Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future

Dana Blankenhorn's Substack focuses on the intersection of technology and investments, with a keen eye on how emerging technologies like AI impact democracy, the economy, and societal structures. It contemplates the future of urban living, energy, education, and the internet, alongside the challenges of transitioning to renewable resources and the evolving landscape of democracy and authoritarianism. The newsletter also discusses the implications of technological advancements on industries, particularly through the lens of software development, corporate governance, and environmental sustainability.

Technology and AI Investments and the Economy Democracy and Authoritarianism Environmental Sustainability Urban and Energy Development Education and Workforce Changes Corporate Governance and Ethics Internet and Digital Culture

The hottest Substack posts of Dana Blankenhorn: Facing the Future

And their main takeaways

The Wages of Sin

78 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
📚 Literature Book review Author analysis
  1. The story 'The Wages of Sin' by Harry Turtledove explores an alternate history where major events like the Industrial Revolution never happened.
  2. This alternate world depicted in the story highlights a society where progressive thinking is suppressed, emphasizing traditional values and slow progress.
  3. The book immerses readers in a world vastly different from our own, prompting reflection on the elements that are missing and the potential consequences.

The Cost of Changing Course

78 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Economy Energy Healthcare
  1. America's economy is built on incentives favoring oil and gas, making it difficult to transition to renewable energy.
  2. Wealthy individuals and big corporations often benefit the most from government aid and investments, rather than the intended recipients.
  3. Challenges in implementing new policies arise due to resistance from established industries and fear of disrupting the capitalist system.

The War Against Oil Gets Hot

58 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Renewable Energy Market Impact Political Influence
  1. Renewable energy costs have become competitive with coal-based energy and are continuing to decrease.
  2. The world's conflicts, funding, and wars are still heavily influenced by oil, leading to a literal war against oil.
  3. Recognizing the role of oil in global conflicts and actively engaging with the issue are crucial steps in overcoming the influence of oil.
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Easy Money

39 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
💼 Business Wealth Tech industry Politics Entrepreneurship Financial Markets
  1. The easy money era since 2008 has allowed individuals to rapidly amass wealth through financial maneuvering.
  2. Billionaires have a responsibility to the system that enabled their wealth, and disrespecting that system is unacceptable.
  3. Democracy is under threat due to the attitude of newly wealthy individuals who view themselves as superior beings.

The Era of the Cloud Czars

39 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Cloud Computing Tech Companies Artificial Intelligence Hardware Software
  1. The era of the Cloud Czars is defined by five key companies: Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google, and Meta.
  2. Building clouds and investing in the Cloud game was a key risk that many companies failed to take on, leading to their decline.
  3. In the tech industry, failure to take risks can be fatal, as highlighted by the success of the Cloud Czars who embraced the challenge.

The Business Press Bias

39 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
💼 Business Media Ethics Capitalism Corruption Regulation
  1. Capitalism vs. Socialism is a false choice that needs to be reconsidered.
  2. The business press should stop covering up unethical practices and hold businesses accountable.
  3. The threat to capitalism is not taxes or regulation, but ignorance promoted by a biased business press.

Moore’s Law Accelerates

117 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
🕹 Technology AI Society Technology impact
  1. It's becoming more challenging to keep pace with advancing technology.
  2. The rise of AI, particularly generative AI, is significantly impacting various industries.
  3. Resistance to technological advancements, particularly AI, is diminishing in fields like medicine, education, and law.

Shadow of a Doubt

78 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
🌍 World Politics Conflict Democracy Climate Victory
  1. The world is facing internal struggles, not just external wars.
  2. The internet can blur the lines between truth and lies, making conflicts more complex.
  3. Democracy can act as a pressure release valve in times of global tension and conflict.

Tesla Agonistes

98 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles Batteries
  1. Tesla's Full Self Driving mode doesn't work, leading to accidents and deaths.
  2. Electric cars need more powerful batteries to improve range and performance.
  3. There's a need to re-engineer the remote charging experience for EVs to be more convenient.

The EV Revolution is Upon Us

58 implied HN points • 15 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Electric Vehicles Innovation Market Trends Infrastructure Sustainability
  1. The Electric Vehicle (EV) revolution will lead to significant changes in the world, impacting car repair shops, gas stations, electricity demand, and the road network.
  2. Mass market EV adoption is currently happening in China, with affordable EVs becoming increasingly available from various car manufacturers worldwide.
  3. By 2030, most cars will be EVs, with technology advancements leading to cheaper and more competitive electric vehicles with longer ranges.

A Retailing Ghost Story

58 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
💼 Business
  1. Buying a mattress may not be as simple as you think.
  2. Make sure the service you expect is actually what you'll get.
  3. Consider the importance of customer service in every aspect of your business.

AI in the Machine Internet

39 implied HN points • 26 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Software System Data Analysis
  1. AI can make systems more efficient and effective.
  2. Orchestration layer software can anticipate needs and manage resources better than humans.
  3. Adding AI to everyday systems can increase productivity without necessarily taking away human jobs.

Reconsidering OpenAI

58 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software
  1. OpenAI faced issues due to the contradiction of being a non-profit owning a for-profit entity.
  2. Microsoft's investment in OpenAI through Azure services raised questions about the true value and motives of the partnership.
  3. Generative AI, like ChatGPT, is not true Artificial General Intelligence, but a tool with limitations.

OpenAI: Coup and Countercoup

58 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Government Democracy
  1. The events at OpenAI highlight power struggles and the importance of government oversight in the tech industry.
  2. Democracy and free markets should prevail over powerful individuals in the tech industry.
  3. Both government regulation and individual accountability are crucial for ensuring a fair and safe technological future.

Big AI, Little AI

58 implied HN points • 17 Nov 23
🕹 Technology AI Automation Data Management
  1. Both Big AI and Little AI can be intimidating, with potential privacy concerns.
  2. Autonomous agents in AI are enhancing customer service by solving problems efficiently.
  3. As AI continues to evolve, teaching critical thinking skills will be crucial for individuals to govern AI effectively.