#how to make a business model for a startup

[qoreupsmarketplace]

Launch a Profitable Kayak Rental Business with QoreUps Academy

Looking to start a kayak rental business? QoreUps Academy provides expert insights on building a profitable kayak rental business model, covering operations, marketing, and customer management for long-term success.

[intelisync]

Generative AI for Startups: 5 Essential Boosts to Boost Your Business

The future of business growth lies in the ability to innovate rapidly, deliver personalized customer experiences, and operate efficiently. Generative AI is at the forefront of this transformation, offering startups unparalleled opportunities for growth in 2024.

Generative AI is a game-changer for startups, significantly accelerating product development by quickly generating prototypes and innovative ideas. This enables startups to innovate faster, stay ahead of the competition, and bring new products to market more efficiently. The technology also allows for a high level of customization, helping startups create highly personalized products and solutions that meet specific customer needs. This enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty, giving startups a competitive edge in their respective industries.

By automating repetitive tasks and optimizing workflows, Generative AI improves operational efficiency, saving time and resources while minimizing human errors. This allows startups to focus on strategic initiatives that drive growth and profitability. Additionally, Generative AI’s ability to analyze large datasets provides startups with valuable insights for data-driven decision-making, ensuring that their actions are informed and impactful. This data-driven approach enhances marketing strategies, making them more effective and personalized.

Intelisync offers comprehensive AI/ML services that support startups in leveraging Generative AI for growth and innovation. With Intelisync’s expertise, startups can enhance product development, improve operational efficiency, and develop effective marketing strategies. Transform your business with the power of Generative AI—Contact Intelisync today and unlock your Learn more...

[reasonsforhope]

"Businesses like to talk about the concept of a closed loop or circular economy, but often they’re trying to close small loops. Releaf Paper takes dead leaves from city trees and turns them into paper for bags, office supplies, and more—which is to say they are striving to close one heck of a big loop.

How big? Six billion trees are cut down every year for paper products according to the WWF, producing everything from toilet paper to Amazon boxes to the latest best-selling novels. Meanwhile, the average city produces 8,000 metric tons of leaves every year which clog gutters and sewers, and have to be collected, composted, burned, or dumped in landfills.

In other words, huge supply and huge demand, but Releaf Paper is making cracking progress. They already produce 3 million paper carrier bags per year from 5,000 metric tons of leaves from their headquarters in Paris.

Joining forces with landscapers in sites across Europe, thousands of tonnes of leaves arrive at their facility where a low-water, zero-sulfur/chlorine production process sees the company create paper with much smaller water and carbon footprints...

“In a city, it’s a green waste that should be collected. Really, it’s a good solution because we are keeping the balance—we get fiber for making paper and return lignin as a semi-fertilizer for the cities to fertilize the gardens or the trees. So it’s like a win-win model,” [Valentyn] Frechka, co-founder and CTO of Releaf Paper, told Euronews.

Releaf is already selling products to LVMH, BNP Paribas, Logitech, Samsung, and various other big companies. In the coming years, Frechka and Sobolenka also plan to further increase their production capacity by opening more plants in other countries. If the process is cost-efficient, there’s no reason there shouldn’t be a paper mill of this kind in every city.

“We want to expand this idea all around the world. At the end, our vision is that the technology of making paper from fallen leaves should be accessible on all continents,” Sobolenka notes, according to ZME Science."

-via Good News Network, August 15, 2024

[haberai]

CELİKELCPA - PLATİNUM

Are you considering taking the exciting plunge into the dynamic Turkish market? Look no further than Celik El CPA, your trusted partner for seamless company formation and registration in Turkey. As an expert in navigating the complexities of business setup, our services cater to both local and international entrepreneurs eager to establish a foothold in this vibrant economy. With our knowledgeable Turkey accountants by your side, you can rest assured that your financial matters will be managed with precision and care. From navigating regulatory requirements to ensuring compliance, we simplify the process of starting a business in Turkey. 

Company Formation in Turkey

Setting up a business in Turkey can be an excellent decision for both local and foreign entrepreneurs. The process of company formation in Turkey is streamlined and relatively straightforward, making it a lucrative destination for investment. With the right guidance, including the assistance of professional Turkey accountants, you can navigate through legal requirements with ease.

One of the key aspects in securing a successful company registration in Turkey is understanding the various business structures available, such as limited liability companies (LLCs) and joint-stock companies. Each type has its unique benefits and requirements, which is why consulting with experts is advisable to choose the best option for your business model.

Moreover, Turkey's strategic location and growing economy provide a wealth of opportunities for business growth. Whether you're considering import-export businesses or tech startups, the benefits of entering the Turkish market are plentiful. You can leverage local resources and a young workforce, enhancing the potential for business success.

When you’re ready to start your business journey, ensure that you have all the necessary documents submitted accurately to avoid delays in the registration process. With the right support, how to start a business in Turkey can become a seamless experience!

Company Registration in Turkey

Company Registration in Turkey is a crucial step for entrepreneurs looking to establish a business presence in this vibrant market. The process involves several key steps that are designed to ensure compliance with local laws and regulations.

Step-by-Step Process

Choose Your Business Structure: Decide on the type of entity that best suits your business needs, such as a limited liability company (LLC) or joint-stock company.

Prepare Necessary Documentation: Gather all required documents, including your business plan, identity proof, and proof of address.

Open a Bank Account: Deposit the minimum required capital into a Turkish bank account and obtain a bank receipt.

Notary Public: Have your company’s articles of association drafted and notarized.

Register with the Trade Registry Office: Submit your documents to the local Trade Registry office to officially register your company.

Obtain Tax Registration: After registration, apply for a tax identification number from the Tax Office.

Benefits of Registering Your Company in Turkey

Completing the company registration process not only gives your business legal standing but also opens doors to various advantages such as:

Access to a growing market with a dynamic economy.

Eligibility for local and international contracts.

Enhanced credibility with clients and investors.

Engaging with experienced Turkey accountants such as those at Celikel CPA can significantly streamline your registration process. Their expert guidance ensures all steps are efficiently handled, allowing you to focus on your core business activities.

Ready to take the plunge and establish your presence in Turkey? Start your journey today with the support of dedicated professionals who are there to guide you through every step of How to Start a Business in Turkey.

Turkey Accountants

When planning for company formation in Turkey, selecting a skilled accountant is crucial to ensure compliance with local regulations. Experienced Turkey accountants possess in-depth knowledge of the Turkish tax system and can guide you through the intricacies of company registration in Turkey.

These professionals are adept at various services including bookkeeping, financial reporting, and tax planning, which are essential for new businesses. With their expertise, they help business owners navigate the complexities of local financial obligations, enabling you to focus on building your company.

If you are considering how to start a business in Turkey, partnering with the right accounting firm can significantly streamline your operations and enhance your chances of success. Ensure that your financial foundations are strong with professional help, positioning your business on the path to growth.

How to Start a Business in Turkey

How to starting a business in Turkey can be an exciting and rewarding venture. With its strategic location, dynamic market, and favorable investment climate, the country is an excellent choice for entrepreneurs. Here’s a concise guide to navigating the essential steps so you can move forward confidently.

Choose Your Business Structure: The first step is to decide on the type of business entity that suits your needs. Options include limited liability companies (LLCs), joint-stock companies (JSCs), and sole proprietorships. Each structure comes with its own regulatory requirements and tax implications, so it's essential to choose wisely.

These steps can set the foundation for your success in Turkey’s vibrant market landscape. With effective company registration in Turkey and the guidance of experienced Turkey accountants at your side, you will be well-equipped to launch and grow your business.

For more detailed assistance and tailored advice, don't hesitate to visit Celik & Co. CPA—your trusted partner in navigating the complexities of starting a business in Turkey.

[ellipsus-writes]

Each week (or so), we'll highlight the relevant (and sometimes rage-inducing) news adjacent to writing and freedom of expression. This week:

Inkitt’s AI-powered fiction factory

Inkitt started in the mid-2010s as a cozy platform where anyone could share their writing. Fast forward twenty twenty-fuckkkkk, and like most startups, it’s pivoted hard into AI-fueled content production with the soul of an algorithm.

Pictured: Inkitt preparing human-generated work for an AI-powered flume ride to The Unknown.

Here’s how it works: Inkitt monitors reader engagement with tracking software, then picks popular stories to publish on its premium app, Galatea. From there, stories can get spun into sequels, spinoffs, or adapted for GalateaTV… often with minimal author involvement. Authors get an undisclosed cut of revenue, but for most, it’s a fraction of what they’d earn with a traditional publisher (let alone self-publishing).

“'They prey on new writers who have no idea what they’re doing,' said the writer of one popular Galatea series."

Many, many authors have side-eyed or outright decried the platform as inherently predatory for years, due to nebulous payout promises. And much of the concern centers on contracts that don’t require authors’ consent for editorial changes or AI-generated “additions” to the original text.

Now, Inkitt has gone full DiSrUpTiOn, leaning heavily on generative AI to ghostwrite, edit, generate audiobook narration, and design covers, under the banner of “democratizing storytelling.” (AI? In my democratized storytelling platform? It’s more likely than you think.)

Pictured: Inkitt’s CEO looking at the most-read stories.

But Inkitt’s CEO doesn’t seem too concerned about what authors think: “His business model doesn’t need them.”

The company recently raised $37 million, with backers including former CEOs of Sony, Penguin, and HarperCollins, proving once again that publishing loves a disruptor… as long as it disrupts creatives, not capital. And more AI companies are mushrooming up to chase the same vision: “a vision of human-created art becoming the raw material for AI-powered, corporate-owned content-production machines—a scenario in which humans would play an ever-shrinking role.”

(Not to say we predicted this, but…)

Welcome to the creator-industrial complex.

Publishers to AI: Stop stealing our stuff (please?)

Major publishers—including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Vox Media—have launched a "Support Responsible AI" campaign, urging the U.S. government to regulate AI's use of copyrighted content.

Like last month's campaigns by the Authors Guild and the UK's Society of Authors, there's a website where where you can (and should!) contact your representatives to say, “Hey, maybe stop letting billion-dollar tech giants strip-mine journalism.”

The campaign’s ads carry slogans like “Stop AI Theft” and “AI Steals From You Too” and call for legislation that would force AI companies to pay for the content they train on and clearly label AI-generated content with attribution. This follows lobbying by OpenAI and Google to make it legal to scrape and train on copyrighted material without consent.

The publishers assert they are not explicitly anti-AI, but advocate for a “fair” system that respects intellectual property and supports journalism.

But… awkward, The Washington Post—now owned by Jeff Bezos—has reportedly already struck a deal with OpenAI to license and summarize its content. So, mixed signals.

Still, as the campaign reminds us: “Stealing is un-American.”

(Unless it’s profitable.)

#WarForever

We at Ellipsus love a good meme-turned-megaproject. Back in January, the-app-formerly-known-as-Twitter user @lolt64 tweeted a cryptic line about "the frozen wastes of europa,” the earliest reference to the never-ending war on Jupiter’s icy moon.

A slew of bleak dispatches from weary, doomed soldiers entrenched on Europa’s ice fields snowballed (iceberged?) into a sprawling saga, yes-and-ing with fan art, vignettes, and memes under the hashtag #WarForever.

It’s not quite X’s answer to Goncharov: It turns out WarForever is some flavor of viral marketing for a tabletop RPG zine. But the internet ran with it anyway, with NASA playing the Scorcese of the stars.

In a digital hellworld increasingly dominated by AI slopification, data harvesting, and “content at scale,” projects like WarForever are a blessed reminder that creativity—actual, human creativity—perseveres.

Even on a frozen moon. Even here.

Let us know if you find something other writers should know about, (or join our Discord and share it there!)

- The Ellipsus Team xo

[mariacallous]

In her new book, Bad Company: Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream, journalist and WIRED alum Megan Greenwell chronicles the devastating impacts of one of the most powerful yet poorly understood forces in modern American capitalism. Flush with cash, largely unregulated, and relentlessly focused on profit, private equity firms have quietly reshaped the US economy, taking over large chunks of industries ranging from health care to retail—often leaving financial ruin in their wake.

Twelve million people in the US now work for companies owned by private equity, Greenwell writes, or about 8 percent of the total employed population. Her book focuses on the stories of four of these individuals, including a Toys “R” Us supervisor who loses the best job she ever had and a Wyoming doctor who watches his rural hospital cut essential services. Their collective experiences are a damning account of how innovation is being replaced by financial engineering and the ways that shift is being paid for by everyone except those at the top.

In a review of Bad Company for Bloomberg, a longtime private equity executive accused Greenwell of seeking out sad stories with inevitably “sad endings.” But the characters Greenwell selected don’t just sit back and watch as private equity devastates their communities. The book is a portrait of not only how the American dream is being eroded but also the creative tactics people are using to fight back.

Greenwell spoke to WIRED late last month about what private equity is and isn’t, how it has transformed different industries, and what workers are doing to reclaim their power.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

WIRED: What is private equity? How is the business model different from, say, venture capital?

Megan Greenwell: People confuse private equity and venture capital all the time, but it's totally reasonable that normal people don't understand the difference. Basically, the easiest way to explain the difference is that venture capital firms invest money, usually in startups. They’re essentially taking a stake in the company and expecting some sort of returns over time. They're also generally playing a significantly longer game than private equity.

But the way private equity works, especially with leveraged buyouts, which is what I focus on in the book, is they're buying companies outright. In venture capital, you put your money in, you're entrusting it to a CEO, and you probably have a board seat. But in the leveraged buyout model, the private equity firm really is the owner and controlling decider of the portfolio company.

How do private equity firms define success? What kinds of companies or businesses are attractive to them?

In venture capital, VCs are evaluating whether to make a deal based solely on whether they think that company is going to become successful. They are looking for unicorns. Is this company going to be the next Uber? Private equity is looking to make money off of companies in ways that don't actually require the company itself to make money. That is like the biggest thing.

So it’s less of a gamble.

It is very hard for private equity firms to lose money on deals. They're getting a 2 percent management fee, even if they're running the company into the ground. They're also able to pull off all these tricks, like selling off the company's real estate and then charging the company rent on the same land it used to own. When private equity firms take out loans to buy companies, the debt from those loans is assigned not to the private equity firm but to the portfolio company.

And so what you end up getting is that private equity is really attracted to companies where you don't have to play the long game. In fact, you don't want to play the long game, which means that you have no interest in doing the hard, slow work of improving a company's fundamentals. It is just not about improving the company at all. It is about, how do we extract money?

How did we get to this point where private equity is now taking over relatively large and diverse swaths of the economy, including veterinary clinics, brick-and-mortar retail stores, and all sorts of other businesses. What was the promise of this model?

Private equity started pretty small in the 1960s with what were then called “bootstrap deals,” essentially acquisitions of small, family-run companies that maybe showed promise for expansion but didn't have the capital necessary to grow. So in some ways it was more like venture capital, although it targeted established companies and not brand-new startups. This idea of growth at all costs then just expanded and expanded and expanded and started swallowing more and more and more things.

When did private equity start to peak?

There was a huge expansion of private equity in the 2010s for the same reason that venture capital exploded: There was a lot of cheap money out there, and cheap money is great for investors. We’ve seen private equity explore more industries over time, and usually that's because some policy change or broader economic trend all of a sudden makes a certain sector look like fertile ground for them.

What are some of the strategies that workers have used to fight back against private equity firms? Have they been successful?

What was interesting to me was not prescribing solutions but talking about what people are doing. The four characters in my book are all trying to do something about this in very different ways, and those range from fighting for regulation, to just going head-to-head directly with the private equity firm that upended their own life, to really trying to reinvent their industries from the ground up, which is something that is especially inspiring to me.

Do you have one that has stuck with you more than the others?

One example that I’ll talk about from the book is from the Toys “R” Us section. Public pension funds are a huge source of capital for private equity firms, and they typically have worker representatives on their boards. So if they're representing teachers and nurses and firefighters, there will be one or more people working in those professions serving on the pension fund board.

Toys “R” Us workers had this very smart idea that those folks would be more likely to be sympathetic to their cause than a bunch of billionaires would. So they started going around the country, standing in front of these pension fund boards and saying “here is how these private equity firms that you invest in have blown up our lives,” talking in really specific detail about things like how they couldn’t find jobs and were worried about feeding their families. The protagonist of that section of my book tells a story about how the members of one board just started peppering her with questions after she spoke in front of them.

Some people claim that private equity firms are the primary culprit behind broad economic problems such as income inequality and the housing crisis. Are they putting the blame in the right place?

I think by putting all of the blame on them, you end up undermining the criticisms about private equity firms that are more truthful. This is something that I thought really hard about how to do in the book, because I do think it's a mistake actually, but also strategically for people who want to see this system change, to attribute too much to them.

Right.

The first section of the book tells the story of how the four industries I write about—housing, hospitals, retail, and local media—got themselves into trouble in the first place. In all of those cases, the problems are so fundamental. And in many of those cases, the earlier business decisions were so bone-headed that they essentially opened the door and invited private equity to walk right in. I do think private equity is a villain in terms of the way they have taken advantage of these industries for their own gain, but it is absolutely true that they did not cause the problems.

[theme-park-concepts]

I know theme parks are a lot more expensive to make than movies and tv, however when I see the overall scale of the film industry and how small themed experiences are in comparison - can’t help but think there’s massive untapped potential even just within the states.

Like it’s not uncommon for a SMALL movie to cost 5-10 million these days. small production companies will make several of these a year. And big companies hell - these days a 100 million dollar movie is cheap. You could absolutely build GOOD themed entertainment for these costs

And honestly I’d argue the potential return is even greater considering most films don’t make their money back. Just need the people with money to see it.

Every once in a while I think about how the real barrier to more themed entertainment is just how complicated it is to get a project off the ground and those startup costs and complexities. And maybe there’s a world where a theme park could follow live theatre model

Like a main company builds the park itself and infrastructure, maybe even show buildings, but individual smaller business endeavors do individual attractions - not unlike a fair, worlds fair, or even how Knotts became what it is.

[darkficsyouneveraskedfor]

Bittersweet 2

No tag lists. Do not send asks or DMs about updates. Review my pinned post for guidelines, masterlist, etc. 

Part of the Sweet and Spicy AU 

Warnings: this fic will include dark content such as dubcon/noncon, and other possible triggers. My warnings are not exhaustive, enter at your own risk. 

18+ only. Your media consumption is your own responsibility. Warnings have been given. DO NOT PROCEED if these matters upset you. 

Summary: Your startup business catches the eye of a powerful rival.

Character: Loki Laufeyson

Please comment and reblog if it’s not too much. I always love getting to chat about these stories and hearing all your ideas! You all are wonderful and loved.

It’s baking day. Your kitchen is stolid with the heat of the oven and the treats cooling on the counter. Your apartment has been converted into a pseudo chocolate factory; though you wouldn’t claim Wonka’s glory. You are certain to keep to food-safe standards however and so your morning began with sanitization, another two hours on top of a long day. 

It’s a few weeks out to the next show; a local festival that hosts all sorts of local shops, though the biggest attraction are the musical acts. Even so, you’re hustling as best as you can. You spent a portion of the baking show profit to get a kiosk in the mall for the holiday weekend. It’s a big deal, you expect a crowd and now you have an idea of how much you’ll need to bring. 

You sigh as you tally up what you have so far. You’ll be in the kitchen all week at this rate and you don’t think even then you’ll meet your set quota. You’ll still do well but you can’t help the echo of that man’s words. You’re hitting a wall on your own. 

And you’re running low on red cacao. You frown at the slack canvas bag. That’s another trip to the bulk seller down by the freeway but that’s so far out, it’ll eat at least an hour and a half off your day.  

He’s right. That pompous snakish man is right. You can’t keep up with the demand.  

No, you can. You’ll bake into the night if you have to. It’ll be cooler then, anyhow. You inventory your cupboards as the oven radiate with heat. You have a list. Tomorrow you can get to that but for now, you’ll start packaging the chocolates in the fridge. 

You count out the truffles and fudge squares precisely. Each one in a sleeve or a box. You’ll add all the little details later; a ribbon, a bow, a seal. You yawn at the repetition but aren’t bored by it. Having your own business isn’t exactly dull, if anything it’s tantalizingly stressful. 

Your tablet dings as the baking show you keep on stream quiets for the notification. The woman’s voice returns to full volume as you approach to check the icon in the margin. It’s from your online shop front. Between the physical work, you can’t forget about the healthy tide of orders coming in virtually. 

It adds to the weight on your shoulders. You slump and drag down the notification bar. It’s large order and before you can skim each item, another notification sweeps in. You tap the inquiry so that the message opens.  

The inquiry is labeled with the same order number that just came up. You squint. ‘...requires in-person to order address...’ You don’t do that. It isn’t an option but the customer’s tone comes of insistent even over text. They promise a gratuity and underline that they did pay for the expedited option. 

That’s the first position you’re hiring when you can make the space. A customer service representative because you hate this. You go back to review the full order. It’s a lot; a lot of baking and a lot of money. 

You’ll have to make it work yet there’s this needling voice in the back of your head, slithering and sharp, you can’t keep this up forever. 

🍫

Surely, it’s the wrong address.

You idle in your large SUV, the nearly two-decade old model puttering between the sleek modern cars the fill the spaces outside the luxurious storefront. You gulp as you peer up at the moniker. You recognise the brand and the logo. 

Black Snake. It’s some sort of trick. You should have been suspicious.

The chocolatier isn’t unknown to you beyond your encounter with its owner. While the headquarters are nestled right at the heart of your city, there are locations across the country and even a few international. The local start-up boomed onto the front page and you can’t say it had nothing to do with your own come up. You offer a more affordable option with the same premium taste. 

You suppose he doesn’t like the competition. You wouldn’t either but you put yourself out there against the Black Snake monopoly knowing you would be trudging uphill. You get out and try not to think too much. 

You unlock the hatch and take out the large box stamped with your business name; Sweet Nothings. You approach the front door, trying to see through the tinted windows that form the front wall, and it opens before you can reach it. Shoot, he’s expecting you. 

“Ah, right on time,” Loki greets as he checks his watch. “I see you’ve no branding on your vehicle.” 

You try not to cringe. He has an eye for detail. You bite down on your smile. 

“Hello again,” you try to act like his foreboding hasn’t haunted you for a week, “I have everything in here--” 

“I didn’t see a reselling clause on your terms of service,” he proclaims smugly, “these should be popular.” 

“Ah,” you hesitate as he steps out of the door to hold it open for you, “you’ve paid so I guess I can’t stop you.” 

“Mm, and how is business then? You are quick to respond. Can’t be very hectic, then.” 

You take the jab like a weathered boxer. You don’t flinch, you just keep going. You stride inside and look around. You carry the box to the empty space the counter. 

“As promised, I will transfer a fee for your trouble,” he follows quickly. 

“Thanks, uh, I should--” you face him as he blocks your path. 

“You’ve a pop-up. This coming weekend.” 

The advert is at the top of your online shop. Of course, he would know. His diligence is starting to eke you out. 

“I do,” you confirm, “so I should be off.” 

“Yes, you have much work to do. Tell me, how many ovens do you have going?” 

Your expression falls, “you spent all this money to mock me?” 

“No, I’m simply discussing business. Seeing as I am experienced, I thought I might offer some sage advice,” he flutters his long fingers. 

“I appreciate that, really, but I am running a business, same as you, so if you would like to discuss that, you are more than welcome to make a proper appointment with me. Like a business person.” 

He snickers at the slant in your voice, the tone that insists you’re legitimate like him. 

“I didn’t see that option on the store front,” he counters. 

“You have my card,” you sniff and step around him. “Feel free to let me know if you have any concerns about your order.” 

“Wait--” He calls after but you’re already halfway through the door. 

[darkmaga-returns]

The company, Make Sunsets, was founded by two Silicon Valley entrepreneurs with no background in atmospheric science.

Their business model?

Fill weather balloons with sulfur dioxide and hydrogen gas, launch them over 66,000 feet into the sky, and sell “cooling credits” to customers based on how much estimated warming each balloon release negates.

Now, they’re facing consequences—granted, these balloons release infinitesimally less sulfur into the sky than airplanes do.

On Tuesday, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that his agency is investigating the company’s actions under the Clean Air Act, citing potential air quality violations.

“Make Sunsets is a startup that is geoengineering by injecting sulfur dioxide into the sky and then selling ‘cooling credits.’ This company is polluting the air we breathe,” Zeldin posted to social media. “I’ve instructed my team that we need to quickly get to the bottom of this and take immediate action.”

[centrally-unplanned]

Related to my monopoly+pricing post, Astral Codex Ten recently wrote about off-label Ozempic from compounding pharmacies that shows this little logic flaw in action:

How much does is cost? HenryMeds is $297/month, Eden is $296, Mochi is $254 - compared to the $1,300/month you’d pay for the official product. This isn’t covered by insurance, so it’s still not affordable for lots of people. But it’s more affordable than the $1,300/month version. Also, there’s not a shortage of it. Why doesn’t it cost even less? This is still a mystery to me. The compounding pharmacies are circumventing the patent, so they don’t need to pay back investment. And there’s a lot of competition between various compounders and telemedicine startups - even 23andMe is getting in on the deal now! And some Harvard doctors recently published a paper saying that the unit cost to the manufacturer is only about $5/month. Maybe the bottleneck is FDA-approved factories, or high-capacity compounding pharmacies. Or maybe Harvard doctors with no skin in the game are assuming too many things away, and $250 is the best we’ll get for now.

He is puzzled about why the price isn't cheaper, why aren't they racing to the bottom? And I am no expert in this industry, maybe there are barriers and that $250 really is the floor, I am just using this as a logic example. But really, consider instead that pharmacists - running their own business - are smart and trying to maximize their own revenue. If they can sell their supply at $250, and enough customers are willing to pay, why wouldn't they do that? Why would one of them "try to undercut" and, what, maybe steal some orders until the others notice and then match and now they all make less? Why instead wouldn't they all feel around for the "market maximizing price" for them collectively? I would bet their supply is not infinite, and while they could lower the price to sell more they can't sell *so* much more of it that it would make up for the loss. And they can all figure that our independently and experimentally raise and lower prices, watching each other, till they are at equilibrium.

And again this isn't some like radical economics take, in actual economics practice we have dozens of models for firm behavior for different contexts. The 101 model is a tool in the toolbox, but raw is just quite rare in the world.

[xenosagaepisodeone]

As much as copyright law sucks, its unfortunately one of the only legal venues with any sort of real power for artists working in creative industries to protect their livelihoods and colleagues. Unionization alone isn't going to stop companies from scraping people's work, especially not people who are non-union or freelancers, and unions like SAG-AFTRA keep throwing people who aren't making top-dollar under the bus for "ethical" AI startups they partner with anyway, even when said members call them out for siding with corporate over their own due-paying members. When corporations who normally try to shut down creators with DMCA takedowns are now violating the IP of countless creators themselves, why shouldn't we at least hold them accountable to the same laws they already use against us?

because it will not work. I truly cannot stress this enough, whatever meager personal gains that some industry artists are able to acquire in isolated cases against startups and other boutique tech ventures will set the precedent for which the corporations that actually control your country (who have infinite resources to expend on legal ventures) will use to push the law further in their favor. disney already does so much to prevent their IPs from entering the public domain! if you give them an avenue to exploit, they will do it! and it won't matter who was actually right because they have they have so much more money. artists and indie animation studios that could pose any threat to corporate monopolies on art will get C&D'd out of existence for superficial similarities. karla ortiz' lawsuit was so vaguely worded that you could hypothetically pursue someone legally if they had artwork of yours saved in a pinterest inspo board since CLIP models were framed as "trade dress databases". this entire movement is more concerned with potentially obstructed opportunities to rent-seek than it actually is about workers rights- or even simply art that was not created with the intent of being 'content'. and the same industry artists who spearheaded this frenzy will side the the corporations when it comes to it because they've already got theirs.

copyright is never made with the interests of individuals in mind. like, i can't even begin to explain how historically, the little guy is the one getting fucked over by copyright law! how so much of what shapes our culture exists in spite of copyright law as opposed to because of it. what drives me insane is how ai is the thing that artists end up rallying around in unity; not anything to actually improve the quality of life working within the arts, but instead a fad technology. i've seen people describe working in animation as being like a form of debasement and act like nothing can be done while i'm witnessing an entire movement unfold to protect that because a lot of artists seem to think of themselves as temporarily embarrassed small business owners over workers.

[warningsine]

In its flawed first season, “Halt and Catch Fire” tried too hard to be the next “Mad Men.” Following four visionaries through the first decade of the personal computing revolution, the AMC series opened by introducing its Don Draper: Joe MacMillan (Lee Pace), a slick, manipulative hotshot with an IBM pedigree. It’s 1983, and he’s speeding through Texas in a black sports car when he hits an armadillo. The carnage is nauseating, but it doesn’t stop him from making it to his destination: a college lecture hall where he’s come to interrogate a roomful of male comp-sci majors about the future of their industry. The sole woman in the class arrives late. She wears military fatigues, her hair is bleached, and bratty punk music blasts through her headphones. She is the most brilliant coder in the room.

Her name is Cameron Howe (Mackenzie Davis), and she turns out to be the show’s true protagonist. Her story comes to the fore in subsequent seasons that evolve radically enough to make “Halt and Catch Fire,” which ends its run on Saturday (Oct. 14), one of the greatest TV dramas of the decade. But there’s lots of tiresome male anti-hero stuff to get through first, as Joe commandeers a local electric company and talks its best employee, timid family man Gordon Clark (Scoot McNairy), into helping him reverse-engineer an IBM. As this classic alpha-beta duo schemes and innovates, their new hire (and Joe’s fuck buddy) Cameron remains a quasi-peripheral figure. It’s the songs music supervisor Thomas Golubić (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul,” “Six Feet Under”) surrounds Cam with that offer the first hint that the show is really her story.

Cam’s punk tapes are a window into the initially taciturn character’s rebellious nature, just as her headphones are the first clue that she’s a loner. In the premiere, she’s listening to the Vandals when she gets kicked out of a video arcade for using the old coin-on-a-string trick. A few episodes later, there’s a gorgeous scene where she pirouettes through a dark, empty office with X-Ray Spex’s “Germfree Adolescents” on her Walkman. (The moment is echoed near the end of season three, where she dances—first with Joe, then alone—to Pixies’ “Velouria.”) Whether it’s an iconic band like Bad Brains or a lesser-known act like Big Boys, Cam’s always got loud, angry music in her ears while she’s coding.

Cam is a punk, but not just in the banal, myopic way the tech industry has always appropriated the aesthetic—with dropout programming prodigies, “rockstar” developers, and startups bent on “disrupting” existing business models, all of whom share the ultimate goal of making money. She is impractical to a fault, trusting her own unruly instincts over the dictates of the market. Over four seasons, we watch her dream up everything from a friendly user interface that’s years ahead of its time and would take far too long to build, to a computer game so abstract, no one can understand how to play it. When she founds her own company, at the end of the first season, it’s called Mutiny. All of the employees live together in a house and make decisions democratically. Eventually, Cam exerts her power as Mutiny’s leader, but only to save her vision from getting absorbed into a big corporation.

From the very start, Cam’s music bleeds from her headphones into the show’s non-diegetic soundtrack. When she shows up for her first day at Cardiff Electric, the company Joe hijacks, “The Magnificent Seven” by the Clash follows her, its lyrics about the futility of the capitalist grind underscoring her ambivalence about the job. Over time, punk comes to symbolize Cam’s growing influence in the industry. It’s the official sound of Mutiny HQ, her chaotic geek haven adorned in red spray paint. Near the end of season two, the Raveonettes’ cover of Joy Division’s “She’s Lost Control” plays as she exacts public revenge on the billionaire who rips off the early online community she’s created. After Mutiny moves to California, in season three, hardcore riffs constantly reverberate through the cavernous office.

“Halt and Catch Fire” doesn’t usually hit you over the head with feminist themes, but it does subtly build an argument that women are gaining ground in a world men still control. Gordon’s wife, Donna (Kerry Bishé), initially seems like a nagging mom type, keeping her genius husband from his destiny. But she’s a genius, too; her engineering expertise becomes invaluable to Cardiff’s portable computer project, then she joins Cam at Mutiny. By the finale, Donna’s combination of technical prowess and business savvy have made her a powerful Silicon Valley venture capitalist, as well as a sort of Sheryl Sandberg figure.

Donna and Gordon Clark’s daughters, Joanie (played by Morgan Hinkleman as a kid and Kathryn Newton as a teenager) and Haley (Alana Cavanaugh and then Susanna Skaggs), are the next generation of liberated women. Cam lives with the Clarks after Mutiny moves to California, and her influence on the girls is palpable. A few quick time jumps land us in the mid-’90s by the fourth season, when the sisters are in high school. Teenage Joanie is a classic rebel, smoking cigarettes and getting into trouble and, yes, listening to punk. (The band name Shonen Knife, she explains to her father, basically means “dick” because “shonen” is the Japanese word for “boy.”) Haley is a budding web development star whose taste for PJ Harvey and riot grrrl helps her come to terms with her queer sexuality. A giddy scene midway through the season finds her bonding with her crush, a waitress, over Bratmobile and Heavens to Betsy.

Music becomes more essential to the show than ever in its fourth and final season. There are moving syncs that have nothing to do with Cam, like when an unmoored Donna gets pulled over for speeding while singing along to Pat Benatar’s “We Belong,” and when she plays Dire Straits’ “So Far Away” after Gordon’s sudden death. But the alternative, indie, and riot grrrl music Haley and Joanie listen to—Gen X’s version of the punk bands whose fierce spirit Cam helped instill in them—is the core soundtrack of these episodes. Golubić cements the connection by pairing Cam’s scenes with some of the 1990s’ most iconic female-led anthems: the Breeders’ “Cannonball,” Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl,” Hole’s “Doll Parts.” Just as X-Ray Spex and their peers helped pave the way for women in punk, Cam sets a precedent for girl programmers like Haley. At one point, she’s surfing the internet and stumbles upon a Cameron Howe fan page.

Perhaps the greatest thing about “Halt and Catch Fire” is that it ultimately has no real heroes or villains—only four talented, flawed people who all end up playing both of those roles at one point or another. The music is what puts us inside Cam’s mind more than any other character’s, though, and illustrates how her ideas electrify everyone who can wrap their mind around them, even when her projects fail. Her work endures like an out-of-print cassette passed from hand to grubby hand, a guidepost for like-minded young punks who walk the difficult path she cleared.

[manorinthewoods]

"Welcome to the AI trough of disillusionment"

"When the chief executive of a large tech firm based in San Francisco shares a drink with the bosses of his Fortune 500 clients, he often hears a similar message. “They’re frustrated and disappointed. They say: ‘I don’t know why it’s taking so long. I’ve spent money on this. It’s not happening’”.

"For many companies, excitement over the promise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has given way to vexation over the difficulty of making productive use of the technology. According to S&P Global, a data provider, the share of companies abandoning most of their generative-AI pilot projects has risen to 42%, up from 17% last year. The boss of Klarna, a Swedish buy-now, pay-later provider, recently admitted that he went too far in using the technology to slash customer-service jobs, and is now rehiring humans for the roles."

"Consumers, for their part, continue to enthusiastically embrace generative AI. [Really?] Sam Altman, the boss of OpenAI, recently said that its ChatGPT bot was being used by some 800m people a week, twice as many as in February. Some already regularly turn to the technology at work. Yet generative AI’s ["]transformative potential["] will be realised only if a broad swathe of companies systematically embed it into their products and operations. Faced with sluggish progress, many bosses are sliding into the “trough of disillusionment”, says John Lovelock of Gartner, referring to the stage in the consultancy’s famed “hype cycle” that comes after the euphoria generated by a new technology.

"This poses a problem for the so-called hyperscalers—Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft and Meta—that are still pouring vast sums into building the infrastructure underpinning AI. According to Pierre Ferragu of New Street Research, their combined capital expenditures are on course to rise from 12% of revenues a decade ago to 28% this year. Will they be able to generate healthy enough returns to justify the splurge? [I'd guess not.]

"Companies are struggling to make use of generative AI for many reasons. Their data troves are often siloed and trapped in archaic it systems. Many experience difficulties hiring the technical talent needed. And however much potential they see in the technology, bosses know they have brands to protect, which means minimising the risk that a bot will make a damaging mistake or expose them to privacy violations or data breaches.

"Meanwhile, the tech giants continue to preach AI’s potential. [Of course.] Their evangelism was on full display this week during the annual developer conferences of Microsoft and Alphabet’s Google. Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai, their respective bosses, talked excitedly about a “platform shift” and the emergence of an “agentic web” populated by semi-autonomous AI agents interacting with one another on behalf of their human masters. [Jesus christ. Why? Who benefits from that? Why would anyone want that? What's the point of using the Internet if it's all just AIs pretending to be people? Goddamn billionaires.]

"The two tech bosses highlighted how AI models are getting better, faster, cheaper and more widely available. At one point Elon Musk announced to Microsoft’s crowd via video link that xAI, his AI lab, would be making its Grok models available on the tech giant’s Azure cloud service (shortly after Mr Altman, his nemesis, used the same medium to tout the benefits of OpenAI’s deep relationship with Microsoft). [Nobody wanted Microsoft to pivot to the cloud.] Messrs Nadella and Pichai both talked up a new measure—the number of tokens processed in generative-AI models—to demonstrate booming usage. [So now they're fiddling with the numbers to make them look better.

"Fuddy-duddy measures of business success, such as sales or profit, were not in focus. For now, the meagre cloud revenues Alphabet, Amazon and Microsoft are making from AI, relative to the magnitude of their investments, come mostly from AI labs and startups, some of which are bankrolled by the giants themselves.

"Still, as Mr Lovelock of Gartner argues, much of the benefit of the technology for the hyperscalers will come from applying it to their own products and operations. At its event, Google announced that it will launch a more conversational “AI mode” for its search engine, powered by its Gemini models. It says that the AI summaries that now appear alongside its search results are already used by more than 1.5bn people each month. [I'd imagine this is giving a generous definition of 'used'. The AI overviews spawn on basically every search - that doesn't mean everyone's using them. Although, probably, a lot of people are.] Google has also introduced generative AI into its ad business [so now the ads are even less appealing], to help companies create content and manage their campaigns. Meta, which does not sell cloud computing, has weaved the technology into its ad business using its open-source Llama models. Microsoft has embedded AI into its suite of workplace apps and its coding platform, Github. Amazon has applied the technology in its e-commerce business to improve product recommendations and optimise logistics. AI may also allow the tech giants to cut programming jobs. This month Microsoft laid off 6,000 workers, many of whom were reportedly software engineers. [That's going to come back to bite you. The logistics is a valid application, but not the whole 'replacing programmers with AI' bit. Better get ready for the bugs!]

"These efforts, if successful, may even encourage other companies to keep experimenting with the technology until they, too, can make it work. Troughs, after all, have two sides; next in Gartner’s cycle comes the “slope of enlightenment”, which sounds much more enjoyable. At that point, companies that have underinvested in AI may come to regret it. [I doubt it.] The cost of falling behind is already clear at Apple, which was slower than its fellow tech giants to embrace generative AI. It has flubbed the introduction of a souped-up version of its voice assistant Siri, rebuilt around the technology. The new bot is so bug-ridden its rollout has been postponed.

"Mr Lovelock’s bet is that the trough will last until the end of next year. In the meantime, the hyperscalers have work to do. Kevin Scott, Microsoft’s chief technology officer, said this week that for AI agents to live up to their promise, serious work needs to be done on memory, so that they can recall past interactions. The web also needs new protocols to help agents gain access to various data streams. [What an ominous way to phrase that.] Microsoft has now signed up to an open-source one called Model Context Protocol, launched in November by Anthropic, another AI lab, joining Amazon, Google and OpenAI.

"Many companies say that what they need most is not cleverer AI models, but more ways to make the technology useful. Mr Scott calls this the “capability overhang.” He and Anthropic’s co-founder Dario Amodei used the Microsoft conference to urge users to think big and keep the faith. [Yeah, because there's no actual proof this helps. Except in medicine and science.] “Don’t look away,” said Mr Amodei. “Don’t blink.” ■"

[reasonsforhope]

"In drought-stricken areas, communities facing water shortages, or even in residential and commercial buildings eager to improve their environmental footprints, atmospheric water generators represent a new frontier in water production.

While it might sound like a tidbit from a science fiction movie, even the driest places on earth have moisture in the air that can be extracted and used for everyday necessities like plumbing and drinking. 

Unlike traditional dehumidifiers, which also pull moisture from the air, AWGs utilize filtration and sterilization technology to make water safe to drink. 

And while there are plenty of AWG companies out there — and the science itself isn’t novel — AWGs are becoming more efficient, affordable, and revolutionary in combating water scarcity in a myriad of communities.

Aquaria Technologies, a San Francisco-based AWG startup, was founded in 2022 to help provide affordable and clean drinking water in areas most affected by climate change. 

Using heat exchange and condensation, Aquaria’s generators draw air into their systems, cool that air below its dew point, and as it condenses, capture that water and filter it for consumption. 

As the cycle continues, the generator’s refrigerant vaporizes and goes through a process that cools it back into a liquid, meaning the heat transfer cycle repeats continuously in an energy-efficient and self-sustaining system.

“I’m sure you’ve had the experience in the summer, you take a glass of a cold drink out of the fridge and then water droplets form on the side of the bottle,” Aquaria’s co-founder and CEO Brian Sheng, said in a podcast episode. “That’s actually condensation.”

Sheng continued: “The question is, how do we create condensation? How do we extract water out of the air in large volume and using little energy? That’s what our technology does. We have created both active and passive cooling methods where we use special materials, and we’ve created heat exchange and recovery systems and airflow design, such that we’re maximizing heat exchange, and then we’re able to extract large volumes of water.”

Aquaria has created a number of generators, but its stand-alone model — the Hydropack X — can replace an entire home’s dependence on municipal water, producing as much as 264 gallons of potable water per day. 

Other models, like the Hydrostation, can provide water for up to 1,500 people at parks, construction sites, or other outdoor public areas. The Hydropixel can make 24 gallons of water per day for a seamless at-home application, requiring a simple outlet for power. 

“Atmospheric water generators present a groundbreaking solution to the global challenge of clean water scarcity, leveraging the humidity present in the air to produce potable water,” the company’s website explains.

“This technology is versatile, functioning efficiently across diverse climates — from arid regions to tropical settings. From rural communities in developing countries to advanced cities facing unexpected droughts, atmospheric water generators have a wide range of applications… transforming lives and providing secure, clean water sources.”

Considering an estimated 2.2 billion people lack access to clean water globally — including in American cities like Flint, Michigan, or Modesto, California — innovative solutions like AWGs are vital to maintaining the basic human right to clean water. 

The World Economic Forum has begun to dip its toes into this technology as well, implementing public and private partnerships to introduce AWG units in Arizona’s Navajo Nation, where the machines produce about 200 gallons of clean water per day.

“When combined with an appropriate level of community engagement and triple-bottom-line business (people, planet, profit),” a blog post for WE Forum said, “this model can be a powerful stopgap solution where few exist today.”

Similarly, according to New Atlas, Aquaria has a partnership with developers to supply its technology to a 1,000-home community in Hawaii later this year, relying entirely on atmospherically generated water.

The company also has a “Frontier Access Program,” which partners with water-related NGOs, community project developers, and sustainable development groups to deploy this technology in areas most in need.

Regardless of their use cases — in homes, in communities facing water shortages, or at aid sites navigating natural disasters — AWGs have a minimal environmental impact. Sourcing water “from thin air,” requires no plastic bottles, no large-scale plants using up loads of energy, and no byproducts that can harm the environment."

-via GoodGoodGood, August 27, 2024

[12surajkumar]

Top MBA Schools in India Your Career Starts with the Right College

When it comes to shaping a successful career in business and management, selecting the right MBA school is the most critical first step. In India, where the competition is intense and the corporate world is evolving rapidly, an MBA from a top-tier business school offers the knowledge, network, and placement opportunities to help you excel.

In this guide, we explore the top MBA schools in India and show how each institution serves as a launchpad for a high-impact career.

Why Choosing the Right MBA College Matters

A reputed MBA college doesn't just give you a degree—it offers:

🎓 World-class education from experienced faculty

🌐 Industry exposure through internships, guest lectures, and live projects

🤝 Powerful alumni networks that open doors globally

💼 High placement potential with leading companies

🌍 International opportunities through exchange programs and global immersions

Top MBA Schools in India (2025 Edition)

Here’s a curated list of the best MBA schools in India known for academic excellence, top-notch placements, and cutting-edge curriculums.

1. Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA)

Ranking: #1 consistently across major rankings

Average CTC: ₹35.5 LPA

Top Recruiters: McKinsey, BCG, Goldman Sachs

Why Choose IIMA:

Premier case-study-based learning model

Global recognition (EQUIS & AACSB accreditations)

100% placement with high international offers

2. Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB)

Location: Bangalore – India’s Silicon Valley

Average CTC: ₹33 LPA

Best For: Tech, consulting, and entrepreneurship

Standout Features:

Strong linkages with the corporate and startup ecosystem

Global immersion programs

Active alumni mentorship and leadership development

3. Indian Institute of Management Calcutta (IIMC)

Specialty: Finance and analytics

Average CTC: ₹34 LPA

Top Recruiters: JP Morgan, Barclays, BCG

Highlights:

Internationally renowned faculty

Finance-focused curriculum

Ivy-league level placement results

4. Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad & Mohali

Program: One-year PGP

Average CTC: ₹30 LPA

Unique Strengths:

Globally diverse peer group

Industry-focused curriculum

Excellent for experienced professionals

5. XLRI – Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur

Popular Programs: PGDM in HRM and Business Management

Average Package: ₹29 LPA

Why XLRI?

Pioneer in Human Resource Management

Excellent leadership development

Ethical business focus and social impact initiatives

6. International Institute of Business Studies (IIBS)

Program: MBA, PGDM, Finance ,Business Analytics

Average Package: ₹8.7 LPA

Why IIBS?

Located near International Airport , Bangalore’s

Well-rounded curriculum

Active placement cell with strong corporate connections

International student exchange options

7. Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University

USP: Affordable MBA with top-tier ROI

Average Package: ₹27 LPA

Fee: Less than ₹2 lakhs

Recruiters: Google, Bain & Co., Microsoft

What Sets It Apart:

Best ROI in the country

Government-aided institution with stellar placements

8. SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai

Strengths: Supply chain, operations, family business

Average Salary: ₹25 LPA

Program Innovation:

Global fast-track programs

Value-based learning and social internships

9. Management Development Institute (MDI), Gurgaon

Known For: Marketing, Strategy, and HR

Avg. Package: ₹24 LPA

Placement Highlights:

Regular recruiters include Reckitt, Coca-Cola, Accenture

Proximity to NCR makes it ideal for consulting and FMCG roles

10. Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), Delhi & Kolkata

Focus: International Business

Average CTC: ₹23 LPA

Top Recruiters: EXIM Bank, Olam International, Deloitte

International Edge:

Trade specialization curriculum

Strong foreign placement track record

11. NMIMS School of Business Management, Mumbai

Specializations: Finance, Analytics, Pharma Management

Average CTC: ₹20 LPA

Placement Strengths:

Extensive recruiter base from Mumbai's corporate sector

Good choice for freshers and working professionals alike

Honorable Mentions – Emerging B-Schools with Excellent Potential

1. TAPMI, Manipal

Strong emphasis on business analytics and finance

Accredited by AACSB

2. Great Lakes Institute of Management, Chennai

One-year and two-year PGPM/MBA programs

Focus on analytics and AI-driven management

3. IMI Delhi

Centrally located, globally connected

Strong ROI and growing placement stats

4. IBS Hyderabad

Among the largest MBA programs in India

Extensive alumni and recruiter network

How to Choose the Right MBA School in India

Before applying, consider these key selection factors:

Accreditations & Rankings

Check for global accreditations like AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS, and top-tier NIRF/FT rankings.

Specialization Fit

Choose a B-school aligned with your career goals—be it in Finance, Marketing, HR, Analytics, or Entrepreneurship.

Placements & Internships

Look at average CTC, highest package, and top recruiters

Check if summer internships are guaranteed

Location & Industry Interface

Metro cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, and Hyderabad provide better exposure

Proximity to corporates enhances live project opportunities

Alumni Network

Strong alumni connections = better mentorship & career growth

Alumni often open doors to referrals and global opportunities

Final Thoughts: Begin Your MBA Journey with the Right Choice

In India, an MBA is more than a qualification—it's a career-transforming experience. The top MBA schools listed here are not only institutions of academic excellence but also gateways to leadership, innovation, and global success.

Your career starts with the right college. Choose wisely, aim high, and let your MBA journey elevate your future.

[deer-trees]

My ex boss just posted an article he wrote (allegedly, I'm sure ChatGPT may have been a ghostwriter) about how companies should build their entire business model around AI and described tasks done by humans that AI can now "handle" as "charming, but inefficient." He proceeded to assure the reader that AI would not replace people, just handle the "boring" stuff while human workers do the "creative thinking and strategic innovation" which is all well and good in theory, but he used two AI generated illustrations for this article. Seems to me like you've already replaced a human illustrator, buddy. Plenty of other folks who write articles collaborate with illustrators to add to their point. Why didn't you? Seems to me like an illustrator would have jumped at the chance to do some creative thinking for you in exchange for even a little bit of your "I-just-created-a-new-startup" money to live, but you, like every other AI-obsessed person out there, have directly contradicted yourself instead and proven that you value your own personal profit, breakneck production speed, and strict adherence to trends over actually making and maintaining connections with other people who actively want to work with you and love the process of their craft. The ultimate irony of this is that he wrote this article to promote his new company, and if I'm not mistaken this must be the company he told me about off the record last year when he was still creating it, the very same company he used as leverage to beg me to stay for what I later learned would be my final few months of employment there, because he promised incredible benefits and higher pay once he was able to extend job offers to his current employees for his brand spanking new little enterprise. Fuck this shit for real, I don't know why I believed him.