(Re)Share | #8 - Hard Ideas I Want to Back
Stuff Worth Sharing
What large proteins you have - Twitter is abuzz with Generative AI and the impact it can have on knowledge work. Interesting, sure, but a far more captivating use case (IMO) is biological engineering. Chroma is a project that really knocked me back in awe. The impact that this approach could have on medicines, materials, energy, etc. is truly uncapped.
We did what? - I’ve already mentioned the FiveThirtyEight archive episodes on the US primary system. Last week they re-aired part 2 and it’s a doozy. Democrats realized the true price paid and spent ~10 years trying to gain back the power they unwittingly sacrificed. This episode covers elections up to 2016 and really demonstrates how much of a soft power cocktail (money + media) has been deployed to ensure that the party still decides.
Deep cut - in the episode they briefly play a clip from Jimmy Carter’s 1976 campaign song, Why Not the Best?, which is as sweet and innocent as it sounds. I feel like Buttigieg could rock the remix.
Space pirates - In a world of tech jargon, “solar sails” are refreshingly literal - large folded material stretches out and captures sunlight to achieve momentum in space, also known as photonic propulsion. As cool as it sounds.
Disorganized crime - With all the talk of FTX fraud the Acquired guys did one of their signature deep dives (3.5 hours) on the clown car rise and fall of Enron. Boardroom drama, shocking incompetence, GAAP technicalities - it’s got it all.
Maybe acceptable crime: Matt Levine wrote a column last week that outlines an ongoing SEC investigation for a crypto-based Ponzi scheme, which really stands out from the pile of crypto-based Ponzi schemes. I legitimately think there could be an Emmy-wining limited series off Money Stuff alone.
ABC / AIDA - Investor turned Sales guru, Seth DeHart, wrote a fantastic guide for founders that are thinking through their first commercial hires. The transition from founder-led sales is a really, really difficult one but Seth provides some very actionable tips in this piece. If this resonates with you and you’d like an intro to Seth please DM me.
In Russia, code writes you! - Shortly after penning my Hard Ideas post I listened to this episode of Invest Like the Best with guest Amjad Masad. He discusses the entire movement around augmenting / enhancing / replacing(?) software developers with AI, which I find fascinating.
Difficulty Setting: Hard - A very informative podcast with the founder of Solugen and the unique challenges of building a deep tech + industrial startup (supply chain competency, vertical integration, etc.).
Getting lucky - One prisoner’s romantic history through conjugal visits.
What’s for dinner? - I watched HBO’s new film The Menu this weekend and it was incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it. Sure, I’m a fan of satire and I did marry a thriller writer, so I am the target market. But still, I highly recommend.
Shameless Plug
Hard Ideas: Every January I share a post that highlights the areas I’d like to invest in over the coming 12 months. This non-exhaustive list of the What If questions I’m most intrigued by will hopefully resonate with a few readers.
Spotlight on…
Two parter this week
Last week I was lucky enough to see friend and former EF colleague Megan Reynolds, who recently announced some big career news. Megan has moved to a NYC to build out the East Coast presence of Vertex Ventures. While she’s continuing her focus on investing in seed-stage enterprise and infrastructure startups, she will now step up the ambition by covering the US, Europe and Israel. Couldn’t be happier for Megan and the team!
Although this is a few months out, I finally got the time to do a deep dive on Compound VC’s Thesis Database and wow. The breadth and depth of thought reflects the brand and ethos Mike Dempsey and the team have cultivated for years. I find myself equal parts inspired and envious of Compound on a weekly basis. I highly encourage a read, whether you’re an investor, founder or startup curious. It’s excellent.
Job Drop
Every Tuesday I share cool new job postings from early stage startups I know. Find the jobs board here. Last week’s from Lakera:
🛠️ Lead Software Engineer
Ask(s)
One of the more difficult things I read this week was a heart breaking story in the NYT about the rampant sexual assault that Ukrainian women are being subjected to as a result of the war. This is absolutely share-worthy but the seriousness of the topic did not feel appropriate to mix in with the normal snark. I highly suggest a read and, if you can spare it, a donation.