This is geeky and fun.
Tomato pan-genome makes bringing flavor back easier
“With the availability of this wide array of specific genetic information, breeders should be able to work quickly to increase the flavor of store bought, mass production tomatoes while preserving the traits that make them an economically advantageous crop.” As a side note, I think Mighty Vine tomatoes are FULL of delicious flavor. | learn more
First human trial of FMT for obesity concludes unfavorably
“The results from the first randomized controlled human trial into [Fecal Matter Transplants] for obesity suggest modulating the microbiome of humans to treat obesity may be more complicated than researchers had hoped.” Although it worked in animal models, it didn’t show hoped-for effects in humans. | learn more
The power of saying less
A story about how being frugal with words works to your advantage. | learn more
Software and the Tough Tomato Principle
“Most people think of tools as designed around their material, not materials around their tools. But in practice, tools and materials are constantly reshaping each other.” | learn more
IKEA gets a new logo for the internet
In a link below you’ll see an article about the ‘tough tomato principle’ about co-evolution. This is that principle in action. First came the internet, then the internet evolved to handle images (and logos), and now logos are evolving to fit the new form factors of the internet. In this case, IKEA ditched their iconic blue and yellow for a white & transparent logo that can be overlayed on top of media for Instagram etc. | learn more
Amazon starts building an airport, and TechCrunch has the winning headline
“Jeff Bezos personally dumps a truckload of dirt on FedEx’s future.” They’re building a 3-million-square-foot airport near Cincinnati to help get your packages to you next-day. | learn more
Cut your healthcare bill by paying cash
This doesn’t surprise me, and shouldn’t surprise you anymore. But it is an interesting article from the WSJ. “Hospitals and other providers increasingly are offering prices far below what they charge though insurance.” | learn more
Which new business models will be unleashed by Web 3.0?
Max Mersch from Fabric Ventures starts by discussing the evolution of business model from Web 1.0 (e.g. e-commerce) to Web 2.0 (e.g. SaaS), then continues on to Web 3.0. | learn more
Fred Wilson calls it: it’s Crypto Spring
He makes the point that valuations are about 2.5x the December lows and trading volumes are double the January 2018 peak. | learn more