SatPost by Trung Phan

SatPost by Trung Phan covers the intersections of technology, business, creativity, and culture with a focus on insights from tech giants, entrepreneurial strategies, reading's impact, and creativity's role in innovation. It explores themes of decision-making, value capture, addiction management, and industry-specific strategies for success.

Technology and Business Insights Entrepreneurship and Innovation Creativity and Design Digital Advertising Productivity and Focus Strategies Corporate Culture and Practices Reading and Continuous Learning Historical Impacts on Modern Industry Mental Health in the Digital Age Branding and Marketing Strategies AI and Digital Transformation

The hottest Substack posts of SatPost by Trung Phan

And their main takeaways

Magnus Carlsen, David Deutsch and the "Fun Criterion"

69 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Philosophy Art Entertainment Sports Education
  1. Magnus Carlsen, a top chess player, emphasizes that enjoying the game is key to his success. He believes that treating chess as a fun hobby rather than a job helps him perform better.
  2. David Deutsch's 'fun criterion' suggests that feeling enjoyment during an activity can be a powerful guide for decision-making and problem-solving. It's about aligning your conscious and unconscious ideas to find what truly matters.
  3. Choosing paths based on fun can lead to greater fulfillment and creativity. Many people, including successful figures, often overlook enjoyment in their choices, which can lead to dissatisfaction.

So Much "Succession" 

79 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Media influence Family Dynamics Corporate Governance Cultural Commentary
  1. The Murdoch family's media empire is facing succession drama similar to the TV show 'Succession.' Rupert Murdoch's plans for his children to inherit control have sparked legal battles.
  2. The trust set up by Rupert Murdoch grants all four of his eldest children equal voting rights after his death, but he has tried to change that to favor one child, creating tension among the siblings.
  3. The real-life Murdoch family's rivalry and issues echo many plot points from 'Succession,' leading to speculation about which family member is leaking stories to the show's writers.

OnlyFans Sticky Business Model

127 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
💼 Business E-commerce Digital marketing Entrepreneurship Financial Analysis Consumer behavior
  1. OnlyFans has grown rapidly, with many creators and subscribers, making billions in revenue. The platform allows creators to earn money through subscriptions and direct messaging.
  2. The business model of OnlyFans is unique. Creators can earn more by keeping subscription prices low and upselling personalized content through DMs, rather than relying mainly on subscription fees.
  3. The success of OnlyFans raises questions about the nature of online connections. While it provides income for many, it sometimes sacrifices genuine connection and quality of interaction.

DeepSeek: Links and Memes (So Many Memes)

244 implied HN points • 01 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Semiconductors Geopolitics Open Source
  1. DeepSeek is changing the AI game by showing that smaller teams can produce top models at lower costs. They've made big AI breakthroughs using fewer resources than big companies like OpenAI, reshaping how we think about AI development.
  2. The reaction to DeepSeek's success shook up the stock market, especially for companies like Nvidia. Their approach made many investors reconsider the value and costs associated with AI, leading to huge market losses.
  3. DeepSeek's open-source strategy encourages collaboration and innovation. By sharing their models, they invite others to improve upon their work, which could lead to even greater advancements in AI technology.

Tariff Engineering, Explained

84 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
💼 Business Tariffs International Trade Market Competition E-commerce Product Design
  1. Tariff engineering is when companies change their products slightly to pay less in import taxes. This can involve using different materials or designs that fit into cheaper tariff categories.
  2. Some well-known brands, like Converse and Subaru, have used tariff engineering to give their products lower duty rates. This practice can lead to legal debates but is generally accepted as long as rules are followed.
  3. Recent changes in tariff rules, especially related to low-value imports, can affect companies like SHEIN and Temu significantly, potentially leveling the playing field for U.S. businesses and impacting the prices consumers pay.
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Garmin's ~$40B Pivot

175 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy Finance Product Development
  1. Garmin transformed from an automotive GPS company to a leader in fitness watches by investing heavily in research and development. This shift helped it survive the competition from tech giants like Apple and Google.
  2. The company showed strong adaptability when its core automotive market declined, successfully pivoting to fitness and outdoor activities by creating specialized products like GPS-enabled watches for runners.
  3. Garmin's commitment to innovation and vertical integration has allowed it to maintain high-quality standards and respond quickly to market changes, helping it compete effectively despite challenges from larger tech companies.

Disney's ~$4B Acquisition That (Probably) Saved The Company

79 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
💼 Business Corporate strategy Mergers & Acquisitions Entertainment industry Streaming services Market Trends
  1. Disney made a smart $4 billion purchase of BAMTech to help launch Disney+ and compete with Netflix. This move was key for its success in the streaming market.
  2. BAMTech was originally part of MLB and became a leader in streaming technology, proving essential for Disney's various streaming services like ESPN+ and Hulu.
  3. Disney's pivot to streaming was risky but necessary, as it allowed the company to adapt to changing media trends and focus on digital content, which is now vital for its growth.

11 Best Things of 2024

164 implied HN points • 28 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Film Books Podcasts Music Memes
  1. The film industry is relying too much on sequels and spin-offs, leading to a lack of creativity. New stories like 'The Wild Robot' bring freshness and are needed more than ever.
  2. Nuclear threats are still a serious concern, and many people are complacent about it. A book about a potential nuclear war highlights the urgent need for communication between world leaders to prevent disaster.
  3. Taking time to create special memories with loved ones is important. A personal trip to Paris with family shows how meaningful experiences should not be postponed.

Economics of Taylor Swift's $2B+ Eras Tour

127 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
💼 Business Economics Entertainment Touring Marketing Consumer behavior
  1. Taylor Swift's Eras Tour made over $2 billion, breaking records as the most profitable concert tour ever. Each show grossed about $14 million, and after expenses, Swift took home around $7.25 million per show.
  2. The tour had a huge economic impact on the cities it visited, with fans reportedly spending over $1,300 each in local economies. This resulted in an estimated total boost of $5 billion to $10 billion across the U.S. leg of the tour.
  3. Swift's careful planning for the tour focused on accessibility, artist empowerment, and fan engagement. She included new artists as openers and tailored each show to create unique experiences for fans, making the tour a massive cultural event.

Taylor Sheridan's Extreme Productivity

122 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🎭️ Culture Film Television Hollywood Storytelling Creativity
  1. Taylor Sheridan didn't become a successful writer until he was 40, showing that it's never too late to start a new career. His need to support his family pushed him to work hard and produce a lot of content quickly.
  2. He handles creative control differently than others in Hollywood, often working alone instead of in a writer's room. This unique approach allows him to stay true to his vision and produce shows and movies that resonate with people.
  3. Buying a massive ranch for $350 million increased his pressure to succeed even more. This financial burden motivated him to create new shows and push out his work at an extreme rate.

MicroStrategy's $37B+ Bitcoin Bet (Is Just The Start)

106 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🔮 Crypto Bitcoin Investing Finance Market Trends Business strategy
  1. MicroStrategy, a software company, has made a huge shift by investing over $37 billion in Bitcoin. This change aims to protect against inflation and economic instability by using Bitcoin as a long-term store of value.
  2. Michael Saylor, the company's CEO, believes that Bitcoin is the best asset for wealth preservation compared to traditional investments like gold or real estate. He sees it as essential for economic freedom and stability.
  3. By issuing convertibles and equity to raise money, MicroStrategy has created a unique business model that offers investors exposure to Bitcoin without the hassles of buying it directly. This approach is attracting various institutional investors looking for Bitcoin-linked financial products.

David Tran and Sriracha's $1B+ Journey

95 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Branding Marketing Food Industry Consumer Products
  1. David Tran, a Vietnamese refugee, transformed a simple chili sauce recipe into a $1B brand called Sriracha. He started with just some hidden gold bars after fleeing Vietnam.
  2. Sriracha became popular without traditional marketing, relying on word of mouth and maintaining a simple production process. The brand does not spend much on ads and has no sales team.
  3. Despite facing challenges in supply and competition, Tran remains focused on his original recipe and is not concerned about trademarking 'Sriracha.' He believes in keeping the sauce spicy and authentic.

Calvin & Hobbes, Bill Watterson and Art Over Commerce

106 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Comics Art Entertainment Media Music
  1. Bill Watterson, the creator of Calvin & Hobbes, chose not to commercialize his work through merchandise. He believed that doing so would devalue the comic and preferred to keep it as pure art.
  2. Watterson stopped drawing Calvin & Hobbes after ten years, feeling that he had said everything he wanted to say. He wanted to leave when the comic was still loved, rather than risk it becoming stale.
  3. Watterson's journey shows that creating art for the love of it, rather than for money, can lead to lasting impact. His decision to not overextend Calvin & Hobbes has kept its legacy alive and well-regarded even decades later.

Apple's M&A Strategy, Explained

79 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
💼 Business Mergers Acquisitions Strategy Market Trends Financial Analysis
  1. Apple's approach to mergers and acquisitions often focuses on acquiring talent rather than large companies. They prefer smaller deals to bring in experts for new technologies.
  2. Chick-fil-A has become hugely successful with only a few thousand locations by keeping their restaurant experience efficient and engaging. Their franchise model is very selective, ensuring high-quality operators.
  3. Duolingo emphasizes user engagement over strict educational methods because they know it’s crucial to keep users motivated in a competitive app landscape.

Introducing "Caffeinated Deep Dives"

58 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🎙 Podcasts Media Entertainment Technology Culture Communication
  1. There's a new podcast called 'Caffeinated Deep Dives' where the host drinks a lot of coffee and explores various interesting topics in detail. It's all about sharing the research and insights he gathers.
  2. The first episodes focus on the iPhone and the comic strip Calvin & Hobbes, discussing their history and influence. The host admits that creating long episodes by himself is harder than he thought.
  3. Podcasts are becoming a big part of politics, as many candidates use them to reach voters and share their ideas. This includes high-profile guests like Donald Trump and Kamala Harris appearing on popular shows.

How Hermès Sells "Time"

435 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
💼 Business Marketing Finance Heritage Retail
  1. Hermès sells luxury by focusing on craftsmanship, heritage, and long-term thinking, with iconic bags like the Birkin and Kelly embodying these values.
  2. The concept of 'time' is central to Hermès' brand, with leadership emphasizing selling time and creating desire through managed supply and quality craftsmanship.
  3. The history and heritage of luxury brands like Hermès play a significant role in their perceived value, illustrating a strong correlation between brand longevity and luxury status.

Beware value capture

201 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Metrics Social media AI Streaming
  1. Tech apps influence our behavior through metrics, so don't blindly follow them
  2. Metrics like rankings, step counts, and likes can lead to 'value capture' influencing our decisions and behavior
  3. Be aware of how external metrics set by institutions in apps can guide our values and behaviors without us realizing

Amazon's $43B ad business, explained

329 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
💼 Business Advertising E-commerce Digital Tech Investing
  1. Amazon's ad business has grown significantly, reaching a revenue run rate of $43 billion annually, surpassing other social media platforms.
  2. Amazon's shift towards embracing ads was influenced by the need to reduce dependence on Google search slots and utilize its valuable first-party transaction data.
  3. Amazon ads have become highly profitable and could rival its AWS business in terms of generating absolute profits, signaling a significant shift in the digital advertising landscape.

The Reading Unlock

254 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Startups Economic Trends Market Analysis
  1. Entrepreneurs like Joe Coulombe, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk were inspired by reading single articles to start successful ventures.
  2. Reading diverse and random content can help build a unique insight stack when combined with other skills.
  3. Reading and continuous learning are crucial for developing insights that lead to successful ventures or investments.

"The Economist" Cover Curse, Explained

95 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
💼 Business Media Economics Marketing Investing Tech
  1. The Economist's cover is seen as a contrarian investing signal, with examples showing it may indicate market trends, but careful analysis is necessary.
  2. The Economist acts as a curator-in-chief for relevant news, publishing content anonymously in one voice, and holding influence among decision-makers.
  3. Jalapeños are less spicy due to Big Ag influence, TikTok faces potential ban due to bipartisan concerns, and Dune 2 review includes insights on visuals, cast, and production.

Apple Demos vs. Amazon Memos

323 implied HN points • 10 Feb 23
  1. Amazon uses writing culture with memos for decisions and understanding.
  2. Apple relies on product demos for decision-making and product development.
  3. Both Amazon memos and Apple demos force ideas from the brain into the real world and create a bias to action.

The Tale of Two Phones

196 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Smartphones Addiction Social media Cognition
  1. Having a "Cocaine Phone" for distractions and a "Kale Phone" for focus can help manage smartphone addiction.
  2. Variable rewards from apps can lead to smartphone addiction by triggering dopamine responses.
  3. Creating a phone protocol with limited app access can increase productivity and reduce distractions.

Second Winds

84 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Social media Venture Capital Internet culture
  1. Many famous YouTubers are quitting after about a decade due to burnout, desire for new challenges, and moving on to new things.
  2. Václav Havel's essay 'Second Wind' explores the choices an artist has after initial success: repeat past successes, build on them in the same lane, or try something completely new for a 'second wind.'
  3. YouTubers like Tom Scott, MatPat, and Seth Everman are examples of creators seeking their 'second winds' by quitting YouTube after around ten years of success.

9 Best Things of 2023

100 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Books Investments TV shows Films Podcasts
  1. Create for yourself first - don't try to guess what others will like, make what you like.
  2. Having no investments can sometimes be the best investment strategy.
  3. Using two phones - one for productive tasks and one for distractions - can help increase focus and productivity.

Trader Joe's: The Anti-Grocer

159 implied HN points • 12 Aug 23
💼 Business Retail Marketing Finance Economy Industry
  1. Trader Joe's built a successful model by paying employees well and making strategic decisions based on that foundation.
  2. Trader Joe's differentiated itself by offering unique products, focusing on customer trust and education, and maintaining a friendly atmosphere in-store.
  3. Trader Joe's small store size, selective product range, and high sales per square foot contribute to its niche success in the grocery market.

"Now is the Most Important Time"

58 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Celebrities Entertainment Social media Film Memes
  1. Being present and focusing on the now is a common theme among successful individuals like Jensen Huang, Cillian Murphy, Michael Jordan, Jerry Seinfeld, and Oprah Winfrey.
  2. Living in the present moment and minimizing rumination about the past or worries about the future is key to achieving goals and success.
  3. Although the concept of 'now is the most important time' may seem generic, it holds value in helping people stay focused and achieve their aspirations.

Lululemon's $50B+ Apparel Innovation

90 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
💼 Business Apparel Innovation Manufacturing Marketing
  1. Chip Wilson pioneered the athleisure industry by solving clothing problems like the 'camel-toe issue'.
  2. Lululemon's success came from addressing the need for functional and fashionable female athletic apparel.
  3. Wilson's focus on vertical retailing and product innovation led to Lululemon's growth in the athleisure market, including solving unique design problems like the 'ball-crushing' issue with the ABC pants.

The Science and History of the iPhone Screen

122 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🕹 Technology History Science Business Smartphones Manufacturing
  1. In 2007, Steve Jobs chose Corning's Gorilla Glass for the iPhone screen, sparking a journey into the science and history of glass development.
  2. Corning's development of Gorilla Glass involved innovative techniques like ion exchange to strengthen the glass and meet Apple's demands for a durable and thin screen.
  3. Corning, a 170-year-old company, has a diverse range of products beyond Gorilla Glass, showcasing resilience and adaptation in various industries including optical communications and life sciences.

The Psychology of Apple's Packaging

69 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Psychology Technology Packaging Design Marketing
  1. Apple prioritizes packaging as a form of theater to create memorable unboxing experiences.
  2. The design of Apple packaging is deeply rooted in human psychology, focusing on creating a luxury, multi-sensory experience.
  3. Apple's packaging reflects the company's commitment to perfection and attention to detail, reflecting their dedication to creating a high-quality product.

Becoming the Tuna King

148 implied HN points • 24 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Food & Drink Sports Literature Comics
  1. To excel in any profession, there are specific table stakes and dedication required
  2. Success often involves extreme dedication, unique skills, and consistent effort over time
  3. Understanding the table stakes of a profession is crucial before committing to it

Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash and AI Art

84 implied HN points • 02 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration AI Art Generative AI
  1. Context matters more than content in the age of AI-generated audio, images, and videos.
  2. AI tools are democratizing advanced audio and video creation.
  3. The reactions to generative AI art typically go through 8 stages, highlighting the evolving nature of technology and creativity.

The Greatest Meme Template Ever

47 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Memes Interviews Internet culture Film
  1. The meme template featuring Juan Joya Borja, also known as El Risitas, has gained immense popularity for its universal humor and captivating storytelling.
  2. Juan Joya Borja's infectious laughter in the meme is a key factor contributing to its widespread appeal, as laughter is a universal social bonding mechanism.
  3. The structure of El Risitas' story, following a narrative arc that gets progressively worse, adds to the meme's appeal and showcases the power of storytelling in humor.