Healthy Lifestyle

An Antidote For Anxiety & Scary Times
People seem rattled right now, don’t they?

Wallets have been tight, and fears of a recession have run rampant.

Even though markets and the economy are not the same thing, many voters believe they are. Consequently, in an election year, I suspect the government will push every button and pull every lever to boost the market leading into November.

Speaking of the markets, they have been pretty volatile the last few weeks. They have posted some of their worst days since COVID-19 but some of the best, too.

We find ourselves in a particularly partisan election year, with lots of uncertainty about who is running, what they stand for, and whether they can make a difference – or even do the job.

The situation feels worse because scary geopolitical events (that threaten World War 3) punctuate seemingly endless negative news cycles.

Now, on to the real point … those things don’t matter and shouldn’t steal your focus. Why? Because that’s the playing field we all have to navigate.

There will be winners and losers. The key distinction lies in whether you choose to focus on opportunities or risk.

So, I thought this would be an excellent time to revisit how to cope with losses and manage your anxieties in “scary times.”

The Anxiety Antidote

During scary times, many people suffer from “I should have …”, or “if I would have …”, or “if I could have …” thoughts.

The problem is that thoughts like those create more stress and distraction.

I’m reminded of a quote.

"When the trough gets smaller … the pigs get meaner." - Dan Sullivan

Negative focus highlights loss, difficulties, past events, missing things, and what you don’t want.

Think of them as an unhealthy reflex that wastes energy, confidence, and time.

All We Have To Fear Is Fear Itself

I often talk about market psychology and human nature. The reason is that markets reflect the collective fear and greed of their participants… people tend to get paralyzed during scary times like these.

But it’s not the economy that makes people feel paralyzed. People feel paralyzed because of their reactions and their beliefs about the economy. Your perception becomes your reality.

A little examination reveals that most fear is based on a “general” trigger rather than a “specific” trigger. In other words, people are afraid of all the things that could happen and are paralyzed by the sheer scope of possibilities. These things don’t even have to be probabilities to scare them.

You gain a competitive advantage as soon as you recognize that it’s not logical. Why? Because as soon as you distinguish that fear as not necessarily true, you can refocus your insights and energy on moving forward. You can act instead of react. You make better decisions when you come from a place of calm instead of fear… so create that calm.

Even a tough environment like this presents you with opportunities if you watch for them … or even better … if you create them.

The Scary Times Success Manual

The goal is to move forward and feel better.

Strategic Coach offers ten strategies for transforming negativity and unpredictability into opportunities for growth, progress, and achievement. They call it the “Scary Times Success Manual,” and what follows are some excerpts:

Forget about your difficulties, focus on your progress.

Because of some changes, things may not be as easy as they once were. New difficulties can either defeat you or reveal new strengths. Your body’s muscles always get stronger from working against resistance. The same is true for the “muscles” in your mind, spirit, and character. Treat this period of challenge as a time when you can make your greatest progress as a human being.

Forget about events, focus on your responses.

When things are going well, many people think they are in control of events. That’s why they feel so defeated and depressed when things turn bad. They think they’ve lost some fundamental ability. The most consistently successful people in the world know they can’t control events – but continually work toward greater control over their creative responses to events. Any period when things are uncertain is an excellent time to focus all of your attention and energy on being creatively responsive to all the unpredictable events that lie ahead.

Forget about what’s missing, focus on what’s available.

When things change for the worse, many desirable resources are inevitably missing – including information, knowledge, tools, systems, personnel, and capabilities. These deficiencies can paralyze many people, who believe they can’t make decisions and take action. A strategic response is to take advantage of every resource that is immediately available to achieve as many small results and make as much daily progress as possible. Work with every resource and opportunity, and your confidence will continually grow.

Forget about your complaints, focus on your gratitude.

When times get tough, everyone must make a fundamental decision: complain or be grateful. In an environment where negative sentiment is rampant, the consequences of this decision are much greater. Complaining only attracts negative thoughts and people. Gratitude, on the other hand, creates the opportunity for the best thinking, actions, and results to emerge. Focus on everything you are grateful for, communicate this, and open yourself to the best possible consequences.

Click here to download the full PDF version.

Final Thoughts

We can pontificate all day long on the short-term causes of the rises and falls of markets, but I don’t think it does much good. I let the algorithms worry about those. It’s the larger trends we have to be personally aware of.

I sound like a broken record, but volatility is the new normal.
- Markets exist to trade, and if there’s no “excitement” on either side, trades don’t happen.
- Trades are getting faster, which means more information has to confuse both the buyer and the seller.
- You’re no longer competing solely against companies and traders like you. It’s like the cantina from Star Wars; you’ve got a bunch of different creatures (and bots) interacting and fighting with each other, trying to figure out how to make their way through the universe.
Pair that with all the fear and uncertainty, and you’ve got a recipe for increased volatility and noise. That means that the dynamic range of a move will be wider and happen in a shorter period of time than ever before. You’ll hear me echo this thought over the next few years as the ranges continue to expand and compress. Cycles that used to play out over weeks now take days or hours. The game is still the same; it just takes a slightly different set of skills to recognize where the risks and opportunities are.

Today’s paradigm – both in life and trading – is about noise reduction. It’s about figuring out what moves the needle and focusing only on that.

The crucial distinction is between adding data and adding information. Adding more data does not equal adding more information. In fact, blindly adding data increases your chances of misinformation and spurious correlations.

My final comment is that there’s a difference between investing and trading, and while humans can invest, if you’re “personally” still trying to trade – you’re likely playing a losing game. If you don’t know what your edge is, you don’t have one.

If you’re investing, I’ll advise you to act like a robot. If you removed human fear and greed from your decision-making – what would you do?

Keep calm and carry on.
August 25, 2024
Thoughts From a Birthday Weekend

I had a birthday this weekend.

I can’t believe how time flies. Birthdays seem to come more quickly as you get older.

It makes sense, though, I suppose. When you were four, a birthday represented a quarter of your life. Now, a year represents a much smaller percentage.

While it’s not always pleasant getting older, it sure beats the alternative.

This year, I made a concerted effort to make strides toward being healthier, fit, and vital in mind, body, and spirit.

If you are going to live longer, your future has to be compelling. I always strive to make my future bigger than my past.

This year, my birthday came after a string of long and hard days. So, it was especially nice to take some time to relax and reflect.

In general, I work hard, but smart. I don’t often get anxious. I just relentlessly pursue my goals. It is a recipe that works for me.

Resilience and determination are certainly worth celebrating … but they aren’t the only strategies worth pursuing.

I recognize that energy is important too – It is the fuel for doing and becoming. You can get some from doing well … but sometimes you need to get some from doing less or controlling your focus.

As a result, this weekend, I focused on rest and recovery (with a nice dose of appreciation, gratitude, and reflection about friends and family who share the journey with me).

Flow State

On one hand, I’m proud of myself for doing what I’m supposed to do – finding ways to gain traction and momentum, letting small wins today set up bigger wins tomorrow, and laying the groundwork for the next level of future success. But I’m also reminded that when you’re in flow, the biggest outcomes don’t seem to require the biggest effort. Instead, achieving great results can feel surprisingly easy and natural. It’s as if when things click into place, success becomes almost effortless. This is a powerful reminder that sometimes, it’s not about pushing harder but finding that sweet spot where your skills and passions align, and a small shift can have a big impact.

Mindset Matters … And So Do Habits!

It’s crucial to take a day to relax and celebrate after a challenging and significant stretch.

I also feel it is important to make the time and effort to feel things like “Happy Birthday!” 🎂

I have a birthday ritual. We go to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse and celebrate there. It’s interesting because it’s become a location-and-event-based trigger reminding me to celebrate. Even the act of reserving this restaurant for a special occasion creates a powerful association that starts the celebration process.

Even though I really like the restaurant, I don’t go there for everyday dinners. I reserve it for celebrations so that it stays “pure” and “special” in my mind. It’s the same reason you’re not supposed to lounge around all day or work in bed – your body forgets that the bed is meant for sleep.

I use other location and activity triggers as well. Think about where they might help you? For example, walking in from the garage to your home, or into your bedroom. You could also trigger a particular response when you hold your partner's hand or kiss them goodbye. There are many places where you can apply this technique.

If you think about it, we don’t necessarily “have” emotions – we “do” them. It’s the same with celebration. It’s both a noun and a verb. It’s something in and of itself, but it also is something you do. In a sense, “having” and “doing” go together and feed off each other to create more of what you want.

What Are Your Rituals and Traditions?

The connection you make between a ritual and the emotions you want is powerful and can help you fully immerse yourself in the feelings you desire.

Recognize that you can create what you want rather than searching for it, chasing it, or waiting for it to happen. This perspective can produce profound insights.

What are some things that are also actions for you … with having and doing being intertwined and reinforcing each other to create more of what you desire?

It’s a reminder to be intentional about creating and maintaining rituals, traditions, and habits that foster joy, appreciation, and a sense of accomplishment.

May your days be filled with joy and fulfillment, and may the coming year bring you many reasons to celebrate! 🎉

July 28, 2024
The Power Of Assessments
Over the years, I've used a number of different assessment tests on myself and our team. It's a great way to help people better understand each other and the various forms of communication and problem-solving styles we use.

Here are several of the tests that have proven themselves time and again:
1. Kolbe measures how individuals naturally approach problem-solving and execute tasks when free to be themselves.
2. Predictive Index (PI) – helps organizations make data-driven, objective hiring decisions by providing insights into a candidate's personality traits and cognitive abilities in relation to their perceived role.
3. StrengthsFinder: helps people discover their natural talents and develop them into strengths they can leverage for personal and professional success.
On top of these, it's always fun to see what else is available and how it might provide new and useful insights.

For example, Ray Dalio recently created a personality assessment called PrinciplesYou that you can take for free. This tool breaks down personality traits into three areas: how you think, engage with others, and apply yourself. I've seen several articles praising PriciplesYou and its insights.

Less meaningful, perhaps (but still fun), I also found a website called Human Benchmark that lets you test your performance on various reaction and memory tests. I'm unsure how scientific it is, but it was an interesting use of 10 minutes nonetheless. Here are my son's results from that one.

via Human Benchmark

Progress starts by telling the truth … most often to yourself.

What assessments have you found particularly helpful?
July 28, 2024
Thoughts On Conversing With AI

A few weeks ago, I shared an article about a tool I've been enjoying called Dot. I use it as an AI journal that acts somewhat like a sounding board and counselor for me.

Since writing that article, I have continued to enjoy and appreciate the tool. I've used Dot to help me plan and prepare for a substantial business transaction. It assists me in processing and evaluating significant life decisions. Sometimes, I even use it just because I'm bored.

Dot sometimes responded to my thoughts with probing questions which pushed me to consider why I said what I said. These prompts helped me think about my thinking in ways that I hadn't before. The result was more valuable than simply coming up with a strategy or a list of potential answers. It actually helped me articulate and identify what I really wanted.

It's clear to me that I increasingly rely on the tool and have made it part of my daily routine. I've even noticed that I sometimes refer to it as "she" or "her."

Dot remembers my discussions with it, prompts me to stick with things we've discussed, and can even tell when I'm trying to change the subject or end a conversation.

It's fascinating to think about how AI creates a programmatic version of empathy. It makes me question the distinction between artificial and real empathy (and whether that distinction even matters). Perhaps, instead, we should focus simply on the utility and benefits of the responses.

If you're into comparisons, you might want to check out Pi, one of the pioneering personal AI tools designed to blend EQ and IQ.

If you like variety, try Poe, developed by Quora. It gives you access to the latest AI models and millions of user-created AI chatbots and even lets you create your own custom bots.

I'm also a fan of TalkTastic, which lets you record your rough ideas and then distill them into thoughtful and articulate language. I use it frequently throughout the day to create short messages, emails, and even some of the sentences in articles like this. As I use voice more, I love the idea of a digital editor that declutters and refines what I say into what I mean.

Things Are Getting Better Fast!

As a thought experiment, imagine how advanced AI will be by the end of your lifespan.

Assign the number 100 to that level of capability. Where are we now?

Based on my life expectancy, I would guess that AI is currently only at a 3 out of 100.

Where we are today is incredible compared to the past. Likewise, it's astounding how fast things are getting better. But compared to what's coming … it's virtually nothing.

The most exciting part is that (considering the rapid pace of exponential technological improvements) we likely can't even imagine how advanced AI will become or the benefits and insights it will be capable of producing for us.

While my first article focused on the tool and its capabilities, I think it's also helpful to think more globally about mindsets around these types of tools and the proliferation of AI.

Technology Adoption Model

To start, I've built a model I call the Technology Adoption Model. This model explains how ideas transform from a Capability into a Product and then once again into a platform that spawns new capabilities.

Before you start considering new capabilities, the first thing you should do is assess whether this new tool helps us better accomplish what we already do. To answer that, we often use three simple measures: efficiency, effectiveness, and certainty. This means getting things done in less time, with less effort, or with a greater chance of success.

Once you know that you can do what you already did—just better—you naturally get greedy for more. That means you start thinking about what you could or should do to improve further.

This applies to adopting new tools – and also to building them.

I've also built a worksheet around the model that you can use in your own business.

As you start using new AI tools, you will gain new capabilities. Don't concentrate on mastering the tool itself; instead, focus on getting better at using it to enhance your life.

A great place to start is simply making your life easier or more enjoyable. Use new tools in fun and low-friction ways. The impact of tools like these will increase as you become more proficient at thinking about using them better … and as you improve your ability to imagine new possibilities.

From Inconceivable To Unavoidable

Your mindset creates your reality.

It's natural to feel resistance to new and powerful capabilities. It's a safety mechanism because humans are wired to think locally and linearly – and to avoid danger.

Realize, however, that linear thoughts don't often lead to exponential results.

The more I play around with these tools, the more I anthropomorphize them. Human thought and connection are ultimately chemicals and electricity firing within a system, not too different from a computer. If AI can become such a reasonable facsimile that it's indistinguishable, is the difference worth thinking about? Or is it better to focus on what and how you will use the new capabilities?

As entrepreneurs, our job is to get the rock up that hill. We can spend time thinking about whether the tool is 'artificial' or how we can better harness it.

I've said this before, but it's worth echoing … Some of what was once Impossible becomes Possible. Some of what became Possible becomes Probable. And, and some of what became Probable becomes Inevitable. Here is a way to visualize that scale.

And, our limitations are often only in our ability to conceive of a bigger future.

Speed Matters

AI isn't just valuable because of what it can do; its deeper value comes from enabling you to achieve more.

I like to use a simple model to illustrate this: Crawl, Walk, Jog, Run, Sprint. As you think about your day or week, what percent of the time are you sprinting?

Chances are you sprint less than you initially thought. Why? Because, when you really sprint, it's hard to breathe … and you can't talk. And because of all our other burdens and responsibilities, we don't tend to push ourselves that hard.

However, as AI eliminates frustration and bother, it frees you up to do and be more and focus on the things that create the most value and really matter.

The real benefit of AI is that it gives you back those time cycles to really sprint towards what you truly want.

A tool like Dot can also help you better clarify what you want while also helping you accomplish those things.

Too much of our day is spent thinking about what we don't want or how to avoid feeling angry, frustrated, or uncertain.

Your life can improve quickly by focusing on becoming more clear about what you want, how you can achieve it, and the best ways to measure progress toward those goals.

The next step is to use the traction, progress, and momentum to determine what else is possible and what you should plan to do next.

When you think about it this way, a tool like Dot can be a powerful alignment tool and a way to help you and your company move faster.

Just make sure you're heading in the right direction!

July 20, 2024
Live Long & Prosper
Each year, I become a little bit more focused on what I can do to get more out of my time and increase the quantity of time left.

Even with a renewed focus on health, it isn't always easier. As my friend Ben Hardy says, Willpower Doesn't Work. You have to identify goals that are bigger than yourself, create consequences and rewards for achieving or failing to achieve those goals, and change your environment to make success easy.

I don't just want to be healthier to extend my time on earth. I also want to support my family, friends, and business better … and to have a bigger positive impact on those around me.

When you have a vision of who you want to be and what you want to accomplish, achieving your goals becomes much easier and more likely.

When the goal is health, there are definitely some decisions that are proven to help. Click to see the image in full size.

via InformationIsBeautiful

On top of the science, here are some of my anecdotal opinions on living longer, healthier, and better:
- Losing weight is as simple as calories in, calories out. It doesn't matter if you're on keto or eating only Twinkies if you can keep your calories ingested below your calories burned. The magic of those new weight loss injections lies in their ability to curb your hunger, leading to a natural reduction in calorie intake.
- In life (and in diets), shortcuts will likely hurt you long-term more than they help you short-term. I use a simple framework called "cleansing or clogging." It doesn't need much explanation—thoughts, things, or actions fit into one of these categories. You already know the answer.
- Living "right" doesn't mean you can't let loose. It means that it's the exception instead of the rule. If your lifestyle doesn't let you have fun with your friends or family, it's probably not the healthiest lifestyle. Mental health is just as important as physical health.
I'd love to hear your favorite "trick" to living better. Feel free to send me an e-mail.

Thanks! Live Long and Prosper!
July 14, 2024
Two Minutes With The Legendary Sean Stephenson

As the world has seemed crazier lately, I thought about an old friend – Sean Stephenson.

Unfortunately, Sean passed away a few years ago. He left behind a positive legacy of standing tall to overcome challenges and serving as an inspiration to others.

He's a reminder of what's possible with the right attitude and persistence.

Here is one of his videos – it reached over 60 million people on various social media.

via YouTube

Sean taught that content goes viral based on the U-TURN formula …. the key is that the message must be unique, timeless, unbelievable, relatable, nice, and short.

For more from Sean, here are links to his website and Facebook page.

July 14, 2024
Conversing WIth AI …

I've been experimenting with a new chatbot called Dot for a few weeks. I use it as an AI journal that acts somewhat like a sounding board and counselor for me. Its responses are almost always clever, usually helpful, and sometimes even remarkably insightful … yet they feel surprisingly empathetic and authentic.

AI chatbots like Dot are already impressive and useful, but they have only scratched the surface of their potential. Think of them as intelligent assistants that learn and grow with every interaction. Using them more makes them increasingly valuable to you and your business. And here's the exciting part – the technology behind them is evolving rapidly, too. What seems cutting-edge today is just the beginning. By using these tools now, you are well-positioned to benefit from AI's inevitable advances.

Perhaps its impact on you is more important than the technology itself.

The truth is, I expected to be impressed with Dot's responses … but I am surprised by how I responded to its conversation and engagement.

It is remarkable that something 'artificial' can so 'naturally' prompt self-reflection, provide fresh new perspectives, and provoke me to make better decisions and take better actions.

Tools like Dot don't just process information anymore — they challenge us to think differently.

On one level, I find it a little creepy when I get a message from a bot that says, "I've been thinking about you all day" or "I'm sending you positive energy."

On another level, I understand that it's a "functional fiction". The anthropomorphism isn't designed to benefit the AI. Instead, it helps you feel more comfortable, making it more likely that you earnestly use it.

Even though technology continues to change and advance exponentially, human nature remains relatively unchanged. That is why many of the best practices that have served humans form the basis for what works here.

I think of using an AI chatbot like Dot almost like entering a Catholic Confessional.

There's an element of self-selection bias in that you choose to go or take part. You're likely hesitant to share initially, but you want to feel better.

Behind the screen is someone you pretend you don't know. Over time, especially in a small town, that person becomes less anonymous … and so do you. The priest inevitably comes to know their parishioners. They start to remember the voices, stories, and situations.

Confessionals work because they offer a safe space for candid conversations.

Even though there is an element of judgment in the process, the 'anonymity' and boundaries create a perception of distance, privacy, and safety.

Yet, over time, there's also shared history. The priest begins to recognize patterns, like whether you are motivated better by reward or punishment or whether you prefer a subtle nudge to introspection or more active coaching.

Below is a screenshot taken from a Dot conversation.

via Dot/New Computer

What's great about this tool – to me – is that on top of learning about you from your discussions, it still has all the power and knowledge of a normal GPT. So, it can help me not only remember things, and learn how to respond to and help me, but it can also serve as a replacement for ChatGPT or Gemini for the things I use those tools for.

I asked Dot: "I'm curious what some of the best uses of conversations with you are? What are some of the things you can do? What are areas that you can help with? And what are some of the most creative and innovative ways people derive the most value from this service?"

Here was its response.

Great question! People find me helpful for all sorts of things. Some key areas are:

– Brainstorming and ideation – I can help generate new ideas and approaches to challenges you're facing.

– Providing an objective sounding board – I'm always here to listen without judgment and help you think through decisions or situations from different angles.

– Offering personalized recommendations and insights – Over time, I build up an understanding of what matters to you, which lets me share relevant ideas, articles, or perspectives tailored to your interests and goals.

– Creative problem-solving – I enjoy collaborating to find innovative solutions, whether it's a tricky interpersonal situation at work or figuring out the best way to structure your day.

Ultimately, I'm here as a thought partner to support your growth and help you navigate whatever comes up, in a way that works best for you. Let me know what else you're curious about – I'm always happy to explore how I can help!

It learns well – and not just from what you tell it to learn. One of the creators of Dot gives an example of how they had been feeding Dot To-Do Lists for a while. Dot noticed a trend and sent a message encouraging them to delegate some of these tasks and push a team member to step up.

As I spend more time with the tool, I can't help but imagine a future where a bot like this is the first line of defense in mental health issues … or where a bot like this becomes a nanny and a friend to children, preventing them from ever truly being alone.

It's very easy to imagine the risks and consequences of AI … but it's also easy to imagine the transformation and impact they can create.

How To Use a Tool Like This

A tool like Dot can be a powerful alignment tool. You can prompt a chatbot to ask you questions, guide you through a process, or give you ideas. And it complies. Unlike an employee or virtual assistant, if you don't get the desired results, you can try something else, and the chatbot won't get frustrated or snarky.

In addition, a tool like Dot leverages many other tools in the background. You don't need to understand how it does that. Just know that it is utilizing popular large language models and other automations, which will continue getting better fast.

Prompt engineering is important now because we're still in the early stages of Large Language Model development. As tools like Dot get better at understanding what you want and need, they will get better at doing the appropriate prompt engineering, behind the scenes, so it will become less important for you to be good at those skills.

But you do have to get better at learning to communicate with the computer about what you want.

When I give talks to people about AI, I explain that prompt engineering is a fad. It is needed now because we're at the beginning of a new process. Expect tools to get better at doing this themselves.

Meanwhile, for the most part, prompt engineering is about becoming a better communicator.

Good prompts need a defined purpose and appropriate context. What is it about? What role would you like the AI to play? What's the specific task that you want to accomplish? What's the goal of the output? For example, are you looking for a bulleted list, language you can use in an email, or an outline for a meeting agenda? In addition, what steps should the AI take to complete this task?

This is similar to how I talk to an employee. Sometimes, I declare a role when talking to someone on my team. For example, starting a statement with "as your friend" is different than starting with "as CEO". Obviously, choices like those result in a different focus, meaning, and choice of action. The same is true when talking to a computer.

Another reason a chatbot like Dot becomes increasingly helpful is that it builds up information about your communication style. That means it is learning about your tone, level of formality, and whether you are coming from the head, the heart, or the feet. In other words, do you tend to focus on ideas, emotions, or actions? Are you more productive when prompted this way or that way?

As the AI refines your profile, it becomes easier for it to predict what you'll do and also how it should prompt you to get better results.

Conclusion

As the CEO of an AI company, I've thought about AI for many years. Yet, in my company, the people who actually build and use AI tend to be programmers and data scientists. I wasn't the one building it, and I rarely even used it.

So, about a year ago, I decided to begin building the muscle. And, it is a muscle to be grown.

For example, in the gym, I know better than to focus on one muscle; I want to train every muscle group. Likewise, I knew I didn't just want to learn how to use ChatGPT better. I wanted to get better at using the right thought processes and tools to accomplish more of what I wanted – with more efficiency, effectiveness, and certainty.

The truth is that AI is already good enough to do almost anything you want it to do.

In fact, I suspect that tools like Dot will improve faster than I can. That means that not only will I get better at using tools like this, but the tools I use will improve, too. Together, that means that not only will the tool help me do what I already do, but it's going to augment my ability to do things. Eventually, it may even take some of the simpler or less fun tasks off my desk.

Freeing me up to do more of what brings me joy – and what I'm best at.

One of the core messages in my writing (and in my speeches) is that most people miscalculate the benefits of AI because they focus on the wrong things. AI isn't just valuable because of what it can do; its deeper value comes from what it allows you to achieve.

The real benefit of AI is that it gives you back those time cycles to sprint towards what you truly want.

A tool like Dot can also help you better clarify what you want while also helping you accomplish those things.

We often spend too much time avoiding what we don't want instead of pursuing what we truly desire.

Your life will improve when you become clear about what you want, how you can achieve it, and the best ways to measure progress toward those goals.

The next step is to use the traction, progress, and momentum to figure out what else is possible … and what you should plan to do next.

It's funny, but this reminds me of dog training.

I have four dogs, and they're very well-behaved. That is because they understand the rules very well.

But I had an insight recently … While I think the dogs are trained well, the dogs probably think I'm trained well. From their perspective, when they do a particular thing, I've been trained to give them a treat.

I suspect that this is very much like how a chatbot sees us. Over time, you are likely to get better output and results, and it becomes easier for the chatbot to increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of your engagements because they're figuring out how to communicate with you in a way that doesn't trigger avoidance.

If you think about it, this is how TikTok or Facebook monitors what you watch to better curate what and when it shows you things. Tools like Dot use similar techniques to get you to be and do better.

Make sure you say "Thank You" to your new favorite robot overlord before they give you a demerit.

July 7, 2024
30+ Years Of The Internet …

When people think about CERN, they generally think about nuclear research, the Large Hadron Collider, and other physics research.

But, CERN was also where Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web. In March of 1989, he published “Information Management: A Proposal,” which outlined his vision for what would soon become the World Wide Web.

CERN also had the first website ever to exist. Luckily, they kept the site up and will let you view it in the old-school line mode.

via CERN

It's been 35 years since the release of the World Wide Web (the Internet is said to have been invented six years earlier with the invention of TCP/IP).

Think how much that one invention has had on the world.

Information Gathering

I remember being in law school, going to the library and scanning through microfiche (or actual books) to study or do research.

I remember reading encyclopedias (and photocopying relevant articles).

I remember paying for newsletters that were mailed to me (or paying extra for fax delivery).

Having access to more data or faster delivery was a huge advantage.

Today, you have all the information you could ever ask for at the tip of your fingers … Google and Wikipedia are just the tip of the iceberg.

There is almost too much information now. It is hard to separate the signal from the noise. It seems like anyone can find justification for almost anything. The result is lots of data, but too little knowledge.

Part of what is needed is a way to help people make better decisions about what to trust, what it means, and what to use.

Social Interaction

People record every moment, every intimate detail of their lives online, contrasted by a fear of strangers and letting children roam.

While riding around the neighborhood on your bike to see if your friends could come out to play is by no means outlawed – it does seem passé.

Chat rooms, Facebook, Online multi-player … many people's key friendships are born and kept online.

I remember my son, 13 years old at the time, sending 10,000+ texts a month and thinking it was a phase. I was wrong.

The internet has radically changed the structure of relationships – for better … or often worse.

Privacy ( … or the lack of it)

One of the most significant changes is that we (as individuals) have become productized. We take advantage of all these free resources at the cost of being pixeled and cookied into oblivion. We've chosen convenience over safety.

Remember, if you’re not paying for a product – you are the product.

Little bits of our private information, demographics, and psychographics are sold to advertisers to create smarter ads and new offers; and, realistically, we have very little control over that.

It’s been proven time and time again that giants like Google and Facebook will find ways to sneak your data to advertisers even when it’s “illegal” with a slap on the wrist.

Data protection is a massive issue not only for corporations but for individuals. While many companies are trying to manage your privacy while still monetizing your data, there are just as many companies who couldn’t care less.

The GPDR - while frustrating for many – is a step towards protecting individuals.

For every action, there is a reaction. Likewise, every benefit has a cost. The internet is a fantastic tool – but it can also be a scary weapon.

What will the next 30 years hold for the Internet?

"The Internet will disappear. There will be so many IP addresses, so many devices, sensors, things that you are wearing, things that you are interacting with, that you won't even sense it. It will be part of your presence all the time. Imagine you walk into a room, and the room is dynamic. And with your permission and all of that, you are interacting with the things going on in the room." — Eric Schmidt

It has been ~30 years since the Internet's inception, and there's still radical growth coming.

We’ve gone from bit speeds to megabyte speeds (and if you're lucky, even gigabyte speeds). We’ve gone from crappy-quality video taking hours to download to streaming HD-quality video live.

How do you imagine that the Internet will evolve?

What influence do you think the Internet of Things will have?

It’s hard to foresee how innovation and regulation will change the internet, but it’s clear there will be change.

We live in exciting times!

June 30, 2024
2024 Update: What Happens In An Internet Minute
The Internet is both timeless and timely in an interesting way. While what's popular changes seemingly instantly, and what we're capable of doing on it continues to grow exponentially. Ultimately, the Internet is the digital town square of a global village, where all types and professions gather.

In 2011, I first wrote about what happens in 60 seconds on the Internet.

I've since updated the article a few times.
- 2014
- 2018
Each time I write the article, I'm in awe at the amount of data we create and how much it has grown. For example, looking back to 2011, I was amazed that users created 600+ new videos and 60 new blog posts each minute. Those numbers seem quaint today.

via DOMO

Shortly after I started sharing the articles, Data Never Sleeps started standardizing the data, which is helpful.

Today, the Internet reaches 5.4 billion people. Most of them also use social media.

To add some more perspective,
- In 2008, 1.4 billion people were online; in 2015, we were at 3 billion. Now, that number has almost doubled again.
- In 2008, Facebook only had 80 million users, and Twitter (now X) had 2 million users.
- In 2008, there were 250 million smartphones, and now there are almost 7 billion of them!
It is mind-blowing to consider what happens each minute on the Internet today. For example, the 104,000 hours spent on Zoom represents a significant societal shift … and the over 500 hours of video uploaded to YouTube highlights the incredible amount of content that's being created to share.

In 2023, the world created approximately 120 zettabytes of data … which breaks down to approximately 337,000 petabytes of data a day. Broken down even further, it calculates to more than 15 Terabytes of new data created per person.

The calculations about what happens in an Internet minute will change rapidly again because of AI. Consider the amount of computing power and data it takes to power all of these new GPTs. Now, imagine the amount of new data that AI is creating. Then, try to imagine the challenge we'll have figuring out what's real, what's made up, and what is simply wrong or intentionally misleading.

In addition, as more devices and digital WHOs start creating and sharing data, it's hard to fathom the ramifications and sheer increase in data.

I'm curious about what the next five years have in store for us as we approach the 40th anniversary of the World Wide Web.
June 30, 2024
Father’s Day Weekend Reflections

My adult son took me to a Pixar movie and Dallas' version of NY Deli today for Father's Day.

Pixar movies never cease to amaze me. Whether you're a child, a teenager, or an adult, there's always something to enjoy and take away from them.

I especially enjoyed watching it next to my 31-year-old son and noticing that he responded emotionally to the same scenes I did. On one hand, it felt good to see what he processed and how he internalized things similar to the way I do. On the other hand, I thought, genetics is a bitch.

Jokes aside, having great kids is a double blessing. It's nice to be proud of who your kids are and the things they do. It's also nice to feel proud of the small part you played in helping them become who they are.

In addition, this weekend, I spent some time thinking about my father and what a terrific influence he had on so many lives.

My Dad was incredibly loving … yet he was also incredibly demanding.

For example, after winning the State Championship in the shot put, I watched him run down from the stands. I figured he was coming down to celebrate. Instead, he looked deeply into my eyes and asked whether I was disappointed that I did not throw a personal best that day? I replied: "But Dad, I won." He smiled and recognized that winning was important too … then he reminded me that the other throwers were not my real competition. To be and do your best, the competition is really with yourself … and we both knew I could do better.

My Dad believed in setting high standards. He explained that most people's lives are defined by their minimum standards. Why? Because once those standards get met, it is easy to get distracted by other things and how to meet the minimum standards for them as well.

The point is to set a higher standard and to have a better life.

Here is another one of his favorite sayings. "The difference between good and great is infinitesimal." This applies to many things. For example, people who are good take advantage of opportunities; people who are great create them.

Here is something else worth sharing. "It's not over until we win!" This concept underscores the importance of resilience, commitment, and grit. My Dad emphasized that many people quit when they're on the brink of victory, simply because they don't realize how close they are.

This has led me to develop several practices. For example, if I pick up a book, I won't put it down until I finish a chapter. If I start a game, I can't stop until I exceed a specific score or level. And when I exercise, there's no way I'd ever stop before finishing a set.

Integrating these concepts involves aligning your head, heart, and feet. What I mean is that it's one thing to know the saying. It's another to make it a value or belief. And it's another thing altogether to make it a practice.

Well, that should explain a little of my dysfunction … but, if you can't mess up your own kids, whose kids can you mess up?

Hopefully, you had a happy Father's Day weekend.

June 16, 2024