big ideas
Why we all missed the invention of triple-entry accounting.
Okay fine, this is about the blockchain. But seriously, it’s a big deal. | learn more
under the microscope
Why older people have different sleep schedules.
“Out of more than 220 total hours of sleep observation, researchers found only 18 minutes when all adults were sound asleep simultaneously. Typically, older participants in their 50s and 60s went to bed earlier and woke up earlier than those […]
under the microscope
Imagine a battery-free cell phone.
Engineers at the University of Washington have figured out how to create a phone that’s powered by radio waves. It works for calls and text messages. This could be used for cheap standalone devices in economically depressed areas, or as […]
tech, startups, internet
Fred Wilson: easy come, easy go.
Fred Wilson is one of the all-time greats of venture investing. His firm Union Square Ventures has been on-time for a lot of major trends by pioneering “thesis” investing. Lately, they have been deep into blockchain and this article outlines […]
tech, startups, internet
Famous angel investor’s 4 questions for startup founders.
Jason Calacanis has earned his spurs as an angel investor. He’s had a lot of success picking winners including Uber and Thumbtack. He outlines his strategy for intro meetings, including the questions he thinks are most important. | learn more
fun facts
Most Koreans don’t need deodorant.
There’s a gene called ABCC11 that’s responsible for body odor. Apparently, most Koreans (and maybe me) are missing it. | learn more
better doing
Maker’s schedule vs manager’s schedule.
This is an old post by Paul Graham about the difference between schedules of managers and makers. I recently reread it and recommend you do also if you interact with both types of people. | learn more
thoughts of food
Indoor farming startup Plenty raises $200mm round led by SoftBank Vision Fund.
While others have failed, the march toward indoor farming continues. The benefits include extreme improvements in land yields (530x), better water efficiency, and implicitly organic foods. | learn more
thoughts of food
Apeel Sciences coating makes fruits and veggies last 5x longer.
“Made of leftover plant skins and stems, the coatings act as barriers that slow down the decay process… The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Apeel’s first products, Edipeel and Invisipeel, as ‘generally recognized as safe,’ meaning they’re OK to […]
oh, chicago
Supply vs demand: farmers vs farmers markets.
New farmers markets are popping up all over Chicago. But are there enough farmers? | learn more