Weekly Review #153 - VR groping, Defending Rand, and Blue Man Tell-all
Got to practice some more kitesurfing this week with a trainer kite. So much fun to harness the power of the wind, even on land. Addictive but tough.
Fun fact - it's cheaper to fly to the Caribbean and take a kitesurfing intro class than it is to take the intro class in SF (around $450). Just gotta find the time!
Tech
My first virtual reality groping
Woman gets 'groped' (avatar pretends to grope her avatar) in VR and swears off it. It's not real groping, but it can make you just as uncomfortable.
Interesting to see how this plays out. In VR people can make their own rules for how avatars can interact. I foresee there being 'safe space' worlds where even catcalling is impossible, and others where anything goes on purpose.
Uber wants to take over public transit, one small town at a time
Uber is getting funding from city governments to augment their bus routes. But what about those without smartphones and credit cards?
Given that they're doing it cheaper and more efficiently than the governments, I'd bet theres ways to foster inclusion. This is textbook public vs private (better hope they don't go evil capitalist thought!)
Silicon Valley’s Most Disturbing Obsession
In which some Vanity Fair writer says young SV leaders aren't fit to lead because they admire Ayn Rand. But he doesn't make any real argument other than equating Randians with sociopaths.
Can someone please link me to a comprehensive takedown of Randism? What's the anti-Atlas Shrugged? This Quora answer is a good start - there's good and bad in her arguments, to be sure.
Growth Hacking Secrets for 2017
This Vincent Dignan guy skews a tad preposterous, but he knows his stuff. Lots of tactical tips in this presentation. Software, posting times, crowdfunding, email scraping, the works.
Lifehacks
The Exit Interview: I Spent 12 Years in the Blue Man Group
Some fun facts here. It's a very unique art form to be a Blue Man - equal parts drummer and improv actor.
Nameless SV investor blogs about enlightenment. You're a weight on a pendulum, being drawn towards or away from your origin point by your attachments in life. Love the metaphor!
Fun
Conventional Wisdom | Arthur Drooker
Fun photo book exploring odd conventions (like Furry cons and whatnot) and what it means to belong.
Curated list of art inspired by Emojis - super clever!
Nothing good ever happens after 2 am - unless you read this book, apparently. We'll see about that.