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Prime Numbers

75,000,000,000,000 — Russia leads global natural resource value at $75 trillion (mainly coal, gas,oil), followed by the United States at $45 trillion (coal, timber, gas), and Saudi Arabia at $34 trillion (primarily oil).

90 — As Alaska experiences rapid warming, with Anchorage hitting a record 90°F in 2019, researchers are exploring new agricultural possibilities like hazelnuts that were previously impossible in the tundra climate.

5 — It took the Oxford English Dictionary editors five years just to reach the word “ant.” 

Generation AI

A revealing survey of over 1,000 U.S. teenagers shows this generation views artificial intelligence (AI) through a complex lens. The data paints a picture of a savvy and pragmatic generation determined to harness AI's benefits, as nearly half regularly use tools like ChatGPT in their daily lives. Sixty-five percent are already factoring it into career plans while 57% harbor serious concerns about its advancement. Most striking is their stance on AI relationships. While teens are evenly split on AI friendships, they draw a firm line at romance, with 68% rejecting human-AI romantic relationships as unacceptable. Youth AI (4 minutes)

Machines of Loving Grace

The CEO of Anthropic presents a compelling vision for how powerful AI could radically transform human civilization within a decade of its arrival, balancing technological optimism with clear-eyed realism about physical and social constraints. 1) Biology and Medicine. AI could accelerate a century's worth of progress into five to 10 years, potentially eliminating most diseases, doubling human lifespans and giving people unprecedented control over their biological processes. 2) Mental Health. AI could revolutionize neuroscience through both traditional drug development and novel interventions, potentially curing most mental illnesses while expanding human cognitive and emotional capabilities. 3) Economic Development. AI could help developing nations achieve unprecedented 20% annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth rates through improved policies and technologies, though success requires overcoming significant human challenges like corruption and institutional weakness. 4) Peace and Governance. While AI doesn't inherently favor democracy, strategic deployment by democratic nations could help preserve and spread liberal values, potentially improving governmental systems through more impartial decision-making and better public services. 5) Work and Meaning. Finally, a post-AI world may naturally evolve from human relationships and personal achievements rather than economic contribution, restructuring the economy to handle widespread automation remains a crucial challenge that requires creative solutions beyond simple universal basic income. Ultimately, this vision suggests that AI could accelerate humanity's natural progression toward cooperation, fairness and human flourishing, though achieving this future requires active effort to manage risks and ensure equitable access. Dario Amodei (21 minutes)

Burned Out, Bored and Ready to Quit?

Nearly half of U.S. workers thought about quitting their jobs this year. Burnout and lack of purpose led the list of reasons. However, with over 60% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck, many can't afford to make a change. But what if you didn’t have to choose between stability and purpose? Tech nonprofits offer opportunities that check both boxes. They’re tackling big issues — think climate change, health care gaps and education inequity — and they’re hiring. Looking for work that brings both impact and income? This might be your sign. Fast Forward (Sponsored)

Autonomous AI Machine Guns

The Pentagon's latest counter-drone solution marks a watershed moment in military technology — an AI-enabled autonomous machine gun that can hit small drones at 200 yards with just two shots. The "Bullfrog" system represents a dramatic shift from expensive missiles and complex laser weapons to a simple yet revolutionary approach: letting artificial intelligence aim traditional firearms with superhuman precision. While currently keeping humans "in the loop" for firing decisions, the system is fully capable of autonomous operation, potentially foreshadowing a future battlefield dominated by robots fighting robots rather than human soldiers. The development comes at a critical time as cheap enemy drones increasingly threaten U.S. forces, with commanders calling them the greatest danger since IEDs . But at just the cost of a few bullets, the Bullfrog could finally make drone defense economically viable. WIRED (6 minutes)

EdTech's Failed Promise

The widespread adoption of educational technology has coincided with a troubling decline in global test scores, particularly since the early 2010s. A comprehensive analysis of research spanning 126 studies reveals that computer initiatives not only fail to improve K-12 grades but can actively harm academic achievement, with even 30 minutes of daily device use correlating to decreased reading comprehension. The root cause lies in multitasking — students have conditioned themselves to use digital devices primarily for entertainment, spending over 2,000 hours annually on scattered media consumption versus just 198 hours on learning activities, making focused academic work on these "distraction machines" nearly impossible. This mounting evidence has led some European countries to begin removing student-facing technology from classrooms, suggesting that traditional teaching methods may better serve educational goals. After Babel (6 minutes)

Too Impatient for Intelligence

Our society's obsessive pursuit of speed and efficiency often sacrifices genuine human value, as many activities that seem "inefficient" actually provide essential psychological benefits that can't be measured by simple metrics. Technologies that begin as helpful options, from email to parking apps, frequently become burdensome obligations that paradoxically make everyone worse off when universally adopted. The value of certain experiences — like education, creative work, or even commuting — often lies precisely in the time and effort invested, suggesting we need to consciously identify which aspects of life should resist acceleration rather than automatically optimizing everything for speed. Mathematical models that prioritize time-saving systematically ignore crucial aspects of human psychology and preference, raising important questions about how we should approach emerging technologies like AI. Behavioral Scientist (6 minutes)

Still More Audacity Today

Surprisingly, your biggest regrets likely stem from being too timid rather than from failed execution. The most successful people aren't necessarily the most talented — they're the ones who consistently swing for the fences and learn to admire, rather than resent others who do the same. Building courage is a systematic process: visualize yourself acting boldly, take decisive action, observe your courageous behavior and repeat this cycle while consciously dissociating from past timidity. Your future self will thank you for starting this transformation today, charting a daily course toward "still more audacity" by identifying opportunities for bold action and refusing to let hesitation hold you back.  Eric Jorgenson (4 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.

Founder Fridays

Check out my other email Founder Fridays — a Friday morning briefing helping startup founders and operators scale smarter.

Weekend Wisdom

Without daring greatly, it is impossible to ever achieve anything worth remembering. - Winston Churchill