Ulysses

The Ulysses Substack focuses on humanity's endeavor to understand and dominate the natural world through technology, energy, and innovation. It covers the evolution of software and energy technologies, the potential and challenges of deep tech, the importance of information and genetics in societal progress, and the exploration of new frontiers.

Technology and Innovation Energy Evolution Deep Tech Challenges Artificial Intelligence Ethics Economic Systems and Governance Biological and Genetic Evolution Societal Progress and Information Exchange Space Exploration and Avionics Safety

The hottest Substack posts of Ulysses

And their main takeaways

A Brief History of SaaS and What's Next

619 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Innovation Artificial Intelligence Biotech Robotics
  1. The relationship between return-seeking capital and new technology development creates cycles that go from early adoption to commodity status, setting the stage for the next wave of technological innovation.
  2. Software in the SaaS sector is moving towards commodification, freeing up resources for progressing technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, biotech, and space innovations.
  3. Advancements in robotics, biotech, accelerated design and manufacturing, and space technology are being driven by the commodification of software intelligence, leading to a new Golden Age of innovation in various industries.

Not All Deep Tech is a Startup

239 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
💼 Business Technology Venture Capital Manufacturing Deep Tech Startup
  1. Software startups have unique advantages like zero-cost replication and large markets, but building unicorns is still rare.
  2. Deep tech ventures face challenges like talent scarcity and long payback periods, but success can create a science-fiction future.
  3. Different models for deep tech leverage value generation, such as software-derived value, economies of scale, high-margin consumables, and extreme capital goods durability.

The Unreasonable Ineffectiveness of Effective Altruism in thinking about AI

179 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Ethics Logic Epistemology Ontology Psychology
  1. Knowledge systems using symbolic logic in natural language are heuristic and capture reality imperfectly.
  2. Validity of heuristics depends on the similarity between the original context and current application.
  3. Rigid deontological symbolic morality may fail in reasoning about new events like AI, leading to ineffective discussions and decision-making.

Genetic Fitness and Prime Minister Salaries

79 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
📖 Philosophy Wealth Politics Inequality Capitalism Morality
  1. Questions are raised about Prime Ministers' salaries and the impact on their performance, highlighting the importance of fair compensation for effective governance.
  2. Wealth generation, inheritance, and income disparity are discussed in relation to social morality and the need for wealth to be created through value-generating activities.
  3. The effectiveness of economic systems in improving quality of life over generations, the role of capital allocation, and the potential risks of policymakers losing touch with the general public are examined.

The Only Three Products in the Universe

159 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Information Energy AI
  1. The three primary products in the universe are information, matter, and energy. These are the fundamental components of economic activity.
  2. Software businesses focus on processing and disseminating information, which can disrupt social activities that involve thinking and language.
  3. The ultimate value in economic activity is derived from manipulating matter and energy efficiently, with the mastery of synthetic biology predicted to have a greater impact than AI.
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The Fusion Energy Landscape

359 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🔬 Science Energy Physics Technology Research Funding
  1. Fusion energy promises clean, pollution-free energy that can be built anywhere and lasts millions of years without geopolitical disputes over fuel reserves.
  2. Different fusion technologies like magnetic confinement, inertial confinement, and magneto-inertial confinement offer diverse approaches to achieving fusion reactions with varying benefits and challenges.
  3. Developing fusion energy requires extensive funding, traditional engineering solutions, and expertise underscoring a journey to harness limitless energy potential.

'Raging Bull' and the Quest for Space Guns

59 implied HN points • 16 Nov 23
💾 History Innovations Warfare Biography
  1. Gerald Bull was a Canadian engineer who aimed to shoot satellites into space using massive artillery pieces.
  2. Bull faced setbacks but persevered, reaching significant achievements like firing projectiles to record-breaking altitudes and building the world's largest operational artillery piece.
  3. Despite his dream of launching satellites into orbit, Bull's involvement in creating 'Doomsday weapons' led to tragic consequences for him.

Something's Rotten in the State of Washington

6 HN points • 22 Mar 24
💼 Business Management Outsourcing Aerospace Quality control
  1. Boeing faced a downward spiral due to mismanagement involving outsourcing, cost-cutting, and layoffs. These actions affected safety, reliability, and led to tragic consequences.
  2. The decision to outsource important design work to international centers, such as in Moscow and India, resulted in errors and quality issues due to inexperienced engineers and layoffs of experienced staff.
  3. The lack of quality control and oversight in Boeing's manufacturing processes led to significant issues, including faulty oxygen systems and non-conforming parts, raising serious concerns about aviation safety.

A Brief History of Energy

179 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🔬 Science Energy Nuclear Civilization
  1. Human civilization is driven by the type and availability of energy sources, dictating growth, quality of life, and societal scale.
  2. Energy originates from nuclear reactions and its evolution through fusion and fission have shaped both natural processes and human advancement.
  3. Fusion energy holds the potential to revolutionize energy production by offering a clean, abundant, and safe alternative to traditional sources.

The Human Need for Frontiers

39 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
📖 Philosophy Human nature Technology Exploration Struggle
  1. The human spirit thrives on challenges and the unknown, displaying a will to power for growth and overcoming obstacles.
  2. Historically, physical frontiers provided opportunities for exploration and growth, but technology has led to their shrinkage.
  3. While technology closes some physical frontiers, it opens up new frontiers in information, communication, and innovation, providing spaces for struggle and growth.

The Struggle for Survival, Information, and Immortality

59 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🔬 Science Evolution Genetics Language Memory Writing
  1. Living beings navigate the world by ingesting information to survive and evolve, as genes constantly adapt and species evolve through the exchange of genetic material.
  2. Human survival relies heavily on memetic information stored in our minds, with language playing a crucial role in passing on knowledge and shaping societies.
  3. Writing is a powerful tool for achieving a form of immortality by transferring ideas and knowledge across generations, transcending biological limitations.

Writing in Biology, Society, and Technology

0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 23
🔬 Science Biology Society Technology
  1. The essays explore how our biological limitations influence society and drive technological advancements.
  2. Topics include survival, role specialization, memory, social conditioning, and more, all tied to biology's impact on society.
  3. The roadmap hints at additional essays exploring dating markets, artificial intelligence, evolution, and inherent human limitations.