10 things for your Summer Solstice
Including Federer's beautiful commencement speech and why Shaq is called "Big Aristotle."
If I’m going to be honest about what I’ve consumed this week, the answer is “I listened to the new Charli XCX album.” Its surprisingly confessional, sensitive rave bangers are the best way to stay awake on the train.
But here’s a few other things that I’ve consumed. It’s a real grab bag this week, with the overarching theme being “things I like to think about in the summer.” Sports, hanging out with friends, eating summer fruits, roadtrips, sunny California towns, AI, you know…
This is the story of how Equals (the spreadsheet tool) had to change pricing three times before they got it right. The most interesting point here is that “usage limits limited adoption” which seems extremely intuitive, but does run counter to the “usage based billing” trend today.
This heartwarming story of the USA cricket team losing to India in the World Cup! The star player for USA is an engineer at Oracle. Yes, AN ENGINEER AT ORACLE.
This clear take on Apple Intelligence was comprehensive and clear. It also linked this article about the “two competing visions for AI”
If you haven’t been to Edge Esmeralda yet, you have one week left to go! My friends and I visited last weekend. Aside from how lovely Healdsburg is, it was amazing to hear about the realities of building a new town (and towns like it.)
A funny take on why it’s our lack of dining rooms that are making us lonely.
I like the Browser Company’s videos quite a lot, and so I’ve been looking through some of their other content. This tweet thread is adapted from a talk that Josh (CEO) gave to Thrive Capital’s LPs.
And here’s another Browser Company post on their company values, which they frame as “notes on Roadtrips” because they find company values to be too cringe. I like that they turn the poorly phrased value “cares a lot” into “heartfelt intensity.” “That thing that compels you all to obsess over the details others overlook, and do it with gusto — that’s heartfelt intensity.”
I love Federer’s graduation speech. “People would say my play was effortless. Most of the time, they meant it as a compliment... But it used to frustrate me when they would say, “He barely broke a sweat!” Or “Is he even trying?” The truth is, I had to work very hard... to make it look easy.” This is true of everyone you admire!
This beautiful set of Roland Garros posters. I love the French Open, and you have to trust the French to get incredible artists to make the posters every year. I love Miró’s poster so much!
I read this as “sometimes people are really bad at giving advice.” Phil! What were you thinking. Not Shaq’s fault. Recommending Aristotle to Shaq is like recommending a car manual to me.