Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/29/the-weekly/jeffrey-epstein-secret-videos.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
December 01, 2019 at 02:55AM
A mysterious man told us he had surveillance footage from Jeffrey Epstein’s properties. Then his story took a turn.
Saturday, November 30, 2019
Twitter Permanently Suspends Accounts of Ilhan Omar’s Potential Challenger
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/30/us/Danielle-Stella-Twitter-Ilhan-Omar.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 30, 2019 at 11:54PM
Danielle Stella, a Republican, suggested on Twitter that Ms. Omar be tried for treason and hanged.
November 30, 2019 at 11:54PM
Danielle Stella, a Republican, suggested on Twitter that Ms. Omar be tried for treason and hanged.
Prime Mover: How Amazon Wove Itself Into the Life of an American City
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/30/business/amazon-baltimore.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 30, 2019 at 05:48PM
For most people, it’s the click that brings a package to their door. But a look at Baltimore shows how Amazon may now reach into Americans’ daily existence in more ways than any corporation in history.
November 30, 2019 at 05:48PM
For most people, it’s the click that brings a package to their door. But a look at Baltimore shows how Amazon may now reach into Americans’ daily existence in more ways than any corporation in history.
What to Consider Before Trading Your Health Data for Cash
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/smarter-living/wirecutter/what-to-consider-before-trading-your-health-data-for-cash.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 30, 2019 at 08:19AM
Don’t trade away your health data without considering the potential issues first.
November 30, 2019 at 08:19AM
Don’t trade away your health data without considering the potential issues first.
Black Friday 2019: What You Need to Know
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/29/business/black-friday-2019.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 30, 2019 at 01:06AM
Whether you’re hitting the stores or buying online from your couch, we’re here to see you through all the doorbuster deals and Black Friday blowouts.
November 30, 2019 at 01:06AM
Whether you’re hitting the stores or buying online from your couch, we’re here to see you through all the doorbuster deals and Black Friday blowouts.
Here’s What’s Happening in the American Teenage Bedroom
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/29/style/the-clout.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 29, 2019 at 03:12PM
Rowan Winch is 15. He’s a businessman.
November 29, 2019 at 03:12PM
Rowan Winch is 15. He’s a businessman.
When Is a Star Not Always a Star? When It’s an Online Review
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/28/business/online-reviews-fake.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 28, 2019 at 08:57PM
Customer reviews are incredibly important in e-commerce, but they can be unreliable or downright dishonest.
November 28, 2019 at 08:57PM
Customer reviews are incredibly important in e-commerce, but they can be unreliable or downright dishonest.
Apple, Bowing to Russian Pressure, Recognizes Crimea Annexation on Map
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/28/world/europe/crimea-apple-maps-russia.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 28, 2019 at 01:41PM
The tech giant, following Google and others, has bowed to Russian demands that its apps not show Crimea as belonging to Ukraine on digital maps seen in Russia.
November 28, 2019 at 01:41PM
The tech giant, following Google and others, has bowed to Russian demands that its apps not show Crimea as belonging to Ukraine on digital maps seen in Russia.
TikTok Reverses Ban on Teen Who Slammed China’s Muslim Crackdown
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/technology/tiktok-censorship-apology.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 28, 2019 at 06:21AM
The video app said it would review its policies after a 17-year-old in New Jersey who discussed Chinese detention camps was locked out of her account.
November 28, 2019 at 06:21AM
The video app said it would review its policies after a 17-year-old in New Jersey who discussed Chinese detention camps was locked out of her account.
U.S. Closes Wireless Collusion Investigation With No Charges
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/technology/verizon-att-collusion.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 28, 2019 at 12:53AM
AT&T, Verizon and other wireless carriers agreed to let consumers use a technology that makes it easier to switch carriers, the Justice Department said.
November 28, 2019 at 12:53AM
AT&T, Verizon and other wireless carriers agreed to let consumers use a technology that makes it easier to switch carriers, the Justice Department said.
‘I Think This Guy Is, Like, Passed Out in His Tesla’
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/magazine/tesla-autopilot-sleeping.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 28, 2019 at 12:06AM
What should we make of videos that seem to show Tesla drivers napping while their cars zip along on Autopilot?
November 28, 2019 at 12:06AM
What should we make of videos that seem to show Tesla drivers napping while their cars zip along on Autopilot?
Let’s Give Them Something — Anything — to Talk About
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/style/self-care/conversation-starters-thanksgiving.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 05:48PM
Your family is boring. There’s an app, or card game, for that.
November 27, 2019 at 05:48PM
Your family is boring. There’s an app, or card game, for that.
A Walk on the Frontier of Art, Where the Sky Is the Limit
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/arts/augmented-reality-exhibitions.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 01:00PM
Augmented reality and virtual reality are opening doors to new experiences for artists and the public.
November 27, 2019 at 01:00PM
Augmented reality and virtual reality are opening doors to new experiences for artists and the public.
When Mom Slams a Brand on Instagram
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/business/mommy-influencers.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 04:32PM
Mom influencers hold great sway over their loyal audiences. So how much research should they do before criticizing a company?
November 26, 2019 at 04:32PM
Mom influencers hold great sway over their loyal audiences. So how much research should they do before criticizing a company?
They See You When You’re Shopping
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/style/powerfront-software-ecommerce-cartoons.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 03:36PM
How Sephora, Gucci, Kiehl’s and more track about 20 million online shoppers every day. (Spoiler: with cartoons.)
November 26, 2019 at 03:36PM
How Sephora, Gucci, Kiehl’s and more track about 20 million online shoppers every day. (Spoiler: with cartoons.)
Uber Is Fighting to Survive in London After Losing Its License
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/business/uber-london.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 10:53AM
The company is at odds with regulators and drivers of traditional cabs in its most lucrative European market.
November 26, 2019 at 10:53AM
The company is at odds with regulators and drivers of traditional cabs in its most lucrative European market.
Google Fires 4 Workers Active in Labor Organizing
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/technology/google-fires-workers.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 03:20AM
A company memo said they had been dismissed “for clear and repeated violations of our data security policies.”
November 26, 2019 at 03:20AM
A company memo said they had been dismissed “for clear and repeated violations of our data security policies.”
StubHub Sold to Smaller Rival Viagogo for Over $4 Billion
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/business/stubhub-viagogo-ebay-sale.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 10:55PM
The merger will create a giant in the secondary market for game and concert tickets. But the music industry seems skeptical that the deal is good for fans.
November 25, 2019 at 10:55PM
The merger will create a giant in the secondary market for game and concert tickets. But the music industry seems skeptical that the deal is good for fans.
Scientists Created Fake Rhino Horn. But Should We Use It?
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/science/synthetic-rhino-horn.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 06:31PM
Experts are divided over whether flooding the Asian market with convincing artificial rhino horn would help or hurt rhinos’ survival.
November 25, 2019 at 06:31PM
Experts are divided over whether flooding the Asian market with convincing artificial rhino horn would help or hurt rhinos’ survival.
When Instagram Killed the Tabloid Star
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/arts/celebrity-instagram.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 08:03AM
In the 2010s, celebrity culture was domesticated by a free photo sharing app, and the paparazzi were left stranded on the pavement.
November 25, 2019 at 08:03AM
In the 2010s, celebrity culture was domesticated by a free photo sharing app, and the paparazzi were left stranded on the pavement.
Internet Companies Prepare to Fight the ‘Deepfake’ Future
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/technology/tech-companies-deepfakes.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 03:46AM
Researchers are creating tools to find A.I.-generated fake videos before they become impossible to detect. Some experts fear it is a losing battle.
November 25, 2019 at 03:46AM
Researchers are creating tools to find A.I.-generated fake videos before they become impossible to detect. Some experts fear it is a losing battle.
Newscaster’s Errant Email Calling in Sick Gets National Attention
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/us/nick-vasos-sick-email.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 24, 2019 at 10:07PM
Colleagues at many of Nexstar Media Group’s nearly 200 television stations jokingly offered prayers and created a shrine for Nick Vasos, who started trending on Twitter.
November 24, 2019 at 10:07PM
Colleagues at many of Nexstar Media Group’s nearly 200 television stations jokingly offered prayers and created a shrine for Nick Vasos, who started trending on Twitter.
Twitter Permanently Suspends Accounts of Ilhan Omar’s Potential Challenger
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/30/us/Danielle-Stella-Twitter-Ilhan-Omar.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 30, 2019 at 11:54PM
Danielle Stella, a Republican, suggested on Twitter that Ms. Omar be tried for treason and hanged.
November 30, 2019 at 11:54PM
Danielle Stella, a Republican, suggested on Twitter that Ms. Omar be tried for treason and hanged.
Prime Mover: How Amazon Wove Itself Into the Life of an American City
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/30/business/amazon-baltimore.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 30, 2019 at 02:00PM
For most people, it’s the click that brings a package to their door. But a look at Baltimore shows how Amazon may now reach into Americans’ daily existence in more ways than any corporation in history.
November 30, 2019 at 02:00PM
For most people, it’s the click that brings a package to their door. But a look at Baltimore shows how Amazon may now reach into Americans’ daily existence in more ways than any corporation in history.
Friday, November 29, 2019
Black Friday 2019: The Holiday Shopping Season Begins
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/29/business/black-friday-2019.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 29, 2019 at 03:13PM
Whether you’re hitting the stores or buying online from your couch, we’re here to see you through all the doorbuster deals and Black Friday blowouts.
November 29, 2019 at 03:13PM
Whether you’re hitting the stores or buying online from your couch, we’re here to see you through all the doorbuster deals and Black Friday blowouts.
Here’s What’s Happening in the American Teenage Bedroom
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/29/style/the-clout.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 29, 2019 at 03:12PM
Rowan Winch is 15. He’s a businessman.
November 29, 2019 at 03:12PM
Rowan Winch is 15. He’s a businessman.
The Hunt for Jeffrey Epstein’s Hidden Files
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/29/the-weekly/jeffrey-epstein-secret-videos.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 29, 2019 at 01:23PM
A mysterious man told us he had surveillance footage from Jeffrey Epstein’s properties. Then his story took a turn.
November 29, 2019 at 01:23PM
A mysterious man told us he had surveillance footage from Jeffrey Epstein’s properties. Then his story took a turn.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019
‘I Think This Guy Is, Like, Passed Out in His Tesla’
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/magazine/tesla-autopilot-sleeping.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 28, 2019 at 12:06AM
What should we make of videos that seem to show Tesla drivers napping while their cars zip along on Autopilot?
November 28, 2019 at 12:06AM
What should we make of videos that seem to show Tesla drivers napping while their cars zip along on Autopilot?
What to Consider Before Trading Your Health Data for Cash
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/smarter-living/wirecutter/what-to-consider-before-trading-your-health-data-for-cash.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 06:30PM
Don’t trade away your health data without considering the potential issues first.
November 27, 2019 at 06:30PM
Don’t trade away your health data without considering the potential issues first.
Let’s Give Them Something — Anything — to Talk About
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/style/self-care/conversation-starters-thanksgiving.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 05:48PM
Your family is boring. There’s an app, or card game, for that.
November 27, 2019 at 05:48PM
Your family is boring. There’s an app, or card game, for that.
A Walk on the Frontier of Art, Where the Sky Is the Limit
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/arts/augmented-reality-exhibitions.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 01:00PM
Augmented reality and virtual reality are opening doors to new experiences for artists and the public.
November 27, 2019 at 01:00PM
Augmented reality and virtual reality are opening doors to new experiences for artists and the public.
When Mom Slams a Brand on Instagram
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/business/mommy-influencers.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 04:32PM
Mom influencers hold great sway over their loyal audiences. So how much research should they do before criticizing a company?
November 26, 2019 at 04:32PM
Mom influencers hold great sway over their loyal audiences. So how much research should they do before criticizing a company?
They See You When You’re Shopping
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/style/powerfront-software-ecommerce-cartoons.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 03:36PM
How Sephora, Gucci, Kiehl’s and more track about 20 million online shoppers every day. (Spoiler: with cartoons.)
November 26, 2019 at 03:36PM
How Sephora, Gucci, Kiehl’s and more track about 20 million online shoppers every day. (Spoiler: with cartoons.)
Uber Is Fighting to Survive in London After Losing Its License
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/business/uber-london.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 10:53AM
The company is at odds with regulators and drivers of traditional cabs in its most lucrative European market.
November 26, 2019 at 10:53AM
The company is at odds with regulators and drivers of traditional cabs in its most lucrative European market.
Google Fires 4 Workers Active in Labor Organizing
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/technology/google-fires-workers.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 03:20AM
A company memo said they had been dismissed “for clear and repeated violations of our data security policies.”
November 26, 2019 at 03:20AM
A company memo said they had been dismissed “for clear and repeated violations of our data security policies.”
StubHub Sold to Smaller Rival Viagogo for Over $4 Billion
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/business/stubhub-viagogo-ebay-sale.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 10:55PM
The merger will create a giant in the secondary market for game and concert tickets. But the music industry seems skeptical that the deal is good for fans.
November 25, 2019 at 10:55PM
The merger will create a giant in the secondary market for game and concert tickets. But the music industry seems skeptical that the deal is good for fans.
Scientists Created Fake Rhino Horn. But Should We Use It?
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/science/synthetic-rhino-horn.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 06:31PM
Experts are divided over whether flooding the Asian market with convincing artificial rhino horn would help or hurt rhinos’ survival.
November 25, 2019 at 06:31PM
Experts are divided over whether flooding the Asian market with convincing artificial rhino horn would help or hurt rhinos’ survival.
Mark Cuban Buys Democracy.com
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/technology/mark-cuban-democracy.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 05:03PM
The billionaire said he bought the domain name this month “to make sure someone didn’t do something crazy with it.”
November 25, 2019 at 05:03PM
The billionaire said he bought the domain name this month “to make sure someone didn’t do something crazy with it.”
Deepfakes — Believe at Your Own Risk
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/the-weekly/deepfake-joe-rogan.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 12:23PM
Watch — very closely — as these A.I. engineers create ultrarealistic videos that will have you questioning reality.
November 25, 2019 at 12:23PM
Watch — very closely — as these A.I. engineers create ultrarealistic videos that will have you questioning reality.
When Instagram Killed the Tabloid Star
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/arts/celebrity-instagram.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 08:03AM
In the 2010s, celebrity culture was domesticated by a free photo sharing app, and the paparazzi were left stranded on the pavement.
November 25, 2019 at 08:03AM
In the 2010s, celebrity culture was domesticated by a free photo sharing app, and the paparazzi were left stranded on the pavement.
Internet Companies Prepare to Fight the ‘Deepfake’ Future
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/technology/tech-companies-deepfakes.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 03:46AM
Researchers are creating tools to find A.I.-generated fake videos before they become impossible to detect. Some experts fear it is a losing battle.
November 25, 2019 at 03:46AM
Researchers are creating tools to find A.I.-generated fake videos before they become impossible to detect. Some experts fear it is a losing battle.
Newscaster’s Errant Email Calling in Sick Gets National Attention
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/us/nick-vasos-sick-email.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 24, 2019 at 10:07PM
Colleagues at many of Nexstar Media Group’s nearly 200 television stations jokingly offered prayers and created a shrine for Nick Vasos, who started trending on Twitter.
November 24, 2019 at 10:07PM
Colleagues at many of Nexstar Media Group’s nearly 200 television stations jokingly offered prayers and created a shrine for Nick Vasos, who started trending on Twitter.
Tesla’s Electric ‘Cybertruck’ Is Unveiled. It’s Pointy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/business/tesla-cybertruck-pickup-truck.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 23, 2019 at 02:19AM
Elon Musk’s car company presented its long-awaited pickup truck, but it didn’t quite go as planned. (Broken windows were involved.)
November 23, 2019 at 02:19AM
Elon Musk’s car company presented its long-awaited pickup truck, but it didn’t quite go as planned. (Broken windows were involved.)
Imagine Being on Trial. With Exonerating Evidence Trapped on Your Phone.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/business/law-enforcement-public-defender-technology-gap.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 23, 2019 at 02:19AM
Public defenders lack access to gadgets and software that could keep their clients out of jail.
November 23, 2019 at 02:19AM
Public defenders lack access to gadgets and software that could keep their clients out of jail.
Huawei Funds Are Cut Off by F.C.C. Over Security Threats
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/technology/huawei-funds-cut-fcc.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 10:52PM
The commission put new restrictions on money aimed at helping wireless carriers provide broadband to rural areas.
November 22, 2019 at 10:52PM
The commission put new restrictions on money aimed at helping wireless carriers provide broadband to rural areas.
China’s Vaping Boom Alarms the Government
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/business/international/china-vaping-ban.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 09:53PM
For years, Chinese e-cigarette makers had free rein to operate without regard to consumer safety. But new rules are set to change that.
November 22, 2019 at 09:53PM
For years, Chinese e-cigarette makers had free rein to operate without regard to consumer safety. But new rules are set to change that.
Why Everyone Is Angry at Facebook Over Its Political Ads Policy
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/technology/campaigns-pressure-facebook-political-ads.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 06:17PM
The social network is said to be discussing changes that include restricting how precisely campaigns can reach specific groups.
November 22, 2019 at 06:17PM
The social network is said to be discussing changes that include restricting how precisely campaigns can reach specific groups.
Will Instagram Ever ‘Free the Nipple’?
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/arts/design/instagram-free-the-nipple.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 06:00PM
For years, artists have put pressure on Facebook and Instagram to treat female and male nipples equally, but such a change may be too radical for Silicon Valley.
November 22, 2019 at 06:00PM
For years, artists have put pressure on Facebook and Instagram to treat female and male nipples equally, but such a change may be too radical for Silicon Valley.
The Week in Tech: A.I.’s Threat to White-Collar Jobs
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/technology/the-week-in-tech-ai-jobs.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 05:00PM
Some workers may be more exposed to artificial intelligence than previously thought. But worry more about automation’s threat to less skilled employees.
November 22, 2019 at 05:00PM
Some workers may be more exposed to artificial intelligence than previously thought. But worry more about automation’s threat to less skilled employees.
NetApp Fabric Orchestrator, One More Step in the Right Direction
Source: https://gigaom.com/2019/11/27/netapp-fabric-orchestrator-one-more-step-in-the-right-direction/
November 28, 2019 at 12:46AM
November 28, 2019 at 12:46AM
NetApp has made a huge strategy shift a few years ago and has been transitioning from being a traditional storage company to a hybrid cloud data management vendor since then. The vision behind this evolutionary journey is Data Fabric. Now Fabric Orchestrator has the potential to enable seamless application and data mobility across on-premises and public cloud infrastructure, and this is exactly how a true hybrid cloud should work.
What is Data Fabric?
From NetApp’s website: “Data Fabric is an architecture and set of data services that provide consistent capabilities across a choice of endpoints spanning on-premises and multiple cloud environments. Data Fabric simplifies and integrates across cloud and on-premises to accelerate digital transformation. It delivers consistent and integrated hybrid cloud data services for data visibility and insights, data access and control and data protection and security.”
Many people still remember NetApp for its FAS storage and ONTAP, but the product line is much more diverse and structured now. The ONTAP-everywhere mantra has disappeared and now we have several product lines ranging from all-flash scale-out storage arrays to object storage and cloud-only products. The beauty of this is that no matter the OS and the functionalities of these systems, they share protocols and interfaces to move data easily. Even more so, especially on the cloud side, NetApp is now able to provide similar services on all major cloud providers that are compatible with the same storage systems installed in your data center.
This translates to freedom of choice for the end-user, and it is also interesting to note that some NetApp customers are cloud-only, meaning that they really didn’t know about NetApp before adopting one of their cloud solutions — quite an achievement for a storage vendor.
Data Fabric is cool, but there was still a missing piece: automation. In fact, all these integrations and data movements across different platforms were not organized and orchestrated, making everything more complicated and somehow risky at times.
Welcome Fabric Orchestrator
NetApp Fabric Orchestrator has the potential to glue together all the pieces and provide seamless data and application movements across clouds, seamlessly.
I used the word “potential” because we are not actually there yet, but it is not difficult to imagine where this product is going … especially after seeing the demo NetApp presented at Tech Field Day 20.
Another aspect to consider regarding application and data mobility is that it won’t be a good fit for everyone. Kubernetes is instrumental to application mobility, this is due to the advantages of containers and their level of abstraction from the underlying infrastructure. This means that for the foreseeable future only modern applications will have this possibility.
Part of the beauty of NetApp Fabric Orchestrator is its holistic approach to manage data and applications no matter where they are. It dramatically simplifies the creation of Kubernetes clusters, both on-prem and the public cloud, and really simplifies its management. Again, the potential for this tool to become pivotal in the execution of a broad hybrid cloud strategy is very high.
Takeaways
This is not the first time that I praise NetApp for its Data Fabric vision, and I’m pleased to see them executing well on it. With NetApp Fabric Orchestrator they are demonstrating once again that they are pushing in the right direction, and this can become a huge differentiator when competing with other storage vendors.
The entire primary storage industry is struggling because of cloud, features commoditization, hyperconvergence, price wars, and more. Traditional data storage is no longer relevant in modern infrastructures, some vendors decided to set themselves apart from all of this and evolve into something new, more sophisticated, and data-driven. NetApp is not the only one shifting from being a data storage vendor to a data-driven infrastructure provider for the hybrid cloud, but it is one of the few leading the change at the moment.
In this regard, I’m pretty sure that in the next 12 to 18 months we will see more and more vendors embrace a similar strategy, while others will definitely become less relevant. Therefore, we will see a market consolidation, with fewer vendors competing in primary storage.
U.S. Closes Wireless Collusion Investigation With No Charges
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/technology/verizon-att-collusion.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 08:44PM
AT&T, Verizon and a trade group agreed to let consumers use a technology that makes it easier to switch carriers, the Justice Department said.
November 27, 2019 at 08:44PM
AT&T, Verizon and a trade group agreed to let consumers use a technology that makes it easier to switch carriers, the Justice Department said.
What to Consider Before Trading Your Health Data for Cash
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/smarter-living/wirecutter/what-to-consider-before-trading-your-health-data-for-cash.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 06:30PM
Don’t trade away your health data without considering the potential issues first.
November 27, 2019 at 06:30PM
Don’t trade away your health data without considering the potential issues first.
Let’s Give Them Something — Anything — to Talk About
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/style/self-care/conversation-starters-thanksgiving.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 05:48PM
Your family is boring. There’s an app, or card game, for that.
November 27, 2019 at 05:48PM
Your family is boring. There’s an app, or card game, for that.
A Big Screen to Sift Through Recruits
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/technology/personaltech/young-tech-users.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 05:00PM
Many people joining the newsroom are digitally savvy and helping media with a digital transition, says Theodore Kim, who runs fellowships and internships.
November 27, 2019 at 05:00PM
Many people joining the newsroom are digitally savvy and helping media with a digital transition, says Theodore Kim, who runs fellowships and internships.
The Worst Tech Gifts We Give (and How to Do Better)
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/technology/personaltech/worst-tech-gifts-do-better.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 01:00PM
Gift cards and phone chargers make terrible presents. But those ideas can be transformed into gifts that people will cherish.
November 27, 2019 at 01:00PM
Gift cards and phone chargers make terrible presents. But those ideas can be transformed into gifts that people will cherish.
A Walk on the Frontier of Art, Where the Sky Is the Limit
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/arts/augmented-reality-exhibitions.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 01:00PM
Augmented reality and virtual reality are opening doors to new experiences for artists and the public.
November 27, 2019 at 01:00PM
Augmented reality and virtual reality are opening doors to new experiences for artists and the public.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
TikTok Blocks Teen Who Posted About China’s Detention Camps
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/technology/tiktok-muslims-censorship.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 27, 2019 at 04:41AM
The app faced renewed questions about whether it censors material after it removed an American’s video about Muslims in China.
November 27, 2019 at 04:41AM
The app faced renewed questions about whether it censors material after it removed an American’s video about Muslims in China.
Newsroom: Facebook Losing Users in Germany and France Faster than Anticipated
Source: https://www.emarketer.com/newsroom/index.php/facebook-losing-users-in-germany-and-france-faster-than-anticipated/
November 25, 2019 at 07:01AM
November 25, 2019 – Facebook users in France and Germany are leaving the platform even faster than expected. For the second forecast in a row, we have downgraded Facebook user […]
November 25, 2019 at 07:01AM
November 25, 2019 – Facebook users in France and Germany are leaving the platform even faster than expected. For the second forecast in a row, we have downgraded Facebook user […]
A Conversation with Brett Hurt
Source: https://gigaom.com/2019/11/26/a-conversation-with-brett-hurt/
November 26, 2019 at 08:40PM
November 26, 2019 at 08:40PM
Brett Hurt Bio
Brett is the co-founder and CEO of data.world, a data catalog company that co-created the Manifesto for Data Practices. Brett founded Bazaarvoice and served as CEO , leading the company from bootstrapped concept to almost 2,000 clients worldwide and through its successful IPO. Much of his early-stage venture investments are done through his own company Hurt Family Investments. Brett established the Bazaarvoice Foundation and is very active in the philanthropic arena. He received the Austin Entrepreneurs Foundation’s Community Leadership Award in 2012.
Interview
Byron Reese: So, you have a new book out called The Entrepreneur’s Essentials.
Brett Hurt: I do.
You were kind enough to publish for free for everybody. Why did you write the book, and why did you decide to distribute it that way?
Yeah. So. You know, as you know, I started a blog in 2012 after I “retired” from Bazaarvoice. I did that because I realized that I’d just gone through an incredible journey as an entrepreneur, culminating in an IPO over a billion-dollar evaluation, six years from inception of the company. On my 40th birthday – I actually turned 40 on our IPO roadshow – and I just thought, “How lucky am I to just have this experience?” I needed to capture, really, what I learned for my children, for myself, and for anybody interested, in a way that forces me to reflect on it.
The beautiful thing about writing that I learned from that initial desire to do that when I started my blog, is that you’re on a journey, too, as the writer. I know you’ve written books that I love. I love your books. When you start writing, you literally are on a journey. You don’t always know where you’re going. You know? You can have a thesis about what you’re writing, but these creative forces just kind of come in.
There’s this great book called The War of Art. Have you read that book, Byron?
No.
It’s written by the guy who wrote The Legend of Bagger Vance. This is his only non-profit book. He didn’t come into his own as an author until he was in his fifties, but he talks about that process of writing and how these muses come to your aid and give you all types of creative insight. That’s how I viewed writing. It’s been this really amazing journey.
So, I really just loved that I was getting to learn more by writing. You know, to attempt to teach is actually to learn yourself. I named my blog, as I think you know, “Lucky Seven” as a tribute to my mom, who, unfortunately, passed away seven years ago now. She passed away, unfortunately, very young, after my father passed away. She was just an incredible force in my life. I mean, she bought me my first computer when I was seven years old. I was the kid who was trying to take the Pong machine apart when I was four. So, I wasn’t just satisfied with playing Pong; I was trying to see how it worked. She thought that was weird.
I have memories of playing Pong. I don’t have memories of trying to take apart the machine at four, but I do have memories of playing it. But she thought that was very strange, in a good way, and she bought me my first computer when I was seven when she read an article about the first Atari coming out, and the fact that there was an option where you could get the basic cartridge with the plugin, keypad that plugs into the joystick ports, and program. She learned how to program with me. I became completely infatuated with that, and I did it over forty hours a week, from age 7 to 21. I went through the whole Atari line. The 400, the 800, the 1200, the XL, and the ST. I think they even had a 2400 before the XL. But, anyways, I digress.
Then, I ran through PCs, and then I eventually got on Macs. But I just became so passionate about that, and I realized that I was so lucky in several ways. One, for growing up in Austin, which was one of the few cities that would have supported that habit starting when I started, in 1979. What I mean by that is, my mom was able to drop me off at user group meetings when I was 10, and I’d get to learn from people like the Bitmap Brothers—you know, who became very famous video game creators later on in life, but they were much older than me.
It was just so cool that Austin had that kind of culture. I didn’t realize it as a kid that that was so lucky, but in hindsight, as an adult, I realize that.
The main thing that I realized, in terms of my luck, is that I’d found my passion at age seven, and I had a mom who would fight all the societal forces – including some of my teachers, who were telling her, her child was completely unbalanced and had no future, because all he talked about was computers. My extended family would say that during Thanksgiving. My third-grade teacher pulled my mom aside and said, “Your son’s going to be a loser in life. All he talks about is computers.” She was very offended. She didn’t tell me that until I was successful as an adult.
So, that’s why I named my blog “Lucky Seven” as a tribute to her – as a tribute to a superhuman person who believed in me from that age.
So, I started to write on my blog, and that lead me to this place of writing more and more things that I’ve learned, and being able to share more and more things in fiscal conversations. So, I started to invest in startups, and today my wife and I are investors in 77 startups, and 21 VC funds. [Editor note – Full disclosure, GigaOm is one of the 77 startups Brett has invested in]
So, you know. Here I was, making startup investments and trying to help entrepreneurs. I found that my writing was a great way to do it, because I would get asked questions like, “How did Bazaarvoice become the number one place to work in Austin?” You know, how did I create a culture like that?
I would say, “Well, it starts with hiring.” I said, “If there’s anything that made a massive impact in the Bazaarvoice culture is the way we hired,” and I would describe our hiring process.
Then, I thought to myself, “Well, why not I just write that down, since I keep answering that question over and over again? I’ll spend four to six hours writing it down in a much better way than kind of off-the-cuff talking about it.” Because, you know, sometimes you have good days and bad days, in terms of all the things you remember about that. So, I’m like, I’m going to really concentrate, write the best answer I possibly can—the most complete answer I possibly can for them—and then I would give shorter answers when I was asked that question inevitably again, and direct them to the blog post after the conversation. I’d say, “Here, just check it out on Lucky Seven. I spent five hours writing this, and it’s the best complete answer to your question.” They would come back and thank me.
So, I did that more and more over the years. It was our daughter, who – at age 13 – came out with her first book. Her dream, since age seven, was to be a writer. It’s kind of a cool story. She saved up to write a book since she was age seven. She saved up by selling jewelry—like, handmade jewelry that she made—at coffee shops. She accumulated enough money were, by the time she was thirteen and she decided she was going to come out with her own book, she was able to give 100% of her savings. She literally gave 100% of her savings to the illustrator of her book. He was an award-winning illustrator and has illustrated 80 children’s books. The illustrations in her book are just beautiful. It’s called “Guardians of the Forest.” You can only buy it via her website, which is guardiansoftheforestbook.com.
But, anyways, she achieved that. I thought to myself, “Okay. My daughter has achieved this goal and really inspired me and inspired others. She’s giving lots of public speeches about it. And here I am, with this blog that has a lot of utility to entrepreneurs.”
By the way, I had already gotten back into the arena to start data.world after trying on retirement for three years, but it was a very active form of retirement. It was very actively engaged with startups and the rest.
I thought, “I’m going to start packaging up the best of these posts—the ones that I know have gotten the most inquiry, have gotten the most comments, the ones that VCs and entrepreneurs alike have told me are the most important. I’m going to start to package these up in a book, and since I’m a couple of years into data.world, I’m going to force myself to reflect on how I’ve applied this to data.world and whether or not I’ve done a good job of it. I’m going to do it in a way where the whole team at data.world can follow along, where it’s a way of me teaching, as a CEO, on things that I wrote in terms of the best plays I ran at Bazaarvoice, and core metrics before, and judge myself in a way—very publicly—on whether or not I actually lived up to these at data.world.” I think that that recalls all good types of cultural conversations and company.
So, that was another forced reflection exercise. The reason I decided to make it free is very simple. When I read The Bootstrapper’s Bible by Seth Godin—it was the first book he ever came out with—he gave it away for free. He gave it away for free as a gift to entrepreneurs, because he had become a successful entrepreneur, and he felt like all entrepreneurs should have access to it. Money should not be the gating factor—the deciding factor—to buy it.
So, I did it because he did it. I did it because I had had a role model who had done it before, and had helped me unknowingly – I don’t actually know Seth Godin – I thought, “What a cool way to do it.” It’s all available online, on Medium, as you know, and you can provide a link to the table of contents. The Foreword is written by John Mackey, who’s an incredible entrepreneur. The founder and CEO of Whole Foods, and someone who’s been kind enough to mentor me for the past decade. The afterward is written by Bob Campbell, who was actually my first boss outside of working for my parents. I grew up in an entrepreneurial family, so I worked for them growing up. Someone who I always thought should either be the President of the U.S., or at bare minimum the governor of Texas, and is just an absolutely amazing leader. One of the most professional, ethical people I’ve ever met. He wrote the afterward, which was a nice bookend to my career today because it’s literally how I started my career.
So, it’s all out there for free. The next step is to turn it into a print book. The only reason I’m going to turn it into a print book is because a lot of people have asked me to do so. They want to have a physical copy to be able to take with them. I actually think that the online book is a better product than the print book will be because the online book has lots of hyperlinks and videos and is much more of a Wikipedia-style resource than a print book will be. But I’m happy to turn it into a print book and do that for people if they would like it.
So, I’m proud that it’s out there, and I get a real high—a real helper’s high, that is—on people telling me how much they appreciate it, and someone like John Mackey actually reading it and then writing the forward and saying he wished he’d had it at the beginning of Whole Foods means a tremendous amount to me.
So, it’s a gift to hopefully help lots of entrepreneurs, not unlike I’ve tried to help them by investing in them and mentoring when they would like mentorship. When they would ask for help, I try to be a coach that really is a coach, not trying to run things for them. I’ve had bad mentors and good mentors. I learned from my bad mentors, so I try to be a good mentor or always couch things. I’m not running your company. This is just my opinion. Based on my experience, I’ve learned that there’s a lot of gray in life. There’s not much black or white. This is one man’s opinion, but it’s one I feel pretty strongly about, given my experiences. But, you know, I’m not going to judge you based on whatever you decide. I’m just here to help.
So, I always try to couch my advice in that way when I’m giving advice to an entrepreneur. As you know, being a CEO is hard work. Being a founder/CEO is very, very hard work. You need people that will believe in you and not be so judgmental when you talk with them.
So, that’s why I put The Entrepreneur’s Essentials out there.
My next question is how normative do you think the advice that you give is? Do you think it is your formula, or a kind of universal formula? I’m curious to what extent you tried to write a book which was about your journey, or were you trying to write a book that other people that apply, in general ways, to everybody else’s journey?
Well, it’s definitely a bit of both, but I do think the way we hire and the way we hired at Bazaarvoice and the way we hire at data.world can be applied to all companies. There are many right answers, but I have not heard of a better way yet to hire. I’ve talked with John Mackey, I’ve talked with many people that I respect, that have built best place to work-type of culture, high-performing cultures, and achieved great financial success.
One thing I write in the book is how to check references on board members and executives. One of the things I’m very transparent about in the book is that it took me learning from Scott Cook, the founder of Intuit, to really figure out the best way to do that. I mean, when he spoke on that, we were both speaking at a conference: the First Round Capital CEO Summit. When he talked about the secret to checking references on board members and executive team members, I thought, “Oh my gosh. Why did I not know that?” You know? Why did I not know that? I made so many mistakes!
So, the reason I wrote that is that, if you hire a board member that isn’t a great fit for you, or really has a bad background but you just didn’t know it because the headlines looked really good, or you hire an executive—they can do a lot more damage than a junior engineer is. But, the strange thing is, at almost all companies, the junior engineers’ references will be checked much more thoroughly than someone who comes in with a lot of panache and a lot of public fame. I mean, I’ve had some horrific board members in my past, and I can tell you that they get hired over and over again, and nobody calls me about them to check their reference. I’m just shocked. These people actually I know! I’m like, I can’t believe they didn’t give me a ring. How can they not give me a call? I’m not offended by it at all – not like I have some personal vendetta or something – but it’s just, like, it’s very common. The more panache an executive has in their background or a board member has, the less they will be vetted. Strangely enough, it’s true. Strange, but true.
So, I wrote that chapter because that can have a really big impact on your company, and Scott Cook ultimately gave the answer.
You know, part of the reason you put a book out there—and I’m sure you feel the same way to a large extent—is you actually want people to challenge you. I love on Medium when people comment on an aspect of the book and challenge something I said because I want to learn. I don’t feel like I have all the answers. I feel like I have some good answers to things that people struggle with a lot—that entrepreneurs struggle with a lot—and so I put it out there. But if someone has a better answer, I want to learn, because I want to apply that at data.world.
You know, I wrote a chapter of the book about how to form your company values. Here I am on my sixth business, and it’s the first one where I applied a technique that I learned about at the Conscious Capitalism CEO Summit, and I think it’s the best technique to form your company values that I’ve ever come across. But it took me six companies to figure that out, and I didn’t figure it out in a vacuum. I figured it out because a CEO was speaking at the Conscious Capitalism CEO Summit and was kind enough to share an idea—that provocative idea. I thought, “Oh my gosh! That’s it! That’s so smart.” I tried it out at data.world. It was experimental, and it worked incredibly well, and that’s how we codified our values.
So, I’m on a journey like everybody else. I don’t feel like I have all the answers, but I do feel like I’ve got some good answers that have been beaten up through data, that have been AB tested through multiple startups, and through startups that I’ve funded—that I’ve seen them apply things and seen how they’ve worked out. So, that’s all I wanted to share. I don’t feel like I have all the answers. I feel like I’ve got some good answers.
You know, humans have these cognitive biases that are well documented. They’re ways our reasoning is demonstrably false. Yeah. There’s a couple hundred of them. I think most of them, even though they are wrong for individuals, if you think about it they’re right for society. So, these cognitive biases actually confer a survival benefit to the group, I think. I wonder if entrepreneurship’s not like that, because most people are going to fail. Yet, most people who do it think, “Yeah. Most people fail, but I won’t.” So, collectively, they’re mostly wrong. So, I’m wondering: A, do you agree that entrepreneurs wouldn’t do it, by and large, if they really understood their chances of success, and B, who do you think should or shouldn’t be an entrepreneur?
So, the first part is, I actually wrote a chapter to address that. It’s called The Paralyzing Fear of Getting Started. You can kind of pair that with the chapter that’s on the fallacy of risk in entrepreneurship. So, a couple of things there. The most successful entrepreneurs I’ve met in my limited data set, but I’ve been an entrepreneur for a long time, are people that are very playful, that don’t metaphorically just jump off the cliff and build the wings on the way down. I think that’s bullshit. That kind of plot things out and think things through before they actually even start. But, I wanted to pair that with this paralyzing fear of getting started, because I wanted to share with the world, as part of my journey, that I was paralyzed with fear in the first couple of months of data.world. I wanted to share that because the people that know me, know what I’ve achieved as an entrepreneur. They wouldn’t believe that unless I shared it with them. Like, I could easily hide behind in a way of my success, and not share things like that. You know, that could be something I only share with my wife or my closest friends.
I wanted to share it, because I wanted to say, “Look. I actually think this is the natural condition of most human beings that start businesses.” It really resonated with people. I mean, that really, really resonated with people. I think, in a way, the more you’ve achieved as an entrepreneur, the more you have to lose because there’s even…
Every time you start a business, you’re putting your ego out there. The more of public figure you are, the more you have to lose psychologically if your business fails. You know, everybody’s going to look at what Meg Whitman does next. Right now, you may know that she’s engaged in a streaming media venture that is going to face an enormous amount of competition when she launches. You know, from Netflix and Disney’s new streaming service, and on, and on, and on. But yet, she’s out there. She’s brave enough to do it. She’s brave enough to start it up from the beginning. But, she’s out there. Right? You’ve got to applaud that.
But I guarantee you that even Meg Whitman—I don’t know this for a fact, but I would be willing to bet money on it: that she has had some paralyzing moments of fear in starting that, because of how high-profile she was. She came into eBay and just turned it into an absolutely juggernaut, alongside a great team. So, you know, that’s the first part.
The second part, who shouldn’t be an entrepreneur, I am in no position to judge that. One thing that I learned at the Wharton school, when I was earning my MBA there. I was trying to get up my own gumption to be an entrepreneur. I attended every entrepreneurial presentation you could think of. I worked until three, four in the morning almost every single night on my businesses while I was in school to prove to myself that I could do it, and to try to find the big idea. That big idea ultimately turned into Core Metrics. That was a company that I launched when I was 26 and eventually sold for $300 million to IBM. That business, I wouldn’t have started, I don’t think if it wasn’t for all of the kind entrepreneurs who took time out of their schedule to fly into Philadelphia and speak to us about starting a business. I mean, it was many. It was many, many, many people that did that.
The one thing that I was trying to figure out when I saw them speak was, I was like, “What do they have in common?” Like, “What do they have in common?”
One looks like a school teacher. The other, you know, is Hispanic. This one is African American. This one is fat, this one is skinny, this one looks like a nerd, this one looks like a jock. Okay. So, what is it? They talk so differently. What do they have in common?
The only thing I could derive is that they were incredibly passionate and persistent. That’s the only thing that they had in common that I could figure out. One could be dumb—appear to be dumb—and one could appear to be very smart. Now, the dumb one might be a genius. I don’t know. But they talked in a way where I thought they were not very smart. But, they all were very successful and that was the only thing I was able to derive.
Whenever I’m looking to invest in an entrepreneur, I’m asking myself many questions. I have a chapter in the book on questions I’m asking myself. I’m asking myself many questions. That chapter in the book is called “The Five Key Ingredients to Build a Big Business.” But I’m asking myself, “Are they really passionate? Are they really persistent?” Because it takes so much willpower to build anything that, if they aren’t, then I’m probably…
I would say, if I know they aren’t, I’m definitely not going to invest. Right? So, that’s what separates them. It’s that person you meet who you’re like, “This person is on fire. They’re going to do something.”
I just invested in a business in Mexico City named Beek. The entrepreneur used to live here in Austin. Her name’s Pamela. She remembered me really well, because I had met with her at Capital Factor a few times.
She told me that I said this. I had forgotten that I said this, but she told me that I said this, and it sounds like something I would say. I had told her, “Pamela, I know you’re going to be a successful entrepreneur. I can tell. You’ve got the passion and you’ve got the persistence in spades. I just don’t know if it’s going to be this business.” I reconnected with her during the ACL festival, and she had pivoted the business to something that was scaling incredibly well. She said, “I’m going to allow you to invest because I always made it a goal to have you invest. I don’t even have a round open right now.” And I invested because she had finally found the model that she had remembered the kindness that I had offered her, and the advice I had given her, and the blog post I had shared with her. That type of karma comes back to you, and now, you know, I’m in her company.
So, I would say a key ingredient must be passion and persistence, but the rest, you know. If they didn’t go to college, doesn’t matter to me. If they’re not technical, it doesn’t matter to me if it’s tech business with an asterisk. So, the asterisk on that would be that I’ll never back a company where there’s not someone in the company amongst founding, or the very early team—and I’m talking the first five people. There has to be someone there that has to effectively sell the solution. Someone there that can effectively service the solution. And someone there that can effectively build the solution. If I see an entrepreneur that is not technical, but has a technical idea, and they’re off-shoring everything to India to build V1, I just run away. Because that’s not someone that’s sharing equity with people that are going to run through walls when that thing crashes. So, there are certain rules that I have on that front.
So, what kind of reception have you had? Do you have any clue how many people have read it? And the book is kind of modular, or was written that way, so are people consuming just a chapter and there?
Yeah. Actually, I found out after the fact, I didn’t realize this at the time, but, you know, this is how Mark Cuban wrote his book. He started out as a blog and then packaged up the best of his blog into a book. I didn’t realize it. Then, I undoubtedly was influenced—although I can’t say consciously, because I didn’t remember this until after I wrote the book—but one of the most important books I read as a software service entrepreneur is Mark Benioff’s book Behind the Cloud, which is written as a series of plays. Almost like you’re calling plays as a coach. It’s just an absolutely brilliant book. So, it’s kind of set up in a way that you can jump in at any point in Mark’s book and say, “Okay. Well, I want to see how they handle customer success! Or I want to see how they handle marketing! Or I want to see how they took over trade shows!” And all the “crazy stuff” they did to compete with Siebel. You know, petitioning outside of trade shows, getting people to pay attention. The end of software and the rest of it. So, it was set up in a way that’s very much a modular way.
So, undoubtedly, I was at least unconsciously influenced by that, because an entire—I got the entire executive team at Bazaarvoice to read Behind the Cloud.
There are times where I’ll introduce a book to our company here, and say it’s required reading. Then we’ll have a discussion on it. I don’t feel comfortable doing that with my own book. I feel like it’s chock-full of insights about data.world, and I shared some of that on our Slack. I recently had a Lunch & Learn a few days ago, actually. I had a Lunch & Learn on my book and the process of writing the book and why I wrote it and some of the insights in it. I made that optional. So, not everybody in the company attended it.
So, I just feel like if it’s something that I wrote that should be required. I don’t know. I don’t know if that’s humility.
So, how did you know when to stop writing it? Because, presumably, not every drop of your knowledge has been squeezed out of you. So, does that mean you’re writing another one?
So, the answer on writing another one is probably. I’ll probably handle it the same way. I’ll write on my blog for the next six years, and then package that up as I help more and more startups. Probably six years from now we’ll probably be at 140 startups, instead of 77.
So, that’s the answer to that. If I feel like it’ll have high utility to help entrepreneurs, I’ll do it.
The “how did I decide on where to stop” on this one. When I started the process of writing it in September of last year, I actually created an outline for myself that I felt like had some kind of logical order. You know, I talked about earlier that when you’re writing, you’re on a journey, and you don’t really know where that journey’s going. That is true, but I felt like, from a topical standpoint, I should at least have an outline for myself, where I knew that this is kind of how I was going to structure the book.
I ultimately structured it in a very simplistic way. It’s kind of a three-part. Part one is on founding. So, it’s chapters that I feel like are essential for someone considering founding a business, to consider. There’s one in there, for example, for middle-aged people that have never started a business or never worked for an entrepreneur, to consider, and center themselves with, because it’s going to be really hard. Most of those people will not be successful, because they pick up the phone and they work for P&G, and everybody’s going to salute them on the other end of the line. But the reality is and you’re the CEO of data.world and nobody has ever heard of it, that’s not true anymore, but that was true when we first started out. It’s hard. It’s hard to get anybody to care.
Like, I write about an interruption of my book that you have to go on this journey from irrelevancy—where nobody cares, except for you—to relevancy, to where your business becomes market-relevant, to the must-have. John Mackey really lays that out well in his forward, about how Whole Foods went on that journey to irrelevancy, to relevancy, to the must-have, as it transitioned from Safer Way, which almost nobody cared about, to Whole Foods Market, which became relevant to that eventually becoming a big movement and being bought by Amazon.
So, I have that section of chapters on founding. Then, the second section is on building. This is now, you’re already in it. There’s no going back. You know? Burn the bridges. You’ve started it. So, now you’re in it, and how do you build?
Then, the final section is on helping. I only have one chapter in that section, and I probably should have more, but I decided that it would just be one, and that’s one my lessons learned in angel investing. The reason I included that section is that, if you’re lucky enough to become a successful entrepreneur, then you may feel that you have a duty to give back to other entrepreneurs in a way that so many helped you before. Because, I’ve never seen, from my own experience, an entrepreneur become successful without lots of help and lots of people that believed in them. I’ve never seen one hero entrepreneur where it’s like, you know, somehow they become successful. They could even have “against all odds,” but there’s lots of people helping them along the way. So, I think that’s also a myth that needs to be busted.
So, anyways, that’s kind of the three-party layout. Yes, I did have in my mind that from the beginning. I did have it in my mind what blog post would be incorporated. But then as I wrote the book, I found it…I waited until an idea comes to me, which typically happens through a series of lunch conversations with people we’ve invested in, or a VC meeting I’ve had where the lightbulb goes on where it led me to write a chapter that then becomes part of the book. Like, the Paralyzing Fear of Getting Started, that was not in my original outline. That was something where I was writing the book, and I thought, “I’m going to put out this blog post because most people probably have no clue that I also felt paralyzed, even though this is my sixth business. So, here’s how I worked through that. Here’s my practical advice for working through that paralysis.” Then, I’m like, “This has to be part of the book. It has to be in that chapter on founding.” I mean, that section on founding.
You mentioned that the entrepreneurs would come to Wharton and talk, and you would try to figure out what they had in common. And that got me thinking: There’s one kind of CEO that’s beloved by the people in the company, and they would walk through a wall for him or her. Then, there’s a CEO that’s a total jerk, and people are bound to that person by opportunism—which is also a powerful motivator. Right?
Right. It is. Yeah.
But nobody likes them.
Yeah.
Or is there, you think, an advantage to one of those? Is there a kindness advantage, being an entrepreneur?
I think that karma is a very real thing. You can look at karma as something that’s spiritual, or you can look at karma as the fact that we’re all just very social creatures, and we became successful human beings—homo sapiens—by the fact that we were natural collaborators. No matter how many wars we’ve had and everything else, and no matter how many horrific things have happened, the underlying motivation is one of collaboration. That doesn’t mean that you can’t also be competitive at times. Even when you are competitive, you are collaborating within a company to be competitive in a market.
So, I’m a deep believer in conscious capitalism. I served on the board of Conscious Capitalism. Data.world is a B Corporation, which is a for-profit corporation with a real strong public mission statement that is filed on record in the state of Delaware in our corporation documents, so that all of our shareholders know what we stand for and we publicly report on that.
I do agree that the Leviathan CEO can also be effective. Hobbes wrote about, the need for human beings to be controlled. It’s a very Hobbesian view to work for a jerk, where you’re just opportunistic. I don’t think that that is good for people’s psychological or physical well-being, nor do I think it’s good for the leaders. I feel like the leaders that are kind of the Al “Chainsaw” Dunlaps of the world. If you go in and just hatchet out everything and, you know, make a company much more profitable for a period of time. I mean, who talks about Al “Chainsaw” Dunlap these days? He was on the cover of Business Week and everything else in the ‘90s, I believe it was.
So, can they be successful? Yes. Is that the nature of humanity? No, in my opinion. But there are people who will take to counter that, and those people that will take the counter to that will undoubtedly take the Hobbesian-types of thinkers. They believe in the leviathan model. They look at someone like President Trump and the actions President Trump takes, and they’re like, “Yup. He’s a Leviathan leader, and that’s what we need.” I disagree. I am a leader that leads with love at my core. I’ve got that love because it was instilled in me from age seven by a mom who believed in me, against all societal forces trying to beat that out. So, it’s a big part of who I am.
I do think, if you look at the Fortune best places to work, from Raj Sisodia’s book, Firms of Endearment, which was something that he wrote either before or after he came out with Conscious Capitalism with John Mackey, but this is one of Raj’s books.
These companies dramatically outperform the stock market. Dramatically. They’re led by people who really care. You know? There’s no way you can have a great culture, be a Fortune best place to work, unless there are leaders there that really care about people—they really believe in the power of people. Firms of Endearment are about iconic leaders that really believe in the power of the people, and they’ve dramatically outperformed even the company’s listed in that book built to last.
So, that’s a strong belief I have. It is based on some data. It’s not, you know…Being the CEO of data.world, I should have the canonical dataset on this on data.world. It actually may exist. I don’t know. I need to get on there and search really quickly. Someone else may have already uploaded it. I know people upload data sets on Fortune best place to work and things like that.
But, it’s a strong belief that I have that, in the short term, if you’re a Leviathan-like leader, you can leverage fear to generate short-term results. In the long-term, it always ends up making your life miserable and their life miserable. Nobody’s going to look back on their deathbed and think that was a beloved place. They’re going to think, “I made a ton of money. I provided for my family. I did what I had to do, as a dad or mom. But, boy, that sucked.” I just think that’s a waste of life. I have a very strong view on that.
That’s a perfect ending of the interview, and our time is up. But that’s a beautiful place to end it.
They Can See You Typing When You’re Shopping Online
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/style/powerfront-software-ecommerce-cartoons.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 01:00PM
How Sephora, Gucci, Kiehl’s and more track about 20 million online shoppers every day. (Spoiler: with cartoons.)
November 26, 2019 at 01:00PM
How Sephora, Gucci, Kiehl’s and more track about 20 million online shoppers every day. (Spoiler: with cartoons.)
When Mom Slams a Brand on Instagram
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/business/mommy-influencers.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 01:00PM
Mom influencers hold great sway over their loyal audiences. So how much research should they do before criticizing a company?
November 26, 2019 at 01:00PM
Mom influencers hold great sway over their loyal audiences. So how much research should they do before criticizing a company?
Activists Build a Grass-Roots Alliance Against Amazon
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/technology/amazon-grass-roots-activists.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 08:00AM
As groups join a coalition against the internet giant, a new report underlines its troubling impact in warehouse towns.
November 26, 2019 at 08:00AM
As groups join a coalition against the internet giant, a new report underlines its troubling impact in warehouse towns.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Newsroom: Facebook Losing Users in Germany and France Faster than Anticipated
Source: https://www.emarketer.com/newsroom/index.php/facebook-losing-users-in-germany-and-france-faster-than-anticipated/
November 25, 2019 at 07:01AM
November 25, 2019 – Facebook users in France and Germany are leaving the platform even faster than expected. For the second forecast in a row, we have downgraded Facebook user […]
November 25, 2019 at 07:01AM
November 25, 2019 – Facebook users in France and Germany are leaving the platform even faster than expected. For the second forecast in a row, we have downgraded Facebook user […]
A Former Fox News Executive Divides Americans Using Russian Tactics
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/technology/LaCorte-edition-news.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 09:19AM
An investigation found that several sites owned by Ken LaCorte push inflammatory items — stories, petitions and the occasional conspiracy theory — to the public.
November 22, 2019 at 09:19AM
An investigation found that several sites owned by Ken LaCorte push inflammatory items — stories, petitions and the occasional conspiracy theory — to the public.
Google Fires 4 Workers Active in Labor Organizing
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/technology/google-fires-workers.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 26, 2019 at 03:20AM
A company memo said they had been dismissed “for clear and repeated violations of our data security policies.”
November 26, 2019 at 03:20AM
A company memo said they had been dismissed “for clear and repeated violations of our data security policies.”
StubHub Sold to Smaller Rival Viagogo for Over $4 Billion
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/business/stubhub-viagogo-ebay-sale.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 07:56PM
The merger will create a giant in the secondary market for sports and entertainment tickets, a business that by some estimates could soon be worth $15 billion.
November 25, 2019 at 07:56PM
The merger will create a giant in the secondary market for sports and entertainment tickets, a business that by some estimates could soon be worth $15 billion.
Newsroom: Facebook Losing Users in Germany and France Faster than Anticipated
Source: https://www.emarketer.com/newsroom/index.php/facebook-losing-users-in-germany-and-france-faster-than-anticipated/
November 25, 2019 at 07:01AM
November 25, 2019 – Facebook users in France and Germany are leaving the platform even faster than expected. For the second forecast in a row, we have downgraded Facebook user […]
November 25, 2019 at 07:01AM
November 25, 2019 – Facebook users in France and Germany are leaving the platform even faster than expected. For the second forecast in a row, we have downgraded Facebook user […]
Scientists Created Fake Rhino Horn. But Should We Use It?
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/science/synthetic-rhino-horn.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 03:01PM
Experts are divided over whether flooding the Asian market with convincing artificial rhino horn would help or hurt rhinos’ survival.
November 25, 2019 at 03:01PM
Experts are divided over whether flooding the Asian market with convincing artificial rhino horn would help or hurt rhinos’ survival.
Newsroom: Facebook Losing Users in Germany and France Faster than Anticipated
Source: https://www.emarketer.com/newsroom/index.php/facebook-losing-users-in-germany-and-france-faster-than-anticipated/
November 25, 2019 at 07:01AM
November 25, 2019 – Facebook users in France and Germany are leaving the platform even faster than expected. For the second forecast in a row, we have downgraded Facebook user […]
November 25, 2019 at 07:01AM
November 25, 2019 – Facebook users in France and Germany are leaving the platform even faster than expected. For the second forecast in a row, we have downgraded Facebook user […]
Uber’s License to Operate in London Isn’t Extended
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/25/business/uber-london.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 02:16PM
The company has been in a battle to retain its license for years, at odds with regulators and drivers of traditional cabs.
November 25, 2019 at 02:16PM
The company has been in a battle to retain its license for years, at odds with regulators and drivers of traditional cabs.
Sunday, November 24, 2019
When Instagram Killed the Tabloid Star
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/arts/celebrity-instagram.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 25, 2019 at 06:30AM
In the 2010s, celebrity culture was domesticated by a free photo sharing app, and the paparazzi were left stranded on the pavement.
November 25, 2019 at 06:30AM
In the 2010s, celebrity culture was domesticated by a free photo sharing app, and the paparazzi were left stranded on the pavement.
Newscaster’s Errant Email Calling in Sick Gets National Attention
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/us/nick-vasos-sick-email.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 24, 2019 at 10:07PM
Colleagues at many of Nexstar Media Group’s nearly 200 television stations jokingly offered prayers and created a shrine for Nick Vasos, who started trending on Twitter.
November 24, 2019 at 10:07PM
Colleagues at many of Nexstar Media Group’s nearly 200 television stations jokingly offered prayers and created a shrine for Nick Vasos, who started trending on Twitter.
Internet Companies Prepare to Fight the ‘Deepfake’ Future
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/24/technology/tech-companies-deepfakes.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 24, 2019 at 01:00PM
Researchers are creating tools to find A.I.-generated fake videos before they become impossible to detect. Some experts fear it is a losing battle.
November 24, 2019 at 01:00PM
Researchers are creating tools to find A.I.-generated fake videos before they become impossible to detect. Some experts fear it is a losing battle.
Friday, November 22, 2019
Democracy.com Has a New Owner. It’s Mark Cuban.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/technology/mark-cuban-democracy.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 11:52PM
The billionaire said he bought the symbolic domain name this month “to make sure someone didn’t do something crazy with it.”
November 22, 2019 at 11:52PM
The billionaire said he bought the symbolic domain name this month “to make sure someone didn’t do something crazy with it.”
Huawei Funds Are Cut Off by F.C.C. Over Security Threats
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/technology/huawei-funds-cut-fcc.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 10:52PM
The commission put new restrictions on money aimed at helping wireless carriers provide broadband to rural areas.
November 22, 2019 at 10:52PM
The commission put new restrictions on money aimed at helping wireless carriers provide broadband to rural areas.
Will Instagram Ever ‘Free the Nipple’?
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/arts/design/instagram-free-the-nipple.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 06:00PM
For years, artists have put pressure on Facebook and Instagram to treat female and male nipples equally, but such a change may be too radical for Silicon Valley.
November 22, 2019 at 06:00PM
For years, artists have put pressure on Facebook and Instagram to treat female and male nipples equally, but such a change may be too radical for Silicon Valley.
Will Instagram Ever ‘Free the Nipple’?
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/arts/instagram-free-the-nipple.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 06:00PM
For years, artists have put pressure on Facebook and Instagram to treat female and male nipples equally, but such a change may be too radical for Silicon Valley.
November 22, 2019 at 06:00PM
For years, artists have put pressure on Facebook and Instagram to treat female and male nipples equally, but such a change may be too radical for Silicon Valley.
The Week in Tech: A.I.’s Threat to White-Collar Jobs
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/technology/the-week-in-tech-ai-jobs.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 05:00PM
Some workers may be more exposed to artificial intelligence than previously thought. But worry more about automation’s threat to less skilled employees.
November 22, 2019 at 05:00PM
Some workers may be more exposed to artificial intelligence than previously thought. But worry more about automation’s threat to less skilled employees.
The Importance of User Interfaces in IT Infrastructure Management
Source: https://gigaom.com/2019/11/22/the-importance-of-user-interfaces-in-it-infrastructure-management/
November 22, 2019 at 04:00PM
November 22, 2019 at 04:00PM
IT is all about APIs and Automation now, but I think that sometimes we forget we are humans.
I totally understand why everybody is trying to program and automate every single part of their IT and last week, at Tech Field Day 20 we attended a few sessions that were crazy cool about automation. The one that I liked the most was with Cisco about their NSO (more on this in future podcasts and articles) but, at the same time, visualization is a fundamental aspect to get a glimpse of what is really happening in your infrastructure. Doing data visualization right is really hard, and not getting the right information when needed can seriously compromise the efficiency of several processes, including day-to-day system administration and troubleshooting.
Wasting time to understand what is happening in the system slows down reactions and can easily compromise the total time necessary to remediate to issues or, even worse, SLAs.
Different perspectives
When it comes to IT infrastructures and we think about graphical user interfaces, there are a couple of aspects to consider:
- Day-0 operations UI (Wizards): When you deploy a new infrastructure through a UI, it is highly likely that you need to follow a step-by-step process to ensure that all the components are deployed in an orderly manner and that they are properly configured to provide the necessary services and support to those that follow. UI wizards can be of great help in this context, helping to simplify the entire process. This could seem trivial, but simplification helps to avoid mistakes and can speed up the entire process. An interesting video about what I’m saying here can be found here:
- Day-to-Day operations: Once the infrastructure is deployed, the type of UI is totally different, especially when it comes at monitoring infrastructure status and understanding its behavior. In this case it is no longer about wizards, but it is all about dashboards and smart visualization of the infrastructure layout. Getting information faster is the goal here, and to do that it is important to have customizable views and reports. Another interesting video that is quite interesting to watch on this topic can be found here:
If we look at UI from operators instead of operations, there are at least two different types of persona that could be interested in smart UI and data visualization:
- Expert SysAdmin: This person is usually interested in getting as much information as possible to act quickly. Advanced UIs with rich dashboards, and the possibility to drill down in the infrastructure layout to discover as much as possible in a few clicks, is the goal. Simplicity is usually traded for quantity and quality of the information.
- General practitioner: On the other side of the spectrum we have IT operators that need the simplest interfaces, with information that is easy to understand and which quickly gives an idea of what is happening. At the same time, these interfaces are usually associated with wizards and smart assistants that can help the operator to identify problems quicker and report it to the right person in the organization.
Here is another great example of a tremendously well done UI can be found here from the demo of Forescout at TD20:
Automation and UIs
A good UI is important also when system administration is heavily supported by orchestration and configuration management tools. In fact, a good UI, with a clear infrastructure layout visualization, can give feedback on the actions performed by these tools almost in real time, no matter the complexity of the infrastructure. Furthermore, if data and infrastructure visualization directly reflects infrastructure changes made by the orchestration tool, all operators can benefit from it, and there is no risk of working on stale information.
Here an example of what I’m saying from the NSO demo that CISCO presented at TFD20:
Key Takeaways
UIs are still an important component of any tool that supervises IT infrastructures. In most organizations UIs are still at the core of system administration and in others remains an important asset to simplify day-to-day operations.
No matter the size of an IT organization, good UIs and data visualization are still crucial to simplify IT operations and provide the best tools for any type of operator.
Deepfakes — Believe at Your Own Risk
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/the-weekly/deepfake-joe-rogan.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 01:27PM
Watch — very closely — as these A.I. engineers create ultrarealistic videos that will have you questioning reality.
November 22, 2019 at 01:27PM
Watch — very closely — as these A.I. engineers create ultrarealistic videos that will have you questioning reality.
Tesla’s Electric ‘Cybertruck’ Is Unveiled. It’s Pointy.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/business/tesla-cybertruck-pickup-truck.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 01:01PM
Elon Musk’s car company presented its long-awaited pickup truck. Production begins in late 2021.
November 22, 2019 at 01:01PM
Elon Musk’s car company presented its long-awaited pickup truck. Production begins in late 2021.
China’s Vaping Boom Alarms the Government
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/business/international/china-vaping-ban.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 01:00PM
For years, Chinese e-cigarette makers had free rein to operate without regard to consumer safety. But new rules are set to change that.
November 22, 2019 at 01:00PM
For years, Chinese e-cigarette makers had free rein to operate without regard to consumer safety. But new rules are set to change that.
Accused of a Crime, and Falling Into the ‘Technology Gap’
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/business/law-enforcement-public-defender-technology-gap.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 01:00PM
Public defenders lack access to gadgets and software, routinely used by law enforcement, that could keep their clients out of jail.
November 22, 2019 at 01:00PM
Public defenders lack access to gadgets and software, routinely used by law enforcement, that could keep their clients out of jail.
Five Places to Visit in Washington, D.C. With a Black Digital Storyteller
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/travel/five-places-to-visit-in-wash-dc-Lanae-Spruce.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 01:00PM
Lanae Spruce made a name for herself as a social media specialist at the Smithsonian’s African American Museum. Here are her top D.C. spots.
November 22, 2019 at 01:00PM
Lanae Spruce made a name for herself as a social media specialist at the Smithsonian’s African American Museum. Here are her top D.C. spots.
Campaigns Pressure Facebook to Stay Pat on Political Ads
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/22/technology/campaigns-pressure-facebook-political-ads.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 01:00PM
When Google said it would limit the ability of political advertisers to target voters, campaigns said they did not want Facebook to follow.
November 22, 2019 at 01:00PM
When Google said it would limit the ability of political advertisers to target voters, campaigns said they did not want Facebook to follow.
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Tesla to Unveil Plans for an Electric Pickup Truck
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/business/tesla-pickup-truck-reveal.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 22, 2019 at 12:04AM
Elon Musk’s electric car company has long promised the truck, which will be revealed on Thursday. But you probably won’t be able to buy it for a while.
November 22, 2019 at 12:04AM
Elon Musk’s electric car company has long promised the truck, which will be revealed on Thursday. But you probably won’t be able to buy it for a while.
WeWork Will Lay Off 2,400 Workers
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/business/wework-layoffs.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 21, 2019 at 08:33PM
The troubled office space company is slashing its total work force as it sells businesses and outsources some jobs.
November 21, 2019 at 08:33PM
The troubled office space company is slashing its total work force as it sells businesses and outsources some jobs.
Americans Steal Kremlin’s Playbook, for Clicks and Profit
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/technology/LaCorte-edition-news.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 21, 2019 at 07:56PM
An investigation found that a former Fox News executive hired Macedonians to write culturally and politically divisive content for his websites.
November 21, 2019 at 07:56PM
An investigation found that a former Fox News executive hired Macedonians to write culturally and politically divisive content for his websites.
Want the Greenest Device? You May Already Own It
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/technology/personaltech/green-environmental-tech.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 21, 2019 at 08:16AM
One way to help the planet is not to buy new tech, especially stuff the planet never needed, says Kendra Pierre-Louis, who reports on the environment.
November 21, 2019 at 08:16AM
One way to help the planet is not to buy new tech, especially stuff the planet never needed, says Kendra Pierre-Louis, who reports on the environment.
16-Year-Old Scooter Rider Killed by Tow Truck in New Jersey
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/nyregion/nj-scooter-death.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 21, 2019 at 06:42PM
The accident in Elizabeth comes just a few weeks after the city started a shared scooter program.
November 21, 2019 at 06:42PM
The accident in Elizabeth comes just a few weeks after the city started a shared scooter program.
Edge Computing is the New Black
Source: https://gigaom.com/2019/11/21/edge-computing-is-the-new-black/
November 21, 2019 at 04:53PM
November 21, 2019 at 04:53PM
The IT industry has been living a big transformation for quite some time now. Most enterprises are focusing their investments in hybrid cloud solutions while on-premises core data center infrastructures are shrinking in favor of public cloud. At the same time, many have already realized that most of the data is created and consumed at the edge, which is now a fundamental component of every IT strategy.
What and Where is the Edge?
The definition of edge in edge computing is more complex than you might think. In general terms we talk about bringing compute and data storage close to the edge of your network with the goal to improve response times while avoiding unnecessary data movements between the clients and the cloud. In practice, depending on who you speak with, edge computing is becoming a general term to also describe mobile computing and, up to a certain extent, IoT. And, to be honest, there is some truth in it. IoT devices are becoming smarter and better able to create small networks and share their resources; while the latest mobile devices have a lot of CPU power and local storage capable of concentrating more and more complex operations locally.
In this context edge computing is now everything that is not in a core data center or in the public cloud.
Edge Computing Enablers
Three of the biggest enablers of edge computing are modern networking, in the form of SD-WAN, automation, and hardware designed for these use cases.
SD-WAN is radically changing how enterprises are designing their wide area networks, replacing traditional and very expensive MPLS and CDN circuits with internet connections. The network layout, and the services on top of it, are virtualized and abstracted from the physical network. This allows organizations of all sizes to take advantage of cheaper and faster connectivity, that is also much more flexible, easy to purchase, all without sacrificing security.
Let’s be clear here, edge computing always exited in some form. Branch offices always had small servers and some locale storage with applications and data on them. It was just that everything was harder to manage and expensive. Now, thanks to new technology and tools, managing large distributed infrastructures is much easier, there is no need to manually change backup tapes in the remote office or perform sysadmin activities there for example. Everything can be deployed remotely and automatically with minimal manual intervention. For example, tools like Ansible allow automation of application deployment on several computers concurrently, the tool checks prerequisites and brings every component to the desired state. This, in conjunction with new hardware that is cheaper and sturdier than ever, allows users to build resilient infrastructures to run small sets of applications practically unattended. During Tech Field Day 20.
This kind of low cost and highly automated infrastructure, coupled with a good SD-WAN solution, has the potential to make edge computing available to everybody and for a very large set of use cases.
Key Takeaways
Everybody is talking about edge computing. Last trend seems to be Kubernetes at the edge! And I have to say that this is not totally wrong, and actually reflects business needs of keeping this type of infrastructure highly automated and easy to manage at scale. I’m not sure that Kubernetes simplifies this type of deployment, but we will see how this will pan out.
Low cost and ease of management are key elements in this type of discussion, while SD-WAN is another aspect that is critical, not only from the cost perspective but also for the type of services that come with it, including enhanced security.
Free Internet Is Proposed in Britain. Is It Even Possible?
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/21/business/free-internet-britain.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 21, 2019 at 08:00AM
A Labour Party plan to provide government-sponsored broadband service has raised questions about how it would work, and who would pay for it.
November 21, 2019 at 08:00AM
A Labour Party plan to provide government-sponsored broadband service has raised questions about how it would work, and who would pay for it.
No, That Mac Factory in Texas Is Not New
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/us/politics/trump-texas-apple-factory.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 21, 2019 at 06:16AM
President Trump said on Wednesday that he opened a facility that makes computers for Apple. It’s been operating since 2013.
November 21, 2019 at 06:16AM
President Trump said on Wednesday that he opened a facility that makes computers for Apple. It’s been operating since 2013.
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
Google to Limit Targeting of Political Ads
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/technology/google-political-ads-targeting.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 21, 2019 at 04:29AM
The company said the ads would not be directed specifically to audiences based on their public voter records or political affiliations.
November 21, 2019 at 04:29AM
The company said the ads would not be directed specifically to audiences based on their public voter records or political affiliations.
Uber Embraces Videotaping Rides, Raising Privacy Concerns
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/technology/uber-recording-rides-privacy.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 21, 2019 at 02:41AM
The company says it is increasing the recording of rides to settle disputes between drivers and passengers and to improve safety.
November 21, 2019 at 02:41AM
The company says it is increasing the recording of rides to settle disputes between drivers and passengers and to improve safety.
Tesla’s Winding Road to Berlin
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/business/tesla-germany.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 21, 2019 at 12:15AM
Elon Musk’s announcement of a factory in Germany took the industry by surprise, but the deal had been in the works for months.
November 21, 2019 at 12:15AM
Elon Musk’s announcement of a factory in Germany took the industry by surprise, but the deal had been in the works for months.
Google Hires Firm Known for Anti-Union Efforts
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/20/technology/Google-union-consultant.html?emc=rss&partner=rss
November 20, 2019 at 11:21PM
After nearly two years of unrest, the company appears to be cracking down on employee activism.
November 20, 2019 at 11:21PM
After nearly two years of unrest, the company appears to be cracking down on employee activism.
Voices in AI – Episode 100: A Conversation with Stephen Wolfram
Source: https://gigaom.com/2019/11/14/voices-in-ai-episode-100-a-conversation-with-stephen-wolfram/
November 14, 2019 at 04:00PM
November 14, 2019 at 04:00PM
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About this Episode
On our 100th Episode of Voices in AI, Byron has a conversation with Stephen Wolfram on the nature of reality, belief and morality itself.
Listen to this episode or read the full transcript at www.VoicesinAI.com
Transcript Excerpt
Byron Reese: In my capacity as the publisher of GigaOm, I’ve had occasion to interview Stephen Wolfram twice before. One was back in 2015 and an be found here, then again last year Stephen appeared on an episode of Voices in AI.
In those two interviews, we covered a great deal of ground, and I thought long and hard about what to discuss this time around. Much of Stephen’s work is quite practical, such as with Mathmatica and Worlfram Alpha. But he also spends much time up in the intellectual stratosphere where fundamental questions of reality are explored. He is arguably our generation’s best bet to Figuring It All Out, finding the fundamental nature of reality and what makes the universe tick. It is these topics I wanted to explore. In addition, much of his thinking ends up being almost religious nature. His view of physics borders on philosophy and even religion, so I was eager to explore his thinking there. So this interview is a bit unorthodox, but then again, so is he, so sit back enjoy.
Welcome to the show, Stephen.
Stephen Wolfram: Thanks.
Do you believe in God?
Oh, that’s an interesting question. I’m certainly not adherent of any organized religion. However, it’s an interesting question. The things that I’ve done in science tend to intersect in strange ways with things that people have studied in theology for a long time. I mean, for example, it used to be the case. Back in the day, there was this thing that used to be called “The Argument by Design” although that subsequently got a different meaning. It was a question of, look at the universe. The universe could be completely without laws, but actually, that’s not what we see. We see a universe that’s full of definite laws and rules and isn’t as complicated as it could conceivably be. People said, “Okay, that very fact is a proof of the existence of God.”
I guess that since I’m in the business and I happen to be actively starting to work on this again, of trying to find the fundamental theory of physics and believing that that fundamental theory has at least a chance to be simple, then at least by the standards of the early Christian theologians or something, I have to be following the argument by design. In so far as I believe that there’s a simple rule for the universe then their version of an evidence for something – their argument, I would have to say that I subscribe to. When was it? I was visiting some country. Maybe India where they put – on the visa application, they insist that you fill in religion. I was going to put there “animist”. My children said, “Don’t do that. It will just cause trouble.”
Why would I do that? One of the things that is a consequence of a bunch of science that I’ve done is this question of, what has a mind? What things that exist can be thought of as mind-like, like our brains, we attribute minds to. Some version of this is statements like, “The weather has a mind of its own.” The surprising thing that came out of a bunch of science that I did is that – in fact, there’s this principle of computational equivalence that says that in many ways what the weather does it just as mind-like as what brains do. That’s the concept of things like the animistic religions is this idea that there’s spirits in everything so to speak. This notion, does the universe have – is the universe mind-like? This scientific result, this principle of computational equivalence implies that. Following through on that, I kind of have to say at some level that I would be – should be considered by some classification as an animist so to speak.
Given what you know about physics and the principle of computational equivalence, is there any method by which the human could survive the death of their body in a practical way?
Okay. What’s a soul? That’s kind of what you’re asking. Is there a soul? What might the soul be like? I think we have the experience with computers now to at least imagine what souls might be so to speak. I mean, there’s a – okay, thought experiment you might do. I’ve imagined I was going to years ago and I may finally when I get totally old and unable to do other things actually follow up on this, but I was going to write some pseudofiction book about interviews with famous scientists and thinkers of old so to speak. Imagining the person goes from today’s world, bringing their laptop and goes to visit Pythagoras or something. Then the question is, what does – you have that conversation with Pythagoras, what does Pythagoras think the laptop is so to speak? The obvious thing is, it’s a bunch of disembodied human souls. You start peeling that back and you say, well, no it’s not. I mean, it’s just a piece of electronics. It’s like, well, who created what that electronics does? It’s a bunch of people. Who made that software work that way? It’s the ideas of some particular person.
I guess there’s a question of what the distinction is between the output of the level of software we write, words we write, whatever, things we record about our lives, and the actual internal state of brains. For example, one thing I’ve wondered about, I’ve recorded lots of stuff about my life. Millions of emails, lots of other things, and so I wonder is there enough information about me to reconstruct a bot of me by this point. In other words, my brain has some number of synapses, some amount of memory in it, and if you were to just take its output over the last 30 years or so, and say, okay, can we now reverse engineer what’s inside this brain? I don’t know what the answer to that. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I don’t think it’s obviously far from possible. There will come a point at which you can perfectly reasonably have something where it’s a – where you should be able to get a bot of me that will respond in more or less the same way that I’m responding in this conversation to you. Then we have to ask ourselves, is that me, is that something different from me?
I think that’s the point at which we have to start wondering about, is the bot of me the soul of me so to speak or not? There’s a question of whether you can do it with reverse engineering or whether you have to take a brain and dissect it and pull out all the data that’s stored at each synapse or some other thing like this. I think my answer is that the – I really don’t doubt that the soul in this informational sense of a person, I think the thing we’ve learned from the whole computational experience is that it’s extremely really certain that eventually that will be preservable digitally and independent of the biological manifestation of the human.
You and I have had a conversation before and I’ve probably never really expressed my question clearly enough, but I always come back to it when I think about it, and it goes like this. You know people who say they believe something like they believe in treating everybody nicely, but then you see them mean to people. You say, “Aha! You don’t really believe that”, or all kinds of things where people say they think one thing, but their actions sure imply they think something else. When that happens, we tend to think whatever they do really is what they believe. When I talk to you and you talk about the weather has a mind of its own and a storm cloud – a hurricane and the brain are the same. Then when I try to talk about consciousness you get dismissive and say, “That’s just a word.” Then you say things like, “It’s all just computation. Everything in the world is simple rules iterated over and over.”
All of this very impersonal non – it’s just a bunch of cranking numbers. A whole universe is just that and if we could see it well enough, that’s what we would just see is just a bunch of numbers, and yet, I know you to be like an emotional and compassionate person who loves things and doesn’t like other things. I see all kinds of ethics. You have an ethical code and a moral framework and all of this stuff. I have to look at it and say, that does not logically flow out of what Stephen says he believes. I can only really infer that you don’t actually believe it. It’s a good model for understanding certain things, but it isn’t actually your core belief because it’s so – you could imagine somebody who lived consistently with that view of the world and really said, “Nothing matters. A storm dissipating and a child dying are just the same thing”, but you don’t think that. I posit you don’t actually believe it. It’s convenient way to think of the universe, but it isn’t actually what you believe.
It’s an interesting topic. It’s like, I like chocolate. It gives me a good experience when I eat it. I could imagine deconstructing that whole process and realizing, “Gosh, it’s just some neural firing, etc.” My subjective experience of it is, “I like chocolate.” Therefore, since I live in my subjective experience, I do things which pander to my subjective experience. Now one of the things I might say about things I’ve discovered in science is I don’t necessarily like all the things I’ve discovered in science. The concept that, for example, the unspecialness of us as humans and so on. I don’t particularly like that. It’s just I pride myself on being a decent scientist and so I discover these things and that’s what I’m going to report so to speak. Rather than saying, “Well, I’d like to hide the fact that actually, there’s no real purpose to the universe. We’re not that special. We’re not that unique, etc.” For me personally, in terms of my subjective experience, yes, I like people. I find people interesting. I think people are – I’m interested in people person by person so to speak, and yes, in terms of the science I’ve discovered, makes absolutely no sense.
A lot of things I’ve done are in a sense deconstruct the meaning of things. They explain in a broader context how things work and they show that something is not as special as we might at first assume that it is. I don’t think this idea that that means that – does that affect my subjective response to these things? No, I suppose I could whip myself up into the frenzy where I would say, “I don’t care about anything. It’s all just computation all the way down”, but that is not my human subjective reaction. That is, what I’ve discovered in science and what I report as being a good scientist so to speak.
It almost sounds like you’re agreeing with me there. You’re saying this is like a useful model to understand the universe, but I’m not going to live that way. I’m going to live as if people are special. I’ve never known you to get emotionally attached to a hurricane. You do get emotionally attached to people, and so you live as if people are special.
Living one’s paradigm is really hard. I’m always curious, when I see people, who’ve discovered things about the world, and you ask, do they in fact live that paradigm? Sometimes they do and it leads them into terrible trouble because that paradigm – and often they don’t. I think isn’t there a quote from Tolstoy about how “I’m not a very good Tolstoyan.”
When you see fields develop, intellectual fields develop, it’s a funny thing. There’s a generation that invents the field and then there are generations that come after. The generation that invents the field, still knows all the things that are wrong, all the foundational things that they’re not really sure about, and so they’re a bit more tentative about it. By the time you’re at the fourth generation, they’re like, “Well, of course, it works that way.” We have this whole culture built up around, this is the way things work.
Now it’s certainly true that one could imagine – you asked about religion early on here. It’s certainly true one could take the things I’ve done in science and one could build something that many people would think of as being religion-like set of beliefs around it. Those beliefs would be very cold in many ways. They’d be very non-human. In terms of my subjective way I lead my life, that wouldn’t be natural to me. That doesn’t mean that I don’t think that these things are scientifically correct. It’s just a question of – just like I like eating chocolate, but it’s not that there’s something scientifically amazing about the chocolate molecule or whatever. It’s just that, the way that – actually, I think that – let me roll this back a little bit because I think there’s a – one of the things that does come out of the science I’ve done is the following observation.
You might think that what’s special about where we are as humans is we’re the only intelligent things in the universe, and that that’s what’s special about us, and we should be very proud of that attribute. What the science that I’ve discovered shows is that is not – if that’s what we’re proud about, then we are barking up the wrong tree. That’s not the thing that is special about us, but the thing that is special about us is lots of details. In other words, what this idea of computational irreducibility implies is the notion that, in order to know what happens in a system you just have to trace through what the system actually does. You can’t go and just look at the system and say, okay, I can jump ahead and tell you what’s going to happen in a million years, and so it is with human society. That if there wasn’t computational irreducibility, we could say, oh, look at human society, people are running around doing this and this and this, but the outcome is going to be blah. There’s no reason for these people to be going around and doing all these human things. It’s really just all a waste of time. In the end, the answer is 42 or whatever.
What computational irreducibility implies is that’s not the case. It affirms that something is achieved by the human experience. That is that it’s not the case that you can just take the universe that we live in and say, “Okay, the outcome is going to be this.” It’s like the actual – the living of life so to speak is the story. It’s not that this is just a piece of a calculation where the answer is going to be 42 so to speak. What I’m saying is that I think that in a sense the science that I’ve done, you might say it says it’s all pointless in the sense that there’s nothing special at the level of thinking about – there’s no big special thing. It’s not that we are the only mind-like things in the universe. What it’s saying is, there is a special thing and the special thing is all of our details.
I think at some level actually I’m going to disagree with myself and you here because I’m going to say that I think that point, as you really start to internalize that point, that the details of what happens are the things that we should – that are special about us and that we should think are important, that actually is a rather human-oriented view of things quite different from the cold view of, “It’s all just computation. Everything is computation.” Yes, that’s true, but what is relevant to us is the special computation that is us. That’s something where we can revel in the details of that. Even though we know that the whole phenomenon of computation is not – there’s nothing abstractly special about it. It’s something that is…
Yeah, I find that unsatisfying candidly because you could – beavers could say that too. They could say, “It’s the experiences that all of us beavers have building our dams that make us special.” A hurricane could say that. It could say, “It’s all the places I went.” Everybody doesn’t get a medal.
Why do you say that?
That’s just another way to say that nothing is special.
The point is that I and you, we’re all members of this collection of humans. I think it is correct that if you look at the beavers, the whales, the dolphins, the storms and so on, there is some sense in which each one of those is special. We just don’t happen to be one of those. We happen to be humans. I don’t think you can say in the – I think it’s funny – in the modern world where people are so concerned about equality of various kinds. This is a form of equality that people haven’t yet started thinking about. That is, who are we to say that we should be intrinsically any more special than the weather or than the beavers so to speak. I think that what the science is saying is we’re actually not any more special, but that doesn’t mean that in the conduct of our lives as humans, that we shouldn’t view what’s going on around us as humans as being something special.
Listen to this episode or read the full transcript at www.VoicesinAI.com
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Byron explores issues around artificial intelligence and conscious computers in his new book The Fourth Age: Smart Robots, Conscious Computers, and the Future of Humanity.
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