The most visible tech companies are increasingly casting themselves as the hero in their own story, and in doing so, risk becoming the villain in everyone else’s. Apple was never the hero - the creative misfit was. Nike was never the hero - the everyday athlete was. Youtube was never the hero - the creator was. Airbnb was never the hero - the host was. Stripe was never the hero - the developer was. Figma was never the hero - the designer was. The best brands make someone else the protagonist. When you cast yourself as the hero, you turn your users into NPCs. The relationship becomes transactional, or worse: predatory (we’ll replace you, just give us time). This is why we (individual companies, and the tech industry at large) need better stories about the future. Stories that aren’t centered on ARR, record-breaking valuations, circular dealmaking. Stories that are anchored in people, potential and a vision for the future that goes beyond numbers. Right now tech is mostly talking to tech, so we’re getting away with a lot. But that’s not sustainable. It’s time to think a few steps ahead.

Rude of Anthropic to kill my favorite Fourth of July joke

There are few things sadder than humans starting to write like AI.

My newly formed opinion for this week is that super hot/fit/crazy people should be allowed to climb buildings with impunity.

Pushing a @ channel alert to ~900 people in a paid professional Slack community to ask what their plans are for the long weekend is insane behavior, and I'm coping by brainstorming the most creatively appropriate punishment. Suggestions welcome. 😇

If you left twitter/X for moral reasons but you own SpaceX stock...it's time to come back 😇

“Venture (especially early stage) is currently a low status job, and that’s a good thing!” - @ashleymayer, Co-founder and General Partner at @coalitionvc

I asked 12 investors one question: "What's your hottest take on the VC market today?" 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ A thread

Everyone is pregnant right now, but there's no pleasing the pronatalists! 🎙️ @helen_min, @ashleymayer, angela

Om’s piece was even better than I remembered web.archive.org/web/20140603…

It feels like everyone from a certain (magical) era in tech has an @om story (or twenty). Most of my interactions with him were professional, in the context of leading PR for Box. Whenever I saw him IRL he’d accuse me of ghostwriting @levie’s tweets, and wouldn’t hear otherwise. I took the compliment, however undeserved. I’ll also never forget his very human take in the wake of Box’s S-1 drop. There was a deluge of commentary—much of it critical, most of it fair (although it all felt deeply personal at the time). I can’t find the original article, but this snippet from NYT Dealbook gives you a sense. Om was discerning but be never dunked or took the cheap shot. He cared deeply about tech and even more about the people behind it. We could use more of his spirit in this current era. RIP.

Last week's pod was all about money, happiness and identity in the wake of mass wealth creation events, like the record-setting SpaceX IPO. 🚀 🎙️ @helen_min @ashleymayer

I finally read the WIRED article about Dialog and this is the the silliest controversy. This has been a widely known event in tech circles over the past two decades - it wouldn’t even qualify as an “open secret.” Back in my comms days, it was on my list of conferences to track lol (I’m sure other PR folks can attest). If an exec had been invited, I would have encouraged them to attend. Yes, powerful people participated (a draw). And the sessions list is more interesting than most conferences (the lowest of bars). Somehow, the combination of Thiel’s involvement and the guest list coming to light via a hack made this newsworthy. Also, @ezraklein, I’m a fan but I think you made this way worse with your long-winded explanation/apology!! My favorite part: the member “talents.” Who among us hasn’t been asked to submit dumb stuff like this ahead of an event, with the unspoken mandate to make yourself sound interesting.

Overconfidence > self doubt

Nah shoot whatever this is straight into my veins (the intelligence equivalent as well while you’re at it).

Midjourney spa membership tiers: Basic: one visit/month Pro: unlimited visits and an annual full-body ultrasound scan Elite: all the benefits of Pro plus a sixth finger on each hand

San Francisco VCs doing their Midjourney body scans.

Wealth can make you stingier or more generous Parenthood can make you feel older or younger Pain can make you crueler or gentler Criticism can make you more defensive or reflective Heartbreak can make you more guarded or open Failure can make you more cautious or risk seeking Luck can make you more paranoid or grateful Chaos can make you more controlling or liberated You decide.

2010s version (god I’m old) SF is a wild place. Get an apartment in Hayes Valley or the Mission with your friends in a charming but rundown Victorian. Commute to your startup job in the Peninsula (via shuttle once you raise enough) where it’s 10-15 degrees warmer. Make way less than your college friends in finance but love every second of it. Work late and then go dancing at the Starlight Lounge on Wednesday nights. Weekends at Dolores Park. One or two perfect beach days per year. Your job is your identity and your coworkers are your closest friends. It’s messy and magical. The little startup you joined eventually goes public (that actually happens?!) and you can’t believe your luck. How do you keep doing this forever?

If you’re a Knicks fan who invested early in SpaceX and has beef with Anthropic, wow, this is your week!!