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A Letter from Om. Issue #17/2023
Hi! I am Om, and this is my letter where I share what’s on my mind, my latest writings, articles worth reading from around the web, my recommendations, and some of my photography.
In this issue, I’ll cover the following:
- What’s keeping me busy?
- My latest essays.
- Recent writings.
- Two new episodes of the Stuck@Om Podcast.
- Five articles worth reading.
- A glimpse into my photography.
What’s keeping me busy?
Welcome to the final letter of 2023, which is a bit longer than my usual updates.
I’ve spent a considerable amount of time reflecting on the past year and the changes that hold long-term significance. I’ve been diligently working on a special project—a comprehensive essay that examines the “changes” that have unfolded and are poised to shape our future. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to complete it in time. As part of my research for this extensive piece, I had the privilege of recording two podcasts with two of my favorite thinkers (see below). If you were curious about the delay in the essay’s release, it wasn’t intentional; I unexpectedly contracted an infection during a routine hospital visit. On the bright side, I did learn a new word, “Nosocomial.”
A brief update for 2024: I plan to increase my blog activity, utilizing it for its intended purpose—a commonplace journal. This way, you can stay informed about my thoughts, reading materials, and what I find relevant in my quest for a broader perspective and a deeper understanding of our present and future. These are essentially brief notes to myself (and to you).
If you’d like to join me on this journey, you can do so by visiting my blog, subscribing to updates via RSS in your preferred RSS reader, or, even better, having blog posts delivered directly to your email inbox. Just sign up here!
Till next year then!
My New Essays:
Why Vision Pro Will Change Photography: For photographers and videographers, Apple’s Vision Pro will serve as a catalyst to rethink traditional photography. This technology, when combined with smartphones, represents yet another step towards a life dominated by digital screens filled with photos. It also heralds a shift from simple captures to vibrant three-dimensional storytelling, revolutionizing how we document the world around us.
What do French artists, the Wright Brothers and AI have in common?: 120th anniversary of the Wright brothers’ first flight serves as a good reminder to reflect on the long arc of technology and its impact. By drawing inspiration from Isaac Asimov, I delve into the power of envisioning the future, beginning with the futuristic visions of French artists at the turn of the 20th century. Our collective history of progress and innovation as a species provides a solid foundation for optimism about the future.
My recent writings.
Second Chances: 16 years ago, I learned the importance of second chances. And as anyone who has received a second chance will tell you, they’re good reminders to live purposefully, embrace change, and value every moment.
Implications of the failure of the Adobe-Figma deal: Unpacking the fallout from the failed Adobe-Figma deal. As regulatory hurdles mount, what does this mean for startups, venture investors, and the future of tech acquisitions?
So what’s the latest with Apple’s Vision Pro? VisionPro is all set to make its debut in January 2024, according to Bloomberg. Chinese media reports that the production line is humming. VisionPro will be a big story and will change our media/entertainment experience. Having used it twice, I’m seriously excited.
The Reality of AI: Vanishing White Collar Jobs: Microsoft & the AFL-CIO have formed a partnership aimed at shaping the future of AI in the workforce. Big news! If you look beyond the headlines, questions emerge about the actual impact of AI on employment, particularly in white-collar sectors.
Some Good Gift Ideas: On my “objects” blog, I decided to come up with a list of 10 last-minute gift ideas — that make perfect holiday gifts for (almost) everyone! And also, beyond the holidays!
14 years of Uber: No matter how you feel about the company, it sure has disrupted a lot of things.
Two New Episodes of Stuck@Om Podcast:
The Reality of Self-Driving Dreams: I had so much fun chatting with Trucks.vc co-founder Reilly Brennan about everything, from Waymo, Cruise, Tesla, and Chinese EVs, to why 2023 was a red-letter year for ‘autonomous’ driving. We discussed what happened in transportation in 2023 and what’s to come next year. (Easy links to whatever podcast app you like to use.)
The GeoPolitical Implications of A.I: I sat down with Sean Gourley, a renowned scientist and the founder of data and machine learning-focused startups, Quid and Primer. Sean offers profound insights into AI, exploring its potential to both benefit and harm humanity. He draws parallels between the rapid ‘automation’ at the turn of the last century, which was weaponized and led to wars, and the current situation. He highlights how the stakes are now even higher, with countries like the US, China, and others vying for dominant positions in this field. (Easy links to whatever podcast app you like to use.)
5 Articles Worth Reading
- Cars have become computers, and police have access to all their data.
- Don’t worry; it’s not just cars. Your television is also spying on you, all in the name of better ads through something called ACR, aka Automatic Content Recognition.
- How cybercriminals are using Wyoming shell companies for global hacks.
- There was a time when Miami Vice had nothing to do with ‘crypto,’ although it still had the same flashy style.
- The Hoffman Wobble: This article alone paid for my annual subscription to Harper’s! It delves deep into Wikipedia and the issue of historical memory.
My Photography
Finding Beauty in the Ordinary: “Sometimes, the best images are in your backyard, especially when you have a backyard as lovely as San Francisco. As landscape photographer Mark Littlejohn says, “It doesn’t have to be the Hanging Gardens of f**king Babylon.”
December 29, 2023.