Six months remaining of 2020 – a lot of weird shit can still happen

When Europeans talk about “the crazy year”, many will remember 1848 from history lessons. And indeed it was a turbulent year with new ideas and revolutions spreading across the continent like wildfire. But if the second half of 2020 turns out to be even remotely similar to the first half, it’s possible that 2020 will become our new “global crazy year”. If not in the history books, then at least in the minds of our generation.

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Thinking about existential risks is the extreme version of negative visualization

Today I listened to the latest episode (#208) of the Making Sense Podcast, where Sam Harris speaks with Oxford University philosopher Toby Ord about existential risks and preserving the long term future of humanity. All I can say is: phew, that episode was a tough two hour exercise in negative visualization. But a useful one, which I will recommend to anyone.

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Teaching our kids how to lead and how to solve interesting problems

I think the key questions are the following: Do we have a clear understanding of what kind of skills (i.e. metaskills) we should teach our kids, so that they can thrive and succeed in a future where automation and robotization are ubiquitous? And are we doing the necessary changes to our schooling systems in order to get us in the right direction?

I fear that the answer to both questions is no.

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A few thoughts on Apple's $1.5 trillion market cap

On Wednesday June 10th, as Nasdaq hit a new all-time high of 10,020, Apple also made history when its stock price went up to $352. With that price Apple became the first US company to reach a $1.5 trillion market capitalization. With the current erratic behavior of the stock market, who knows what happens next. it could very well be that Apple hits the $2 trillion milestone a lot sooner than anybody thinks.

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The future of self-tracking is continous auto-tracking of everything

Self-tracking isn’t a new thing in itself, as people have been keeping diaries and documenting their thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and various measurements for centuries. Today, self-tracking is of course on a completely different level thanks to wearables and smart software, but it’s safe to say that even this is just the beginning.

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With AR glasses we truly become Kevin Kelly’s "People of the Screen"

The screen I spend most time with is my phone. But just imagine what happens when AR glasses take over many of the functions of the phone. I’m not talking about those clunky VR headsets that separate you from the surroundings. I’m talking about the sleek and stylish design glasses that Apple is rumored to launch soon. Glasses that constantly provide you with information and interactive content, overlaying it on top of the real world.

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Self-Driving Cars a Game Changer for Insurance Companies

How would you feel if 40% of your business would be at risk of slowly melting away? That’s exactly the situation most property and casualty (P&C) insurance companies are facing. Autonomous driving is despite all the social benefits an obvious threat to the bread and butter business of insurers.

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