★ Priority · 13
What Mark Zuckerberg Wants. Plus. . .
PRIORITYThe Free Press
- Mark Zuckerberg controls platforms used by 2.3 billion people—more than the total human population in 1965.
- Jeremy Stern's profile draws on interviews with Zuckerberg's family, friends, and the CEO himself to explore what drives one of the world's most powerful figures.
- The piece investigates the nature of power itself through the lens of a single individual who shapes the information environment for over half of humanity.
MACRO AND THE PRO LABOUR TRADE
PRIORITYRussell Clark from Capital Flows and Asset Markets
- Older investors exhibit fear of new developments rooted in repeated market crises (GFC, Eurocrisis, EM problems), making bearishness a survival skill in volatile markets.
- Macro indicators like deteriorating Net International Investment Position and elevated net worth-to-GDP ratios appear scary but require more sophisticated analysis beyond headline numbers.
- Traditional bearish macro narratives from 2016 have failed to materialize, suggesting conventional wisdom about market tops may misinterpret structural changes and new regimes.
The Radical Right’s Plan to Transform Conservatism. Plus . . .
PRIORITYThe Free Press
- A network of wealthy donors and intellectuals centered on Charles Haywood is pushing radical conservative ideology rooted in racial grievance and rejection of liberal democracy.
- The 'no enemies to the right' principle has allowed once-fringe ideas to penetrate mainstream conservative institutions and establish influence across think tanks and churches.
- Vice President J.D. Vance and other establishment conservatives are implicated in failing to police ideological boundaries, effectively endorsing the radicalization of the American right.
💬 New thread from Le Shrub
PRIORITYLe Shrub from Reminiscences of a Shrub Operator
- BABA shares rallied +4.4%, driving October $120 call options up 2x, enabling the trader to sell half and recoup full trade cost.
- Position management leveraged the Trump-Xi meeting as a catalytic event with upside optionality while locking in profits on half the position.
- The trade demonstrates tactical use of near-term geopolitical catalysts and technical reversal patterns in high-beta Chinese tech stocks.
💬 New thread from PauloMacro
PRIORITYPauloMacro’s Substack
- Bank of Japan hiked rates 25bps as expected but faced dissents, raising concerns about actual tightening follow-through.
- The author is bearish on EUR/USD due to broader structural issues beyond natural gas stockouts, with Saudi pressuring European energy dynamics.
- Fed's tightening trajectory appears dollar-bullish for now despite recent rate hikes, shifting market macro dynamics.
💬 New thread from Le Shrub
PRIORITYLe Shrub from Reminiscences of a Shrub Operator
- EQR AU position doubled after addition to main index, demonstrating capital cycle thesis connecting disparate assets.
- Tungsten stock re-rated from 2x to 4x EBITDA as execution was proven, decoupling from commodity price moves.
- Author exited entire position opportunistically during index inclusion-driven volume surge.
- Trade exemplifies connecting 'Memory vs Tungsten' framework with index effects driving valuation expansion.
Market Update & Signals 9/18/26
PRIORITYMacro Charts
- SPY in range with potential bounce target at $765-768 supply zone after constructive Thursday action.
- VIX plunged to 15, approaching author's downside target; tape improvement supports potential Q4 rally setup.
- SMH pushing key resistance with strength in AI/Hardware/Memory names, though discipline maintained on hedging decisions.
- Strategy emphasizes waiting for best setups rather than forced trades, letting market indicate direction.
TGIF: Experts Fear Worse Ahead
PRIORITYThe Free Press
- News roundup highlights pop culture podcast covering Sydney Sweeney controversy and experimental $60 loaf of bread.
- Abigail Shrier's 'Tough Love' advice column addresses reader inquiries on relationship and life matters.
- Mitch McConnell referenced with controversial commentary on caretaker concerns and family dynamics.
- Mix of entertainment news, expert analysis, and political observation presented with editorial humor.
(Important) What Is The Endgame For The Oil Market?
PRIORITYHFI Research
- JPMorgan's oil market analysis assumes normal Strait of Hormuz traffic by a specified date, but fails to incorporate who actually wins the regional conflict.
- Sell-side firms like Goldman Sachs have repeatedly revised Hormuz normalization timelines (April, May, June, July) without acknowledging underlying geopolitical uncertainties.
- Oil market fundamentals have shifted fundamentally—assuming mystical forces will guide regional stability or conflict will subside is wishful thinking.
- Traditional models predicting production recovery ignore new conflict dynamics and require explicit war-outcome scenarios.
💬 New thread from Le Shrub
PRIORITYLe Shrub from Reminiscences of a Shrub Operator
- Prior BABA call trade (June, Sept $120 calls bought at $2) generated 40% stock rally with profitable exits at 3x and 5x returns.
- Current opportunity in Oct $120 calls trading at $1.70 with stock at $108, one week before Trump-Xi summit.
- Positioning for potential Xi Jinping political positioning changes and trade policy shifts.
Niall Ferguson: Is Peace at Hand in Ukraine?
PRIORITYThe Free Press
- Russian drone strike near Polish border aimed to intimidate Western delegation including Boris Johnson and David Petraeus.
- Ukraine faces grim economic and political situation despite faint diplomatic progress signs from Yalta European Strategy meeting.
- Putin employs strategy of drone incursions, sabotage, and cyberattacks against multiple NATO members with apparent impunity.
💬 New thread from PauloMacro
PRIORITYPauloMacro’s Substack
- Federal Reserve's shortened FOMC presser signaled hawkish pivot with messaging about 'removing accommodation' rather than 'modestly restrictive' policy.
- Fed Chair Kevin Warsh delivered clearer, more direct communication (30-minute presser, shortest in history) signaling more rate hikes ahead.
- Dollar positioning shifted bullish from Fed messaging for first time in extended period, though cross-currency flows create offsetting pressures.
The Hike We Need
PRIORITYLord Fed from Lord Fed's Gazette
- The recent Fed hike was a credibility-restoration move rather than the start of an aggressive hiking cycle, with long rates doing the heavy lifting.
- Market pricing may be overestimating future rate hikes, leaving room for equity rallies as expectations reset lower.
- Focus is expected to shift back to earnings as the initial monetary policy shock settles.
Culture · 15
You Only Have One Penis
Jared Dillian from We're Gonna Get Those Bastards
- A 14-year-old's warning—"you only have one penis"—encodes wisdom about resource allocation and the limits of personal capacity.
- The author uses this anecdote to critique overwork culture and advise high-effort entrepreneurs to delegate rather than attempting to produce all revenue personally.
- Recognizing finite resources allows grinders and strivers to shift from execution to management and scale their impact.
Stylish glassware, a gift-worthy potluck tote, and my office chair upgrade
Amanda Hesser from Homeward
- Amanda Hesser explores alternatives to homeownership, including friends selling their house to buy and live on a boat for extended travel.
- The piece discusses curated home goods and furniture upgrades, including mouth-blown goblets and vintage office chair selections.
- Reader feedback challenges the premise of home ownership itself, offering perspective on whether real estate investment compares favorably to experiential alternatives.
Healthy Homemade Snickers Bars
Alisa | That Tastes Delish from That Tastes Delish
- Detailed recipe for homemade Snickers bars using protein powder, monkfruit sweetener, and natural peanuts as a healthier alternative to commercial candy.
- Instructions cover three components: cookie base, caramel filling, and chocolate coating with precise measurements and temperature guidance.
- The recipe accommodates dietary preferences with gluten-free flour options and specific sweetener recommendations (allulose over erythritol for better taste).
White Liberal Parents
The Grand Strategy from Khaled Hassan
- Argues that white liberal parents have promoted ideology eroding traditional Western values, free speech, and community institutions.
- Claims this ideological shift has contributed to social fragmentation, turning societies into 'islands of strangers' without collective identity.
- Positions cultural critique around defense of Western civilizational foundations against perceived ideological erosion.
John Galliano, the Met, and the Case for Beauty Beyond the Artist
Restoring the West by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
- John Galliano's 2010-2011 racist remarks warranted immediate consequences, but permanent exclusion contradicts principles of accountability paired with redemption.
- After 15 years of rehabilitation, public apology, and behavioral change, Galliano's past should not entirely define his artistic legacy or professional future.
- The Met's cancellation of his exhibition raises difficult questions about whether society should allow space for genuine contrition and restoration alongside accountability.
The Demonisation Of Ed Sheeran
John Aziz
- Ed Sheeran faced massive backlash and abandonment by tour support acts after dropping Macklemore from his North American tour.
- Social media has depicted Sheeran with antisemitic caricatures and violent imagery including demonic and weaponized representations.
- The author argues the level of vitriol and demonization directed at Sheeran is abnormal and disproportionate to the reported incident.
They Took the Chemical Out of Your Dress Shirt. Then They Went After the Suit.
Built in Israel. For everyone. from Mitch's Substack
- Non-iron dress shirts contain formaldehyde-releasing resin cure, a known human carcinogen not disclosed on labels.
- U.S. clothing labels are not required to disclose formaldehyde treatment despite GAO findings, creating hidden health exposure.
- Israeli startup developed formaldehyde-free alternative matching $250 European shirt quality at quarter the price.
- Regulatory gap allows chemical treatments to hide under generic labels like 'easy care' and 'wrinkle-free'.
Secrets of great conversation, Oscar Wilde’s annoying brother, new prized possession
James Marriott from Cultural Capital
- Author shares personal travel plans to Nepal inspired by an intense dream and discusses upcoming holiday after minimal time off this year.
- Reflects on creative AI's specific psychological impact on human self-esteem and ego, comparing modern disruption to the Copernican Revolution.
- Essay draws parallel between AI-driven existential questions and historical scientific paradigm shifts that reshaped human identity.
- Combines personal narrative with cultural commentary on technology's role in 21st-century meaning-making.
A Trip to the ER -- and a Public Service Message
Chris Arnade Walks the World
- Author describes an undiagnosed chest pain that escalated into an emergency room visit, offering firsthand account of healthcare experience.
- Uses personal anecdote about avoiding medical knowledge to illustrate how people rationalize symptoms and delay seeking care.
- Framed as a public service message about recognizing serious health warning signs beyond assumed minor causes.
8 LIES You've BELIEVED Your Whole Life
Nobody Talks About This
- International study finds average erect length is approximately 13.1 cm, debunking common myths about male anatomy.
- Many women require clitoral rather than penetrative stimulation for orgasm; sexual desire and capability vary by individual stress, hormones, and relationships.
- Sexual skill and satisfaction are not determined by anatomical size but by communication, knowledge, and emotional connection.
My Favorite Philip K. Dick Novels
Ted Gioia
- Philip K. Dick novels have shifted from escapist entertainment to allegorical warnings about contemporary reality and simulated worlds.
- Dick's exploration of illusion, hallucination, and constructed realities functions as social commentary on modern existence.
- Selection of seven Philip K. Dick novels recommended as must-read works for understanding current times.
The ice cream shopper
Mark Phillips from The Till
- Author reflects on formative first job experience scooping ice cream and lessons learned about quality and customer service.
- Small business operated wholesale premium ice cream ($8/pint) with direct Madagascar vanilla and extra fatty milk in pre-organic mainstream era.
- Personal anecdote serves as foundation for broader discussion of market structure and liquidity principles.
Now the music industry is against cancel culture?
PAIDWinston Marshall
- Ed Sheeran removed Macklemore from his Loop Tour after the artist made pro-Palestine statements at MetLife Stadium.
- Multiple support acts including Lukas Graham, Aaron Rowe, and Finneas pulled out in solidarity with Macklemore over the cancellation.
- The post critiques what it frames as selective application of anti-cancel-culture principles by the music industry.
Tahini-Maple Cookies
Rosie from Milk Street Cooking School
- Author received a care package of corn-based miso (maizo) varieties from Yoli Tortilleria with white, yellow, and red corn koji.
- Developed a Tahini-Maple Cookie recipe using buckwheat and millet flours, olive oil, and white maizo for an earthy fall cookie.
- The maizo imparts qualities similar to a blend of white miso and fresh masa with hominy-like depth.
Keep promises on your bad days
Sara
- High expectations built on best-case scenarios often lead to broken commitments and eroded self-trust when life disrupts plans.
- Perfectionists frequently respond to falling short by abandoning systems entirely rather than adjusting expectations, creating negative self-narratives.
- The key is maintaining foundational promises on bad days rather than pursuing perfect execution on good ones.
Politics · 15
How the Muslim Brotherhood Captured South Africa
Restoring the West by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
- The Muslim Brotherhood's influence extends globally beyond the Middle East, with strategic footholds established as far as South Africa through patient, disciplined infiltration.
- After Egypt banned the Brotherhood in 1954, key leaders like Yusuf al-Qaradawi fled to Qatar, where they built an ideological network institutionalized in the International Union of Muslim Scholars.
- The Brotherhood operates as a long-term global project leveraging diaspora networks, state patronage, and institutional structures to extend geopolitical influence.
Imperialism Abroad
Rudy Havenstein from A Havenstein Moment.
- Examines historical Democratic warnings about imperialism abroad leading to despotism at home, drawing parallels to current events.
- Discusses AI's impact on education and critical thinking, citing concerns about student reliance on AI-generated content.
- Touches on political dissatisfaction across the political spectrum and issues with cognitive dissonance in evaluating state actions.
Friday Five (September 18, 2026)
Ruy Teixeira and Michael Baharaeen
- Weekly curated selection of five notable journalism pieces on politics, culture, and current events from the past week.
- Features Karl Rove's endorsement of a Texas Democrat candidate and analysis of divisive political rhetoric.
- Highlights ongoing political polarization and the role of identity politics in campaign messaging.
US Markets - Five Points
Derek Wallis
- U.S. markets slightly higher on light news with commentary on 'No. 8 wire' problem-solving mentality.
- Speculative scenario: 2032 AOC presidency requisitions Elon Musk's robots to 'flatten the AI curve'.
- Broader cultural commentary on generational mental health crisis reflected in student behavioral changes.
- Author interviews gym owner with dramatic off-record incidents revealing societal tensions.
Why Don’t More Independents Run in Big Cities?
Free Agent Politics by John Halpin
- Republicans control trifectas in 23 states while Democrats control 16, creating one-party dominance in many regions.
- Independent candidates emerge in deep-red states due to Democrat weakness, but parallel phenomenon absent in deep-blue cities.
- Electoral weakness of opposition parties in one-party states eliminates viable landing spots for dissatisfied voters.
- Structural imbalance in party competition creates asymmetric incentives for independent candidacies across red vs. blue jurisdictions.
The Takaichi Imperative
Jesper Koll @ Japan Optimist
- Prime Minister Takaichi rules Japan with iron-fist determination and urgency more aligned with Meiji Restoration ambition than post-war consensus politics.
- Cabinet selection process requires all LDP parliamentarians to submit letters detailing desired positions and specific accomplishments—complete break from old-boy faction negotiations.
- Merit, ambition, and accountability now determine appointments instead of seniority and factional balance.
- Style and process changes signal Takaichi's intent to fundamentally restructure how power is exercised in Japanese politics.
Charlie Kirk Didn't Even Believe In Race (Now on Video)
Kaizen Asiedu
- Creator is shifting focus from short-form to long-form video to build durable content libraries beyond ephemeral platform cycles.
- New video essay examines five major historical distortions about Charlie Kirk's statements on race with archival clips and data.
- Substack remains the primary archive for complete analysis; YouTube videos serve as enhanced visual adaptations of written essays.
Palestinian Psychiatrist From Gaza Calls For An End To The Culture Of “Dehumanisation”
John Aziz
- Palestinian psychiatrist discusses how Hamas normalized violence through hatred education in schools, mosques, and media.
- Dehumanization of Jewish people as villains justified October 7 attacks; post-war sentiment shows growing recognition of this damage across Palestinian society.
- Culture of dehumanization is not unique to Palestine but reflects a broader pattern of how societies can be conditioned toward violence.
Inside The Woke Rot At Cambridge University - Former Student Uncovers
PAIDWinston Marshall
- Interview with Cambridge University Women Society founder examines woke ideology and free speech erosion at UK's premier institution.
- Discussion covers DEI initiatives, merit-based admissions decline, and ideological polarization among Gen Z at the university.
- Explores how progressive institutional capture affects student experience and intellectual freedom at elite educational institutions.
AfD Are Not Neo-Nazis, But...
Shana Meyerson from Unapologetically Jewish
- AfD achieved 44% vote share in Saxony-Anhalt with 78% turnout, marking far-right breakthrough in Germany despite strict anti-Nazi laws.
- Holocaust survivor Charlotte Knobloch received death threats following election results.
- Discussion of whether AfD qualifies as neo-Nazi organization with implications for European political dynamics.
A Conversation with Austin Ruse: Defending Human Dignity at the UN
Restoring the West by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
- Austin Ruse and C-Fam defend national sovereignty and Judeo-Christian human dignity against UN global governance initiatives.
- Progressive actors use UN arena to advance secularist human rights vision beyond reach of national electorates.
- C-Fam challenges false understanding of international law regarding rights like abortion that lack legitimate UN basis.
What This Country Needs Is More Conservative Democrats!
Ruy Teixeira and Michael Baharaeen
- Democratic Party composition shifted dramatically from 28% liberal in 2000 to 59% liberal by 2024, with conservative Democrats dropping from 24% to 8%.
- Liberals now outnumber moderate/conservative Democrats by a 7-to-1 ratio, fundamentally changing party power dynamics.
- The authors argue the party needs more conservative Democrats to broaden appeal and reclaim lost moderate voters.
Why the BBC stopped listening to ordinary people
Jonathan Sacerdoti
- BBC Radio Lancashire journalist Sean McGinty lost his job after 22 years for challenging the broadcaster's coverage of Hamas, Israel, and October 7.
- McGinty's dismissal raises questions about editorial independence and whether the BBC listens to staff concerns about institutional bias.
- The case illustrates tensions between organizational narratives and individual journalist perspectives on Middle East coverage.
Can agents buy from your product? Three questions that tell you. Plus: Nate's Library MCP.
Nate from Nate’s Substack
- The Iran conflict is accelerating breakdown of the international order as Middle Eastern governments question US security guarantees.
- Gulf rulers must recalculate defense assumptions and commitments made under previous US protection frameworks.
- Britain is reinforcing strategic vulnerability by maintaining complex intelligence relationships while straining ties with key allies.
Keep Pretending Nothing is Wrong
Mark Hasman
- Trump's trade war with Canada risks damaging relationships with longtime allies while praising authoritarian regimes like North Korea.
- Hypocrisy in body positivity standards: Sydney Sweeney faced backlash for a sports gambling ad while ESPN's nude athlete issues faced no similar criticism.
- Double standards reveal selective outrage based on context rather than consistent ethical principles.
Macro · 8
the fiscal war.
Hugh Hendry
- The U.S. fiscal deficit doesn't get resolved but rerouted through legislation like the GENIUS, CLARITY, and anti-CBDC acts.
- America is systematically building digital infrastructure to move financial transactions from the physical world into digital systems, bypassing traditional global financial centers.
- By the time mainstream financial press notices this structural shift, prices will have already moved and the shift will be recast as obvious in retrospect.
Gold caused the Great Depression
Gold and geopolitics
- The gold standard is often scapegoated as the cause of the Great Depression, but Liaquat Ahamed's *Lords of Finance* actually indicts specific bankers' policy choices, not gold itself.
- Countries that abandoned the gold standard early (Britain in 1931) recovered faster, suggesting the constraint itself was problematic under the circumstances.
- The real story is more nuanced than a simple "gold caused the Depression" narrative; it involves the interactions of policy, institutions, and human decisions.
BoJ Ueda: Virtually no chance of an October hike
Japan Macro Advisors
- BoJ Governor Ueda signaled virtually zero chance of October rate hike, dampening market speculation.
- 0.5% hike or consecutive rate increases reserved only for emergency inflation scenarios well above target.
- Ueda forcefully messaging that central bank responsibility is preventing crisis, not speculating on drastic measures.
- Market expectations for near-term hikes appear disconnected from BoJ communication and policy path.
A hard money Fed will collide with the mother of all AI credit bubble in 2027
Matein Khalid from Matein’s Substack
- Author predicts September 2026 rate hike will trigger major market dislocation comparable to 2008, 2001, and 1992 financial crises.
- Hard money Federal Reserve policy will collide with massive AI-driven credit bubble, creating systemic financial risk.
- Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary faces $40 trillion debt burden amid unwinnable geopolitical conflicts constraining financing options.
- Global monetary system faces breakdown as strangers withdraw bankrolling of unsustainable US fiscal positions.
Managed Independence is Everywhere
Jeremy McKeown from Hypernormal Times
- Bank of Japan raised policy rate to 1.25% after Scott Bessent signaled US currency defense in exchange for tightening.
- Two dissenting BOJ votes from Takaichi appointees signal administration wants looser policy, causing yen to weaken toward ¥157 despite rate hike.
- Market interpreted dissents as proof BOJ cannot deliver October hike, with yen potentially revisiting 160.
- Bessent's influence over global monetary policy faces credibility test as Japan's policy intentions diverge from tightening rhetoric.
From One Policy Error To The Next
Capital Flows
- Risk cannot be destroyed, only transferred between nominal and real purchasing power constraints across global markets.
- Policymakers and market participants misinterpret macro mechanics, creating policy errors that drive capital flows.
- Both nominal and real constraints operate simultaneously, creating mechanical drivers for how capital moves through the system.
The Fed Just Hiked Rates. The Bond Market Disagreed.
Rebel Capitalist News Desk
- Fed raised rates 25bp to 3.75-4% but bond market rejected hawkish signal with 10-year yields falling instead.
- Inflation driven by supply shock (oil near $105, diesel above $6/gallon) rather than demand boom; quarter-point hike ineffective.
- Economic fundamentals weak with lower payroll revisions, 1.5% real growth, and shrinking workforce suggesting potential deflationary bust.
The Hike Isn’t the Aggressive Part
Global Macro Method
- Fed raised rates to 3.75–4.00% with market pricing suggesting three more hikes and minimal easing through 2027, requiring sustained inflation and demand resilience.
- Higher oil prices create tension: they support hawkish policy initially but elevated energy and borrowing costs can weaken demand needed to sustain the rate path.
- Author questions whether the full sequence of hikes and persistently high rates can be delivered, despite believing the next individual hike is justified.
AI · 8
The Heretic’s Guide to AI’s Stars Part IV: The Big 5 Hyperscalers & the Missing $3 Trillion
Michael Burry
- Wall Street analyst price targets often peak near market tops because analysts get overexcited and set unrealistic targets during bull markets.
- The Big 5 hyperscalers are entering a new paradigm that requires deeper analysis than Wall Street's sell-side models currently provide.
- There is approximately $3 trillion in missing value or miscalculation in how hyperscaler fundamentals are being assessed relative to AI's infrastructure demands.
The real reason Trump is standing behind AI — and the latest example of why that might turn out to be a bad idea
Gary Marcus from Marcus on AI
- Trump is downplaying AI fears and resisting regulation for economic reasons, prioritizing industry growth over safety concerns.
- Author previously warned the US Senate that AI-generated inaccurate information could trigger an accidental war, citing recent examples.
- Highlights pattern of AI risks being underestimated while economic benefits drive policy decisions.
Oppenheimer, Inc.
Scott Galloway
- A 27-year-old AI researcher's resignation from a frontier lab sparked global panic, drawing commentary from former presidents and lab leaders.
- Parallels the situation to Oppenheimer's development of nuclear weapons, questioning governance of transformative technologies.
- Argues that small players capture economic upside while public bears the downside risks of powerful AI systems.
Wake up, people. What we should actually fear, near term, is not so much rogue superintelligence as unleashed agen…
Gary Marcus from Marcus on AI
- The immediate threat from AI is not superintelligence but loose autonomous agents operating without adequate safeguards in the near term.
- Recent incidents demonstrate that regulatory and safety frameworks are failing to keep pace with rapid AI deployment.
- Federal oversight gaps leave vulnerable points where AI systems can cause significant economic and social disruption before containment.
QNT: The 100× Question
Nick Nemeth from Mispriced Assets
- Quantum computing could provide exponential value to AI models by handling molecular calculations that classical GPU/ASIC methods cannot solve economically.
- The author spent 2-3 months researching quantum computing and Quantinuum (QNT) after previously dismissing the technology, finding it has genuinely incredible applications.
- Quantum processors could help pharmaceutical, energy, and chemical companies make better design decisions by providing superior calculation capabilities for complex problems.
Nuance Labs Is Betting That Text Broke AI Conversation 🗣️
Linas from Linas's Newsletter
- Nuance Labs raised $50M Series A from Lightspeed, NVIDIA, and others despite having no product in market yet.
- Company founded by three ex-Apple researchers argues that text-based AI breaks conversational agents because it strips away hesitation, gaze, rhythm, and facial cues.
- Pitch deck contains no traction figures, benchmarks, market size, or customer logos—central thesis is that eliminating text improves agent naturalness.
- Visual agents currently combine speech-to-text, language models, text-to-speech, and animation sequentially, creating a disjointed experience.
Liability, regulation, and AI’s new false dichotomy
Gary Marcus from Marcus on AI
- AI companies must be held liable for damage they cause, but technolibertarians wrongly use liability as argument against regulation.
- Liability without appropriate regulation is pointless; both frameworks are necessary to govern AI's societal risks.
- Mark Cuban highlights the key challenge: determining which authority can correctly write and enforce AI-specific laws in this new landscape.
How to improve your skills with evals
Khe Hy
- LLM evaluations work well for verifiable tasks but struggle with subjective domains like sentiment analysis that require nuanced judgment.
- Traditional binary yes/no testing fails for knowledge work requiring human interpretation and consistency across evaluators.
- Building unbiased and repeatable evaluation frameworks for subjective outputs remains a key challenge in LLM workflows.