Welcome to the weekend.

Prime Numbers

22 — Global carbon capture and storage capacity expanded significantly, with operational facilities increasing by 22% this year to 50 projects, while 44 more are under construction and 534 are in various stages of development.

40 — Cage-free eggs have risen sharply in popularity, rising from 5% of hens in 2012 to 40% of the U.S. flock as of March 2024.

90 — DARPA is investing $67.6 million to explore hybrid reef systems as potential seawall alternatives, including a promising artificial reef prototype at Tyndall Air Force Base that could reduce wave force by up to 90%.

A Technological Firewall

Jake Sullivan, President Joe Biden's national security adviser, has spearheaded a significant shift in America's approach to China and global technology competition. Abandoning the long-held belief that free trade with China would foster peace and prosperity, Sullivan has orchestrated a complex strategy to maintain U.S. technological supremacy. This includes implementing strict export controls on advanced semiconductors, fostering international partnerships to limit China's access to crucial technologies and promoting U.S. tech development in strategically important countries. Sullivan's approach, while controversial, has effectively constrained China's technological advancement and reshaped global alliances. However, it also raises ethical concerns about partnering with nations with questionable human rights records and the long-term implications of technological isolation. As Sullivan's tenure potentially comes to a close, his policies have set a new course for U.S. foreign policy that may endure regardless of political shifts, fundamentally altering the landscape of global technology competition. WIRED (11 minutes)

Radical Optimism

Kevin Kelly, Wired magazine co-founder and influential futurist, champions a powerful idea: radical optimism is the key to shaping a better world. His insights on embracing long-term thinking, iterating consistently and trusting in humanity's problem-solving capacity offer a refreshing counterpoint to prevailing pessimism. Kelly argues that by focusing on what doesn't change, valuing generational continuity and fostering youth innovation, we can overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. This optimistic philosophy, he contends, isn't just feel-good rhetoric — it's a strategic advantage in business and a vital mindset for tackling society's most pressing issues. Big Think (9 minutes)

Procera - Patagonia of Alcohol?

What if an ultra-premium gin company could be a “Trojan Horse” to change the way the world looks at Africa. Creating meaningful and tangible environmental and social impact as its core tenants whilst also just happening to distill the world’s best gin? That’s the vision of Procera Gin from Kenya. For every bottle a customer buys, Procera plants a juniper tree. They guarantee to buy juniper berries from the local communities who nurture the trees, guaranteeing the success of the reforestation project. Procera Gin aims to turn Juniperus Procera berries into an annual cash crop rivalling Kenyan Coffee, Tea, and Flowers (grown in the same terroir) but by building an equitable supply chain from the outset, so the lion’s share of the revenue goes to the landowners and harvesters and not middlemen and foreign trading houses. Procera Gin (Sponsored)

Seven Ways to Love Better

Here is some unexpected wisdom that emerged from two decades of editing the Modern Love column in the New York Times: 1) Love is more like a basketball than a vase: Love's resilience is likened to a basketball, able to withstand and even thrive on conflict, rather than being fragile like a vase. 2) Your curiosity is more appealing than your accomplishments: Genuine curiosity about others proves more alluring than self-promotion, a simple yet powerful insight for meaningful connections. 3) Be present, especially with your loved ones: Being fully present, especially with loved ones, creates moments of profound joy and connection that become cherished memories. 4) Write well, love well: The qualities that make for good writing — honesty, generosity and humility — mirror those essential for healthy relationships. 5) Always lead with empathy: Empathy, even in the face of betrayal, can lead to healing and understanding. 6) Appreciate the beauty of impermanence: Recognizing the beauty in impermanence allows us to appreciate love's fleeting nature more deeply. 7) Relationships don't have to last to be good: The value of a relationship isn't measured by its duration but by its impact, with even brief encounters potentially leaving lasting, positive marks on our lives. New York Times (8 minutes)

AI's Corporate Conquest

In a twist of digital déjà vu, artificial intelligence (AI)'s next big leap might not be in your pocket but in the bowels of big business. While tech giants dazzle consumers with AI assistants, the real revolution is brewing in corporate back offices, where autonomous agents threaten to make human workers obsolete. This enterprise-first approach echoes the dawn of computing, with companies like Salesforce and Palantir poised to become the new IBMs of our age. As AI prepares to devour mundane office tasks, the question looms: will your next coworker be made of silicon? Stratechery (8 minutes)

Diamond's Lab-Grown Revolution

The creation of lab-grown diamonds represents a triumph of human ingenuity over nature, with far-reaching social and environmental implications. Initially synthesized in the 1950s, lab diamonds have evolved from small, impure industrial materials to gems that surpass mined diamonds in quality and affordability. This transformation stems from two key methods: high-pressure, high-temperature synthesis and chemical vapor deposition. Unlike traditional diamond mining, which often involves environmentally destructive practices and has been associated with human rights abuses and conflict financing, lab-grown diamonds offer a more ethical and sustainable alternative. They require significantly less energy, produce fewer carbon emissions and eliminate the need for invasive mining operations. As manufacturing techniques improve, lab diamonds are not only disrupting the jewelry market but also opening new frontiers in industry and technology, all while providing a socially responsible choice for consumers increasingly concerned about the origins of their purchases. Works In Progress (16 minutes)

The Problem with Effective Altruism

Effective Altruism (EA) began with a compelling premise: maximize the impact of charitable efforts by directing resources to the most efficient interventions. However, the movement's fall from grace, epitomized by Sam Bankman-Fried's fraud, reveals deeper flaws in its approach. EA's shortcomings stem from three main issues: the problem of psychology (underestimating how wealth changes people), the problem of prediction (overconfidence in long-term forecasting) and the problem of providentialism (justifying unethical behavior for a "greater good"). Despite these flaws, the core idea of thoughtful, impactful giving remains valuable. A rehabilitated EA would embrace humility, focus on more immediate and measurable impacts, and respect human complexity while still encouraging generous, well-considered charitable donations. Yascha Mounk (8 minutes)

Should We Work Together?

Hi! I’m Kyle. This newsletter is my passion project. When I’m not writing, I run a law firm that helps startups move fast without breaking things. Most founders want a trusted legal partner, but they hate surprise legal bills. At Westaway, we take care of your startup’s legal needs for a flat, monthly fee so you can control your costs and focus on scaling your business. If you’re interested, let’s jump on a call to see if you’re a good fit for the firm. Click here to schedule a one-on-one call with me.

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Weekend Wisdom

To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides. - David Viscott