reader.

  Links: Join chat

  by Aarron & Eli from Design Better

  Design is a civic tool, transforming public life and belief.

  • Thought Matter won the 2026 National Design Award for Communication Design.
  • The studio believes design is civic infrastructure, helping people shape their world.
  • They redesigned the Constitution to make it accessible and engaging for the public.
  • McGuire emphasizes that imagination is a radical act in modern life.

  Links: Thought Matter, National Design Award, design is civic infrastructure

• Digital Commerce 360

  Real-time personalization transforms static experiences into living, engaging moments.

  • Many brands still rely on outdated personalization strategies.
  • Real-time personalization interprets in-session behavior signals.
  • This delivers relevant experiences, even to anonymous visitors.
  • Improved personalization boosts conversions, retention, and loyalty.

  Links: DOWNLOAD NOW, Personalizing the Moment: From Static to Living

• DTC Newsletter

  Test these four ad formats for Father's Day marketing.

  • Shoppers buying for dad respond to product specificity and detail.
  • Use mono static ads, adding headlines to frame the product as a gift.
  • Detail cropped overlays highlight specific features, like available colorways.
  • Show product aging, such as the Bellroy wallet, to prove durability.

  Links: 2 days built for B2C, If you're B2C, you belong in the room, K:BOS, Register for K:BOS Now

• Elizabeth Wipff

  by Elizabeth Wipff

  True style and motivation stem from internal purpose, not external pressure.

  • Style is not about clothes; it is about the wearer's point of view.
  • Training based on external pressure fades when the motivation lifts.
  • Finding purpose in training makes the effort feel uniquely yours.
  • The author is focusing on her own goals for grad school and certification.

• Every

  by Katie Parrott

  AI increases demand for human expertise, not eliminating jobs.

  • AI raises the floor, making human experts who can work with it more valuable.
  • Humans are indispensable because they can operate outside established data frames.
  • The trend of 'AI layoffs' is often a cover story for deeper corporate issues.
  • To thrive, use new models to enhance skills you are already good at.

  Links: Reid Hoffman, Cat Wu and Boris Cherny, Guillermo Rauch, Dwarkesh Patel

• Exec Sum - Litquidity

  Taiwan overtakes India; markets hit ATHs amid global shifts.

  • Taiwan surpassed India as the world's fifth-largest stock market.
  • US stocks hit new ATHs, while corporate spreads are at 1990s lows.
  • China lowered its policy rate and restricted top AI talent.
  • Global PE funds are exiting Chinese data centers.

  Links: CNBC, BBG, BBG, FT, Autopilot

• Faster Than Normal

  by Alex Brogan

  Lessons from Judy Sheindlin and Panasonic on success.

  • Judy Sheindlin's career demonstrates enduring influence and wit.
  • Panasonic built loyalty by treating employees like family.
  • The company promotes bottom-up innovation through its Proposal System.
  • Sheindlin advises that telling the truth requires no good memory.

  Links: Read More, Read More

• Feed Me

  by Emily Sundberg

  NewsGuild secures major settlement for fired Condé Nast workers.

  • Three fired workers were reinstated in good standing.
  • They received financial settlements totaling over $400K.
  • All disciplinary records for the three workers were expunged.
  • Jake Lahut remains protected by federal labor law despite his status.

  Links: NewsGuild union members confronted Head of HR Stan Duncan over layoffs, The NewsGuild of New York outlining the settlement, Jake Lahut, Sherwood Media, New York Magazine

• Field Notes

  by Saadiq Rodgers-King

  The true moat is the structured context, not the app or the data.

  • The durable value is the context, preferences, and improvement loop.
  • The system should be viewed as a structured vault of knowledge.
  • Apps should function as views over work the user controls.
  • The comparison should focus on control, not just app features.

  Links: Obsidian versus Notion

• FinAi News

  Lenders select Dara by Sagent for AI-driven mortgage servicing.

  • Lenders are choosing Dara by Sagent for servicing.
  • The solution utilizes advanced AI technology.
  • This marks a trend toward digital transformation in mortgage lending.

  Links: Lenders select Dara by Sagent for AI-driven mortgage servicing

• Financial Times

  The energy shock persists, requiring continued attention and analysis.

  • The energy shock is not yet over.
  • Supply normalization will take time, even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens.
  • The FT encourages readers to explore in-depth analysis of global issues.

  Links: The energy shock is not over yet, Even with a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, supplies will take time to normalise, Dive into the latest from The FT View

• Fintech Business Weekly

  zerohash CEO discusses crypto's future, regulation, and institutional adoption.

  • zerohash is applying for a national trust bank charter.
  • The CLARITY Act may significantly impact the U.S. crypto industry.
  • The discussion covered crypto's potential synergy with AI agents.
  • It addressed viewing crypto as an 'asset class' versus 'software'.

  Links: Edward Woodford, zerohash

• Fish Food for Thought

  by Fish Food for Thought

  Daily writing discipline isn't always the best approach for deep work.

  • Many writers advocate for daily practice, noting its compounding benefits.
  • The 'write every day' model optimizes for consistent throughput and fluency.
  • However, some work benefits more from depth than from sheer frequency.
  • The author captures ideas and revisits them periodically until they gain substance.

  Links: Stephen King, Haruki Murakami, John Grisham, Daniel Pink

• Foreign Affairs Today

  by Multiple

  Analysis of geopolitical challenges in Iran, Europe, and China.

  • America found a dead end trying to avoid an Iranian quagmire.
  • Europe should cofinance its rearmament with American support.
  • China's 'self-revolution' masks a deeper, ongoing purge.
  • The Arab Gulf and Israel hold different visions for the Middle East.

  Links: Foreign Affairs subscription is less than $3.50/month., Learn More

• Fortune

  Demis Hassabis is reportedly moving quickly on new ventures.

  • The subject suggests a rapid pace of activity from Demis Hassabis.
  • This urgency likely relates to major developments in AI or deep learning.
  • The movement could signal a significant shift in DeepMind's focus.

  Fortune reveals its new Most Powerful Woman list.

  • The annual Most Powerful Woman list has been released.
  • The report highlights influential women across various sectors.
  • It provides insights into current corporate power dynamics.

  Links: Read online, Sign up

• Fortune Tech

  Market shifts indicate sustained growth across key technology sectors.

  • AI integration is accelerating, transforming business operations globally.
  • Semiconductor demand remains robust, fueling hardware innovation.
  • Market consolidation is expected, favoring large tech players.
  • Investment focus is shifting toward sustainable and green tech solutions.

  Links: Read online, Sign up, Subscribe to Fortune

• Forward Deployed

  by Noah Brier from Forward Deployed

  AI agents require economic and organizational mechanisms to function.

  • Agents are fundamentally an economic and organizational problem, not just a technical one.
  • Enterprise world models can be built using data-first ontologies from company records.
  • MarketBench tests if AI agents can accurately bid on their own capabilities and costs.
  • Model calibration is crucial, as current LLMs show biases in over- or under-bidding.
  • Real software work requires co-evolution of specs and deliverables.

  Links: Strange Loop Canon, Enterprise world models, data-first ontologies, MarketBench, model self-knowledge

• FSA Store

  by FSA Store

  Shop FSA-eligible health products across multiple categories.

  • All products are guaranteed FSA eligible.
  • Browse curated sections including Best Sellers and New arrivals.
  • Explore advanced options in Hi-tech Health.
  • The store provides a wide range of wellness items.

  Links: Best Sellers, New, Hi-tech Health, Every product is FSA eligible, *guaranteed

• Generative History

  by Mark Humphries

  Human workflows are essential for accurate automated historical transcription.

  • Automated transcription promises to vastly speed up historical research.
  • Accuracy is critical; errors can compound and fail downstream tasks.
  • The author found that human-centered verification reduces error rates by up to 80%.
  • Workflows must augment human abilities rather than fully automate them.

  Links: major milestone in AI research, nature of those errors, the team, Dr. Lianne Leddy, Dr. Carolyn Podruchny), Transkribus

• Gobbledy

  by Jared Blank from Gobbledy

  Small tech companies can be profitable even with low market share.

  • Tech companies often wrongly believe standard business strategies do not apply.
  • Many firms are now low market share businesses, not high-growth ones.
  • The HBR article suggests four ways small businesses can succeed.
  • These methods include segmenting markets and thinking small.

  Links: They carefully segment their markets., They use research and development funds efficiently., They think small., Their chief executives’ influence is pervasive.

• Gothamist

  NY lawmakers push limits on shackling pregnant people in custody.

  • Bills are pending in the state Legislature to improve care for pregnant people.
  • A recent birth in an arraignment court spurred interest in these bills.
  • One bill would make it illegal to shackle pregnant people during labor or recovery.
  • NYC pension costs may rise due to changes proposed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

  Links: New York lawmakers want limits on shackling pregnant people after Brooklyn courtroom birth, A former New York-based IBM employee, New York City is set to see short-term pension costs drop

• Gothamist Daily

  New Yorkers can check eligibility for a $200 state rebate check.

  • New Yorkers can check if they are eligible for a $200 state rebate check.
  • NYPD reports that subway surfers are stealing MTA keys and selling them on Amazon.
  • The Staten Island shipyard explosion was determined to be accidental by the FDNY.
  • Mamdani plans to announce bike lanes to end the McGuinness Boulevard saga.

  Links: New Yorkers: See if you're eligible for a $200 rebate check from the state, Subway surfers are stealing MTA conductors' keys and buying them on Amazon, NYPD says, FDNY says deadly Staten Island shipyard explosion was accidental, Mamdani to announce bike lane plans that would finally end McGuinness Boulevard saga

• Gov Brief Today

  Government employers are paying millions for free speech violations.

  • Suzanne Swierc collected $225,000 from Ball State after being fired.
  • Government employers paid over $2 million in four red states this year.
  • These payouts followed firings for speech that was not illegal.
  • The newsletter warns against suppressing basic freedom of speech.

  Links: WTHR Indianapolis, CBS News, The New York Times [gift link]

• Greater Good Science Center

  by Michael Fisher

  AI demands educators redefine learning, focusing on compassion and moral imagination.

  • AI makes it crucial for educators to redefine learning goals.
  • Developing 'moral imagination' helps students bridge political divides.
  • Three actions can help shift campus conflict toward conversation.
  • The center promotes compassion education through upcoming panels.

  Links: Magazine, Our Education Program, Educator Happiness Calendar, Read More, Sign up here, Greater Good Educators Gathering Space

• History Facts

  Police used ear length before fingerprints for criminal identification.

  • Before fingerprinting, police used ear length to identify criminals.
  • The Bertillon system was the standard identification method.
  • A bizarre case exposed a major flaw in the Bertillon system.
  • Fingerprints were adopted by police in the early 20th century.

  Links: Before fingerprinting, police used ear length to identify criminals., Continue Reading

  The article explores why cursive writing fell out of favor.

  • Cursive was once considered a marker of education and refinement.
  • The piece discusses the reasons cursive lost its popularity.
  • It questions whether cursive writing will ever return to schools.

  Links: The Most Famous Typos in History, The Surprising Origins of 6 Popular Fairy Tales, We Tried Writing With a Quill, and Here’s What We Learned

• I Love Typography

  Best-selling font families are featured for designers.

  • ILT curates popular, reliable, and practical font families.
  • The Freight superfamily is a best-seller, perfect for editorial design.
  • Proxima Nova and Proxima Sera are versatile, popular sans/serif options.
  • Rollerscript and LiebeHeide are featured best-selling handwriting fonts.

  Links: I Love Typography, Store, Freight superfamily, Proxima Nova, Proxima Sera, Shop Rollerscript, Shop LiebeHeide

• Inside The Newsroom, Journalism's Job Board

  by Daniel Levitt

  Comparison is the thief of joy; define your own measure of success.

  • Comparison is a natural human response, but social media has industrialized it.
  • Focus on what you are building, rather than what you are being measured against.
  • Identifying your own definition of success reduces the sting of comparison.
  • A life can be deeply rich internally, even if it appears unimpressive externally.

  Links: Get your free portfolio today, Last week we talked about reality not being romantic

• International Intrigue

  Ferrari's EV launch and China's dominance reshape the auto market.

  • The global EV market is expected to sell 23 million units this year.
  • China now produces roughly 75% of the world's new EVs.
  • This dominance is fueled by state subsidies and low manufacturing costs.
  • The market shift is causing emotional reactions, like anemoia, among consumers.

  Links: International Energy Agency (IEA) EV Outlook, become an Insider

• Judd at Popular Information

  by Judd at Popular Information

  Progressive super PAC spending is linked to Republican operative.

  • Lead Left PAC, claiming anti-MAGA, spent millions supporting Democrats.
  • The group's spending patterns are unusual, backing candidates with liabilities.
  • The PAC is difficult to trace, using shell companies and a mailbox address.
  • An investigation links Lead Left to Caleb Crosby, a Republican operative.

  Links: $900,000 supporting Maureen Galindo, prison for American Zionists, Kaylen Melton

• Katie Harbath

  by Katie Harbath

  Rapid AI developments demand a dedicated space for strategic discussion.

  • The Catholic Church released a moral framework on AI and technology.
  • Meta is restructuring around AI, signaling industry direction.
  • Political actions, like Trump's executive order, are volatile.
  • Brazil formalized an AI and elections commission at the judicial level.
  • The solution is a private network for senior practitioners to discuss these tradeoffs.

  Links: Pope released a landmark encyclical, Meta announced another round of layoffs, Trump was ready to sign, Brazil, if you missed it, read it here

• Linas's Newsletter

  by Linas from Linas's Newsletter

  Starling's SaaS pipeline and strong margins reshape its IPO valuation.

  • Starling achieved a 24.5% PBT margin, outperforming competitors like Monzo.
  • The key value lies in Starling's SaaS arm, Engine, which has £70M in committed ARR.
  • Scaling Engine to £100M ARR could add over £1B to the IPO valuation.
  • Starling combines a high-margin UK bank with a global fintech infrastructure.

  Links: Monzo, Revolut

• Lincoln Square

  by Edwin Eisendrath & Susan Demas

  Trump dismisses gas price hikes while experts discuss Iran, AI, and Texas politics.

  • Donald Trump called gas price increases "peanuts" in the grand scheme.
  • The discussion covered the latest on the Iran War and potential deals.
  • The Pope offered a nuanced perspective regarding artificial intelligence.
  • The segment reviewed the Texas GOP U.S. Senate runoff.

  Links: Iran War, Pope’s nuanced take on AI, Texas GOP U.S. Senate runoff

  John Cornyn's political career shows a pattern of compromising principles.

  • He initially resisted running for AG, preferring his judicial role.
  • He vetoed tough negative ads during his Senate run, wanting to win on his own terms.
  • He measuredly criticized Trump's 'Mexicans-are-rapists' campaign.
  • His support for Trump after the Access Hollywood tape signaled a decline in principles.

  Trump's health raises more questions than answers, according to experts.

  • Steven Beschloss questions Trump's cognitive decline after his Walter Reed trip.
  • Rick Wilson and Beschloss discuss current events on their new show.
  • Topics covered include the impact of the war in Iran.
  • They also discussed Andy Kim's protest against ICE.

  by Frank Figliuzzi

  The 2026 World Cup presents major national security challenges.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest sporting event in history.
  • Hosting across 11 U.S. cities creates massive security and logistical challenges.
  • Planners are focused on terrorism, law enforcement, and public health concerns.
  • These security issues could pose significant tests during a second Trump term.

  Links: FIFA World Cup, largest World Cup in history, Frank Figliuzzi, Subscribe

  by Bobby Jones

  The supposed peace deal with Iran is premature and flawed.

  • Recent reports of a deal are misleading and incomplete.
  • The war lacked clear strategic objectives or a defined endgame.
  • The conflict will end, but only on Iran's terms.
  • The best hope is returning to the pre-war status quo, which is unlikely.

  Links: Anchor Watch

• Linear: A VSaaS Newsletter

  by Mike Droesch

  Voice AI is an interface shift, becoming a new layer in vertical software.

  • Voice is a higher-bandwidth interface than typing or clicking.
  • It is evolving into a context and action layer, not just an IVR feature.
  • Regulated sectors like healthcare adopt voice AI fastest due to workflow control.
  • Distribution and workflow ownership are the true moats, not just infrastructure.
  • Successful voice AI changes software economics, shifting costs to payroll.

  Links: Mike Droesch, Bessemer Venture Partners, The Voice AI Manual

• Maritime Analytica

  by Maritime Analytica

  Hormuz is open, but multiple risks require careful assessment.

  • The Strait of Hormuz involves security, navigation, and insurance risks.
  • The briefing covers 10 critical questions for safe transit decisions.
  • Key concerns include GPS reliability and managing crew fatigue.
  • Shore management must provide clear guidance for operations.

  Links: security risk, navigation risk, crew endurance, shore management

  by Maritime Analytica

  HMM Q1 profit survived, but shrinking margins raise concerns.

  • HMM remained profitable in Q1 2026.
  • Operating margins stayed positive.
  • Profit dropped significantly, despite slight revenue decline.
  • The focus shifts to how margin pressure will reshape the next cycle.

• Marketing Brew

  The full content of the newsletter must be viewed online.

  • The email provider is currently scrambling the message.
  • Readers must click a link to view the full article.
  • Unsubscribing is possible via a dedicated link.

• Max Mitcham From The Ground Up

  by Max Mitcham From The Ground Up

  Agent success depends on context and memory, not the LLM.

  • The real fight is in the context engine and memory system, not the model.
  • External context includes high-velocity social signals and long-form learning.
  • Internal context uses proprietary data like CRM, Notion, and Slack.
  • Memory systems should function like a wiki, not just a vector store.

  Links: context engine, memory system, External context, Internal context

• Maze of Bot

  by Chestor B

  Anthropic plans to grade users on their actual AI skills.

  • Anthropic is developing a scorecard to measure user AI skills.
  • The feature analyzes activity across Chat, Cowork, and Claude Code.
  • Scoring uses the 4D AI Fluency Framework, covering setup and quality control.
  • Past studies found iteration and refinement predict effective AI use.

  Links: 4D AI Fluency Framework, February 2026 AI Fluency Index

• McKinsey & Company

  by McKinsey Global Institute

  Quantifying domestic production needed to meet US demand.

  • The US imports $3 trillion in manufactured goods annually.
  • About 25% of imports are critical due to security or geography.
  • The report introduces a "ramp-up factor" for 5,000 products.
  • This factor quantifies required domestic production capacity.

  Links: Download the full report, Chapter 1: America’s import dependence, Chapter 2: Quantifying ramp-up needs

  by McKinsey & Company

  McKinsey reports on accelerating sustainable and inclusive growth.

  • McKinsey has a century of experience driving global impact.
  • The new report focuses on four key areas for maximum impact.
  • These areas include economic opportunity and health.
  • It also covers environmental sustainability and tech-enabled growth.

  Links: Download the full report

• MIT Technology Review

  Summer sale offers 25% off and exclusive tech insights.

  • Get unlimited access to expert analysis on AI, climate tech, and biotech.
  • The sale includes a free print copy of the 10 Breakthrough Technologies 2026 list.
  • Access insider reporting, such as the landmark Musk-OpenAI trial coverage.
  • Benefits include upcoming subscriber-only issues on Engineering and Kids.

  Links: Summer Sale, 10 Breakthrough Technologies 2026 list, AI, biotechnology

  by Thomas Macaulay

  Resources to help you understand the fast-paced world of AI.

  • AI news moves quickly, making understanding challenging for readers.
  • The publication offers resources like "10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now."
  • They host roundtables to explore topics like AI entering the physical realm.
  • A 25% discount is available for subscriptions to deepen AI knowledge.

  Links: 10 Things That Matter in AI Right Now, check the list out, tech-review-explains, roundtables, Sign up now, The Algorithm

• Morning Consult

  NBA's market strength is highly segmented, not broadly distributed.

  • The NBA has a dominant but shallow brand presence overall.
  • It shows a category-leading position among Black, Asian, and Millennial-male consumers.
  • The strategic focus should be consolidating existing cultural ownership.
  • Broadening into general population occasions is less defensible than current strengths.

  Links: See the research in action., Category Advantage, Mental Market Share (MMS), Category Entry Points (CEPs), Network Size

• Must Reads From Danny Denhard

  by Danny Denhard

  AI, art, and brand strategy are the must-read topics for May.

  • AI is advancing in health, detecting cancers years before diagnosis.
  • Storytelling and images often outperform raw data in communication.
  • Art's true value lies in surprise, passion, and connection.
  • Brand competition, especially around sports, is highly intense.

  Links: Mayo Clinic AI helps specialists detect pancreatic cancer up to 3 years before diagnosis, What AI on Satellites Means for Privacy, What Makes Art Great?, Which Brand Will Win the World Cup?, here is an excellent long form pod with the founder of David and RX bar

• Nate from Nate’s Substack

  by Nate from Nate’s Substack

  AI-generated files hide critical flaws; build a 'Trust Layer' first.

  • AI can create polished decks, but subtle errors like wrong formulas remain.
  • The new office risk is that polish hides underlying data flaws.
  • Build a 'Trust Layer' by inventorying sources and logging assumptions.
  • The process requires four stages: prep, structure, creation, and verification.
  • Use specific rules for Excel and PowerPoint to ensure data integrity.

• Nautilus

  Science roundup covers nebulae, Mars physics, and ancient life.

  • View a dazzling image of the Crystal Ball Nebula.
  • Mars exhibits an unexpected physics revolution.
  • A beaked crocodile ancestor walked on two legs.
  • Engineers developed a silk product acting like kevlar.
  • The article discusses AI guzzling less energy.

  Links: A dazzling image of the Crystal Ball Nebula, atmospheric effect on Mars, a beaked, toothless crocodile ancestor, AI guzzle less energy, silk product that acts like kevlar

• Neil Pasricha

  by Neil Pasricha

  I commissioned a massive mural of local birds at a busy subway station.

  • The project was inspired by graffiti artist Nick Sweetman.
  • The 750 sq ft mural features 16 local bird species.
  • The artwork was commissioned after coordinating with the TTC.
  • The species selection was based on data from eBird.

  Links: Nick Sweetman, eBird, Michael Bungay Stanier, Read on Neil.blog

• News Items

  by John Ellis

  Vatican AI warnings clash with Silicon Valley's technological optimism.

  • Pope Leo XIV and Christopher Olah addressed AI risks at the Vatican.
  • Jeremy Nixon argues the spiritual and tech worlds are not in dialogue.
  • Nixon emphasizes the distinct views between humanists and technologists.
  • He believes the papal encyclical will not affect Silicon Valley.
  • Nixon sees AI as a powerful alternative to traditional religion.

  Links: Cade Metz, The God Delusion, he doubted that it would have an effect on Silicon Valley

• next play

  by Ben Lang

  Subscription payment receipt for the May 2026 period.

  • The subscription is for read@madho.net, covering May 27 to June 27, 2026.
  • The total cost for the subscription is $15 USD.
  • Users can manage settings or view past issues on the website.
  • Options are available to request a refund or gift the subscription.

  Links: View all past issues, manage your subscription settings on the website, click here, request a refund, Gift next play to a friend

• Noahpinion

  by Noahpinion

  The future job will be maintaining AI alignment, not just being human.

  • AI tools are automating much of the hard technical work previously done by engineers.
  • The scarcity of human capital has historically spurred waves of automation.
  • Some suggest humans will be valuable for social status, but the author doubts this.
  • The author argues human labor will be needed for maintaining AI alignment.

  Links: highly paid, spurred a wave of automation, economically irrelevant, actively looking for the answer

• Not Boring

  AI Data Centers are vital for advancing hard, physical technologies.

  • AI Data Centers are funding new technologies before they reach maturity.
  • This demand is a boon for reindustrialization and physical goods.
  • Technological stalemates historically break via 'Alpha Products'.
  • These products create the necessary demand for scale, like advanced nuclear reactors.

  Links: Hiring globally doesn’t have to be complicated, The Electric Slide, Alpha Products

• Numlock News

  by Walt Hickey

  Bee research hub closure and space debris rise pose major risks.

  • USDA plans to decommission the Beltsville center, a vital bee research hub.
  • Honey bees contribute $15 billion to U.S. crop production annually.
  • China's disposed rocket body mass has risen sharply to 252 metric tons.
  • Americans are consuming more honey per capita than in previous decades.
  • 1-800-Flowers saw revenue decline, losing market share to competitors.

  Links: Jennie L. Durant, The Conversation, Eric Berger, Ars Technica, Illena Peng, Bloomberg, Megan Graham, The Wall Street Journal

• Paul Krugman

  by Paul Krugman

  Texas Senate race is a referendum on healthcare policy.

  • The race between Paxton and Talarico is less about politics.
  • It is primarily a referendum on Texas's cruel healthcare policies.
  • Texas rejected Medicaid expansion, denying essential care to residents.
  • The state's harsh system leads to high uninsurance rates and poor health.
  • These policies reflect a drive to keep the poor desperate and subservient.

  Links: Medicaid coverage, ACA Medicaid expansion, Texas’s healthcare policy

• Payments Strategy Breakdown by Dwayne Gefferie

  by Dwayne Gefferie

  Mule account handovers exploit a structural blind spot in compliance.

  • Account handovers exploit a design flaw in compliance systems.
  • Only 16% of institutions catch these handovers before suspicious transactions.
  • 81% of respondents report increased mule activity involving handovers.
  • The system trusts the account indefinitely after initial, legitimate onboarding.

  Links: Incognia, Read the full report here →

• Pirate Wires

  by Pirate Wires

  Pratt's mayoral rise reflects deep LA dissatisfaction with local government.

  • Pratt's second-place showing suggests voters are rejecting standard politics.
  • LA faces a major budget deficit and economic weakening.
  • Visible issues like homelessness and fire prevention are ignored by officials.
  • The popularity stems from anti-establishment sentiment, not policy support.

  Links: polling, mansion tax, hostage-taking of the very concept of wealth, single most destructive fire, Daily Beast, ESPN

• Pirate Wires Daily

  AI ethics, electric cars, and subpoenas mark this week's tech takes.

  • Pope Leo XIV advises AI development should follow Nehemiah's model, valuing diverse thought.
  • Ferrari debuted the Luce, an electric car criticized for its pod-like, unaggressive design.
  • Streamer Hasan Piker faces a subpoena over alleged violations of U.S. sanction laws.
  • The author satirizes the political climate, linking subpoenas to calls for 'Kaya's liberation.'

• Product Market Fit

  by Guillermo Flor

  Use AI to automate the mechanical tasks of a CFO function.

  • AI can handle the mechanical work of a CFO, like data pulling and reporting.
  • The setup requires three context files: about-us.md, working-rules.md, and metrics.md.
  • These files ensure the AI uses your specific definitions and reporting logic.
  • The system can manage weekly checks, month-end close, and rolling forecasts.

  Links: How to Build Your CFO Context in 20 Minutes, How to Run Your Weekly Finance Check, How to Close the Month Without a Finance Team, How to Build and Update a Rolling Forecast, How to Model Scenarios

• Raymond White

  by Raymond White

  Leaders must master switching between tactical and relational modes.

  • Effective leadership requires knowing the right mode for the moment.
  • Overly tactical leaders neglect people, while overly relational leaders lack direction.
  • The model expands to include Urgent and Strategic leadership dimensions.
  • Teams need different leadership responses depending on the current environment.

• Retail Brew

  by Retail Brew

  The newsletter content was not available in the provided body text.

  • The email body contained only boilerplate text and links.
  • No specific retail insights or claims could be extracted.

• Rick Wilson

  by Rick Wilson

  Tejano and Talarico are key to the Democratic revival in Texas.

  • The Democratic party is undergoing a significant revival in Texas.
  • Tejano and Talarico are central figures driving this political resurgence.
  • Their influence is reshaping the state's political landscape.
  • This shift is critical for understanding modern Texas demographics.

  by Rick Wilson

  Trumpism is a permanent, damaging stain on American politics.

  • Trump's ego is costing the GOP, as demonstrated in Texas.
  • Trumpism is a doomed cult that sacrifices its own acolytes.
  • The movement is compared to a permanent 'face tattoo' on American politics.
  • Supporting his criminality stains the supporter, making it impossible to wash off.

  Links: Rick Wilson

  by Rick Wilson

  Rick Wilson is hosting a live event called "The Breakdown."

  • The live event, "The Breakdown," is scheduled for May 28.
  • The broadcast will take place at 7:00 PM EDT.
  • Readers are encouraged to add the event to their calendars.

  Links: Add to calendar

• Roots of Progress Institute

  by Roots of Progress Institute

  Learn about the Blog-Building Intensive Fellowship at a live event.

  • A Substack Live event is scheduled today to discuss the fellowship.
  • Applications are open for the fourth cohort of the 10-week program.
  • The fellowship is for aspiring progress writers and community building.
  • Preferred topics include Human Talent & Potential or Security & Resilience.

  Links: read more about this year’s program, apply here, fertility policy, AI safety

• Roundhill Investments

  Roundhill announces ETF distributions for XDTE, QDTE, and RDTE.

  • Distributions are announced for the ETFs XDTE, QDTE, and RDTE.
  • The funds expect weekly distributions, but this is not guaranteed.
  • Distributions may exceed earnings, potentially being treated as return of capital.
  • The estimated distribution composition for all three funds includes return of capital.

  Links: XDTE, QDTE, RDTE

  by Roundhill Investments

  $XPAY ETF offers high distribution potential and strong total returns.

  • $XPAY seeks to pay a 20% annualized return of capital distributions.
  • Since inception, $XPAY recorded a total return of 29.25%.
  • This performance outperformed the NEOS S&P 500 High Income ETF ($SPYI).
  • Investors should consider tax efficiency and total return potential.

  Links: For standardized performance of XPAY and to learn more, For standardized performance of SPYI and to learn more

• Sam from Fintech Wrap Up

  Finance is transforming through tokenization, digital money, and real-time infrastructure.

  • Tokenization is reshaping banking, forcing investments in custody and AI systems.
  • The future of finance will be programmable, real-time, and software-driven.
  • Digital money types, like CBDCs and stablecoins, will influence monetary policy.
  • Visa is shifting revenue focus to Value-Added Services (VAS) regardless of the payment rail.

  Links: Deep Dive: Structural Analysis of Visa’s Value-Added Services

• Semafor DC

  Trump's focus and GOP dynamics define the current political landscape.

  • Trump questioned the prospects of a 'great deal' in Iran.
  • The Senate passed a bipartisan college sports deal.
  • GOP primaries now hinge on loyalty to Trump, not ideology.
  • Democrats benefit from frustration, and Trump's GOP support is declining.
  • Gas prices saw a drop of about 10 ce.

  Links: Trump insistent on elusive ‘great deal’ in Iran, Senate’s college sports deal, Tea party fever in 2026, Trump’s base wavers, Gas prices drop about 10 ce

• SHIFT

  by SHIFT

  The email addresses the concept of biological age.

  • The subject focuses on determining an individual's biological age.
  • The provided body text does not contain specific claims or data points.

• Sidebar.io

  Vibe design requires human intention, not just aesthetics.

  • Cognitive bandwidth does not parallelize, even with multiple AI agents.
  • New tools help manage Claude Code environment flags for better cost balance.
  • Impeccable design skills are needed for AI harnesses and anti-patterns.
  • Tracking frontier AI companies' spend and revenue is becoming crucial.

  Links: AI, UX, Tools, Business, Resources

• Skimm Well Played

  by Mallory Simon

  Women's lacrosse is positioned for a major mainstream sports breakthrough.

  • Chloe Humphrey is drawing comparisons to elite athletes like Caitlin Clark.
  • The fast-paced "sixes" format could introduce the game to a wider audience.
  • Rising TV exposure and social media buzz boost its profile.
  • The sport is preparing for the Olympics in 2028 after a long absence.

  Links: All the Can’t-Miss Matchups at This Summer’s World Lacrosse Women’s Championship (Olympics), Michelle Wie West convinced Kylie Kelce to play golf (despite being “bad” at it) with three simple words. They’re our new mantra., Simone Biles stunned in her date night look at her friends’ wedding. We give it a 10/10., Prince William just revealed that Princess Charlotte takes after her mom, Kate Middleton, when it comes to where her football loyalties lie., Coco Gauff supports her mental health during major tournaments.

• Snacks

  Nuclear fuel deals and memory chips are driving market gains.

  • Oklo advanced negotiations for plutonium recycling, easing fuel supply concerns.
  • Micron became the 12th US company at $1T, fueled by the AI boom.
  • Global stocks are outperforming US markets, favoring AI hardware leaders.
  • The AI boom is spiking memory chip prices, boosting international stocks.

  Links: Oklo rises after saying it’s in advanced negotiations on US plutonium recycling, selected by the US Department of Energy for advanced negotiations, Micron, 12th US company to do so, ensuing boost to the AI trade as a whole, iShares MSCI South Korea ETF, iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF

• Stratechery

  by Ben Thompson

  SpaceX IPO is questionable, but space data centers are plausible.

  • The financial model for a SpaceX IPO is not easily justified.
  • The true value proposition lies in developing data centers in space.
  • This space infrastructure potential is the key focus for future growth.

  Links: It’s a Tesla

• StretchLab Union Square NYC

  Limited-time offer for assisted stretching packages is available now.

  • Packages of 5, 10, 15, or 20 sessions are available through May 31st.
  • Assisted stretching increases range of motion and flexibility.
  • Benefits include improved posture and reduced pain and tightness.
  • Building a routine helps with more efficient daily movement.

  Links: stretchlab.com, Call us at: (332) 322-2745

• Substack

  Senator discusses how capitalism broke America in live video.

  • Anand Giridharadas and Chris Murphy are hosting a live discussion.
  • The conversation focuses on how capitalism has damaged America.
  • A senator speaks out regarding systemic economic failures.

  Live video discusses the Blog-Building Intensive Fellowship.

  • Jason Crawford is hosting a live video discussion.
  • The conversation features Emma McAleavy and Heike Larson.
  • The focus is on the Blog-Building Intensive Fellowship.

  Links: Learn more about the Blog-Building Intensive Fellowship

• Superpath

  by Eric at Superpath

  The era of declining organic traffic graph posts is over.

  • Traffic graphs are unreliable proxies, not actual traffic data.
  • These posts often reflect confirmation bias, making unrelated claims.
  • Traffic is a vanity metric; pipeline value is the true measure of success.
  • Successful companies anticipate changes by building diverse content networks.

  Links: not returning the slam dunk, uSERP, Monday.com

• tastylive

  Traders use box spreads to earn interest on cash.

  • Traders discuss buying box spreads on live shows.
  • This strategy aims to earn interest on cash.
  • It serves as an alternative to T-bills or CDs.

• Tearsheet Editor

  by Sara Khairi

  Finance is shifting from apps to ambient, always-on infrastructure.

  • Finance is moving past episodic, request-response interactions.
  • It is becoming an always-present layer that interprets context in the background.
  • The primary interface is shifting from the banking app to conversation.
  • Embedded finance, like Shopify, pioneered this integration into commerce.

  Links: Shopify, Klarna and Affirm

• Tearsheet I Daily Newsletter

  by Sara Khairi

  Citi Sky AI teammate aims to revolutionize wealth management.

  • Citi Sky, built with Google Cloud and DeepMind, is an always-on AI teammate.
  • It shifts wealth management from fragmented apps to real-time intelligence.
  • The collaboration is deep, with Citi retaining ownership of client data.
  • The project evolved from infrastructure modernization to client-facing tools.

  Links: in a press release, broader agreement, Read more, Letter from the Editor: We keep giving small businesses more tools when what they want is relief

• Tech Brew

  by Tech Brew

  Uber's AI features are reaching a critical development point.

  • The article discusses the timing and implications of Uber's AI integration.
  • Focus is placed on how AI will reshape ride-sharing services.
  • Users should anticipate significant changes in the platform's functionality.

• Techmeme

  AI agents enter trading, and Meta launches paid subscriptions across platforms.

  • Robinhood allows users to link AI agents for autonomous stock trading.
  • Meta is rolling out paid subscriptions for Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp.
  • These paid plans include AI features and are designed to complement, not replace, ads.
  • Valve increased Steam Deck OLED prices due to rising memory and storage costs.

  Links: Boston Tech Week (day 3), Earnings: DELL, ASAN, MDB, PATH, AI agents, Meta rolls out plus plans

• Ted Rubin

  by Ted Rubin

  People need relationships, not just transactions, for brand loyalty.

  • Return on Relationship (RoR) builds trust, alignment, and culture.
  • Loyalty stems from consistency and ongoing value, not single campaigns.
  • AI allows marketers to build relationships at an unprecedented scale.
  • The future of marketing focuses on maintaining relationships, not attention.

  Links: Ted Rubin, Read the post here, Learn more about Return on Relationship, #RonR

• Tetragrammaton Editorial

  How a simple question forced major brokerages to cut trading commissions.

  • The Earth's ground is always moving, driven by slow tectonic plate shifts.
  • Vlad Tenev founded Robinhood after questioning high trading fees for retail users.
  • The platform forced major brokerages to cut commissions to zero.
  • Tenev's background in mathematics proved essential for his success.
  • The best financial products must work for everyone, not just the wealthy.

  Links: Continue reading…, Paid subscribers can listen ad-free, Dive deeper at Tetragrammaton.com

• The Atlantic

  by Jeffrey Goldberg

  Five reasons to subscribe and support quality journalism.

  • The Atlantic defends democracy and accountability against misinformation.
  • It acts as an early-warning system for understanding future trends.
  • Subscribers gain access to the best writing across many topics.
  • The magazine features a rich archive of 168 years of insight.
  • It has received awards for general excellence in journalism.

  Links: We Need to Take Away Children, How to Build an Autocracy, The Next Plague is Coming. Is America Ready?, The New Anarchy, Subscribe to The Atlantic, Help Center

• The Average Joe

  by The Average Joe

  AI data centers are reviving geothermal energy as a key power source.

  • Geothermal energy is gaining traction due to AI data centers needing reliable, constant power.
  • Fervo Energy's IPO highlights the value of dependable power for AI infrastructure.
  • Falling drilling costs and high demand make geothermal returns potentially higher than solar/wind.
  • Oilfield service giants are entering the geothermal market, accelerating development.

  Links: Bullish, Bearish, recently debuted on the Nasdaq,, power deal, AI infrastructure spending, rising AI infrastructure spending, highlighted

• The Breakdown

  Trust in markets requires disclosure, not just legal rights.

  • Economic transactions depend on buyers feeling informed about quality and price.
  • Intermediaries aggregate information, making large-scale markets possible.
  • Trust in the stock market relies on disclosures, not just legal ownership.
  • The need for disclosure grew as corporations became too large for owner-managers.

  Links: argues, business judgement rule, asked, right to know what its earning power is, let the buyer beware

• The Bulwark

  by Tim, Sarah and JVL

  The Bulwark discusses Texas primary results and Megyn Kelly's shift.

  • The hosts covered the recent Texas primary runoff election.
  • They analyzed the possibility of Megyn Kelly turning against Trump.
  • The discussion provided commentary on current political events.

  by Sarah Longwell

  Judge exposes scandals, questioning Trump's DOJ prosecutions.

  • The discussion covers legal scandals surrounding Trump's Justice Department.
  • Topics include a $1.776 billion "slush fund" for Jan 6 defendants.
  • A judge exposed misconduct in the Broadview Six grand jury case.
  • The segment addresses DOJ lawyers acting politically, not as officers of the court.

  Links: Main Justice podcast, The Bulwark, Sarah Longwell

  by Andrew Egger

  Texas primary results show Trump's enduring grip on the GOP.

  • A Democrat won a Texas primary, defeating a candidate with extreme rhetoric.
  • The Senate primary pitted establishment figures against MAGA types.
  • Paxton's victory demonstrated the GOP's reliance on loyalty to Trump.
  • This result signals the decline of the original, independent Republican party.

  Links: Command Post, Comet Hale–Bopp, Paxton walloped Cornyn by more than 27 points

• The Code

  New benchmarks and security tools reveal truths about coding AI models.

  • A startup tested agentic models using simulated developer workflows.
  • Anthropic released a security-guidance plugin for Claude Code.
  • The DeepSWE benchmark exposes significant performance gaps between models.
  • Hackers exploited Ghost CMS using an old SQL injection bug.

  Links: security-guidance plugin, here, DeepSWE, See the leaderboard., wide-scale attack, patch it now

• The Coder Cafe

  by The Coder Cafe

  Metastable failures are caused by feedback loops, not initial triggers.

  • Metastable failures are technically running but have collapsed goodput.
  • The system gets stuck because of a self-sustaining feedback loop.
  • The initial trigger is merely what pushes the system over the edge.
  • Diagnosis must focus on the loop, not the trigger, for true recovery.

  Links: Resilient, Fault-tolerant, Robust, or Reliable, Systems Thinking Explained

• The Creative Independent

  by Ilya Chaiken and Jeanne Fury

  Filmmakers discuss maintaining a punk ethos in creative projects.

  • The discussion covers greenlighting personal projects and handling others' stories.
  • Flexibility is essential for navigating the creative process.
  • The authors collaborated on the Lunachicks documentary and memoir.
  • They share insights on maintaining independence in art.

  Links: Film, Writing, Collaboration, Independence, Process

• The Culturist

  Walking is an ancient cure for mental fog and boosts creativity.

  • Great thinkers credit walks with sparking major insights and clarity.
  • The physical act of walking connects mind activity to thought.
  • It is often in these 'in-between modes' that the best ideas emerge.
  • Seneca noted that walking helps refresh spirits and solve problems.

  Links: Full-length articles 2x per week, biweekly book club, community of readers, The entire archive

• The Curiosity Chronicle

  by Sahil Bloom

  Five years of writing taught valuable lessons for any endeavor.

  • You must act your way into clarity, rather than planning it.
  • The journey started with a small leap of faith.
  • These life learnings apply to any meaningful endeavor.
  • Consistency and effort are key to compounding success.

  Links: YouTube

• The Daily

  House passes major bill mandating driver rights and facility changes.

  • Mandates restroom access for drivers at all covered facilities.
  • Expands federal parking grants for commercial vehicles.
  • Requires new disclosure forms for owner-operator leases.
  • Sets rules for broker and freight forwarder qualification.

  Links: Read the full story →, Walmart cuts supplier purchase orders from 42 to one with new LTL consolidation program

• The Daily Skimm

  Texas primary drama tests the future of the Republican Party.

  • Paxton defeated Cornyn in a messy primary runoff.
  • Trump's endorsement tipped the scales, but Paxton has flaws, including being impeached.
  • The primary serves as a litmus test for Trump's grip on the GOP base.
  • The outcome may determine the future of the US Senate.

  Links: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton defeated the incumbent Sen. John Cornyn, the wrong horse, Indiana, MAGA warrior, was impeached, South Carolina and Alabama Thwart Trump’s Redistricting Push

• The GIST

  Playoff action continues as stars depart and teams clash.

  • The GIST is partnering with MLB to deepen the league's connection with female fans.
  • Alexia Putellas announced her departure from Barcelona after 14 seasons.
  • The Colorado Avalanche were eliminated from the NHL playoffs.
  • The Carolina Hurricanes advanced after winning a second straight overtime tilt.

  Links: partnering with MLB, leaving Barcelona, the injury-laden Avs, a North American adventure

• The GTM Engineer

  Vanta used Dust to democratize agent building and guide GTM prioritization.

  • Vanta's GTM team used Dust to allow all employees to build AI agents.
  • Over 900 Vanta employees now use Dust monthly for company-wide agents.
  • Dust is built for teams, connecting to company knowledge across platforms.
  • The no-code builder lets anyone prototype agents without technical skills.
  • The platform provides governance controls needed for enterprise rollout.

  Links: GTM Engineer Lab, Dust, sign u

• The Information AM

  by Theo Wayt

  AA adopts Starlink; tech giants report major shifts and AI spending.

  • American Airlines will install Starlink on half its main aircraft fleet.
  • Dropbox founder Drew Houston is stepping down after 20 years.
  • Micron's market value surpassed $1 trillion due to AI memory demand.
  • ByteDance is planning $70 billion in Capex as AI costs grow.

  Links: SpaceX’s Starlink Coming to Half of American Airlines Main Fleet, Dropbox CEO to Step Down After 20 Year Stint

• The Ink

  by Anand Giridharadas

  Profit and private equity are breaking American relationships and culture.

  • Senator Murphy diagnoses America's ailments beyond typical policy issues.
  • He found a 'spiritual rot' and 'connection recession' in daily life.
  • Political forces ultimately trickle down into personal relationships and culture.
  • The discussion covered how private equity affects married couples.
  • Murphy's book investigates how capitalism cut into civic life.

  Links: Crisis of the Common Good

  by The Ink

  Senator Murphy discusses how capitalism broke America today.

  • Senator Chris Murphy has released a new book, "Crisis of the Common Good."
  • He will be a guest today at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
  • The discussion will focus on the failures of capitalism in America.

• The Lily & Fox Team

  by The Lily & Fox Team

  Popular glitter designs have returned for summer fun.

  • Some of the most popular glitter designs are back.
  • The collection is perfect for summer wear.
  • Readers are encouraged to take a look at the new styles.
  • The email prompts users to shop the available sparkles.

  Links: Shop sparkles now!

• The Message Box

  by Dan Pfeiffer

  Paxton's nomination gives Democrats their best shot at winning Texas.

  • Texas Republicans nominated Ken Paxton for Senate.
  • Paxton is vulnerable due to scandal and accusations.
  • This primary outcome is a major advantage for Democrats.
  • Democrats have their best chance to win Texas in a generation.

• The Neuron

  AI backlash is escalating into a fight over data center ownership.

  • The AI backlash is fundamentally a struggle over who owns the future.
  • Data centers are making AI a local issue, involving zoning and power.
  • Law enforcement is tracking 'anti-technology extremists' amid protests.
  • The Catholic Church has warned against techno-corporate Babel.

  Links: The AI backlash is really a fight over who owns the future, WIRED obtained, AI Executive Order, read the full draft here

• The Newsette

  Summer 2026 fashion emphasizes strategic accessories and oversized bags.

  • Accessories are key, elevating basic outfits with intentional details.
  • Charm trends are evolving toward personalized, curated chaos.
  • Tiny bags are giving way to large, slouchy carryalls and totes.
  • Coastal dressing remains strong, highlighted by shell jewelry.

  Links: Bag charms, oversized beads, cords, mini plushies, travel trinkets, shells, oversized totes, Slouchy suede, woven textures, canvas carryalls, east-west silhouettes, shell jewelry

• The Power of Us

  by Jay & Dom from The Power of Us

  Classic social psychology studies are often misunderstood myths.

  • Classic studies like Milgram's and SPE are often mythologized.
  • The Bay of Pigs failure was due to 'politicothink,' not groupthink.
  • Strong group cohesion can be beneficial with trust and psychological safety.
  • The SPE suggests identity, not just roles, drives behavior.

  Links: Wall Street Journal, Groupthink, Stanford Prison Experiment

• The Pragmatic Engineer

  OpenCode's rapid growth and the future of developer tooling.

  • OpenCode is a fast-growing AI developer tool, reaching nearly 8 million users.
  • The discussion highlights gaps in developer tooling and the value of open source.
  • Dax Raad emphasizes that thinking upfront beats building prototypes in early stages.
  • The conversation covers OpenCode's growth by partnering with major model providers.

  Links: Antithesis, WorkOS, turbopuffer

• The Publish Press

  Creator Wesley Wang aims to build the A24 of the creator economy.

  • Wesley Wang gained attention after uploading a short film to YouTube.
  • His company, Wesley Wang Media, incubates viral IP for streamers.
  • Funding relies on strategic partnerships and tech investors.
  • The goal is to pitch feature films to financiers like Lionsgate.

  Links: Wesley, Wang, nothing, except everything, went viral, adaptation deal, Violet and Marlowe, adore

• The Reading Reporter

  The Purple Turtle's untold story of brotherhood and rock'n'roll spirit.

  • The pub's spirit is built on brotherhood, welcoming all patrons.
  • It has hosted famous figures like Liam Gallagher and Russell Brand.
  • Key figures, including Sir John Madejski, kept the rock'n'roll vibe alive.
  • The venue's history is defined by legendary nights and memorable encounters.

• The Website Flip

  by Mushfiq from The Website Flip

  Deal flow features off-market sites and five broker listings.

  • The newsletter details 2 private off-market sites and 5 broker listings.
  • WebAcquisition offers technical due diligence for online businesses.
  • Due diligence checks SEO, revenue, SaaS code, and eComm health.
  • Featured deals include a YouTube channel and a German health app.

  Links: View on Empire Flippers, VIEW SERVICES, quick deal review

• The Wolf of Franchises

  by The Wolf of Franchises

  Franchise model builds revenue before opening doors.

  • Protein intake is a growing generational behavior change.
  • The food industry is oversaturating products with protein claims.
  • Consumers struggle with trust due to hidden sugars and ingredients.
  • Better Blend offers transparent, macro-balanced, low-sugar options.
  • The brand was founded by a student needing pre-game fuel.

  Links: Better Blend, Bain & Company survey, Forbes "30 Under 30"

• The Wrap | Your Evening Briefing

  S&P 500 closes flat as traders weigh geopolitical and tech prospects.

  • The S&P 500 closed flat as investors digested peace progress.
  • Consumer discretionary led gains, while energy was the worst sector.
  • Meta jumped after announcing paid subscription options for its platforms.
  • Google DeepMind CEO shortened the prediction for AGI arrival.
  • Bitcoin ETFs continue to suffer, seeing significant outflows.

  Links: Anthropic’s revenue continues to surge, shooting past OpenAI, Google DeepMind’s Hassabis: AGI is 3 to 4 years away, Bitcoin ETFs continue to suffer, with BlackRock’s IBIT seeing $1.29 billion exit in a dark pool transaction

• TLDR

  SpaceX governance, NASA's lunar plans, and Chrome's built-in AI.

  • SpaceX's structure allows Elon Musk to largely insulate himself from shareholder lawsuits.
  • NASA selected Blue Origin for the first of three uncrewed lunar missions.
  • The Trump administration plans to use surplus plutonium for nuclear fuel.
  • Chrome now features built-in, private AI capabilities for users.

  Links: How SpaceX Is Structured to Favor Elon Musk (6 minute read), Nasa selects Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin for first of three uncrewed lunar missions (5 minute read), US Seeks to Give Weapons-Grade Plutonium to Start-Ups for Fuel (11 minute read), Build new features using built-in AI in Chrome (3 minute read)

• Today's Elevator

  by Today's Elevator

  The provided email body contained no substantive content.

  • The email only contained boilerplate links for viewing and unsubscribing.
  • No specific analysis or key takeaways were present in the text.

• Tom's Marketing Ideas

  by Tom

  Top readers receive a private, locked-in discount on Premium access.

  • The reader is recognized as a top 5% subscriber, earning a private offer.
  • A limited-time discount of $120/year is offered, locking in the rate forever.
  • Premium access includes weekly "OMG-level" marketing ideas and 250+ resources.
  • Benefits also include a private group chat and one free year of AI-builder.

  Links: Marketing Moonshots, How to make journalists write about you (for free), How to get ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude to recommend your brand, If I had to start from ZERO today, here’s exactly what I’d do, Don’t lose this secret link

• Trivium China

  Beijing is reforming capital markets to stabilize investor confidence.

  • The Politburo stressed the need to stabilize and enhance capital market confidence.
  • Reforms include cracking down on fraud and supporting high-quality IPOs.
  • Authorities are expanding institutional investment channels and encouraging dividends.
  • These measures build on 2024 reforms, suggesting continued policy action.

  Links: Politburo comments on capital markets signal further reform, Politburo meeting signals infrastructure push to support industrial sector, zigzagging to prosperity, how to juice the market

• Uncrate

  Shop curated home goods and tech accessories from Uncrate Supply.

  • Discover the stylish Loftie Lamp for your home.
  • Upgrade your routine with the Casamera Bathrobe.
  • Protect your cards using the MVST RFID-Blocking wallet.
  • View the sleek Statik Black Aluminum Wallet.

  Links: Uncrate Supply, Loftie Lamp, Casamera Bathrobe, MVST RFID-Blocking Alcantara S, Statik Black Aluminum Wallet

• UX Content Collective

  Content design must shift from advocacy to strategic business influence.

  • Content designers should focus on strategic influence, turning insights into business impact.
  • New resources address content design without dedicated staff or interfaces.
  • Tone in public services should prioritize dignity and agency over 'friendly' writing.
  • AI is changing product value, making the interface less central to the product.

  Links: Strategic Influence for Content Designers, Content design without a content designer, Moving beyond "friendly" writing: dignity and agency in public services, The interface is no longer the product

• Visual Capitalist

  America's hiring map has flipped since 2020.

  • Job openings and hiring demand have changed significantly since 2020.
  • Common jobs are increasingly in retail, fast food, and healthcare.
  • Global investment confidence is shifting, affecting country rankings.
  • State wages vary widely, highlighting America's widening income gap.

  Links: America’s Hiring Map Has Flipped Since 2020, View the Map, Mapped: The Most Common Job in Every U.S. State, Ranked: The Countries Investors Trust Most in 2026, Mapped: The Highest Weekly Wages in America

• Vittles

  by Nisreen Fox

  Repairing injustice in Palestine is the priority, not making peace over food.

  • The article examines running Palestinian food businesses during the Gaza genocide.
  • Palestinians face increasing hostility in the UK, affecting local establishments.
  • The piece explores the burden and responsibility of representation in the food industry.
  • Fadi Kattan notes the occupation is actively erasing and appropriating the Palestinian kitchen.
  • The priority must be repairing injustice, not achieving peace through food.

  Links: Unite the Kingdom, Akub

• Wes Kao's Newsletter

  by Wes Kao

  Body language is as crucial to EQ as your words.

  • Your message is impacted by your body language, not just your words.
  • Mismatched signals can make you seem insincere.
  • Being mindful of body language helps set the emotional tone.
  • To appear authoritative, limit your facial expressions.

  Links: come across as insincere, help set the emotional tone, Watch for the physical changes in your body when you’re nervous or stressed, appear authoritative, most senior person in a room

• Who Sponsors Stuff

  by Ryan & Jesse @ Who Sponsors Stuff

  AI changes, data collection, and platform trends dominate newsletter news.

  • Google's AI search updates are highly personalized, using signals from Gmail.
  • Substack and beehiiv are not competing, according to a recent hot take.
  • Collecting first-party data via surveys is crucial for newsletter growth.
  • The "Skip a Month" Link That Saves Subscribers From Unsubscribing" is a key tactic.
  • TechCrunch warns that Google Search as you know it is over.

  Links: Google's AI search updates could be good for newsletters, hot take, If you haven't started collecting first-party data, start now. A simple post-signup survey works. Ask about their job, l, The "Skip a Month" Link That Saves Subscribers From Unsubscribing, Google Search as you know it is over

• Work-Bench

  Demo length must match the buyer's stage in the sales process.

  • Demos should vary by stage: Vision (2-5 min), Micro (30-120 sec), or Discovery (12+ min).
  • The demo length must be a function of the buyer's position, not a fixed rule.
  • Best demos allow buyers to self-direct using 3-10 interest areas.
  • Audit your assets to ensure you have a demo for every buyer journey stage.

  Links: Sign up HERE, Navattic’s State of Demo Automation 2026, Natalie Marcotullio, Check out her post on it here

• Workweek Newsletter

  by Hebba Youssef

  AI use risks eroding skills and challenging workplace authenticity.

  • Employees report skills atrophy due to over-reliance on AI tools.
  • Organizations must treat AI adoption as a learning opportunity, not a replacement.
  • Authenticity requires leaders to address their own biases and emotional patterns.
  • AI tools help HR leaders catch flight-risk signals for better retention.

  Links: AI is making it a lot easier to catch them early, skills are atrophying, free virtual event on June 30th, authenticity at work

  by Blake Madden

  AI is creating a new paradigm for primary care delivery.

  • The labor crunch in primary care is structural, making old strategies losing.
  • Lumeris' Tom is building a platform for care orchestration, not just an app.
  • Patient digital expectations are set by consumer tech, not health systems.
  • The Google partnership allows Lumeris to stay ahead of AI advancements.

  Links: AI-enabled primary care, Tom platform, Google partnership, platform-ization and orchestration of care delivery models

  by Daniel Murray

  Social data is a real-time intelligence source, not just a vanity metric.

  • Social data is the most honest, scalable market research available.
  • Most marketers only use social data to measure post performance.
  • A report found only 10% of teams can act on social insights quickly.
  • Teams must analyze industry conversations, not just their own content.

  Links: Social Is the Most Valuable Source of Intelligence Your Business Has, Sprout Social just released their 2026 Social Intelligence Report, 5 Moves to Close the Gap

• WTF Just Happened Today?

  by Matt

  Trump dismisses midterms; political battles rage across the country.

  • Trump stated he does not care about the midterms or external pressure.
  • Ken Paxton won the Texas Senate nomination, rejecting John Cornyn.
  • Biden sued the Justice Department over private audio recordings.
  • Polls show 58% of Americans believe Trump has worsened the economy.

  Links: New York Times, CNN, Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Reuters, Washington Post, CBS News, Matt, WTF Just Happened Today?

• Your Chief of Staff

  Hiring activity is increasing, with many new strategic operations jobs posted.

  • A large volume of new job postings were received this week.
  • Hiring activity appears to be increasing over the summer months.
  • The roles listed are manually searched, not compiled via AI scrapping.
  • High-level roles, such as Chief of Staff, are currently available.

  Links: Chief of Staff to the CEO, Chief of Staff, Operations, Chief of Staff to the President