Nov. 5, 2023 Weekly Recap & Good Reads
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Nov. 5, 2023 Weekly Recap & Good Reads
Last week in Random Walk+Good Reads, all in one email
In case you missed it, here’s a recap of this past week’s Daily Datas (short and sweet) and Random Walks at Night (longer and with more feeling).
Plus, some Good Reads.
I hope you had a nice weekend. See you Monday.
Everything reads better in your browser or in the app. The footnotes especially, and Random Walk is really leaning into the footnotes. Plus, if you have the app, you can set delivery to “app only” and then my daily barrage will feel less like a barrage. Unfortunately, substack does not yet have a “Weekly Digest” option, but I’m hectoring them aplenty.
If this email was forwarded to you, please click the shiny blue button:Random Walk Reads
Some long reads worth reading, longly:
Hollywood needs its biggest hit ever. Interesting thoughts on the fait accompli that is streaming, and what, if anything, Hollywood can do about it. Tl;dr they (collectively) need to be Hollywood again and build or find the distribution.
Downtown Nashville is thriving. A case study for a new genre of optimism around the “new” downtown. Office work has definitely changed, but that doesn’t mean all is lost for cities. Got to embrace the vibe shift. Lots of data too.
Firesales sweep the creator economy. Venture-backed picks n’ shovels businesses for the creator economy can’t raise new money, so they’re being sold for parts (even as the creator ecosystem continues to grow). It’s a microcosm of a broader new-normal for venture—building a technology business is no longer synonymous with being venture-backed (or venture-backable).
See also Venture Capital Restarts. What is VC to do when the tide of capital markets has gone out? Double-down on the winners, its seems.
Early betting markets on Israel’s war. Odds are currently for a Q1 resolution, and annexation and/or occupation of more territory. Annexation makes sense, insofar as its a meaningful disincentive for an enemy who otherwise regards time as on their side. If maintaining the status quo is the worst that can happen, then there’s little reason not to try again and again and again.
The Zvi on the AI EO. This has been shared a lot, but it’s still worth sharing because Zvi is pretty thoughtful and reasonably heterodox. He’s generally in favor, and sees most of guidelines as focusing on reporting, rather than precluding anything in particular. Cf. Ben Thompson, who pulls no punches.
A world without babies. Martin Gurri reflects on the cultural implications of declining fertility. Like Random Walk, he cannot help but notice the prevailing “grudge against humanity” that seems to be driving a self-reinforcing doom-loop into loneliness.
In case you missed it . . .
I. Daily Datas
Data to inform and delight that you may have otherwise missed.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
II. Random Walk at Night
Slightly longer perspectives that you won’t find elsewhere . . . because if there’s nothing new and different to say, then why say anything at all?
That’s it.
I hope everyone had a great week and we’ll see you again Monday.
Random Walk is an idea company dedicated to the discovery of idea alpha. Find differentiated data, perspectives and people, and keep your information mix lively. A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds. Fight the Great Idea Stagnation. Join Random Walk. Follow me on twitter. Follow me on substack:
