retail therapy
The future of ecommerce in 2018.
This is some nice data-driven content published by Shopify. It’s wordy, so I suggest skimming, but the bones are useful and the insights are there. | learn more
on the blockchain
The sad state of crypto custody.
The variety of tokens makes custody difficult. There’s much user friction inherent in the tradeoff between accessibility and security. This is one of the big problems and opportunities of blockchain technology. | learn more
on the blockchain
Making a crypto utopia in Puerto Rico.
“Dozens of entrepreneurs, made newly wealthy by virtual currencies, have moved to the island to avoid taxes on their fortunes — and to build a society that runs on blockchain.” |learn more
on the blockchain
Decentralization in Bitcoin and Ethereum.
What if the biggest cryptos weren’t actually decentralized? Researchers: “Both Bitcoin and Ethereum mining are very centralized, with the top four miners in Bitcoin and the top three miners in Ethereum controlling more than 50% of the hash rate. The entire […]
tech, startups, internet
China is innovating like crazy on insurance tech.
CBInsights analyst Matthew Wong breaks down the 2016 regulatory and market conditions for online insurance in China. This detailed article even includes UX breakdowns for some of the key products. Reading this surely broadened my perspective. | learn more
tech, startups, internet
Why lawyers don’t run startups.
Steve Blank highlights how contracts contain both strategic and legal issues, and many lawyers don’t grasp the difference. I’ve been fortunate to work with many attorneys who “get it” and know to tread softly around business decisions. | learn more
oh, chicago
Chicago ranked world’s best city for enjoying life.
“Propelled by its buzzing restaurants and bars, the third-largest U.S. city came top for the second time in a row in a global index by the British culture and entertainment magazine Time Out, followed by Porto, New York, Melbourne and […]
fun facts
Let a ‘human uber’ live your life so you don’t have to.
“[T]he technology ‘uses a real human as a surrogate for another remote user,’ by giving the surrogate ‘a mask-shaped display that shows a remote user’s live face, and a voice channel transmits a remote user’s voice.’” | learn more
oh, chicago
University of Illinois campus maps over time.
This one is a special link for my fellow Illini. Check it out for a cool time-lapse map of the campus over the years. | learn more
oh, chicago
City of Chicago’s water treatment process.
The city has a great mini-tutorial on how it intakes and processes water, including the chemicals that it uses for treatment. | learn more