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

Calling It

138 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Campaigns Candidates Voting Policy
  1. Democrats have strong advantages for the upcoming election, including a solid candidate and effective campaign strategy. This suggests they are in a good position to win.
  2. Polls indicate that Democratic candidates are performing well, which could mean the overall race is more favorable for them than it appears.
  3. The strong economy and recent political events are likely to boost Democratic support, indicating a positive outlook for democracy in the upcoming elections.

The Secret Sauce of Palantir

138 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
💼 Business Finance Investments Technology Startups Market Analysis
  1. Palantir focuses on personalized data analysis for each client, using committed engineers to solve specific problems. These Forward Deployed Engineers (FDEs) learn the client's business and adapt solutions to boost productivity.
  2. The combination of FDEs and Product Development teams creates a unique feedback loop, improving software based on real experiences. This teamwork helps build a strong customer relationship that keeps clients engaged with Palantir.
  3. Palantir's success isn't about traditional AI but rather understanding and addressing client needs first. This customer-first approach leads to recurring revenue and a reputation for effective solutions.

Google and Stage Two of the AI Boom

39 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Cloud Computing Data Business
  1. Nvidia's rise marked the start of the AI boom, with companies heavily buying chips for AI tools. This growth continues, and Nvidia is now a leading company.
  2. Google's cloud revenue is growing quickly at 35%, while overall revenue growth is slower at 15%. This shows strong demand for AI services from Google.
  3. Despite revenue growth, Google's search revenue isn't doing as well, rising only 12%. This could mean they are losing some of their search market share.

Knives Out at Intel

19 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
💼 Business Corporate Governance Market Analysis Technology Industry Leadership Changes Investment Strategies
  1. Intel's CEO Pat Gelsinger is losing Wall Street's trust, and there are calls for a big change in leadership. Many believe he should be replaced to help the company recover.
  2. The company might benefit from splitting up its different parts and selling them off, especially Mobileye and its design division. This could help bring in cash and new management.
  3. Intel needs strong leadership that can deliver on promises, especially for national security reasons. A partnership with a successful company like Taiwan Semiconductor could be a step in the right direction.

Huang Frankenstein

79 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Integrity Authoritarianism AI Ethics Political Ideologies Economic Policy
  1. Some technologists believe they can create a world where people aren't needed, which raises concerns about everyone's role in society.
  2. There is a mindset that defines a person's value mainly by their monetary contribution, ignoring the importance of art and idealism.
  3. Political and technological systems should serve people, ensuring their safety and happiness, rather than just focusing on control and profit.
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AI Haves and Have-Nots

59 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Internet Market Trends Data security
  1. AI tools are becoming more focused on specific markets rather than serving everyone broadly. Companies are looking for niche areas to make money instead of trying to compete with big players.
  2. Using AI will likely come with costs in the future, leading to a divide between those who can afford it and those who cannot. This shift could create a two-tiered internet experience.
  3. As AI and tech services become paywall-heavy, they may lose a lot of casual users, much like publications did when they went behind paywalls. This might limit access to quality information for many people.

Subscribe to This Book?

59 implied HN points • 18 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation History Economics
  1. Technology is changing really fast, making it hard to keep track of everything. Books can't keep up, so there's a need for ongoing updates.
  2. The author wants to create a subscription model for readers to get continuous updates on technology's history. This way, readers can have the latest information and not just a single snapshot.
  3. There's a concern that current AI technologies may not scale well and could lead to a tech crash, similar to past tech bubbles. Real human intelligence still has a unique edge over artificial intelligence.

A No Fear Election for Business

79 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Market Analysis Political strategy Business impact Voter Behavior
  1. The stock market is calm before the upcoming election, even though both candidates are playing on people's fears. It's interesting that business seems more relaxed than voters.
  2. The most likely outcome is a Kamala Harris win with a Republican-controlled Senate, which could lead to a stalemate that won't shake up the markets much. Businesses don't like uncertainty, and a stalemate is somewhat stable.
  3. Even if the Democrats win big, major changes are unlikely. Harris would need to work with Congress, and markets think she may not negotiate as effectively as Biden did. So, if business isn't worried, maybe the general public shouldn't be either.

Google Becomes AT&T

59 implied HN points • 17 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Google Search Infrastructure Monopoly
  1. Google is struggling with its search service, similar to how AT&T failed in the past. They are facing a lot of pressure from new AI technologies.
  2. The company is spending a huge amount of money to fix its issues but still losing ground to competitors. This is making it hard to maintain their position in the search market.
  3. There's a call for government intervention to save the internet and possibly break up Google, as many believe the current setup is damaging and not serving users well.

The Real Enemy

79 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Global Warming Nationalism Political polarization International cooperation
  1. Nationalism is a big problem for addressing climate change. It stops countries from working together and tackling the urgent issue of global warming.
  2. People are often focused on their own countries and ignore the need for cooperation. This 'mine' vs 'ours' mindset won’t help solve climate issues.
  3. For real change to happen, everyone needs to unite and fight against climate change together. Without that, the planet will keep suffering.

The Coming Labor War

99 implied HN points • 04 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Labor Rights Economic Policy Workplace Issues Unions Social justice
  1. Workers in many fields, including tech, are facing pay cuts and longer workdays due to changes like returning to the office. This shift can feel like a 20% decrease in salary when you consider added costs and time.
  2. Many employers believe they don't need the human workforce because of advancements in AI and automation. But this belief ignores the reality that people are essential for gathering data and driving the economy.
  3. There is a growing movement among workers, including office employees, to demand better wages and working conditions. As more people realize they are part of the labor force, we might see significant changes in workers' rights in the near future.

The Right Industrial Policy Thinks Small

19 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Industrial Policy Economic Development Entrepreneurship
  1. Support small companies instead of big ones. Small companies can be more flexible and focused on their mission, leading to better outcomes.
  2. Encourage young and hungry talent. It’s smarter to invest in fresh ideas from people who might not be well-known yet than to only look for established experts.
  3. Spread out resources more evenly. Smaller subsidies to many innovators can create more successful companies than big subsidies to just a few giants.

The AI Nobels

59 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Research Innovation Computing
  1. Two major Nobel prizes were awarded to individuals working in AI, highlighting its importance and growth in science. Geoffrey Hinton won a physics prize for his work in machine learning.
  2. Current AI technology is still in the early stages and relies on brute force data processing instead of true creativity. The systems we have are not yet capable of real thinking like humans do.
  3. Exciting future developments in AI could come from modeling simpler brains, like that of a fruit fly. This may lead to more efficient AI software without requiring as much power.

America’s Conservative Party

59 implied HN points • 07 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Parties Populism Elections Democracy Constitution
  1. The roles of the Democratic and Republican parties have changed. Nowadays, Democrats are seen as the ones supporting individual rights and national defense, while Republicans under Trump lean towards populism.
  2. Populism in America has deep roots, especially in religious communities. This shift has been influenced by technology, money, and changes in the legal framework regarding church and state.
  3. Democracy is facing significant challenges, but there's hope that non-religious Republicans may distance themselves from the current party leadership. The democratic system might need rebuilding in the future.

OpenAI: Economic Justice Delayed

39 implied HN points • 03 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Investment Startups Innovation Economics
  1. OpenAI recently received a large investment to avoid bankruptcy, but experts think financial troubles may still be on the way. There's skepticism about how sustainable their business model is.
  2. The promises of AI, like improving productivity and creativity, often don't match up with what users actually experience. Many believe AI tools still have major limitations.
  3. The funding from investors seems more focused on finding a quick profit than on genuinely improving AI technology. There's a worry that this could lead to a crash if expectations aren't met.

The Wages of Sin

79 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

79 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.

Moore’s Law Accelerates

119 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.

The War Against Oil Gets Hot

59 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.

Shadow of a Doubt

79 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.