benn.substack

benn.substack explores data industry trends, innovations, and challenges, blending personal reflections with professional insights. It addresses technological advancements, the evolution of data analytics and infrastructure, the human aspect of data work, and the intersection of data with culture, politics, and ethics.

Data Industry Trends Technological Innovations Data Analytics and Infrastructure Professional Development Corporate Strategy Emotional Intelligence in Business AI and Machine Learning Cultural and Ethical Implications of Technology

The hottest Substack posts of benn.substack

And their main takeaways

Achievement, here and there

613 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Innovation Technology Economic Development
  1. Many startups often pivot to new ideas after their initial product fails. This happens so frequently in Silicon Valley that it’s often seen as a normal part of business.
  2. Founders usually start companies not just to solve problems, but also to gain status and success. They might care more about how they look to others than the specific product they offer.
  3. There's a growing trend where success in technology is being intertwined with politics. People are now noticing and valuing the impact of policy making as much as tech achievements.

For the brand, I guess

690 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
💼 Business Venture Capital Investment strategy Startup Culture Market Trends
  1. Venture capital firms need to be great at selecting good startups, but they also have to attract those startups. If they don't seem appealing, they might miss out on investment opportunities.
  2. Investors can stand out by offering more money, being flexible with terms, providing helpful support, or showcasing their reputation. However, being popular or having a strong brand has become increasingly important.
  3. There’s a shift in venture capital where having a strong presence online and being an internet celebrity matters more than traditional methods. Companies now look for people who can bring attention and create buzz.

Another one

1534 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Models Software Innovation Data science Market Trends
  1. DeepSeek's rapid impact shows that new AI models can quickly disrupt industries. It proves that creating advanced AI is no longer just for big companies with lots of resources.
  2. Consumers want more than just better technology; they want a range of AI tools that can do different tasks and integrate with their daily lives. People are looking for a single place to access various AI models.
  3. The rise of many unique AI models means we don't know how they will change our world. Just as social media transformed society in unexpected ways, AI could lead to surprising new possibilities and challenges.

Hotel California

5421 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Digital Culture Artificial Intelligence Social media Virtual reality Data Privacy
  1. Moving large amounts of gold or money isn't easy, as it requires trust and logistics, unlike digital transactions which can be done quickly with a few clicks.
  2. In our digital world, many people feel disconnected from reality, as they spend so much time on their devices and forget the hard work behind everyday things.
  3. Natural disasters can't be controlled or fixed with technology; they remind us that no app can change the basic laws of nature or the complexities of life.

Good Lord

2403 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Discourse Media influence Cultural critique Silicon Valley Power Dynamics
  1. Silicon Valley values thinking outside the box and embracing controversial ideas. This mindset pushes people to challenge standard beliefs and foster creativity.
  2. There are tensions between being a free thinker and accepting certain historical truths, like those presented in the 1619 Project. Some ideas challenge core beliefs and make people uncomfortable.
  3. Tech culture has shifted from reckless excess to a more sober approach, but many still wish to return to the old ways of fun and indulgence despite the need for social responsibility.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Is growth still good?

1176 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Startups AI Innovation Market Trends Corporate strategy
  1. Fast growth can be misleading in today's market. Just because a startup is making money quickly doesn't mean it has a solid long-term plan.
  2. Smaller, newer companies are often more innovative than big ones. Many tech leaders are looking to fresh, creative minds instead of established corporations for solutions.
  3. AI is creating a new type of workplace dynamic. Instead of making jobs easier, it could lead to roles that are more focused on managing technology than using creativity.

Is this a career?

1713 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
💼 Business Analytics Data science Careers Expertise Technology
  1. Getting good at something often just takes a little focused effort over time. Many people don't actively try to improve, so they stay at a decent skill level rather than reaching their full potential.
  2. In fields like data analytics, it's essential to specialize to truly excel. Being a generalist might keep you busy, but it can lead to a career without a clear direction or growth.
  3. To stand out and achieve more in their careers, people need to identify a specific area of expertise and commit to it. Relying on being 'good at data' isn't usually enough to make a significant impact.

The Trenderprise

818 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Marketing User Experience Trends
  1. Many people dislike using software like Jira because it's complicated and not user-friendly. But ironically, it keeps being bought because management, not the users, are the ones making the decisions.
  2. The market has shifted towards buying software that meets the needs of users rather than IT departments. Companies like Asana market directly to users, making their products popular among teams.
  3. Today, product popularity can be influenced more by trends and social media than by quality. People are more likely to buy something because it's seen as cool or trendy, not just because it works well.

AI companies are just SaaS companies

869 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI SaaS Software Data Startups
  1. AI companies have a lot in common with traditional SaaS companies. They’re selling software services, often built on complex tech, rather than just cool algorithms.
  2. The success of AI models like ChatGPT depends heavily on branding and user experience. People care more about how easy and useful the software is than just the tech behind it.
  3. OpenAI is at a crossroads, needing to adapt its business model and offerings to stay ahead, especially as competition increases and tech costs rise.

Results, Actually

639 implied HN points • 27 Dec 24
💼 Business Data Analytics Company Culture Market Trends Investing Strategies Consumer behavior
  1. Data-driven companies get a lot of attention, but many people still prefer investing in companies led by experienced individuals. This shows that experience holds significant value in business decisions.
  2. People like to be seen as unique or contrarian, but they often know what others like. This means that even when choosing something different, they still have a sense of the mainstream.
  3. There’s a funny perspective on what robots are, with younger generations seeing different meanings in technology compared to older ones. What one generation sees as a robot, another might just see as a gadget.

No better room

1815 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Political Analysis Voter Behavior Political strategy
  1. The team had multiple backup plans ready for the election night, but they ended up not needing them at all because the outcome was clear very quickly. This shows how sometimes, despite all the preparation, things can turn out differently than expected.
  2. Even though they lost the election, the atmosphere in the room was charged with intensity and urgency as they worked together to process data. The experience was thrilling, highlighting the importance of being actively involved even when facing tough situations.
  3. The hardworking people behind the scenes may not get recognition for their efforts after a loss, but their commitment and dedication are valuable. They might be unnoticed now, but their hard work is still important for future efforts.

Searching for insight

1099 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
💼 Business Economics Analytics Media Marketing Publishing Data
  1. Many jobs in areas like think tanks or journalism are more about creating a background or illusion rather than producing real change or value. They serve as props for the more influential figures.
  2. There's a concern that as AI becomes capable of producing content, it might not be because it’s better, but because the original jobs might not have mattered as much as once thought.
  3. In analytics, there's a question of whether the insights businesses claim to offer are real or just part of the narrative they tell to appear competent and important.

Postgres in a box

920 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Databases Cloud Computing Software AI Data Management
  1. Software has changed from being sold in boxes in stores to being bought as subscriptions online. This makes it easier and cheaper for businesses to manage.
  2. The new trend is separating storage from computing in databases. This lets companies save money by only paying for the data they actually use and the calculations they perform.
  3. There's a push towards making data from different sources easily accessible, so you can use various tools without being trapped in one system. This could streamline how businesses work with their data.

Does data quality matter?

1099 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Data Quality AI Models Software Development Business strategy Analytics
  1. Data quality is important for making both strategic and operational decisions, as inaccurate data can lead to poor outcomes. Good data helps companies know what customers want and improve their services.
  2. AI models can tolerate some bad data better than traditional methods because they average out inaccuracies. This means these models might not break as easily if some of the input data isn’t perfect.
  3. Businesses now care more about AI than they used to about regular data reporting. This shift in focus might make data quality feel more important, even if it doesn’t technically impact AI model performance as much.

Fragile

997 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting Democracy Political History
  1. Voting in America seems meaningless as no single vote has ever made a difference in a presidential election. People understand this but still feel it's important to participate.
  2. Many vote out of a sense of duty or the desire to be part of something bigger, even if they know their individual vote might not matter.
  3. The belief that our vote is important is a hopeful idea we hold onto, and it’s this belief that encourages people to participate in democracy.

Don't be evil*

920 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
💼 Business Corporate ethics Startup Culture Venture Capital Technology impact Market Dynamics
  1. Google succeeded for a long time because it was run by good people, or maybe because it just made such a great product that they didn't need to cut corners.
  2. When businesses are struggling, they might feel tempted to act unethically just to survive, but that's often because they don't have enough resources rather than failing morals.
  3. High ambitions can often lead companies to change in ways they didn't expect, sometimes moving away from their original ideals while trying to succeed.

Is being data driven a fad?

843 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
💼 Business Data Analysis Financial Metrics Market Trends Investment Strategies Business Models
  1. The way we value companies might be changing. Instead of just looking at numbers, people are considering things like hype and public interest.
  2. Being data-driven used to be seen as a key to success, but now it seems less effective for some businesses. There are successful examples, but many companies struggle to use data well.
  3. Cultural factors, or 'taste', are becoming more important in the business world than just relying on data. This shift might mean that how people feel about a company matters just as much as the finances.

It's time to build

1278 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Data AI Software Startups Analytics
  1. The modern data stack ecosystem is shifting as interest in generative AI takes over.
  2. The hype surrounding data tools can lead to rapid product development but also instability and distraction.
  3. Startups can find success by focusing on rebuilding existing ideas in a more deliberate and stable manner.

Trading places

997 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
💼 Business Technology Finance Data Privacy Startups Marketing
  1. Be cautious with how you handle customers' sensitive data to avoid breaking trust.
  2. Consider the optics of your business operations as much as the functionality to maintain trust.
  3. Don't plan on building one service as a stepping stone to another; focus on what you want to create in the long run.

How much is the news worth?

997 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Copyright Journalism Legal Business
  1. ChatGPT can be valuable for what it can do and what it knows.
  2. The use of copyrighted content is important for the development and functionality of AI models.
  3. Legal battles over copyrighted material can impact the future development and usage of AI technologies.

Whatever, do the secondary sale

562 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startup Growth Employee Relations
  1. If you're a visionary founder who raises a lot of money and then sells shares for personal gain before mismanagement leads to the company's downfall, VCs will prioritize your ability to grow and persuade over your financial choices.
  2. In the world of venture capital, making money often trumps moral values, with investors backing those who are monetizable rather than necessarily 'nice.'
  3. While secondary sales by founders may raise concerns about focus and fairness to employees, making them transparent to the entire company could help ensure accountability and address potential disillusionment.

Microsoft builds the bomb

1508 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🕹 Technology Data Management Cloud Computing Software Development Artificial Intelligence
  1. The modern data stack aimed to revolutionize how technology is built and sold, focusing on modularity and specialized tools.
  2. Microsoft introduced Fabric as an all-in-one data and analytics platform to address the issue of fragmentation in the modern data stack.
  3. Fabric from Microsoft presents a unified solution but may risk limiting choice and innovation in the data industry.

The posters decide

460 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
💼 Business Influence Startups Technology Investing Entrepreneurship
  1. In political elections like the presidential primaries, insiders within the party can heavily influence candidate selection, impacting how votes translate into nominations.
  2. Silicon Valley, despite its reputation for meritocracy and free-market capitalism, also shows signs of elite insiders shaping success by directing funds, influencing hiring decisions, and controlling media narratives.
  3. Public perception and hype generated by influencers play a significant role in Silicon Valley, from selecting blogging platforms to predicting success of new technologies, often superseding personal experiences and independent analysis.

Data arithmetic

536 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Fashion Influencers Media Celebrities Music
  1. In analyzing data, focus on simple steps like observing trends, hypothesizing causes, and adjusting actions.
  2. Data interpretation doesn't have to be complex; sometimes, a straightforward approach is enough.
  3. In the world of marketing, brands can face challenges when unexpected people endorse their products.

Long on shovels, short on gold

434 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Tech Investing Entrepreneurship Venture Capital Startups
  1. In the tech world, many companies are heavily investing in AI, with billions of dollars being raised for AI startups and established companies shifting focus towards AI.
  2. Liquidation preferences in startup funding can lead to conflicts of interest between investors and founders, affecting decisions around company sale and financial outcomes.
  3. Despite the hype around AI, success stories of companies profiting from AI technology are not yet as abundant, raising questions about the actual impact and returns of AI investments.

Small multiplies

485 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
💼 Business Data Analysis Decision-making Strategy Risk management Innovation
  1. Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions have been aggressive in going for it on fourth downs
  2. Data can provide small advantages in decision-making, especially in frequent, low-leverage situations
  3. It's more effective to focus on doing what you're naturally good at and doing it consistently rather than constantly pursuing big data-driven optimizations

The new philosophers

1048 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🕹 Technology AI
  1. The modern data stack evolved from Hadoop to cloud data warehouses, ushering in new tools and companies.
  2. The modern data stack has led to tool proliferation and challenges like disconnected systems and high costs.
  3. Artificial Intelligence is poised to be the next big disruptor in the data ecosystem, potentially leading to a shift away from the modern data stack.

Gsnowflake

792 implied HN points • 07 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Data AI Cloud Computing Natural Language Processing
  1. Google is technically a database but differs from traditional databases in its structure and content.
  2. Snowflake is introducing features like Document AI that hint at a shift towards focusing on information retrieval rather than just data analysis.
  3. The market for an information database could potentially be larger and more accessible than traditional data warehouses, offering simpler access to basic facts and connections.

How dbt succeeds

997 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
💼 Business Data Analysis Technology Competition Monetization Acquisition
  1. dbt Labs' success has had a significant impact on people's lives by providing better job opportunities and higher salaries in the data industry.
  2. Despite its success, dbt Labs may face increasing competition in the future from startups and other companies that are challenging its position in the market.
  3. dbt Labs could consider evolving its business strategy by focusing on its community, exploring new product opportunities, or even exploring options like selling the company to better align with market trends and potential challenges.

“Am I the Jared Kushner?”

741 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Analysis Data Teams AI
  1. Analysts should reflect on their role and avoid behaving like Jared Kushner
  2. Being a data analyst involves providing informed insights, not just being a 'nicer, kinder' Jared Kushner
  3. Focusing on keeping the company well-informed through regular updates can be more effective than traditional data reporting

The truth is out there

511 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Analysis Computers Software
  1. Computers can approach problems in ways humans can't, like Deep Blue's moves in chess.
  2. AI progress often comes from scaling computation by search and learning, not by mimicking human reasoning.
  3. Considering new approaches that leverage computation over human knowledge could help solve complex problems like pricing optimization.

The case for being biased

588 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
  1. Data teams should consider the value of biases in decision-making and strategy implementation.
  2. Truth is a tool for corporate success, and data teams may need to balance truth-seeking with strategic storytelling.
  3. Data can be a powerful tool for persuasion and alignment in organizations, where commitment to decisions is crucial.