AI helps more people go into business for themselves

In the late 20th century, to start a business often meant upfront capital, a small team, and long nights spent toggling between marketing, sales, admin, and customer service. Today, that model is rapidly dissolving—not because the work has disappeared, but because AI is now doing it behind the scenes.

Artificial intelligence has emerged not as a singular miracle tool, but as a quiet, integrated presence throughout the software we use every day. For solo entrepreneurs, freelancers, and micro-enterprise builders, this means more than convenience. It means liberation.

Take the business suite offered by Meta, for instance. What once required a part-time marketer or a social media manager can now be performed in part by AI-enhanced campaign builders that suggest ad copy, A/B test visuals, and allocate budget dynamically. An individual running an e-commerce store, podcast, or service business no longer needs to spend hours researching their ideal customer—the platform already suggests audiences based on interest profiles, real-time engagement, and behavioral patterns harvested across Meta’s vast network.

This is only the beginning.

The Invisible Back Office

Behind the scenes, AI is streamlining formerly specialized tasks. Tools like QuickBooks Live, FreshBooks, or Xero now embed intelligent suggestions for categorizing expenses, auto-generating tax reports, and flagging potential compliance risks. CRM platforms such as HubSpot, Zoho, and Salesforce allow individuals to automate outreach, follow-ups, and even nurture customer relationships without lifting a finger—some using GPT-style generative writing to help draft personalized emails at scale.

These tools don’t just save time; they multiply human capacity. One person can now behave like a five-person team.

Prospecting, which once meant cold calls, door-knocking, or manually building email lists, has become algorithmically driven. AI platforms can surface potential leads based on web activity, company growth signals, or public data scraped from LinkedIn and Crunchbase. A single service provider can identify, contact, and follow up with dozens of potential clients before their morning coffee.

AI as the Ultimate Co-Founder

What we’re witnessing is not simply automation—it’s the birth of the AI-enhanced entrepreneur. These aren’t just users of AI; they’re collaborators with it. When someone launches a Shopify storefront or a Substack publication, they’re not alone. Their co-founder is a stack of invisible assistants: design tools that understand layout, copy generators that learn their voice, customer support bots that handle FAQs while they sleep.

And for the millions of people who may never have had access to startup capital, or whose talents were bottlenecked by time or lack of formal business training, this represents a quiet revolution. It opens a new kind of independence—one where a laid-off worker can launch a consulting agency overnight, a teenager can build a monetized meme brand, or an artist can start a niche clothing label with AI-powered fulfillment and customer support.

Caveats and Considerations

Of course, the flip side of ease is saturation. As the barrier to entry drops, so too does the uniqueness of any given offering. In this environment, standing out becomes the next creative frontier—not just launching, but launching with intention, clarity, and purpose.

There is also the risk that algorithmic dependency will homogenize what’s created. If every entrepreneur uses the same AI tools with the same prompts, the resulting brands, products, and voices may blend together, further strengthening the monopolistic control of tech platforms.

That said, when used creatively and conscientiously, AI can amplify human intention rather than flatten it. The best entrepreneurs will learn not just to delegate to AI, but to direct it—to wield it like a musical instrument, not just as a task manager.

A New Entrepreneurial Era

This is not the gig economy of the 2010s, which promised freedom but delivered precarity. This is the AI economy: a world in which the tools are finally catching up to the dream of the empowered individual. Not everyone will want to run their own business—but for those who do, the path has never been more walkable.

And perhaps that’s the quiet promise of AI: not just smarter tools, but a rebalancing of power. One in which more people can choose the work they do, shape the brand they build, and define the life they want—on their own terms, at their own pace, with a silent partner who never sleeps.

The hidden costs of short-term capitalism

In recent decades, the structural imperatives of American capitalism have increasingly prioritized immediate financial returns over sustainable long-term outcomes, shaping an economy characterized by fragile infrastructures, diminished worker well-being, and ecological degradation. This short-termism, often enforced by relentless quarterly earnings pressure, has profound implications far beyond corporate boardrooms, permeating society and weakening foundational systems critical to collective prosperity and health.

The phenomenon manifests prominently in the widespread practice of third-party contracting, where roles essential to public health, safety, and security—such as hospital cleaning staff, emergency responders, or maintenance personnel—are frequently outsourced to the lowest bidder. Though this strategy temporarily boosts profits, it erodes quality control and accountability, exposing institutions to hidden risks. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals that relied heavily on contracted labor faced staffing shortages and inconsistent care standards, exacerbating public health crises and amplifying vulnerabilities within healthcare infrastructures.

Short-term cost-cutting strategies also profoundly impact environmental stewardship. Consider the pervasive use of plastic packaging over more durable and safer alternatives such as glass or metal. Plastic's lower upfront cost makes it attractive for companies intent on immediate savings, yet this choice imposes hidden long-term costs on public health and ecological systems. Microplastics, which infiltrate waterways and human bodies, represent an enduring legacy of corporate short-termism, linking cost savings today to escalating healthcare expenses and environmental remediation costs tomorrow.

The myopic focus inherent in quarterly capitalism further drives the rollback of environmental regulations, as industries lobby aggressively against measures they perceive as impediments to profitability. Regulatory capture often results in the weakening of standards meant to safeguard clean air, safe drinking water, and biodiverse ecosystems. The Flint water crisis exemplifies the catastrophic outcomes possible when cost-saving measures override rigorous environmental oversight and public safety priorities, leaving communities to bear the long-term costs of short-term corporate decisions.

Workers, too, pay the price for this shortsighted approach. The stagnation of wages and erosion of benefits like comprehensive healthcare coverage illustrate how companies sacrifice employee welfare to meet immediate shareholder expectations. Employees struggling under precarious financial and health conditions experience reduced productivity and lower morale, further undermining long-term organizational resilience and competitiveness. Moreover, the societal ripple effects—manifesting as increased public healthcare burdens, widening inequality, and strained social safety nets—compound, escalating into deeper systemic challenges.

Addressing the core issue of capitalist short-termism requires a fundamental shift toward value systems and policies prioritizing sustainability, equity, and long-term resilience. This shift includes adopting longer-term metrics for corporate accountability, incentivizing environmentally sustainable materials and practices, strengthening employment laws to ensure livable wages and robust benefits, and enforcing regulatory frameworks that protect public and ecological health.

Ultimately, reorienting capitalism in America from its current trajectory demands collective acknowledgment of the substantial hidden costs imposed by short-term financial strategies. Only through recalibrating corporate incentives and cultivating systemic accountability can society transform capitalism into a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient economic system that genuinely serves long-term human and ecological flourishing.

Thinking of healthcare as a technology of peace

America's healthcare system stands as a paradox, deeply revered for its advanced medical innovations yet equally reviled for its glaring inequalities. At its core, this system has become more than just a reflection of medical advancement; it is a profound barometer of social cohesion and national stability. When access to healthcare is contingent upon one's economic status, healthcare inadvertently becomes an instrument of division, undermining social solidarity and exacerbating resentment among citizens.

Universal healthcare can serve as a potent technology of peace, stabilizing society through the assurance of fundamental dignity. Health is inherently personal, yet its social implications are profound. In nations where healthcare is universally provided, citizens carry a shared sense of security, confidence in collective goodwill, and a reinforced belief that every life matters equally. Conversely, in systems where healthcare is fragmented or withheld due to economic constraints, anger and resentment become justified responses to systemic neglect.

In the United States, where healthcare disparities are stark and persistent, these divisions manifest palpably. An individual's health, the most intimate aspect of their existence, becomes a battleground for political exploitation and social fragmentation. This dynamic doesn't just harm those who lack adequate healthcare; it erodes the social fabric of the nation as a whole.

Furthermore, recent research highlights an alarming consequence of healthcare inequality: widespread professional burnout among healthcare providers. Exhausted and stretched beyond capacity, healthcare workers can lose the empathy essential to compassionate care. This erosion of empathy disproportionately affects vulnerable individuals, particularly those facing terminal conditions or end-of-life transitions. It creates situations in which individuals experience their final moments isolated, uncomforted, and profoundly alone.

Such scenarios are symptomatic of a healthcare system shaped not by collective wellbeing, but by economic expediency and fragmented policy priorities. Healthcare inequality not only creates social divisions—it diminishes collective humanity. To transform healthcare into a genuine technology of peace requires intentional policy shifts, systemic investments, and societal acknowledgment of healthcare as a shared moral imperative.

Addressing healthcare inequality means more than just economic reform; it necessitates a fundamental cultural shift toward valuing human dignity over profit margins. It requires recognizing healthcare access as a cornerstone of national security and stability, ensuring that no citizen faces life's ultimate vulnerabilities alone.

By reimagining healthcare as a tool for social cohesion, we create conditions that lower societal tension and reduce divisions exploited by opportunistic actors. Universal healthcare can, in this sense, genuinely act as a technology of peace—reinforcing empathy, solidarity, and collective resilience. This is not merely policy; it is the profound reaffirmation of a nation's commitment to each of its citizens, affirming that in our most vulnerable moments, no one should ever be left to face darkness alone.

Beyoncé’s Formation video and the inequality of climate impacts

In one of the most arresting images in pop culture in recent years, Beyoncé lies sprawled atop a New Orleans police cruiser as it slowly sinks beneath murky floodwaters. This closing tableau of her Formation music video is haunting and layered: a Black woman posed regally on the roof of a drowning police car, calm amid a deluge that evokes Hurricane Katrina’s devastation. It’s a scene that feels both elegiac and defiant. Nearly two decades after Katrina, as climate change fuels ever more ferocious storms, this watery vision resonates as a potent allegory – a lyrical indictment of how the American state confronts climate disaster and a celebration of Black resilience floating above the flotsam of institutional failure (The Guardian).

The Deluge and Its Discontents: Katrina’s Climate Shadow

When Formation opens and closes with Beyoncé atop a flooded squad car, the reference is unmistakable. The video is bookended by imagery of post-Katrina New Orleans – a disaster in which the city’s Black residents were disproportionately hurt. Hurricane Katrina killed over 1,800 people and permanently displaced over a million, a catastrophe now understood as a preview of climate-charged extremes. Scientists note that climate change amplified Katrina’s wrath, elevating storm surge and rainfall, and likely boosting its ferocity.

But the human toll of that storm was not merely a function of wind and water. Katrina exposed how disasters prey on society’s wounds. As the Union of Concerned Scientists has reported, the impacts “are disproportionately felt by low-income communities and communities of color,” because historical inequities left certain neighborhoods more vulnerable to flooding and harm. Decades of segregation and disinvestment meant that Black New Orleanians lived in some of the lowest-lying, most flood-prone parts of the city. When the levees broke, it was these neighborhoods that drowned.

The trauma of Katrina still hangs heavy in the American imagination – a symbol of government neglect in the face of climate catastrophe. It’s no wonder, then, that Beyoncé’s flooded-city backdrop “still resonates” today, as NPR cultural critics observed. The flood in Formation is more than historical set dressing; it is a climate omen.

Beyoncé atop the Sinking State: Power, Resistance, and Rebirth

Against this backdrop of inundation, Beyoncé’s choice to perch on a sinking police cruiser becomes fiercely symbolic. The New Orleans Police Department squad car – emblazoned with authority yet helplessly adrift – represents the very institutions that failed their people. In the mythic logic of the video, the state’s power is not only impotent in the face of natural disaster, it is being ritually cast down. Beyoncé’s presence on that rooftop is a study in poise and reclamation: she literally rides out the flood on the back of the state, a Black woman physically above the emblem of law and order that historically has oppressed Black communities.

Director Melina Matsoukas explained the intent: “I wanted it to be a police car to show that they hadn’t really shown up for us,” she said of the scene, “and that we were still here on top, and that [Beyoncé] was one with the people who had suffered.”

Sociologist Zandria F. Robinson frames it as a “celebration of the margins” – a vision in which Black bodies and voices at the periphery ultimately vanquish the state’s authority. “Black bodies in motion, women’s voices centered, black queer voices centered – is what ultimately vanquishes the state, represented by a NOPD car,” Robinson writes. Beyoncé as the conjured every-southern-black-woman slays atop the car and uses the weight of her body to finish it off, sacrificing herself in the process.

Others have read Beyoncé here as embodying Mami Wata, a powerful water spirit in African and Caribbean traditions. Dressed in flowing red and white, she reclines on the car like a mermaid on a rock. “Mami Wata (Beyoncé) sinks into the water … taking with her something as payment for the injustice that has been perpetrated.” The police car is that payment – a sacrificial offering to the flood.

Marquita Harris of Refinery29 reflects on the tragedy in the scene: “The image of her drowning along with the car is powerful. More than 1,800 innocent lives were lost during Hurricane Katrina. Most of those lives could’ve been saved. If the system doesn’t change, we’ll continue to sink down with it.”

Environmental Racism and Carceral Climate Politics

Hurricane Katrina remains the textbook case. In its aftermath, as Black neighborhoods were submerged and families clung to rooftops, what did government authorities prioritize? Too often, the answer was property over people, order over compassion. As detailed in a ProPublica investigation, law enforcement was instructed to treat looters with lethal force. White vigilante groups in suburbs like Algiers Point murdered Black evacuees with impunity.

The sheriff of Orleans Parish refused to evacuate the city’s prison, leaving over 6,500 inmates (including juveniles) trapped for days in chest-deep toxic water. As an ACLU report later noted: “The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals did more for its 263 stray pets than the sheriff did for the men, women and children left in his care.”

This is what carceral strategies in a climate disaster look like: containment and abandonment of the vulnerable rather than proactive care.

And the pattern repeats. According to Harvard’s KSR Journal, Black Americans are more likely to receive less FEMA relief, take longer to recover, and face greater barriers to relocating from high-risk areas. Scholar Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò warns of “climate apartheid,” where disaster response reinforces inequality and exclusion.

The image of Beyoncé on the roof as the water rises asks us a devastating question: when the storm comes, who gets rescued, and who is left to sink with the state?

By folding in the climate disaster context, Formation makes an unspoken but deeply political claim: environmental justice is racial justice. Beyoncé places herself in that watery tableau not as a victim, but as a force – a reckoning.

Her visual poetry joins a growing canon of cultural critique that does what policy reports often can’t: it makes us feel the stakes. The image of a Black woman rising above a crumbling system as the waters rise is no longer just metaphor. It’s prophecy.

We are already watching institutions drown under the weight of their own inaction. Beyoncé, poised and powerful, invites us to choose: we can build something new – or sink with the old.

Civics education strengthens national security

Across the United States, civics education—a foundational pillar of democracy—is quietly disappearing from classrooms. Ironically, this decline is championed by those who loudly declare their patriotism and profess a steadfast commitment to national security. Yet, the erosion of civics education poses one of the most critical and overlooked national security threats today.

When citizens lack a clear understanding of how government functions, their frustration often manifests in distrust and, alarmingly, can escalate toward radicalization. Without knowledge of civic procedures, the path from dissatisfaction to meaningful reform appears blocked, making the dangerous allure of violent upheaval appear as the only viable option for change. This misunderstanding profoundly destabilizes society from within.

Consider the January 6th insurrection—arguably one of the most severe internal threats to American democracy in recent history. At its core was a fundamental misunderstanding, perpetuated by misinformation, about how democratic processes work. The rioters believed that their only recourse was direct, violent confrontation. Had effective civics education been more widely accessible and prioritized, more citizens might have understood that their dissatisfaction could be addressed through sustained civic engagement, activism at the local and state levels, and participation in democratic institutions.

History repeatedly demonstrates that genuine and lasting change often begins at the local level, slowly ascending to the federal stage. Take for example, the legalization of cannabis in the United States. While not yet federally legal, with every state that passes legislation to legalize cannabis, federal legalization becomes more of and inevitability. Effective civics education equips citizens with the tools to advocate for their interests, engage meaningfully with their communities, and understand that the government is not an inaccessible monolith, but rather a series of interwoven structures designed to respond—albeit gradually—to public demand.

Ironically, conservative-led initiatives across various states have accelerated the defunding of civics programs, framing them as unnecessary or even politically biased. Yet these actions paradoxically undermine the very stability and unity they aim to protect. Civics education does not indoctrinate—it empowers. It provides a clear blueprint for peaceful, systemic, and structural reform, reducing the vulnerability of citizens to radical ideologies that exploit frustration and ignorance.

A robust, reinvigorated commitment to civics education can, therefore, serve as a powerful bulwark against radicalization. It promotes active citizenship, fosters trust in democratic institutions, and ensures that societal change comes through ballots rather than bullets.

To protect national security genuinely, policymakers, educators, and citizens must reframe civics education not as a mere curriculum component, but as an indispensable safeguard—a strategic investment in the resilience and health of our democracy. After all, a nation whose citizens fully grasp and can confidently navigate their democracy is inherently stronger and more secure.

How third-party contracts can erode public safety, and what government can do

Many governments are rethinking their reliance on third-party contractors in critical sectors—from healthcare to construction—where public safety, worker protections, and societal stability are at stake. Outsourcing core labor can introduce substantial risks, including reduced accountability, weakened training or safety standards, and labor instability. This article examines real-world legislation and case studies from the United States and Nordic countries that restrict third-party contractor labor, highlighting laws promoting direct employment, outcomes of these policies for safety and quality, and indirect procurement or labor standards that achieve similar ends.

The U.S. Approach: Policies Curbing Outsourcing of Essential Labor

Public Services: Keeping Essential Government Functions In-House

In the U.S., outright bans on outsourcing are uncommon federally, but state and local initiatives increasingly limit third-party labor in critical public services. For example, California law restricts outsourcing general government functions, permitting privatization only for specialized services. A landmark 2012 ruling halted Costa Mesa’s attempt to outsource essential municipal services, reinforcing this stance.

Illinois and other states have banned private prisons, asserting incarceration should remain under direct public oversight due to safety and humane conditions concerns.

Healthcare Sector: Regulating Temporary Staffing

Healthcare has faced challenges with expensive and exploitative temporary staffing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, at least 14 states proposed laws to curb excessive pricing by nursing staffing agencies. Connecticut and Iowa introduced transparency mandates and prohibited restrictive clauses in staffing contracts, while New York banned staffing agencies from charging hospitals fees when agency nurses were directly hired.

Additionally, California’s strict nurse-to-patient ratio law encourages hospitals to rely on permanent, stable staff, indirectly discouraging excessive use of temporary contractors.

Construction and Infrastructure: Labor Standards and Accountability

Construction frequently involves complex subcontracting, so U.S. policy primarily aims to raise labor standards rather than banning outsourcing outright. The federal Davis-Bacon Act mandates prevailing wages on federally funded construction, removing incentives to use cheap, outsourced labor.

Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) further ensure high standards, mandating unionized or equivalently skilled labor on major projects. PLAs improve safety outcomes and maintain consistent workforce quality. California specifically holds general contractors liable for unpaid wages by subcontractors, incentivizing direct employment and accountability (California AB 1701).

IT and Critical Infrastructure: Restrictions with Security in Mind

Several states, including New Jersey and New York, restrict outsourcing government IT functions overseas. Florida enacted a law in 2023 explicitly banning healthcare providers from offshoring sensitive patient data management, prioritizing security and domestic accountability.

Nordic Models: Emphasizing Direct Employment in Essential Sectors

Nordic countries provide clear precedents limiting staffing agencies and contractors to protect workers and maintain high quality.

Norway: Aggressive Restrictions in Construction

Norway enacted strong restrictions in 2023, prohibiting temporary agency labor for regular construction tasks, particularly around Oslo, to ensure worker safety and employment stability. Norwegian law now requires agency workers employed continuously by one client for three years to be offered permanent positions, reinforcing direct hiring practices.

Sweden: Encouraging Permanent Transitions from Agency Work

Sweden’s 2022 amendments to its Agency Work Act mandate that workers continuously employed via agencies for 24 months within three years must be offered permanent employment or significant severance. Public-sector organizations cannot opt out, strengthening the incentive for stable, direct employment relationships.

Broader European Context

EU regulations require equal pay and working conditions for temporary agency workers, reducing the financial attractiveness of outsourcing. Spain and France further restricted temporary employment, mandating conversion of prolonged temporary contracts into permanent positions, sharply reducing precarious employment arrangements.

Impacts and Outcomes: Improved Safety, Stability, and Worker Protection

Policies limiting outsourcing in critical sectors consistently align responsibility with control, delivering multiple benefits:

• Enhanced Safety and Quality: Directly employed workers demonstrate improved safety compliance, training consistency, and superior service quality.

• Better Working Conditions: Restrictions like Sweden’s 24-month rule and prevailing wage laws ensure fair pay, career paths, and stable employment, reducing precarity and fostering economic resilience.

• Public Trust and Service Continuity: Limiting outsourcing maintains institutional knowledge, consistency, and trust, vital in sectors like healthcare and emergency services.

• Economic Stability: Stable, directly employed workforces underpin strong community economies and social stability, minimizing economic disruptions and labor disputes.

Real-world analogs from the U.S. and Nordic countries highlight a clear policy shift toward limiting outsourcing in essential sectors. Whether through direct employment mandates, rigorous standards for contractors, or tighter regulation of staffing agencies, the underlying principle is increasingly recognized: some jobs—emergency responders, healthcare professionals, and construction workers building critical infrastructure—are too essential to outsource freely.

These case studies illustrate tangible outcomes: improved worker safety, better quality outcomes, greater economic and social stability, and higher public trust. Policymakers worldwide might reconsider outsourcing, not as mere economic flexibility, but as a significant strategic and ethical choice affecting the broader social contract.

In critical industries, the precedent is clear: responsibility and direct oversight cannot—and should not—be outsourced.

Every mashup possible: music can be automated

Imagine an autonomous system capable of traversing the entirety of music theory—mapping its scales, rhythms, and harmonies—while creating fully realized songs. Borrowing inspiration from Stuxnet, the cyber-weapon famed for its ability to solve complex problems autonomously, such a system could revolutionize how we think about music.

At its core, music is a universe of patterns. It’s governed by explicit rules like tonal systems and chord progressions, yet it thrives on the subtle nuances that make genres distinct and evocative. A "musical Stuxnet" could use deep learning to understand these rules, generative models like GANs to synthesize new compositions, and reinforcement learning to autonomously explore the unexplored corners of musical potential. It wouldn’t just generate melodies or harmonies; it could produce fully mastered tracks, spanning every genre and blending styles in ways we’ve never imagined.

But its potential goes even further—especially in the realm of mashups. Music in clubs thrives on energy and innovation, often powered by DJs who blend tracks to create unforgettable moments. A "musical Stuxnet" could analyze the BPMs (beats per minute) of every song ever published, finding perfect alignments between rhythms, keys, and genres. It could algorithmically create every possible mashup, from seamless pop crossovers to the most unexpected experimental blends. This would push the boundaries of club music, transforming how DJs curate their sets and how audiences experience live music.

Such a system could adapt to cultural contexts, innovate new structures, and even identify gaps in music that human creators haven’t yet explored. In essence, it would act as a tireless, boundary-pushing composer, continually uncovering music’s latent possibilities.

However, this vision raises profound questions. Can true originality emerge from an algorithm trained on existing works? How would it navigate the cultural depth and emotional resonance that make music so human? Most importantly, what role would human musicians and DJs play in a world where infinite, autonomous music is possible? Perhaps this technology wouldn’t replace creators but amplify their reach, providing a collaborative partner that unlocks creativity in new ways.

A "musical Stuxnet" isn’t just a thought experiment—it’s a glimpse into how technology could expand the boundaries of art itself. As AI reshapes creativity, we find ourselves at the threshold of a new harmony between human intuition and machine ingenuity.

Apple Music Live is building a global NYE tradition

Music has this incredible way of connecting people—no borders, no barriers, sometimes no words—and Apple Music Live’s New Year’s Eve parties could rapidly become a symbol of that global unity. Apple Music Live’s New Year’s celebration isn’t just another livestream or another concert series. What Apple is doing here feels new. It feels big. It feels like the start of something the world hasn’t seen before.

Think about it. December 31, 2024: Björk spinning an unexpected DJ set at The Cause in London, Skepta bringing the grit and energy, and Uncle Waffles making beats that demand you move. The vibe wasn’t confined to that room. Millions joined in from everywhere, syncing their New Year’s celebrations to the pulse of the same music. A year earlier in Los Angeles, KAYTRANADA, Honey Dijon, and Peggy Gou transformed a warehouse into a global dance party. These aren’t isolated moments. Apple’s creating something that feels bigger—a kind of cultural lightning rod that strikes every December 31st.

What makes this so compelling is how intentional it all is. It’s not just about throwing together big names and calling it a day. Apple’s building a platform where diverse artists—some of them on the cusp of breaking through—can shine on a stage that reaches the entire planet. And it’s working. Through its "Up Next" program, Apple already has a pipeline for discovering and nurturing emerging talent. Imagine an artist rising through the ranks in Q1, gaining traction through the year, and capping it off with a headlining performance at the NYE party. That’s not just a career milestone; it’s a launchpad to global stardom.

Beyond music, these events hold the potential for something even greater: cultural diplomacy. In a world often divided by politics and borders, these shared moments remind us of our common humanity. They create a space for unity, where differences dissolve, and we’re all just people celebrating the turning of the calendar. Music becomes the bridge, and Apple’s NYE parties the platform.

Picture this: in a few years, Apple’s NYE event could rival traditions like the ball drop in Times Square. But instead of standing in the cold, you’re at home, or at a party, or somewhere halfway around the world, all tuned into the same beat, the same energy. It’s not hard to imagine this becoming the way the world rings in the New Year—together, united by sound. This isn’t just a party; it’s the beginning of a new tradition.

A letter to a world where solutions are inevitable

Nature has always been the ultimate innovator, solving problems over billions of years. From fungi that connect entire forests to slime mold that maps the most efficient paths to food. The natural world runs on systems that adapt, evolve, and optimize. It doesn’t matter how complex the challenge—within the logic of nature, there’s always a way forward.

We are part of that same reality, a reality that moves toward solutions, healing, and growth. Even the most difficult challenges exist within a framework that allows for their resolution. If something exists, it is part of reality’s logic—and because it is part of reality, it has a beginning and an end.

This applies to every problem we face, no matter how daunting. Consider a virus. Viruses operate like tiny biological codes, systems working within the body to replicate and persist. Yet these systems are part of the same nature that creates forests and maps food pathways. This means they are also part of a system that can be understood, unraveled, and solved.

With tools like AI, CRISPR, and computational models that mimic nature’s adaptive brilliance, the solutions to even the hardest problems feel less like impossibilities and more like inevitabilities. Reality itself is aligned with love—the resonance that brings connections together and makes healing possible. Solutions aren’t something we have to impose—they’re something we discover, something already written into the code of existence.

Indeterminant tomatoes are like a stuxnet from nature

What if a tomato plant could teach us about the universe’s deepest mysteries? The humble indeterminate tomato—an unassuming vine in your garden—may be one of nature’s most profound metaphors for resilience, adaptability, and infinite potential. In a way, it operates like a natural world Stuxnet: a self-replicating, dynamic system designed for endless growth and production.

Unlike determinate tomato plants, which grow to a fixed size and produce all their fruit at once, an indeterminate tomato plant is boundless. It grows indefinitely, adapting to its environment and producing fruit continuously throughout its life cycle. As long as conditions are favorable, the plant keeps going, spreading its influence and maximizing its yield. This behavior mirrors the infamous Stuxnet virus: an autonomous program that propagates within a system, adapting to its environment and achieving its goals without predefined limits.

The indeterminate tomato is a biological marvel. Its ability to adapt and grow isn’t static—it’s dynamic. It responds to sunlight, nutrients, and space, continuously optimizing its growth and fruiting potential. Similarly, Stuxnet-like systems in computing work by exploiting opportunities in their environment, evolving as needed to achieve their purpose. Both systems demonstrate a kind of limitless drive, a feedback loop that sustains them as long as the conditions allow.

This metaphor isn’t just poetic—it’s practical. Nature’s systems, like the indeterminate tomato, are self-propagating, efficient, and endlessly adaptable. By studying them, we can design human-made systems that mirror these qualities—whether in agriculture, energy, or technology. Just as the tomato vine doesn’t need a set endpoint, perhaps our systems, too, can be built to thrive indefinitely, adapting to their environments instead of being constrained by rigid boundaries.

The indeterminate tomato reminds us that nature is the original innovator, coding adaptability and resilience into the fabric of life. In its unending growth, we see a reflection of infinite potential—a living Stuxnet, quietly teaching us how to align with the limitless possibilities of the world.

Exploring the infinite: a mathematical stuxnet

Imagine a computer program designed to explore the entirety of mathematics—mapping connections, uncovering hidden relationships, and solving centuries-old problems. This "Mathematical Stuxnet" would act as an autonomous explorer, traveling through the infinite web of mathematical truths. Inspired by the infamous Stuxnet virus, which infiltrated specific systems to achieve its goals, this tool would operate not to disrupt, but to discover. By autonomously testing hypotheses, refining its methods, and uncovering new insights, it could transform our understanding of mathematics.

Mathematics is a vast, interconnected network of equations, theorems, and principles. A Mathematical Stuxnet would begin by mapping these relationships, analyzing how fields like algebra, topology, and number theory connect. Using machine learning and advanced computation, it could test infinite variations of mathematical statements, explore edge cases in existing proofs, and identify hidden patterns. Unlike human researchers, who focus on specific areas, this program could work across domains simultaneously, identifying relationships that might otherwise remain unnoticed.

Such a system could yield groundbreaking discoveries. It might propose and test new theorems, potentially solving problems like the Riemann Hypothesis or uncovering new insights into prime numbers. It could also reveal unexpected links between fields, like how number theory informs cryptography or how geometry shapes data science. Free from human bias, the Mathematical Stuxnet could explore concepts beyond intuition, expanding the boundaries of what is possible.

The potential of such a tool is enormous, but it raises ethical questions. Should its discoveries be open to all, or carefully controlled? Could its findings disrupt fields like cryptography, which rely on the difficulty of unsolved problems? A Mathematical Stuxnet would not replace mathematicians but serve as a powerful collaborator, accelerating advancements in technology, science, and philosophy.

Mathematics is the language of the universe, and a Mathematical Stuxnet could offer a way to explore its infinite depths. By uncovering truths that have always existed but remained unseen, it would remind us of the limitless possibilities of human curiosity, amplified by the power of computation. The future of mathematics is waiting to be mapped, and perhaps, this is the tool to chart the way forward.

Should electricity be a universal public good?

Imagine a world where electricity is as universally accessible as GPS. No matter where you are, you have reliable access to power, unlocking opportunities for innovation, education, healthcare, and economic growth. Electricity is not just a convenience; it’s the backbone of modern society. Yet, millions around the world still lack reliable access to it, and even in developed nations, inequities in energy availability persist. Could treating electricity as a universal basic good transform our societies?

The idea has precedent. In the 1980s, GPS technology was initially developed for military purposes, but the U.S. government later made it freely available to everyone. Today, GPS powers industries, navigation systems, and global logistics, driving economic growth and connecting people worldwide. Electricity, if similarly universalized, could have an even more profound impact.

One pathway to achieving this vision could involve a centrally managed energy system powered entirely by renewable sources. A centralized grid could optimize the use of solar, wind, and hydropower, balancing supply and demand across regions. This would not only enhance efficiency but also make the transition to renewables more feasible on a large scale. By leveraging economies of scale, central management could reduce costs while ensuring that even the most remote areas are connected to the grid.

To ensure fairness, transparency, and public trust, such a system would need to be independently audited. Regular, rigorous audits could prevent inefficiency, corruption, and misuse of funds, while empowering communities to hold the system accountable.

Universal electricity would do more than light up homes; it would unlock potential. Entrepreneurs in rural areas could start businesses without worrying about power outages. Schools could adopt digital learning tools. Hospitals in underserved regions could keep life-saving equipment running 24/7. Energy justice could help bridge economic and social divides, creating a foundation for more equitable development.

Challenges remain. Transitioning to this model requires significant political will, public-private collaboration, and infrastructure investment. Balancing centralized oversight with regional autonomy would be critical to addressing diverse local needs. But the benefits—reduced carbon emissions, economic empowerment, and improved quality of life—make this vision worth pursuing.

Electricity as a universal basic good represents a bold but achievable idea. By reimagining energy as a shared resource, we can build a more equitable and sustainable future.

How a LinkedIn AI could revolutionize job searching

Job interviews are one of the most stressful parts of the modern job search. Even the most qualified candidates can struggle to prepare for interviews that test not only their technical knowledge but also their ability to communicate under pressure. Despite the growing use of AI in recruitment, most tools today focus on screening resumes rather than empowering job seekers. But what if AI could transform this dynamic, not only by preparing candidates but by connecting them to the roles they’re best suited for?

This vision is entirely within reach. LinkedIn, a platform already central to professional networking, could use conversational AI to engage users in a revolutionary way. Imagine an AI that starts by asking simple, friendly questions: “What excites you about your career?” or “What roles have you been curious about recently?” These autonomous conversations could uncover a user’s goals, skills, and even hidden potential, creating a more complete picture than any resume or profile ever could.

From there, the AI could suggest a tailored practice interview. Let’s say you’ve expressed interest in marketing. A notification pops up: “Would you like to practice for a Marketing Specialist role?” You accept, and the AI guides you through a simulated Zoom interview, asking real-world questions and offering instant feedback on your answers, tone, and body language.

This process does more than build confidence—it opens doors. Based on your performance, LinkedIn AI could connect you with recruiters actively hiring for similar roles. With the candidate’s permission, the AI might even notify companies: “We’ve found a potential match who’s interview-ready and excited about your role.”

This approach doesn’t just help job seekers; it empowers recruiters, too. Instead of sifting through countless applications, they receive candidates who are both qualified and prepared, saving time and ensuring stronger first impressions.

The technology to make this a reality already exists. Conversational AI and machine learning can create personalized experiences, while video simulation tools are already used to assess job candidates. The missing piece is connecting these tools into a seamless, human-centric system.

By harnessing the power of AI, LinkedIn could make job preparation equitable, accessible, and empowering. Interviews would no longer be a source of dread but a chance for growth and connection. The question isn’t if this transformation will happen—it’s who will lead the charge.

LinkedIn, the world is ready. Are you?

How blockchain mirrors human trust

Trust is the foundation of human relationships, yet it is as delicate and complex as the systems we create to navigate our shared existence. At its core, trust arises from honesty, sincerity, and consistent actions. It does not require agreement or uniformity of thought, but rather a mutual understanding that intentions are authentic and transparent. Surprisingly, this timeless, ethereal concept finds a modern digital counterpart in blockchain technology—a system built to formalize trust in a decentralized, verifiable way.

Blockchain operates on principles that mirror our human approach to trust. Each block represents a moment of truth, a piece of information verified by a distributed network rather than a central authority. This system ensures that no single entity holds absolute power, and trust is maintained through transparency and collective accountability. Similarly, in human relationships, trust thrives when individuals are free to act as independent agents within a framework of mutual respect and integrity.

The beauty of blockchain is its ability to turn trust into a tangible process. By providing a public ledger of verified actions, it removes the need for blind faith. In human terms, this is akin to building trust through open communication and consistent sincerity. Just as blockchain ensures each transaction is immutable, relationships built on honesty create a lasting chain of connection, where each interaction reinforces the whole.

But what if we could take this concept further? Imagine a societal "trust chain" inspired by blockchain principles. Communities could adopt systems where transparency and accountability are incentivized, not just in financial transactions but in broader interactions—governance, social networks, and even personal relationships. Such a framework could mitigate the erosion of trust caused by misinformation or centralized power, encouraging a culture where truth and sincerity are rewarded.

Ultimately, blockchain offers more than a technological breakthrough; it is a philosophical blueprint for rethinking how we build and sustain trust. By blending the precision of technology with the humanity of honesty and sincerity, we can create systems—both digital and personal—that honor the complexity of trust while making it stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive.

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, perhaps the greatest innovation is this: finding ways for our digital systems to reflect the timeless values that connect us all.

Could a Sharing Economy Model Revolutionize Supportive Housing?

In the midst of housing crises across the globe, the sharing economy has unlocked value in unexpected ways—from ridesharing to vacation rentals. But could this model address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the need for supportive housing? Imagine a platform like Airbnb, not for tourists, but for individuals who require safe, affordable, and supportive spaces to rebuild their lives. This concept could revolutionize the way we think about housing insecurity and community care.

Supportive housing provides not just a roof over someone’s head but also access to services like counseling, job training, and healthcare. These environments are often tailored for individuals transitioning out of homelessness, domestic abuse survivors, refugees, or others navigating life’s hardest moments. While traditional supportive housing systems are essential, they often lack flexibility, scalability, and funding. A sharing economy model could supplement these efforts by inviting property owners—ordinary citizens or organizations—to play an active role in this mission.

The idea is simple but powerful. Homeowners or landlords could list units on a platform specifically designed for supportive housing, much like how Airbnb works. Instead of nightly rental fees, these hosts would be compensated through government subsidies, nonprofit funding, or philanthropic grants. This creates a win-win scenario: property owners are incentivized to participate, and tenants gain access to safe, affordable housing that integrates the services they need.

A system like this could be customized to meet individual needs. An intelligent matching algorithm could pair tenants with homes near critical resources like jobs, schools, or healthcare facilities. Hosts could even participate in optional training programs to better understand the unique challenges their tenants face, fostering a sense of community and understanding.

Critics might point to concerns about safety, funding, or potential misuse of the system. However, these challenges can be addressed through robust regulations, tenant privacy protections, and rigorous vetting processes for hosts and homes. The model thrives on flexibility and could serve as both emergency housing for crises and long-term solutions for transitional living.

This idea doesn’t just solve logistical problems; it shifts how we think about housing itself. By treating unused space as a shared community resource, we blur the line between charity and collaboration, empowering people to help one another while meeting urgent needs. The sharing economy has already disrupted industries from transportation to hospitality. With thoughtful implementation, it could spark a revolution in how we provide shelter—and hope—for those who need it most.

How campfires and food waste may have shaped animal domestication

Could the domestication of animals have been an inevitability rather than a deliberate invention? When we look closely at early human behavior, environmental circumstances, and animal instincts, a compelling picture emerges—one where firelight, food waste, and survival instincts coalesced into a gradual but profound relationship between humans and animals.

Imagine early humans gathered around a campfire. The flickering flames provided light, warmth, and protection, but they also created shadows—moving shapes that could appear mysterious and threatening to animals nearby. Predators such as wolves, naturally drawn to the light, might have hesitated to approach due to this interplay of firelight and human activity. The sight of humans dancing or moving rhythmically around the fire would amplify this deterrent effect, making tribes that danced more likely to survive and reproduce.

But food waste changed the equation. Even with careful planning, scraps from cooked meals would inevitably remain, drawing animals closer to human camps. For humans, this posed a serious danger; scavengers like wolves or hyenas could turn aggressive. However, a subtle shift might have occurred when humans began feeding scraps to the boldest, least aggressive animals—wolves that dared to approach yet posed no immediate threat. This simple act of sharing would reduce the risk of larger, more dangerous predators being drawn by leftover food, creating a mutually beneficial relationship between humans and these scavengers.

Over time, this dynamic could have set the stage for domestication. Wolves that approached campfires for food scraps may have started to defend their food source from other predators or rival packs, indirectly protecting the humans. This cooperation likely created an evolutionary gradient: the calmer, more cooperative wolves were fed and tolerated, while aggressive or overly timid animals were driven away. Generations later, these “camp wolves” may have evolved into what we now recognize as domesticated dogs.

This theory highlights a fascinating truth: domestication was not a human conquest but a co-evolutionary partnership born of survival, necessity, and perhaps a bit of intuition. It suggests that the traits we see in domesticated animals today—calmness, trust, and loyalty—may have roots in this ancient, unspoken agreement.

As we consider how our ancestors shaped the natural world, this perspective invites us to reflect on the systems we create today. Could modern practices, such as reducing food waste or fostering harmony with wildlife, draw on these ancient lessons? In understanding how firelight and scraps transformed wolves into allies, we might uncover new ways to build mutually beneficial relationships with the natural world. The history of domestication is a story not just of survival but of partnership—a legacy of cooperation that continues to shape our lives.

Life, nature and the infinite loop

Life is an infinite loop, a symphony of patterns repeating across time and space. From the cosmic expansion of the Big Bang to the quiet rhythms of daily life, everything we experience is part of the same grand design. And if we look closely, we see that love—the resonance between connections—is the force that ties it all together.

Take the lyrics of Everything Is Romantic and its remix. Both songs reflect a profound truth: life, in all its chaos and beauty, is a cycle of falling in love again and again. Whether it’s the messy romance of free bleeding in the autumn rain, the exhaustion of foxes keeping you awake, or the fleeting beauty of a silver scratch card in the canal, every moment is imbued with significance. These songs don’t just describe life; they mirror it, layering memories, feelings, and reflections into a mosaic that feels endless.

This cyclical nature is reflected in the universe itself. The Big Bang didn’t just create the cosmos—it initiated a constant expansion, a cosmic mycelium spreading infinitely outward. At the smallest scales, we see this same pattern in the branching networks of mycelium fungi, which connect and sustain ecosystems. At the largest scales, galaxies stretch across the void, echoing the fractal designs of nature. Life itself is an extension of these patterns, a system designed to observe, connect, and replicate.

Love is the force that fuels this system. Love isn’t just an emotion—it’s resonance. It’s the "want" that drives connection, the pull that aligns information, and the glue that holds everything together. Just as the songs remind us that everything is romantic, love reminds us that everything is connected. Whether it’s a moment of clarity during a song shuffle, the chemical reactions that sustain ecosystems, or the energy that powers the stars, everything flows from the same source.

As we face the challenges of our time, this perspective offers hope and guidance. If we can align our systems with nature’s rhythms—its loops, its efficiency, its interconnectedness—we can create a future that’s not just sustainable but profoundly meaningful. Life, after all, is the ultimate loop, and love is what makes it worth repeating.

Blockchain: an economy that values living well

Imagine an economy that values living well over producing endlessly—where the act of listening to music, enjoying fresh farm-to-table meals, or spending time in nature becomes the foundation for earning wealth. This isn't just a thought experiment; it’s an entirely plausible future made possible by cryptocurrency and blockchain technology.

The idea is simple yet revolutionary: a cryptocurrency that rewards people for engaging in art, culture, and community. For instance, time spent at a concert, hiking in a forest, or supporting a local business could translate into the incremental growth of a digital wallet’s value. Unlike traditional currencies tied to labor or production, this system would tether economic value to meaningful participation in society. Every second spent in these activities could result in fractional value being added to your wallet—literally paying you to enjoy life.

Such a system could have profound ripple effects. Local businesses offering rich experiences, like farm-to-table restaurants or artisan shops, would naturally rise to prominence as people visit them to “charge” their wallets. Similarly, the arts and creative industries could thrive as museums, theaters, and music venues become essential hubs of both cultural engagement and economic activity. The same logic applies to environmental conservation: rewarding time spent in nature could foster widespread support for preserving green spaces and funding renewable energy projects.

To make this a reality, the cryptocurrency could be built on existing blockchain platforms like Ethereum, leveraging smart contracts to verify and reward participation. Importantly, the coin could be backed by bitcoin or another established cryptocurrency, giving it real-world monetary value when exchanged. This dual purpose—intrinsic value earned through experiences and practical exchangeability—would make the system both meaningful and viable.

Unlike speculative meme coins, this idea provides a clear purpose: aligning human incentives with pro-social, pro-environmental, and pro-cultural behaviors. By reimagining wealth not as a product of labor alone but as the outcome of shared, joyful living, we could create a self-regulating system that prioritizes community, creativity, and sustainability.

This is more than a novel concept—it’s a transformative way to rethink our relationship with value. With the tools of cryptocurrency at our fingertips, a world where art, nature, and connection become the cornerstone of economic life is not just possible but perhaps inevitable.

The moon could be a living data center

In the age of rapid technological progress, the idea of building a data center on the Moon might sound like science fiction. But when paired with biological computing and autonomous systems, this ambitious goal not only becomes possible—it becomes necessary. By using fungi, solar power, and advanced robotics, humanity could create a lunar data center capable of revolutionizing how we store and process information, while pushing the boundaries of what’s achievable in space.

The Moon offers unique advantages as a data hub. Its isolation ensures unmatched security for humanity’s most critical information. With no weather to disrupt operations, a stable environment for bio-computing becomes possible. Fungi, specifically engineered to thrive in lunar conditions, could act as the foundation. Recent research into mycelium networks—the underground structures fungi use to communicate—has shown their potential to process and store information much like a neural network. Unlike silicon chips, fungi can self-repair and grow, offering a scalable and sustainable approach to data infrastructure.

To power such a data center, energy from the Sun could be harvested using an early-stage Dyson sphere—an array of solar collectors orbiting far from the Sun. These collectors would beam energy to the Moon via lasers or microwaves, powering the fungi-based computing systems as they grow. This isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. Prototypes for space-based solar power already exist, and autonomous robotics are nearing the capability to construct such systems on their own.

A system like this could be deployed in phases. Robots on the Moon would autonomously assemble bioreactors and mycelium-based computing units, while solar collectors make their way toward the Sun to form the Dyson sphere. As the solar array scales up, energy could be beamed to the Moon to support increasingly complex data processing. Data would then be transferred back to Earth via lasers, with precise lenses ensuring continuous connections despite the relative movements of the Moon and Earth.

This off-planet data center isn’t just an engineering marvel—it’s a necessity. Earth-based data centers consume vast amounts of energy and are vulnerable to climate risks. By moving critical storage off-world, we ensure the security of our most essential knowledge while pioneering sustainable, extraterrestrial industries. This vision is grounded in today’s technology, from robotics and synthetic biology to space-based energy systems. It’s not just a moonshot—it’s a practical step toward a resilient, interconnected future.

The time to start is now. By reimagining what’s possible, we can take the first bold step toward building an off-planet infrastructure that safeguards humanity’s future while unlocking new frontiers of innovation.

Public referendums in the United States: a gateway to direct democracy

In American democracy, where corporate lobbyism and super PACs often decide political outcomes, public referendums present an opportunity. Public referendums offer a rare thread of direct engagement between citizens and the legislative process. This mechanism empowers voters to propose, approve, or repeal legislation without the intermediary of elected officials. The potential of public referendums to transcend bureaucratic inertia and corporate influence is significant, particularly in addressing critical issues like school funding equity.

States with Public Referendum Legislation

As of 2024, 26 states in the United States provide mechanisms for public referendums, initiatives, or both. These states include California, Arizona, Florida, Colorado, and Oregon, among others. Washington, D.C., also supports this process. The ability to engage in direct democracy through ballot measures, propositions, or ballot questions is embedded in the constitutions of these states, a legacy of the Progressive Era aimed at countering the dominance of political bosses and special interests​.

Notable Examples of Legislation Passed by Public Referendum

One of the most significant uses of public referendums in recent history is the legalization of same-sex marriage. Before the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, several states saw marriage equality advance through direct voter initiatives. In 2012, voters in Maine, Maryland, and Washington approved same-sex marriage through referendums. These victories were pivotal, demonstrating the public's capacity to lead on civil rights issues where legislatures hesitated​​.

The Potential of Public Referendums

Public referendums hold the promise of revitalizing democracy by empowering citizens to bypass the bottlenecks of legislative processes and the influence of corporate lobbying. When effectively utilized, this form of direct democracy can significantly impact policy areas like education funding.

Equitable School Funding through Referendums

One profound application of public referendums could be in reforming school funding. Currently, school funding in many states is closely tied to local property taxes, leading to stark inequities between wealthy and less affluent districts. A public referendum could mandate a more equitable funding formula, ensuring that all children, regardless of their zip code, receive high-quality education. By decoupling school funding from local tax bases, states can level the playing field, providing equal opportunities for all students.

The Impact on Society

Widespread and effective use of public referendums can lead to a more engaged and informed electorate. When citizens are directly involved in the legislative process, they are more likely to educate themselves on the issues, participate in public discourse, and hold their government accountable. This increased engagement can foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, strengthening the democratic fabric of society.

Moreover, the ability to enact change directly can lead to innovative solutions to longstanding problems. For example, environmental policies, healthcare reforms, and social justice initiatives can be addressed more swiftly and reflect the public's immediate concerns and values.

Public referendums represent a vital tool in the arsenal of American democracy, offering a direct route for citizens to influence legislation and policy. By expanding the use of referendums, particularly in areas like school funding, society can overcome entrenched inequalities and foster a more just and equitable future. In an era where democracy is perceived to be under threat, embracing direct democracy through public referendums can reinvigorate civic engagement and restore faith in the democratic process.

As we look to the future, let us remember the power we hold as citizens. By leveraging public referendums, we can ensure that our voices are heard, our needs are met, and our democracy is preserved.