Noah Brier
Noah has nearly twenty years in the marketing industry, first as a copywriter, strategist, and creative director, and later as an entrepreneur and founder of Percolate, the world’s first content marketing platform (sold to Seismic in 2018). BrXnd’s mission is to help the world of marketing and AI connect and collaborate.
Recommendations
Jaron Lanier's book discusses the exploitative nature of social media platforms and offers ten arguments for why users should consider deleting their accounts to reclaim their attention and lives.
A book introducing complexity theory in the context of the sciences, history, and society.
An e-bike model received as a review unit for Ride Review.
The story of the origin of Boston Consulting Group’s growth-share matrix and its elements: savings account, bond, mortgage, and wildcat. It describes how the matrix was developed and the reasoning behind its design.
Ed Yong's first book is an exploration of bacteria and the microbiome.
Ed Yong's new book discusses animal senses and what they reveal about the world.
Phillip Ball's book about quantum physics highlights how language limits our understanding of its concepts.
A biography of Marshall McLuhan that explores his life and ideas, portraying the complexities of his thoughts on technology, media, and the impacts on society. It gives insight into McLuhan's personal reservations about the rapid technological advancements and their societal implications.
A book that expands on a story written for The New Yorker about a solo Antarctic expedition in the spirit of Ernest Shackleton.
A collection of some of David Grann's most amazing pieces, recommended as a starting point for new Grann fans.
Probably David Grann's most famous book, detailing the mystery surrounding a British explorer's quest in the Amazon.
A book that tells the story of the Osage Indians, who became some of the richest people in the country after discovering oil on their reservation, only to be targeted by a systematic series of killings that led to the first serious FBI investigation under J. Edgar Hoover.
A guide on how to make new friends by hosting small parties, based on the experience of hosting hundreds of gatherings.
A perfect chino by Incotex.
Originally published in 1984, Subway Art is the ultimate documentation of the graffiti art movement in NYC during the 1980s.
A book by Tom Blake about surfing, cited in the research for a term paper about the sport.
A recommendation from a conversation about top-notch folding chairs in the WITI Subscriber Discord.
The book makes it clear that one of the most critical jobs for marketing is finding ways to establish a place for a brand’s “distinct brand assets” in the heads of consumers by finding unique and creative ways to communicate.
Durable and stylish travel tote bag designed by Porter in collaboration with Monocle.
An old Italian brand shaving cream with a menthol aroma, available in a tube.
A simple app for Mac that allows setting a Block or Allow list for a period of time to avoid distractions.
Magnetic hooks with a 22lb capacity, useful for hanging keys, leashes, and more.
Sneakers blending streetwear style with comfort, known for being extremely light and available in various colorways.
A novel by Kevin Wilson.
A book covering the scenario where a company with a cash cow business struggles to innovate in ways and gets disrupted by an upstart. It explains how and why this happens through various examples and theories.
A lesser-known book that delves into corporate strategy and structure, providing insightful guidance on the strategic management process from a seasoned expert in the field.
A 50-hour interview with director Alfred Hitchcock, conducted in 1962.
A 1948 Hitchcock movie famous for its appearance of being one long take, starting with a murder and spending the next eighty minutes watching the characters dance around the body.
A book excerpt featured in Wired provides an intriguing answer to the perception mystery related to 'the dress', suggesting that color perception might depend on whether you're an early riser or a night owl.
A book in which John McPhee outlines his writing process, including his unique approach to drafting and structuring his stories.
A book-length profile of Bill Bradley's time at Princeton, detailing his basketball career and academic achievements.
A book by Michael Lewis about complexity, exploring how a car in traffic serves as a simple yet powerful explanation of the concept.
A super-simple app that acts like a digital spirograph for creating geometric drawings.
Prepaid mail box for sending small items, available in a minimum set of five boxes.
A fragrance with an overdose of refined essence of bitter orange, embellished with cardamom and pink pepper on a woody base of hay and cedar.
A perfectly designed field shirt by the London-based brand Anglo Italian.
Beautifully designed wine glasses, recommended as a father’s day gift.
Norm Macdonald's last comedy special, filmed in a small room with headphones on before going into surgery for cancer.
A 1991 book by John Sarno that argues a lot of back and neck pain originates from the mind, not the spine or other joints.
A book that discusses different aspects of engineering management, primarily focusing on systems and problem-solving within technical and engineering teams.
GeoGuessr is a geography game which takes you on a journey around the world and challenges your ability to recognize your surroundings. It drops players in a random Google Street View location without map markings, and they need to figure out where they are.
A tool for writing frontend or end-to-end tests that essentially reproduce the work of a human tester by clicking around an application using code instead of muscles.
A Node library which provides a high-level API to control Chrome or Chromium over the DevTools Protocol. Puppeteer runs headless by default, but can be configured to run full (non-headless) Chrome or Chromium.
Developed by Simon Willison, this tool uses Playwright to capture screenshots from the command line.
A tool designed to assist with grievances related to Daylight Saving Time.
Joshua Foer's book explores the art of memory, including an interesting section on chicken sexing.
Aranet4 Home is a smart, wireless indoor air quality monitor. It measures CO2 levels, temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure.
The most thrilling action film in a generation, Nobody is a serious genre picture that never takes itself too seriously. Sometimes these lists become weighted down with arthouse fare; brilliant artistic achievements that don’t pass the “do you click the remote button every time you see it running on cable” test. Nobody has already passed that test for me about five times. This film knows what it is. Brilliant.
A new book by Tim Harford featuring a thought experiment about a fifty-year newspaper.
The biography of John Boyd, OODA loop creator, which explores his impact on military strategy and beyond.
A biography-style book that brings to light the history, significance, and impact of Einstein's famous equation, E=mc^2.
A book focused on the remarkable year of 1905 when Albert Einstein published three important papers, changing the course of modern physics.
A collection of the classical pieces Moondog wrote in Germany in the '80s and '90s.
A set of solemn pieces for organ.
A broad survey of Moondog's work, containing some vocal tracks.
A book by Don Norman about user experience and design principles.
A book by Michael Herr.
A mechanical keyboard designed for both macOS and Windows, featuring Bluetooth connectivity.
Studio monitors providing professional audio quality for music production and mixing.
A popular USB microphone known for its quality and versatility, suitable for streaming, podcasting, and recording.
A carry-on size bag from the Observer Collection, designed by Robert Spangle, built to last forever.
An entry priced option for a quality passport wallet, part of the Observer Collection.
A Rubik’s cube designed for speedcubing, featuring corner magnets, a center magnet for stability, and tunable tension screws.
A 1953 sci-fi novel that inspired Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead. The novel features a band of exceptional people 'bleshing' their consciousness to create a super-being.
Brian Eno's 1996 book where he introduces the concept of 'scenius', framing the importance of communal creative processes. Recently reissued in 2020.
An electric vehicle that utilizes the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), featuring a flat floor which allows for a deep console that slides rearward so front-seat occupants can enter or exit from either side of the car.
Book by Nassim Taleb that discusses the essence of tinkering in the discovery of fundamentally new ideas.
A decorative lamp designed as part of the Akari Light Sculptures series, known for its minimalist and functional design aesthetics.
The book outlines the history of cyberweapons and the global cybersecurity position, highlighting NSO's role in developing surveillance tools.
The best book on bottlenecks revolves around Goldratt’s “theory of constraints” and the five focusing steps to uncover bottlenecks.
A graphic novel form of 'The Goal', which utilizes Goldratt’s theory of constraints in a graphic novel format.
A film by Stanley Kubrick that renders a not-too-distant future, incorporating contributions from major brands for its set designs and influencing future design trends.
Brand adapted Frank Duffy's work into a kind of proto-pace layer framework, expanding it to six S's and noting that 'Because of the different rates of change of its components, a building is always tearing itself apart.'
A book by Peter Hessler about his journey through China from the rural countryside to the factories of the urban frontier.
An account of the US-Israeli malware attack on Iranian nuclear centrifuges, detailing the use of code as a weapon and exploring the advantages of digital attacks over traditional military actions.
Mogadishu is the canonical example of a feral city, as told in this book and movie.
A spicy chili oil that combines Asian flavors with everything bagel toppings.
A spicy furikake seasoning that merges the flavor profiles of everything bagel toppings, Chinese chili crisp, and Japanese furikake.
A subscription service where you receive a hand-selected indie magazine every month. Known for sending out well-crafted publications with diverse subject matter, one of the highlighted finds is Racquet Magazine.
For cycling and other activities where blocking your ears is a bad idea, bone conduction headphones let you listen to music or podcasts.
For the amaro lover who's tried everything, Amaro Angeleno is a perfect combination of amaro bitterness and California citrus, made by the lovely folks at Ventura Spirits in Southern California.
I dream of going back to Ten Thousand Waves, a Japanese onsen-style spa in Santa Fe; it's an oasis of calm and cedar-scented waters. Hinoki is the way to go.
Book Darts are the classiest little way to save your spot, not only to the page, but down to the sentence.
While it's called a butter warmer, we use this tiny pot for all kinds of things.
We loved everything about the place, including this robe. Great way to feel like you’re staying in a chic hotel while staying home.
Going basic here with the Instapot Airfryer.
Full disclosure I haven't yet read Segal's first book yet, but based on her thought-provoking and often quite funny trend reports for K-Hole and Nemesis, I bought a copy on sight and eagerly await its arrival.
This incense burner is one of my favourite things—a handsome little brass column that both stores incense (great for travel) and works as a burner.
Each year Normann Copenhagen releases a new candle in limited quantities, becoming a new tradition to burn down the candle through December.
A perfect Merino T-Shirt.
A beautifully designed radio that lets you tune into global stations.
Favorite headphones. Japanese-made, incredible sound, folds flat.
An affordable, quality pair of cycling bibs made from comfortable, high-quality materials.
A fast, accurate thermometer that's essential for cooking.
A high-quality screwdriver set with laser-etched tips for a superior grip.
A luxurious, made in Portugal designed in Williamsburg shirt. Expensive but worth it.
A list of the 10 Best Books of 2020, as selected by The New York Times.
A recommended watch for those interested in Nick Cave, as suggested in the shoutout of the day.
A book by W. Brian Arthur that outlines the evolutionary journey of technology, proposing that new technologies arise not through simple accumulation or random combination, but through an ordered process using existing technologies as components.
A book that explores how broad experiences and the ability to range widely are the keys to success.
An account of doping in cycling, particularly focusing on the relationship between a rider’s natural body makeup and their ability to benefit from doping.
A comprehensive, 300 page, limited edition art book on contemporary African surf culture.
Legendary tailors of Saville Row offer up a linen face mask.
A pack of energy gels designed for endurance athletes, to be consumed 40 minutes apart during long activities for sustained energy.
A running belt with a water bottle holder, designed for distance runners to carry water and essentials.
A series focused on homes that adapt to landscapes, with each episode spotlighting architecture that complements its natural surroundings.
Examines 400 of Julius Shulman's pictures, known for his photographs of Mid-Century Modern architecture in California.
A buckwheat pillow recommended for neck support that can be shaped in almost any way. The product was praised for its quality and fast shipping.
Defines a system as an interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something.
A book by Thomas Kuhn that explores how scientific ideas emerge and the importance of paradigms in understanding scientific development.
Geoffrey West’s 'Scale' includes insights into the relationship between body mass and metabolic rate, among exploring other universal laws.
A 1997 album by Yo La Tengo, described by Pitchfork as 'cozy' in a 20th-anniversary review.
A documentary by Errol Morris on Donald Rumsfeld.
A memoir by Donald Rumsfeld.
A book by Roberta Wohlstetter on the events surrounding the attack on Pearl Harbor.
A book by Rebecca Skloot about the story of Henrietta Lacks.
Amass makes premium botanical spirits and has created a very stylish hand wash with cinnamon, allspice, clove, and eucalyptus.
A new book exploring the transition of individuals into users within digital spaces, touching upon the nuances and impacts of online presence.
Ian Leslie's book offers a graph to describe the relationship between knowledge and curiosity, emphasizing the importance of being curious for future success.
Taiichi Ohno's 1988 book that explains his simple approach to doing root cause analysis known as 'the five whys', a method that helped revolutionize manufacturing and defined the car market in the 1970s and 1980s.
A personal productivity tool notable for its age (12 years old) and its feature set including projects, tasks with due dates, and an inbox for random ideas and todos. It also offers a Weekly Review feature for setting a review cadence on projects.
A book by Kurt Vonnegut that touches on themes of building versus maintenance in human character.
Walter Ong's book that dives into the specific impacts of language on society, exploring how writing has transformed human consciousness more than any other technology.
Kyle Chayka's book on minimalism, focusing on the challenge of using words to describe minimalism and how writing about emptiness documents presence, highlighting the intricate relationship between language and the concept of less.
A book by Randall Munroe that explores absurd hypothetical questions with serious scientific answers.
A moody and weird album by King Krule.
The debut album by artist Lorde, released when she was sixteen.
In New Dark Age, James Bridle discusses the rising levels of turbulence we are experiencing both in the air and on the ground, in the form of cultural unpredictability.
A movie that came out in 1994, known for its humor and quotability according to Jeff Hughes.
A documentary about the fight to overcome the AIDS epidemic through political activism.
A sad, Bukowski-esque Chicago story that showcases Dennis Farina’s career-best performance.
Expanded from an SNL sketch into a film, it is highlighted by Jeff Hughes for its humor.
Contains what the author considers the best scene of the decade, featuring Melissa McCarthy and Richard E. Grant.
Declared as the best film of 1994, Hoop Dreams is celebrated for its considerable achievement though the author admits to not having revisited it frequently.
Praised for its requirement to be watched on the big screen, described as pure, unadulterated cinema.
Appreciated for its Hollywood storytelling quality that could belong to the mid-70s.
A financial crisis film that is smarter and subtler than its peers, focusing more on the people involved in the 2008 events.
Satire raised to the level of high art, this film is recommended for its profound impact, prompting viewers to feel a desire to dance in the streets after watching.
Described as satire raised to the level of high art and compared to This is Spinal Tap.
A 1992 New Yorker piece on surfing by William Finnegan, which was eventually turned into the Pulitzer Prize-winning book.
A book by Steven Pinker that argues the world is significantly better, safer, and healthier than it's ever been.
Crash Baggage’s "handle without care" luggage is meant to withstand all types of travel, featuring pre-dented, lightweight, shock-absorbing polycarbonate cases.
An album by Moondog that has become a favourite for listening while working or commuting.
A 2016 album by Elena Kats-Chernin, enjoyed for its ability to accompany reading and office work.
A high-quality American cast iron skillet made to last generations, produced by the Field Company.
An amazing 12-part series on Dennis Rodman’s insane basketball achievements.
A document discussing modern means of gathering.
A review of the 'Nine Hours' capsule hotel at Narita airport in Tokyo.
A book by Columbia University sociologist William McPhee, exploring a polling phenomenon related to movie and television stars—specifically, the correlation between a star's popularity and public favorability.
A graphic novel that explores superheroes in a revolutionary way, exposing them as fallible and complex humans, written by Alan Moore, illustrated by Dave Gibbons and colored by John Higgins.
Recommended by the newsletter, this book by Patrick Radden Keefe explores the Troubles in Northern Ireland, supported by extensive research and a cache of secret documents.
These handmade pretzels are recommended for those who are a salt/crunch kind of snack person. They can be found at the Union Square Greenmarket in NYC or ordered online.
Francis Mallmann, an Argentine chef master of grilling over open flames, shares his expertise in Seven Fires: Grilling the Argentine Way.
A password manager that stores secure passwords.
Philip Tetlock outlines the problem of forecasting, explaining that the approach of hedgehogs (applying a single worldview) is less accurate than foxes (using many inputs). His research has found an inverse correlation between fame and accuracy among experts, particularly highlighting how hedgehogs, despite their confidence and simplicity, are often less reliable forecasters.
The newest album by HTRK, an Australian band signed to Sam Valenti’s Ghostly label, known for their dark atmospherics, great songwriting, and some occasional feral swagger.
A writing app designed to keep writers focused by deleting their work if they stop writing for too long.
A book reflecting on the experience of financial backing Woodstock, discussing the transformation of rock festivals and the 'Me Generation' that emerged afterwards.
Custom made, super soft, 100% cotton kimono robe in serape pattern with green and red as the prominent colors. Made in a government sponsored co-op in India, promoting indigenous weaving and dyeing techniques.
The book that kickstarted the conversation around influencers in marketing, with the story of Hush Puppies' sudden resurgence as a starting point.
Palo Santo cones that burn slowly and evenly, created from the wood that can't be sold as sticks, chipped slowly to preserve essential oils and mixed with a bamboo-based binder. Approximate size of your thumb, good for multiple burn sessions.
A book on machine learning techniques offering insight into how algorithms are shaping our understanding and interaction with the digital world.
Evan Osnos' book detailing his eight years living in Beijing, focusing on Asia and including geopolitical coverage.
A miniseries by HBO that has received impressive ratings and lived up to the hype.
The to go mug recommended is known for keeping hot liquids hot and cold ones cold for a long time. It is manufactured by the Japanese brand Zojirushi and has a cult following for its durability and effectiveness.
A book of 'haikus' by Kimi Raikkonen, published by Mission Winnow.
A Prime Video show about the McLaren F1 team that goes much deeper into the car.
A book by Neil Postman about the reduction of everything to entertainment.
A book about what happens to things we get rid of and how it impacts consumer identity and values.
A memoir about growing up in an ultra-religious Mormon household that was completely disconnected from the outside world, leading to Westover's escape through education.
The story of one of the highest level KGB defectors who worked with MI6 for years, resembling a real-life John Le Carre novel.
One of the smartest books about radical Islam, providing a comprehensive history.
Wright writes a personal narrative around Texas, highlighting its changing demographics and significant role in the American story.
A fictional account of two sisters, one of whom has a predilection for murder.
Often cited in discussions about the 2016 US presidential election, it's a memoir that explores the author's Appalachian upbringing and its broader implications on American society.
A memoir by Astrid Holleeder about her life and the struggles she faced with her brother, a notorious criminal in Amsterdam, and her decision to help put him away.
Robert Caro’s new book titled 'Working', is a 204-page documentation of his work and approach to writing some of the most acclaimed biographies of the last 50 years.
The Oscar-winning Netflix documentary about doping.
A book about the blend of quantitative and qualitative judgement in baseball, discussing the convergence between scouts and scorers in the sport.
The book describes the shift in strategy in basketball with the advent of data-intensive technology and new insights, leading to a new playing strategy focused on the value of three-pointers and layups.
A writing guide by the copy chief of Random House.
The new Airpods announced by Apple include better battery, faster Bluetooth syncing, and 'Hey Siri' support. Described as transformative, they offer a cordless experience with easy music control and the ability to perform tasks without needing to use your phone.
A book that explores the reasons why some nations develop and prosper while others lag behind.
David Epstein explores the science of athleticism, delving into genetics and how various factors influence sports performance.
This book by Stewart Brand discusses concepts of long-term thinking and responsibility, with insights into digital and physical preservation.
Editions
On projecting, gaslighting, and the school run.
On trial and error, YouTube, and game shows.
On products, projects, and fifth birthdays.
We're testing out a new recommendation site.
On history, skating, and Florida.
On skateboarding, bails, and the creative process.
On AI, hospitality, and omotenashi
On seafaring, frameworks, and ethics
On YouTube, DIY, and reviews.
On software, flying, and building a culture of security
On social media, calls to abandon technology, and FOMO
On AI, business, and the value of boring tasks.
On weight loss, pharma, and market dynamics
On urban beekeeping, colony collapse disorder, and complexity theory
On movies, Mario, and pop culture history.
On AI, creativity, and what computers are and aren't good at
On Italy, travel, and merchandising
On bees, returns, and noise.
On suburbia, electric vehicles, and reshaping space
On caterpillars, cocoons, and competition
On microwaves, Modelo, and medicine.
On consulting, presentations, and the enduring power of the four-box
On technology, diffusion, and transformers.
On biology, physics, and the places where words fail us
On alternate side, cities, and cars
On companies, employees, and reassessments
On scaling, time, and feedback
On brands, ownership, and associations
On San Antonio, lunch, and the magic of melty cheese
On cycles, platforms, and staying power
On theory, predictions, and technology
On teams, behavior, and pseudoscience
On David Grann, David Grann, and David Grann.
On code, software, and predictions
On novelty, sports, and value.
On science, rebirths, and the food chain
On packaging, strategy, and consumer love
On China, chinos, and airline miles
On AI, surveys, and using large language models for research
Photos from London and Stockholm
On navigation, systems, and design
On graffiti, New York, and Futura
On luxury, markets, and certification
On advertising, culture, and the USPS
On surf, timing, and Eddie Aikau
On organization, tagging, and the changing ways we file away data
The Best of 2022
On code, partnerships with AI, and how our tools shape us.
On Moondog and flow states
On brands, AI, and collaborations
On Nascar, creative thinking, and training
On large language models, creativity, and tomato juice
On SBF, theories, and narratives that stick
On California, wagers, and knock-on effects
On SMS, interesting links, and fun experiments
On creativity, dot connecting, and relevance
On strategy, purpose, and emotional resonance (or lack thereof)
On shaving cream, boots, and magnetic hooks
On acronyms, codes, and shared culture
On technology, text-to-image services, and the spells that lead to great results
On labels, evolution, and the various approaches to building taxonomies
On WITI, subscriptions, and some new experiments
A new way to connect with WITI
On language, overuse, and Generation Hyperbole
On growth, M&A, and innovation
On Goldeneye, nostalgia, and the spread of ideas
On streaming, visuals, and storytelling
On Hitchcock, suspense, and emotion
A few links to tide you over.
A few links to tide you over.
On perception, color, and guesses
On SV4, curation, and attention to detail
On records, hypertappers, and rolling
On biology, physics, and the places where words fail us
On McPhee, Vonnegut, and attempts to picture stories
On cars, traffic, and the science behind emergent behavior
On markets, value, and leverage
On chops, hospitality, and the past
On VARK, data, and flexibility
On apps, wine glasses, and a damned good overshirt
On live shows, social pressure, and comedy
On root causes, the mind, and resolution
On teams, basketball, and Saville Row
On running, technology, and sponsorships
On sushi, corporate identity, and the FT's David Gardner
On advertising, culture, and the USPS
On caches, focus, and memory
On games, location, and educated guesses
On Tetris, F1 and Brunello Cucinelli
On software, QA, and halting
On theory, predictions, and technology
On genetics, farming, and the incredible power of intuition
On CO2, students, and ventilation
On sound, detail, and harmony
On journalism, butting heads, and peer review
On tulips, NFTs, and the boring middle
The piping hot pre-Superbowl delivery
On culture, Italy, and the words we use to describe food
On the structure of news, pace layers, and the fifty-year newspaper
The subscribers only weekend selects from your friends Colin and Noah
On strategy, purpose, and emotional resonance (or lack thereof)
On OODA, a bonkers personal website, and what Noah watched on Youtube
On the pandemic, origin, and nature
On protection, sponsorship, and Red Bull
On memory, imagery, and emotions
On complexity, computer science, and time
On connections, human behavior, and fMRI
On security, open source, and fallout
RSVP for our holiday gathering!
On shots, analytics, and strategy
On holiday shopping, logistics, and tradeoffs
On Moondog and flow states
On learning, going deep, and curiosity
On brands, ownership, and associations
On Alexa, connecting systems, and programming
On quantification, Oura, and patterns
On doors, design, and the power of affordances
On vaccines, painkillers, and permission
On cycles, learning, and COVID
On navigation, systems, and design
On desks, ergonomics, and adapting
On Turing, patterns, and arguments
On puzzles, speed, and the thrill of the solve
On regulations, competitive imbalance, and a new approach
On questions, puppies, and the endless challenges of online communities
On research, untapped gems, and pain as the process
On nets, rims, and operating at scale
On video games, open source, and the magical evolution of technology
On culture, moments, and Eno
On aesthetics, imagination, and escaping the tyranny of the powertrain
On crime, cues, and patterns
On brands, loyalty, and the power of real estate
On AI, gaming, and addiction
On memory, technology, and customization
On assistance, mental models, and problem solving
On F1, Athletes, and the memory palace
On experimentation, learning, and being in the weeds
On wartime, advance visual systems, and birds
On code, patterns, and networks
On ideas, predictability, and understanding the world
On technology, spying, and the cat and mouse game
On airplane boarding, supply chains, and the theory of constraints
On layers, interfaces, and the architecture of complexity
On offices, Slack, and how we deal with new media
On Formula 1, sponsorships, and tobacco
On videos, learning, and the WITI channel picks
On Hong Kong, future visions, and the past
On time, culture, and shearing layers
On Schumpeter, creating new things, and modern approaches
On experts, armchair experts, and critical thinking
On planning, epidemiology, and the ability to walk and chew gum
On efficacy, single shots, and optimism
On aesthetics, brands, and modernity
On betting, investing, and crowds
On iOS, security, and a game of cat and mouse
On the NBA, rules, and the operating principles of American sports leagues
On ventilation, monitoring, and safety
On currency, security, and redundancies
On Amazon, cloud computing, and what it takes to build platforms
On soccer, emulation, and styles of play
On megacities, urbanism, and tribal politics
On social engineering, fraud, and clever manipulation
On cities, the use of outdoor space, and baseline dignity.
On science, unintended consequences, and the realities of behavior
On books, objects, and other stuff worth buying
On talent, the NBA, and the supermax contract
On technology, innovation, and becoming smaller and cheaper
On culture, Italy, and the words we use to describe food
On sports, growing up, and the tradeoffs between a broad and narrow approach
On new gadgets, app accumulation, and the magic of a clean install
On peanuts, kids, and the complexities of human health
On Africa's pandemic response, economics, and resilience
On taste, price, and how the two come together to shape our perception
On multinationals, original art, and soft diplomacy
On cruft, culture, and the value of ongoing maintenance
On cities, COVID, and cognitive dissonance.
On genetics, farming, and the incredible power of intuition
On computer science, algorithms, and the meaning of hard problems
On delays, processing, and communication
On COVID, consistency, and making good decisions
On exercise, growth, and miles covered
On drafting, building, and beauty
On decision-making, basketball, and the danger of grand narratives
On WITI, contributors, and community
On consulting, presentations, and the enduring power of the four-box
On milestones, balance bikes, and adventure
On brake ducts, copying, and competition in Formula 1
On running, mixes, and the magic of combining music with space
On basketball, strategy, and the questioning of conventional wisdom
On measurements, goals, and how systems are shaped by the metrics you chase
On the United States, geography, and geopolitics
On Robinhood, retail investors, and the rules of games
On systems, racism, and change
On ideas, science, and large-scale shifts in understanding
On racism, history, and America
On kids, therapists, and the challenges we all face adopting new technologies
On lifespan, disease, and the unique set of circumstances that exist within the only flying mammal
On complexity, Pace Layers, and keeping the economy out of alignment
On microbes, health, and the unexpected usefulness of the appendix
On economic models, competition, and the realignment of the world
On megacities, urbanism, and tribal politics
On performance, acoustics, and re-thinking what you know
On risk, knowledge, and the unfamiliar
The Marble Racing Edition On sports, YouTube, and the endless search for mindless entertainment
On WITI, birthdays, and guest editions
On COVID-19, information, and the quickening pace of life
On traffic, India, and noise
On misinformation, research, and staying informed
On Coronavirus, perception, and shared cultural values
On code, cooking, and finding better ways to teach people valuable skills
On companies, change, and the challenges of root cause analysis
On wheat, tasks, and maintenance as a feature
On New York City, coffee shops, and blurred boundaries
On language, thought, and the enduring legacy of Marshall McLuhan
On basketball, bureaucracy, and the fascination with trades in sports
On numbers, context, and clarity
On music, taxonomies, and the shift to a more ontological approach to categorization
On blood tests, pregnancy, and dentists
On aerodynamics, culture, and predictability
On digital advertising, the SATs, and office astrology
On sports, culture, and how who we remember from a given period changes over time
On betting, predictions, and the language we use to forecast
On movies, the 2010s, and the advantages of time to reflect
On Walmart, urban planning, and what it takes to compete for talent in the digital age
On WITI, writing, and what it takes to get a newsletter out five days a week
On queuing, bottlenecks, and the theory of constraints
On optimism, realism, and global progress
On journalism, expertise, and the Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect
A special WITI with links from the community. Thanks to all who contributed!
On Fortnite, Doom, and media shaping messages
On advertising, experimentation, and the challenge of being a marketing agency in 2019
On arguments, straw mans, and cherry picking tweets
On machine learning, creativity, and the law
On media, archives, and our addiction to the new
On the NBA, physical play, and nostalgia
On Netflix, podcasts, and sped-up playback
On popularity, loyalty, and the unexpected relationship between the two
On Watchmen, TV, and extending remix culture to new media
On expectations, affordances, and user experience design
On brands, loyalty, and real estate
On the Stanford Prison Experiment, the "Marshmallow Test", and the trouble in psychology
On McPhee, Vonnegut, and attempts to picture stories
On scams, passwords, and the security anti-patterns that do more harm than good
On The Joker, Bill Maher, and the meaning of calls for more nuance
On social media, calls to abandon technology, and FOMO
On quantum computing, quantum supremacy, and the inadequacies of language
On medicine, ambiguity, and the value of an interdisciplinary approach
On neuroscience, replication, and bad science
On hedgehogs, foxes, and how the two approaches work in the arena of foreign policy
On creativity, systems, and how to make them work better together
On forums, social media, and the power of friction in protecting communities
On parenting, mental illness, and maternal care
On bikes, safety in numbers, and the helmet debate
On markets, regulations, and racing
On Formula 1 racing, competitiveness, and aerodynamics
On millennials, boomers, and nostalgia-fueled shade
On cities, design, and hostile spaces
On colds, antibiotics, and urgent care
On guests, guests, and guests
On aliens, intelligence, and the universe
On research, Wikipedia, and circular reporting
On social media, content moderation, and the abuse problem
On reach, influence, and the confusion between the two
On technology, competition, and the real definition of disruption
On coal, climate change, and investing
On recurrent neural networks, McLuhan, and experimentation
On forecasting, Copernicus, and our slow-moving reality
On emails, disclaimers, and the law
On train accidents, nuclear war in North Korea, and the relationship between China and the United States
On vaping, religion, and "The Overwhelming Emotion of Hearing Toto's 'Africa' Remixed to Sound Like It’s Playing in an Empty Mall"
On health, empiricism, and systematic reviews
On AirPods, social media, and what counts as insightful
On sensors, safety, and autonomous vehicles
On birth order, personality, and the stories we tell ourselves about our kids
On software, Salesforce, and the failures of digital transformation
On Facebook, privacy, and their fiduciary responsibility to protect your data
On blogging, nostalgia, and the dark forest theory of the internet
On David Grann, true crime, and great reporting
On advice, instruction, and the value of mental models
On Netflix, The Oscars, and what makes a movie a movie
On the Sackler family, philanthropy, and reputation laundering
On sports, fandom, and attracting new viewers
On polling, Postman, and opinions
On e-bikes, economics, and the changing shape of cities
On Evernote, digital archiving, and outboard brains
On China, credit, and the Gell-Mann Amnesia Effect
On memory, reflection, and Educated
On Robert Caro, power, and pace layers
On golf, Tiger, and Sunday at the Masters
On Disney+, streaming competition, and synergy
On libraries, libraries, and National Library Week
On data, intuition, and the modern moment
On YouTube, algorithms, and bad recommendations
On subliminal advertising, cigarettes, and F1 racing
On prison, crime, and society
On Apple and real estate
On Cold War spycraft and intrigue
On nostalgia and the effects of technology
A deep dive into synthetic diamonds (and a bonus cactus)
On knitting machines, Luddites, and the research high
On The Vessel, Selfies, and Stories
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