TPR Newsletter No. 2
Space X launch, disinformation campaigns, modern monetary policy, and batmobiles.
Tech
SpaceX and NASA successfully launched the first private ship to space. This event marks a new era in space exploration, where the private sector is involved. It is also the end of a nine-year period where the US had to hitchhike rides, from Rusia, to get to the ISS.
Here is an excellent story about the astronauts flying SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft >> Link and a SpaceX docking simulator >> Link
In an unprecedented move, Twitter started fact-checking the president of the United States, Donald Trump. This is the first time that a social media company moderates content from a world leader. You can see the tweet below .
While this was happening at Twitter, the Wall Street Journal published a piece about how a Facebook team found that their algorithms exploit the human brain's attraction to divisiveness. Internal memos of the company show that the CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, and other senior executives archived most of the research, and took little action. >> Link (Paywall). This week Zuckerberg has been doubling down on his stand on not to moderate content, or in his own words, "be the arbiter of truth." Facebook seems to be applying this policy, even if there is no truth at all in the content. >> Link
On yet another case of misunderstanding millennials, the company Brandless made a bet that this generation of consumers would not care for brands. They went on to raise 240 million -from Masayoshi Son's SoftBank-. Brandless sold private label products without the hidden costs of branding. However, their thesis did not hold, and brandless shut down operations this past February. Another failed investment for SoftBank, but with $98 billons in funds, most likely, they will hit a home run at some point. >> Link
Open Source
Oldie but goodie. The idea maze and how to think about product development.
An idea is not a mockup
A mockup is not a prototype
A prototype is not a program
A program is not a product
A product is not a business
And a business is not profits
State machine for Ideas- >> Link
LatAm
Interview. Disinformation campaigns in Ecuador >> Link
Apparently, Hitler roamed around Colombia >> Link
Economics
Modern Monetary Theory is having a moment. Here is a crash course on the subject. >> Link
Pure Awesomeness
From the stately and elegant Batmobile Cadillac seen in the 1943 movie serials to the latest militaristic models, this is the on-screen history of Batman's Batmobile.
Quote of the week
"If you wish to improve, be content to appear clueless or stupid in extraneous matters—don't wish to seem knowledgeable. And if some regard you as important, distrust yourself."
- EPICTETUS, ENCHIRIDION