The hottest Disruption Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Monopoly Profits, AI Arms Races, & the Mirage of Silicon Valley Platform-Oligopoly Disruption

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 130 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Platforms Disruption Innovation
  1. Users might benefit greatly from advanced AI technology if tools like chatbots serve them well. It's all about whether these tools work for us or the other way around.
  2. Tech giants like Google and Microsoft are facing challenges as AI rapidly evolves. Their old methods of operation may not keep up with new AI advancements.
  3. Even though AI is changing the tech landscape, it might not lead to the rise of new dominant companies. The existing major players could still remain strong despite the disruption.
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One of One: Revisiting the Disruptive Potential of NFT Art

DeFi Education • 339 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Digital Art NFTs Art market Cultural Trends Disruption
  1. NFT art can change the way artists sell and share their work. It allows them to reach collectors directly without needing galleries.
  2. Collecting NFTs creates a new type of ownership in digital art. This means owning a unique piece of art that can't be copied easily.
  3. NFTs can offer more than just art; they can provide access to experiences or communities. This makes them valuable beyond just being a visual piece.

Beat your Bot: Building your Moat against AI

Musings on Markets • 2 HN points • 28 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Computing Data Disruption Automation
  1. AI is getting better at doing mechanical tasks, but it struggles with intuitive ones. This means jobs that rely on creativity and adaptability are safer than those that are purely formulaic.
  2. Jobs that follow strict rules can be easily replaced by AI, while those that need human judgement and understanding of principles will be harder for AI to take over. This shows the value of being skilled in areas that require more complex thinking.
  3. To protect your job from AI, be a generalist instead of a specialist, practice telling stories around your work, and try not to rely too much on technology for reasoning. This can help you stay unique and valuable in a changing job landscape.

All advances are by breaking the rules

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 29 Oct 23
💼 Business Innovation Entrepreneurship Disruption Leadership Venture Capital
  1. Advancements in life and technology often come from breaking existing rules or norms. New ideas can face a lot of pressure and resistance, but they are crucial for progress.
  2. Failure is an important part of trying new things. Just like in evolution, mistakes can lead to better outcomes, so taking risks is necessary for improvement.
  3. Creating an environment where questioning and challenging the status quo is encouraged helps drive innovation. When people feel free to experiment, society as a whole can move forward faster.

Chegg, ChatGPT, and the changing nature of change

Platforms, AI, and the Economics of BigTech • 8 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💼 Business Economics Technology Disruption Change Management Market Trends
  1. Chegg's struggle shows how modern businesses face not just ordinary problems but bigger changes that redefine the whole market. They can lose ground quickly when something new, like AI, gives customers a better option.
  2. Companies need to think differently about competition today. It's not just about beating the businesses they know, but also about new solutions that take away their customers.
  3. When change happens quickly, businesses should look for ways to make that change permanent. This means creating new systems or services that keep customers even after the initial change fades.

Fast versus Right

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Programming Networking Systems Adoption Disruption
  1. Simplicity often beats complexity when it comes to technology. A simple solution that works now can be more effective than a complex one that may take longer to perfect.
  2. In the tech world, being first is crucial. The first company to launch a new idea or product often wins, especially if it benefits from network effects.
  3. It's important to focus on what can be quickly addressed. Don't get stuck on minor issues when bigger, more impactful problems need immediate attention.

Look for the next bottleneck

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 23 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Optimization Disruption Innovation Education Medicine
  1. Optimization is a constant process in our daily lives. We look for ways to make things easier, faster, and cheaper to achieve our goals.
  2. Bottlenecks are points that limit the effectiveness of a system. Identifying these bottlenecks helps us understand what is holding us back.
  3. Disruption can happen when new technologies find a way around existing bottlenecks, leading to better solutions and opportunities. Staying curious and willing to change is key to innovation.

No smooth discontinuities

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 22 May 22
🕹 Technology Software Development Innovation Engineering Disruption Progress
  1. It's tough to make a big change in software if you're only trying to improve things a little at a time. Sometimes you need to take a big leap to really disrupt the norm.
  2. Incremental progress can help lead to new inventions, but after a big jump, you still have to do a lot of smaller work to make it successful.
  3. Embrace some chaos and messiness in your work. Sometimes these messy moments can lead to amazing results and breakthroughs.

Industry Transformation: Enablement, Disruption and Competitive Dynamics Along the Value Chain

Equal Ventures • 59 implied HN points • 07 Jun 21
💼 Business Transformation Disruption Industry Analysis
  1. Industry transformation involves more than just disruption; it includes enablement and impacts the entire value chain.
  2. Successful companies in industry transformation both disrupt some stakeholders and enable others within the value chain.
  3. Understanding competitive dynamics of the value chain is crucial for founders aiming to transform industries.

What past disruptions tell us about Cellular Agriculture and Alternative Proteins

WeBeGreen • 1 HN point • 24 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Innovation Food production Technology Disruption
  1. Incumbent industries often fail to adapt to new technologies, leading to their downfall. This trend is evident in various historical disruptions like the shift from horses to cars.
  2. New technologies can significantly disrupt entire industries, as seen with the examples of the horse industry being replaced by automobiles and the shift from whale oil to kerosene.
  3. Innovations like cellular agriculture are poised to revolutionize the food system, offering a more sustainable way to produce animal-based food items without the need for traditional agriculture practices.

A Taste of Disruption

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 24 Feb 16
💼 Business Research Disruption Management
  1. Firms facing demand-side disruption have options to react and defend against the threat.
  2. Supply-side disruption requires firms to be more integrative in how they conduct their business.
  3. The articles mentioned provide a 'lite' treatment of the disruption dilemma for those seeking a quick overview.

Traditional disruption theory and predictions

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 15
💼 Business Disruption Theory Predictions
  1. Disruption theory can be more than just a tool for research, and some believe it can also predict when a disruptor will succeed.
  2. Views on disruption can vary, with some arguing that companies can actively pursue disruption as part of their innovation or commercialization efforts.
  3. Michael Raynor has put forth theories on disruption and innovation that are influential and open to empirical analysis.

Is Tesla Disruptive?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 14 Apr 15
💼 Business Disruption Innovation Competition
  1. The framework to determine if a new firm like Tesla will disrupt old ones like GM or Toyota involves considering if the product targets over-served customers, if the disruptor has incentives to enter higher performance segments, and if there is a trajectory for fast performance improvements.
  2. Disruption may not necessarily occur through the same traditional pathways, such as Tesla's potential to disrupt the supply-side of the industry with architectural innovation rather than just demand-side shifts.
  3. Tesla's unique position with its electric focus and potential architectural innovation poses an existential threat to traditional car-makers, raising the question of whether they can adapt to this new challenge.

Why the iPhone confounds disruption theorists

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 28 Feb 15
🕹 Technology Disruption Innovation Smartphones Architecture
  1. Established companies like Nokia, Motorola, Sony-Ericsson, and BlackBerry fell victim to disruption with the launch of the iPhone in 2007.
  2. The iPhone conflicted with the traditional disruption theory as it was not disruptive to laptops but instead to traditional handset makers by offering a new architecture and user interface.
  3. The disruption caused by the iPhone stemmed from its unique supply-side mechanisms, challenging established firms by introducing new functionalities and methods of interaction.

Harris Rosenblum: More Than Orcs

Do Not Research • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 22
🎨 Art & Illustration Sculpture Fantasy Disruption Identity
  1. Historically, the concept of the goblin originates from biblical ideas of the devil, illustrating a common theme of discordance with divine order.
  2. The orc in 40k is portrayed as a symbiote of dead flesh and fungus with a hyperstitional nature, subverting traditional logic to create new possibilities.
  3. Exploring one's identity through the lens of fantasy creatures like goblins can offer a unique perspective on disruption and connection, providing potential for creative power.

What would it take to disrupt Facebook?

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 26 Mar 16
🕹 Technology Social media Innovation Platforms Disruption Mobile devices
  1. Platforms are hard to disrupt once established, as they have a strong network effect that keeps users loyal.
  2. Disruption can come from different angles - not just by picking off customers, but also by providing better value on the supply side.
  3. Companies need to stay agile and anticipate potential disruptions, restructuring internal teams to be ready for future threats.

Ford hedges to deal with disruption

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 20 Apr 16
💼 Business Automotive Disruption Innovation Strategy Technology
  1. The auto industry is facing disruption from electric batteries, autonomous vehicles, and mobile phones. Traditional car companies like Ford are trying to catch up with new business models.
  2. The rise of mobile phones and ride-sharing apps present a challenge to carmakers' traditional business model of selling cars to individuals. Companies are exploring new approaches like car-sharing partnerships and separate business units.
  3. Ford's strategy of creating Ford Smart Mobility, LLC to focus on connectivity and mobility services is a unique response to disruptive technologies in the automotive industry. The move reflects Ford's effort to adapt to changing consumer needs and market trends.

The Ride Sharing Business: Playing Pundit

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 21 Oct 15
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Investing Market Trends Disruption Valuation
  1. The ride-sharing market is expanding quickly, attracting many new users and changing the traditional transport business. Companies like Uber and Lyft are experiencing huge revenue increases, but they also face fierce competition.
  2. Investors are boosting their expectations for ride-sharing companies, predicting high future earnings. However, some worry that these expectations might be too optimistic, leading to a 'big market delusion.'
  3. The future of ride-sharing could go in many directions, including becoming a monopoly, a low-profit game, or evolving with new technologies like driverless cars. Each scenario presents different challenges and risks for drivers and customers.

The Dance of the Disrupted: Observations from the front lines

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 15
💼 Business Disruption Education Publishing Finance Technology
  1. Businesses with a lot of money involved and that are inefficient are more likely to face disruption. This means that fields like finance and education are prime targets for new, better solutions.
  2. Disruption usually goes through stages, starting with denial. Companies often take a long time to accept that change is happening, and they may imitate instead of truly innovate.
  3. Even when disruption is painful, it can lead to positive changes in the long run. Some businesses may struggle or shrink, but eventually, those that adapt and offer better value will survive and thrive.

The Education Business: A Road Map for Disruption

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 02 Sep 14
🚌 Education Disruption Non-profit Accountability Market Size Competition
  1. Education is a business because it has a mission, a product, and customers. Universities sell degrees, so they should be held accountable just like any other business.
  2. The current education system isn't truly non-profit; it still generates surpluses that benefit administrators and faculty, rather than focusing solely on student education.
  3. The education sector is ripe for disruption due to its inefficiencies and lack of customer focus. Disruptors need to understand what makes education valuable beyond just classes, like social networking and career support.

A Disruptive Cab Ride to Riches: The Uber Payoff

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 09 Jun 14
💼 Business Investing Startups Valuation Market Trends Disruption
  1. Uber acts as a matchmaker between drivers and customers, not like a traditional taxi company. This lets them focus on technology and convenience instead of owning vehicles.
  2. The company has grown rapidly since it started, claiming to double its size every six months. However, it faces strong competition and regulatory hurdles in many markets.
  3. Investors are betting on Uber's potential future value, which might be inflated compared to current estimates. The current valuation of $17 billion seems overly optimistic given its revenue and profits.

The barbarians are at the gate! Of universities, moats and disruption!

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 14
🚌 Education Higher education Online Learning Disruption Competitiveness Teaching Methods
  1. Universities have a strong reputation and tradition that help them attract the best students, but online education is trying to break through this barrier. Good partnerships and measurable skills could help online entities compete.
  2. Colleges offer personalized programs and interactive classes, which are harder for online courses to replicate. Online education often lacks structure and engagement, making it less effective for many learners.
  3. Networking and career placement are critical advantages for universities, as they provide valuable connections and support. Online institutions must build trust with employers to match this benefit over time.

The Disruption Dilemma

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 23 Aug 16
💼 Business Disruption Innovation Entrepreneurship Economics Management
  1. Disruption in business can stem from new technological opportunities that incumbent firms fail to take advantage of, leading to their downfall.
  2. The concept of Creative Destruction from Joseph Schumpeter describes how capitalism thrives on constant innovation and change, challenging the idea of long-term profitability for established businesses.
  3. Innovation that disrupts industries can come in different forms, like customer-disruptive innovations that initially underperform but later improve, and architecturally-disruptive innovations that change the fundamental design of products or services.

Something special for paid subscribers

Charles Eisenstein • 0 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Information Technology Disruption Innovation Transformation
  1. The author plans to write a series of articles about artificial intelligence. They believe AI is a major change in technology, similar in importance to the printing press.
  2. The upcoming articles will explore AI's impact on information and society. This suggests the author sees AI as a transformative force.
  3. The message is directed towards paid subscribers, indicating exclusive content is being prepared for them. This could mean deeper insights that are not available to everyone.

Digitization and the Rise of Trump

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 03 Mar 16
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Media Candidates Disruption
  1. The rise of Trump is linked to digitization and social media disrupting traditional political processes, allowing unconventional candidates to gain traction.
  2. Trump's success challenges the established political norms and the power structures within his own party.
  3. Trump's approach to media and politics has deviated from the traditional 'Game of Scrutiny,' causing a shift in how political campaigns are conducted.