In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, the Stewart Alsop interviews Jonathan Pritchard, a mentalist, sales trainer, and part of Zavant Enterprises. The pair delve into their shared interest in Urbit, a unique peer-to-peer server providing an alternative to the Internet. Jonathan shares his journey from beginning magic as a child and evolving into a corporate consultant and sales trainer using the same principles used in his performances. By applying science, psychology, and the understanding of human thought processes, Jonathan showcases how businesses can improve their practices, performance, and even web presence. He also discusses overcoming personal and technological barriers, understanding business losses and optimizing corporate interaction. Finally, he offers an insightful critique on today’s education, comparing it to the unexplored riches of magic techniques developed over millennia. Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation (if you are already subscribed to GPT4) Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:37 Guest Introduction: Jonathan Pritchard 01:18 Exploring the Wackiness of Erbit 01:43 Jonathan's Journey to Discover Erbit 03:27 Understanding the Internet through the Lens of a Mentalist 04:04 The Art of Mentalism and Mind Reading 04:46 The Illusion of Understanding: A Mentalist's Perspective 05:41 The Internet: A Monocrop of Consciousness 09:06 The Future of the Internet: A Decentralized World 10:01 The Challenges and Opportunities of Urbit 11:42 Building a Community on Urbit 27:47 The Intersection of Magic, Business, and Urbit 31:32 The Art of Business and Magic 31:49 Understanding the Human Mind and Magic 32:59 The Universality of Magic Tricks 35:25 The Impact of Magic on Personal Life 35:50 The Power of Perception and Magic 37:39 The Journey from Stage to Corporate World 38:44 The Art of Negotiation and Presentation 39:45 The Magic of Attracting and Retaining Attention 42:13 The Influence of Magic on Branding 46:02 The Intersection of Magic and Business 57:25 The Power of Language and Translation 58:17 The Role of Magic in Sales and Marketing 01:01:55 Closing Remarks and Future Plans Key Insights: Mentalism and Business: Pritchard's background as a mentalist gives him a unique perspective on human psychology and behavior, which he applies in business contexts. He discusses the application of mentalist techniques in sales training, negotiations, and corporate presentations, emphasizing the importance of understanding human psychology and communication. Technology and Urbit: Pritchard shares his fascination with Urbit, a decentralized computing platform. He sees it as aligning with his personal and professional philosophies. He describes Urbit as a high-return investment, both technologically and philosophically, and appreciates its potential for creating a diverse and decentralized digital culture. Corporate Training and Personal Development: Pritchard leverages his skills as a mentalist to train corporate teams in areas like sales, negotiation, and effective communication. His approach in corporate training involves using magic and mentalism principles to engage and teach key business skills. Internet and Digital World Critique: He criticizes the current state of the internet, describing it as a monoculture that limits diversity of thought and experience. Pritchard advocates for a more fragmented, decentralized internet, like Urbit, to encourage more diverse and independent cultural development. Magic and Mentalism in Business: The principles of magic and mentalism, according to Pritchard, can greatly influence business strategies, particularly in areas like marketing, branding, and customer engagement. He emphasizes the importance of creating memorable experiences and connections, much like a good magic show does with its audience. Personal Branding and Marketing: Pritchard discusses the significance of personal branding, using historical figures in magic as examples of successful branding and archetyping. He suggests that the techniques used in magic for audience engagement can be effectively applied in marketing and building a personal brand.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop interviews Sharon Zhang, co-founder and CTO of Personal.ai. They delve into the challenges and potential of autonomous AI agents, the role of data in machine learning, and the ongoing development of Personal.ai. Sharon shares how the utilization of various programming languages and architectures has shaped the AI system, which was designed to provide personalized experiences for every user while protecting their privacy. They also discuss the future of open-source data, the possibilities of data monetization, and the evolution of AI. Sign up for the model 2 event tomorrow (Jan 10th, 2024) where the Personal.AI team will present the new model they are releasing Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:40 Guest Introduction: Sharon Zhang, Co-founder and CTO at Personal.ai 00:54 Discussing the Technical Aspects of Personal.ai 02:16 Exploring the Evolution of Machine Learning 03:27 The Journey of Automating Medical Transcription 06:04 The Challenges of Building Personal AI 12:00 The Importance of Data Sovereignty 21:43 The Technicalities of Building APIs 23:13 Understanding the Types of Data Used for Training Personal AI 28:22 Understanding Language Models and Predictions 28:57 Exploring Cause and Effect in Decision Making 29:27 Linear vs Nonlinear Behavior 30:11 The Theory of Mind and Predictability of Humans 31:40 The Role of AI in Predicting Human Behavior 32:40 Complexities of Predicting Human Behavior 42:13 The Future of AI: Superintelligence and Autonomy 48:11 The Challenge of Building Autonomous Agents 53:55 The Potential of Open Source Data in AI Development 55:21 Closing Remarks and Future Plans Key Themes Development of Personal AI: Sharon Zhang discussed the complexities in building personal.ai, emphasizing the importance of full-stack development with multiple languages like Java, Python, and JavaScript frameworks. The focus was on creating a unique AI experience that is tailored to individual users. Evolution of Machine Learning and AI: The conversation touched upon the history and evolution of AI and machine learning. Zhang reflected on the transition from support vector machines to more advanced techniques like transformers, highlighting the significant advancements in the field. Data Privacy and Decentralization in AI: A significant portion of the discussion revolved around data privacy, user sovereignty, and the decentralization of AI. Zhang emphasized the importance of users being able to control their data and the concept of a decentralized AI that operates on a personal level. Challenges in AI Development: The technical challenges in developing AI systems, such as building scalable and efficient data models, handling diverse data types, and creating dynamic, user-specific AI models were discussed. This included the complex infrastructure required for such an AI system. Future of AI and Autonomy: The podcast delved into the future of AI, specifically the concept of autonomous AI agents. The discussion included the current limitations and the potential evolution where AI could make independent decisions and possibly coexist with humans. Open Source and AI Data: The conversation highlighted the need for more open-source data to further AI development and the potential for a marketplace for data exchange. The challenges of data availability and quality in building effective AI models were also discussed. Impact of AI on Society: There was a philosophical discussion about the role of AI in society and its potential to be the next evolutionary step for humanity. This included thoughts on how AI might reshape our understanding of autonomy and decision-making.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, Stewart Alsop explores various complex topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Christian faith and the potential impacts each one can have on modern society. Matthew Bosch shares his personal journey of converting to Christianity in adulthood, as well as his perspective on the intersection of religion and AI. He points out the potential dangers involved with AI, specifically regarding the human tendency for 'God Complex', and agrees with the host in asserting the necessity of a spiritual or higher power to help people navigate life's complexities. Both the Stewart and Matthew also express concern over how AI can potentially be used to 'hollow out' the human soul. Furthermore, Matthew shares several biblical stories and teachings to illustrate his points, including King Solomon's life and the concept of 'Just Wars'. If you are subscribed to GPT4 you can ask questions of what happened in the episode here Timestamps 00:39 Guest Introduction: Matthew Bosch 01:09 Matthew's Journey to Christianity 03:47 Understanding the Concept of Christianity 05:03 Exploring the Mystery of the Holy Trinity 10:25 The Concept of Salvation in Christianity 13:15 The Intersection of Technology and Christianity 17:51 The Ethical Dilemmas of AI in Business 22:13 Investments and Nonviolence in Christianity 23:02 Just War Theory and Modern Conflicts 23:20 Automatization and Moral Complexity 25:41 C.S. Lewis's Perspective on War and Religion 27:17 Exploring Eastern Philosophies and Reincarnation 30:00 The Role of God and Morality in Modern Society 35:26 The Power of Technology and Its Implications 39:03 Critiques of Organized Religion 41:38 Finding Community and Living Values in Religion 43:03 Closing Thoughts  Key Topics Discussed: Matthew Bosch's Personal Journey: Transition from secular society to Christianity. Reflections on finding faith and its impact on personal and professional life. The Role of Christianity in Modern Society: Discussion on the relevance and application of Christian values in today's secular environment. The challenge of maintaining faith in a technology-driven world. Intersection of AI and Spirituality: Ethical implications of AI in society and its potential to influence human behavior and decision-making. Debate on whether AI advancements are leading humanity towards or away from spiritual values. Understanding the Trinity: A philosophical exploration of the Christian concept of the Trinity and its significance. The Concept of Salvation in Christianity: Insights into the Christian perspective on salvation and its relevance in the contemporary world. Reflections on Biblical Stories and Their Modern-Day Parallels: Parallels drawn between historical biblical events and current global and technological scenarios. Impact of Technology on Human Existence and Morality: Discussion on how technological advancements are reshaping human morality and the potential consequences. The Role of the Church and Religion in Modern Times: Critique of the church's approach to addressing contemporary issues and its evolution over time. Personal views on the role and responsibilities of religious institutions today.

The Crazy Wisdom Podcast features a wide-ranging conversation with Simone Collins, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and co-host of the Based Camp podcast. Topics explored include the concept of 'based' in the context of the podcast, the crisis of belief in authority, the role of AI in governance and its potential to improve bureaucratic efficiencies. Simone shared her views on the impact of demographic collapse on cities and illustrated the potential future of 'techno-feudalism' where power and money concentrate within isolated, secure communities. The discussion also touched upon the role of cryptocurrencies as an alternative during hyperinflation scenarios, based on experience in countries like Argentina. The episode ends with a brief discussion about the potential ways to evade an 'Argentine future' for the US, predicated on curbing bureaucratic waste. Here is a GPT we trained on this episode if you want to ask it questions (you need to be a subscriber to GPT4 to access) Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:40 Guest Introduction: Simone Collins 01:04 Understanding the Term 'Based' in Podcasting 02:19 Navigating Political Conversations in Progressive Cities 02:45 Breaking Free from Restrictive Beliefs 03:28 Hosting Diverse Dinner Parties 04:15 Challenging Progressive Culture 04:31 Personal Journey of Changing Political Beliefs 06:03 The Limitations of Progressive Culture 08:08 Engaging with Controversial Ideas 15:46 The Patchwork Age: A New Era of Diverse Beliefs 16:59 Technofeudalism: The Future of Cities and Infrastructure 23:36 The Impact of Demographic Collapse 26:28 European Influence and Immigration in Southern Brazil 27:02 The Impact of Emigration on Argentina 27:15 The Role of Tourism in Argentine Emigration 27:40 Hyperinflation and its Effects on Infrastructure 27:45 The Future of the U.S. Dollar in a Hyperinflated World 29:09 The Role of Cryptocurrency in Economically Unstable Countries 30:55 The Black Market and the U.S. Dollar in Argentina 32:13 The Rise of Cryptocurrency in Argentina 32:52 The Necessity of Cryptocurrency in Developing Countries 33:08 The Adoption of Cryptocurrency by Non-Tech Savvy Individuals 35:22 The Impact of AI on Bureaucracy 35:44 The Role of AI in Government and Politics 38:52 The Future of the U.S. Government in an AI-Driven World 39:41 The Impact of AI on Corporate Governance 40:30 The Role of AI in Reducing Government Bureaucracy 44:11 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Demographic Collapse 44:39 The Role of AI in the Future of Governance 47:04 The Impact of Bureaucracy on the Argentine Economy 47:57 The Future of the U.S. Economy Amidst Rising Debt 49:36 The Role of AI in the Future of the U.S. Economy 50:36 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Rising Debt 51:05 The Role of AI in the Future of the U.S. Government 51:38 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Rising Debt 51:51 The Future of the U.S. Government Amidst Rising Debt 52:34 Conclusion Key Insights The Concept of 'Based': Simone Collins discussed the term 'based,' highlighting its varied interpretations. Initially understood as someone comfortable with their beliefs, regardless of others' opinions, it has evolved to carry political connotations and baggage. The term now often implies a conservative leaning, especially when contrasted with progressive viewpoints. Cultural and Political Dynamics in New York City and San Francisco: Collins shared her experiences growing up in San Francisco and living in New York City, describing them as progressive environments where there's a prevalent culture of not tolerating differing opinions. She observed that progressive culture often equates being challenged or uncomfortable with personal attacks, impacting open dialogue. Diverse Dinner Parties and Political Dialogues: Collins and her husband host dinner parties in New York City, deliberately inviting a heterodox mix of people, including conservatives, progressives, and others with unconventional views. She noted that criticisms of these gatherings typically come from progressive attendees who feel uncomfortable with conservative perspectives. Personal Political Shifts: Stewart shared his journey of political and ideological transformation, particularly around the time of Donald Trump’s election. This shift was a process of questioning and reassessing his long-held beliefs. Demographic Collapse and its Implications: Collins expressed concerns about demographic collapse, particularly in countries like South Korea and Japan. She discussed how this phenomenon might lead to a decline in smaller cities and towns, with a corresponding rise in mega-cities or gated communities. The Role of AI in Future Societies: The conversation touched on the potential impact of AI on governance and societal structures. Collins speculated about a future of 'techno-feudalism,' where AI-driven communities could emerge, leading to a patchwork of different societal models. Cryptocurrency in Economies Facing Hyperinflation: The host and Collins discussed the practical use of cryptocurrencies in countries like Argentina and Venezuela, where traditional currencies are highly unstable. This situation contrasts with the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies in more stable economies like the U.S. Government Bureaucracy and Potential AI Solutions: Collins suggested that AI could streamline government functions and reduce bureaucracy. However, she acknowledged the challenge of implementing such changes due to entrenched interests and the complexity of government structures. Potential for Change in U.S. Governance: The conversation ended on a note of cautious optimism about the possibility of reforming U.S. governance structures, particularly at the state level, despite recognizing the significant challenges ahead.  

In this episode, Sam Atman, a developer with a background in biochemistry, shares his insights on the discussions around artificial intelligence (AI) safety. Oppen dismisses concerns about AI becoming a rogue actor, attributing such fears to religious neurosis and misunderstanding of the nature of AI. He argues that AI systems, such as Language Models (LLMs) like OpenAI, do not have personal motives or embodiment comparable to human intelligence. He also discusses AI's potential impact on creative fields such as art and music, and stresses the importance of tracing the connection between AI outputs and the training data. Finally, Oppen cautions against lobbying for government regulations on software and artificial intelligence, asserting that it could lead to dystopian outcomes. Show Notes 00:02 Introduction and Guest Background 00:17 Exploring Weird Software and Programming Languages 01:09 Deep Dive into Hoon and Urbit 03:51 The Current State and Future of Urbit 10:26 AI Safetyism and the Regulation of GPUs and Software 18:17 The Nature of Intelligence and Consciousness in AI 25:43 The Misconceptions and Absurdities in AI Safetyism 29:28 Understanding AI Alignment and Training 30:14 AI Misconceptions and the Reality of AI Systems 30:53 Exploring the Concept of Lossy Compression in AI 31:04 The Impact of AI on Internet Accessibility 31:45 Understanding Attention Transformers in AI 32:39 AI and the Controversy of Training Data 39:53 The Evolution of AI: From Simple Calculations to Complex Synthesis 46:15 The Ethical Dilemma of AI in Art and Music 50:48 The Legal Implications of AI in Art and Music 54:09 Final Thoughts on AI: Potential, Misconceptions, and Future Key Insights Hoon's Uniqueness: Hoon, a programming language for the Urbit project, is noted for its unusual and esoteric qualities, resembling runes and creating a steep learning curve which filters for dedicated developers. Urbit's Development and Influence: Urbit, a new internet and permissionless network, is in a critical development phase. Although it has a small user base, it's highly active, with most users also contributing as developers. Urbit's Future Viability: Urbit's success may partly depend on the decline of conventional alternatives. It offers a private, peer-to-peer social media alternative, setting it apart from mainstream platforms. Concerns Over AI Regulation: There is skepticism about the push for government regulation of AI, particularly around the use of GPUs for AI development. This could lead to an administrative oversight over software, potentially stifling innovation. Artificial Intelligence Misconceptions: There's a critique of the belief that AI could develop dangerous autonomy or consciousness. AI, especially language models, are seen as sophisticated tools lacking the embodiment that characterizes human intelligence. Neural Networks and Machine Learning: The conversation touches on the evolution of AI, including the shift from voice-to-text and image classifiers to current large language models, highlighting the continuous advancement in AI capabilities. Generative Art and Copyright Issues: AI-generated art raises questions about copyright and the use of training data. Artists' concerns about AI models replicating their styles without compensation or acknowledgment are highlighted. Sampling Analogy in AI Art: The analogy between music sampling and AI-generated art is made, suggesting that AI art could face similar legal challenges regarding the use of original artists' work in training data. AI's Potential Misuse vs. Its Nature: While AI can be used negatively by bad actors, it's emphasized that AI itself won't become a bad actor, as it lacks agency and consciousness. Sam Atman's Online Presence: Finally, for those interested in following Sam's work, his main platform is Twitter, where he shares his thoughts and developments in his field.

In this episode, the host, Stewart Alsop, takes a deep dive with Suman Kanuganti, the co-founder and CEO of personal.ai. They discuss the concepts of Personal Language Models (PLM), artificial intelligence, and the UX of AI systems. Suman presents the idea of creating personalized AI for every individual to preserve their memory and enable people to interact with it, thus introducing a new way to retain and access human knowledge. They also touch upon the impacts of AI on the way history will be told and remembered in the future. We built a Custom GPT trained on this episode for you to interact with. Try this prompt with it: What are Suman's thoughts on the evolution of personal AI? Key Insights Introduction to Personal AI: Discussion on the concept of Personal AI, an AI version of oneself that leverages personal data, facts, and opinions to create interactive experiences for others. Origin of Personal AI: Suman Kanuganti shares his inspiration behind Personal AI, motivated by the loss of his mentor, Larry Bok, and the desire to maintain intellectual and emotional connections. Nature of Personal AI: Unlike current Large Language Models (LLMs), Personal AI focuses on individual memory, including context, location, and personal history. It grows over time, assimilating various aspects of an individual's life. Explicit vs. Implicit Memory: Exploration of the concept of explicit memory control in Personal AI, ensuring intellectual integrity, and distinguishing it from implicit inference. Personal AI's User Experience: Discussion on the evolution of the user experience in Personal AI, highlighting how it started before the hype of current LLMs like GPT-3. Integration with LLMs: Insight into how Personal AI integrates with general LLMs to enhance user experience and fill gaps in personal knowledge. Challenges and Solutions in Personal AI Development: Suman Kanuganti discusses overcoming challenges related to UX design, data training, and market adaptation. Future of AI Interaction: Speculation on the future modalities of interacting with AI, including voice, virtual avatars, and potential integration into the metaverse and synthetic biology. Vision and Persistence in Developing Personal AI: Suman Kanuganti reflects on the journey of developing Personal AI, emphasizing the importance of vision and overcoming resistance and challenges in the tech industry. Historical Implications of Personal AI: A closing thought on how Personal AI could change the way history is recorded and told, with individual memory shaping personal narratives.

This podcast features a discussion with Seba Tut, an expert practitioner and facilitator of Aguahara. They explore the concept of Aguahara, a therapeutic experience in water. Seba shares his view on its spiritual, practical, and therapeutic aspects, and how it fosters surrender, intuition, and adaptability. He also discusses the connections between Aguahara and broader cultural and technological trends, integrating perspectives from ancient wisdom, water therapies, and the challenges of modern life. The podcast also covers Seba's plans for sharing Aguahara through a round trip journey across Latin America and potentially further afield. If you want to find out what happened in this episode, we trained this ChatGPT for you 00:04 Introduction and Guest Presentation 00:22 Understanding Aguahara: A Deep Dive 02:46 The Origins and Evolution of Aguahara 06:35 The Role of Water in Aguahara 06:51 The Birth of Aguahara and Its Connection to Water 14:18 Exploring the Practice of Aguahara 27:14 The Healing Power of Aguahara 35:18 The Aquatic Consciousness in Aguahara 36:40 Discussing Life's Struggles and the Aquatic Revolution 38:25 The Power of Empathy and the Impact of the Psychedelic Movement 38:47 The Emergence of Holistic Views and the Power of Communication 39:54 Exploring the Concept of Connected Minds and Astrology 40:30 The Transition from Pisces to Aquarius Era 41:42 The Power of Words and the Impact of AI 43:29 The Potential of AI and the Age of Magic 53:11 Exploring the Concept of Personal AI 57:04 The Influence of Hollywood and the Perception of AI 59:23 The Power of Touch and the Healing Potential of Water 01:03:35 The Future of Aguahara and the Power of Community Key Points Definition of Aguahara: Seba Tut described Aguahara as difficult to define succinctly. It is seen as both a territory and an exploration, an aquatic experience that cannot be fully captured in a simple definition. It invites curiosity and personal experience to truly understand what it is. Origin and Influences: Aguahara is influenced by and considered a descendant of older practices like Watsu (water shiatsu) and Water Dance. These were developed independently in California and Switzerland, respectively. Aguahara also has roots in Jansu, another aquatic therapy developed in an Osho ashram in India. The Role of Water: Water is central to Aguahara, not just as a medium but as an element that influences the practice. The therapy often takes place in warm water, similar to body temperature, but can also be conducted in cooler waters. The water facilitates relaxation and movement. Connection to Other Practices: Aguahara draws from various traditions and practices, including tantric explorations, shiatsu massage, and dance. It is seen as a combination of these elements, adapted to an aquatic environment. Development and Evolution: Aguahara evolved through experimentation and collaboration among practitioners, who brought their learnings and understandings from other therapies and movement practices. Philosophical and Spiritual Aspects: The discussion touched on broader philosophical and spiritual themes, such as the mystery of water and the mind, the concept of surrender, and the interplay of intuition and intention. Practical Aspects of Aguahara Sessions: Sessions typically involve entering the water, surrendering to the experience, and allowing the facilitator to guide movements. The experience can be therapeutic and involves elements of touch, movement, and a deep connection with water. The Cultural and Social Context: The conversation also delved into the broader cultural and social implications of practices like Aguahara, discussing aspects like community, empathy, and the human connection with nature.

Interact with this episode using this bot that Crazy Wisdom trained to be your companion to this episode This in-depth conversation provides invaluable insights into running a tech startup in Argentina. Former Rappi executive, Lucas Assad, discusses the challenges faced by businesses in an unpredictable economy marked by hyperinflation and rapid changes in exchange rates. Using his experiences in managing Rappi and his present venture dealing with imported construction materials, Lucas explains the complexities of Argentina's entrepreneurial ecosystem. One must be street-smart and agile, adept at handling the unpredictable. Equally, there's a resilience brought out in entrepreneurs dealing with these trying conditions. This podcast also takes a detour, analyzing the complexities of the food delivery business, the competition, and unrest in the marketplace, especially in comparison to the USA. 00:02 Introduction and Guest Background 01:11 Discussing Entrepreneurship in Argentina 06:25 Impact of Government Policies on Business 07:51 Exploring Successful Latin American Startups 12:01 Challenges and Opportunities in Argentine Business Environment 19:59 Effects of Currency Devaluation on Business 24:20 Impact of Rappi on Argentine Market 29:33 Unexpected Encounter and Introduction to Rappi 29:58 Expansion of Rappi in Latin America 31:55 Competition in the Food Delivery Market 33:17 Challenges in the Food Delivery Business 33:30 The Importance of Perfect Delivery 34:33 Balancing Supply and Demand in Food Delivery 35:10 The Role of Restaurants in the Delivery Ecosystem 36:08 The Financial Aspects of Food Delivery 44:17 The Impact of the Pandemic on Food Delivery 45:34 The Future of Food Delivery Businesses 50:27 Transition from Tech to Construction Key Discussion Points: Background and Introduction: Lucas Assad, a friend of Nico (previously interviewed), is an entrepreneur with experience in both traditional business and the tech startup world. He transitioned from the pharmaceutical industry to tech startups, playing a significant role in Rappi's expansion in Argentina. Entrepreneurship in Argentina: Discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities in Argentina due to political and economic instability. Examples include hyperinflation and rapidly changing laws. The concept of being "street smart" (DNA in Spanish) in Argentina, highlighting the need for agility and adaptation in business. MercadoLibre and Rappi: Insights into successful Latin American startups like MercadoLibre and Rappi. The impact of these platforms on daily life and the economy. Differences between MercadoLibre's evolution and Rappi's rapid expansion. Challenges of Food Delivery Business: Exploring the operational difficulties of running a food delivery service like Rappi. The importance of balancing supply and demand, and maintaining customer satisfaction. The role of technology in managing logistics and enhancing customer experience. The Pandemic's Impact: How Rappi adapted and grew during the pandemic, particularly in Argentina. A notable surge in orders for products like ice cream and the importance of adapting offerings to consumer demands. Sustainability of VC-Funded Startups: Discussion on whether companies like Rappi represent sustainable business models. The role of venture capital in scaling businesses rapidly and the potential pitfalls of this approach. Lucas's Current Endeavors: Transition from tech startups to a more traditional business model. Lucas is currently involved in importing construction materials, aiming to capitalize on the anticipated construction boom in Argentina. Contact Information: Lucas Assad can be reached via Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn under the name "Lucas Assad". His email address is asadlucas@gmail.com.

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stuart interviews Maranda Dziekonski, a CS executive and CCO. They talk about business, touching on topics like the importance of human aspects in business, the power of having a strong mission, and addressing company crises. Dikonsky also explains how she defines business and shares intriguing insights about the role of philosophy in business. Further, they discuss the state of manufacturing in the U.S. and how AI might affect the world of work. She also provides tips for startups on maturing while maintaining their core ethos. The conversation delves into contrasting the perceptions around the end of San Francisco's reign as a tech hub. 00:02 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:23 Understanding Business: A Deep Dive 01:03 The Importance of People in Business 03:04 Bridging the Gap between Ideals and Reality in Business 07:08 The Role of Philosophy in Business 07:22 The Human Component in Business 08:24 The Challenge of Measuring ROI 09:20 The Value Cycle and Problem Statements 20:26 The Future of Manufacturing 23:29 The Impact of AI on the Tech Industry 26:00 Chat GPT and its Impact 26:30 Critical Thinking in the Age of AI 28:26 Challenges of Dealing with Automated Systems 29:50 The Pendulum Swing in Customer Service 31:39 The Competitive Landscape of Startups 32:39 Life's Challenges and Managing Stress 37:42 The Hippie-Business Connection in Startups 44:48 The Evolution of Tech Hubs: From Michigan to San Francisco 46:54 Is San Francisco Dead? The Future of Tech Hubs   Definition of Business Maranda defines business as a transaction between two entities, which could involve exchanging money for a service or a service for another service. Learnings in Business Emphasizes the importance of people in business. Shares a personal experience from the SVB crisis, highlighting the value of transparency and honesty in leadership. Team members offered to delay their paychecks, illustrating the strength of a committed and inspired workforce. Bridging the Gap Between Ideals and Reality Maranda stresses the need for flexibility and contingency planning in business. Highlights the human component in business planning, accounting for personal desires, and motivations. Importance of Diverse Perspectives Advocates for including multiple perspectives in business processes and decisions. Discusses the culture of debate and openness in her current company, where challenging ideas, even those of higher executives, is encouraged. Philosophy and Business Believes that business and philosophy are interlinked, especially when dealing with human behaviors and decisions. Points out the human-driven nature of ROI (Return on Investment) and its subjective assessment. Handling Intangibles in Business Discusses the challenges and methods of quantifying intangibles, like time savings in processes. Shares experiences from her past roles to illustrate how intangibles can be made tangible through efficiency gains. Manufacturing and AI's Impact on Jobs Reflects on her manufacturing background and the ongoing relevance of manufacturing jobs. Discusses the potential disruptive impact of AI on tech jobs, emphasizing the need for critical thinking skills. Balancing Tangible and Intangible Aspects in Business Highlights the unpredictability in business and life, advocating for adaptability and understanding that not everything can be measured or foreseen. Manufacturing in the U.S. and Global Supply Chain Shares insights on the fragility of the supply chain and the complexities of onshoring manufacturing. Future of Work and Human Skills Ponders over the future role of humans in an increasingly automated world, stressing the importance of skills that are uniquely human, like critical thinking. Conclusion Maranda’s insights reflect a deep understanding of the human element in business and the need for adaptability, diversity, and ethical leadership. She stresses the importance of preserving company ethos during growth and balancing the drive for innovation with operational maturity. Notable Quotes "People matter more than most leaders credit in their business plan." "Flexibility is key in business; expect plans to fail and have backups." "Multiple perspectives are crucial for a well-rounded business approach." "Human behavior plays a significant role in ROI and business decisions." "Efficiency and innovation can make intangible benefits tangible." "Critical thinking will be a safeguard against automation in jobs." "The unpredictability of life and business requires adaptability." "Manufacturing's complexity cannot be overlooked in the push for onshoring." "The future of work may pivot more towards uniquely human skills." "Maintaining company ethos is crucial during growth and scaling."

This Crazy Wisdom Podcast episode features Paul Lambert, CEO of Quilt, a start-up working to revolutionize home heating and cooling systems. Quilt's solution is an all-electric system that replaces traditional fossil fuels, significantly reducing households' contributions to global warming. Lambert shares Quilt's approach to HVAC, emphasizing overall comfort, efficiency, and incorporating modern technologies like machine learning and AI. Quilt has a waitlist in anticipation of their 2024 launch. Time Stamps 00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast 00:39 Guest Introduction: Paul Lambert, Founder and CEO of Quilt 00:49 Understanding Quilt: A Revolutionary Heating and Cooling System 02:42 The Efficiency and Benefits of Heat Pumps 07:58 The Quilt Experience: Installation and User Interface 08:35 The Business Aspects and Challenges of Quilt 24:20 The Future of Quilt and Home Energy Systems 30:35 Understanding AI, Machine Learning, and Their Role in Quilt 37:16 Closing Remarks Key Points Quilt aims to introduce a state-of-the-art HVAC system that is not only highly efficient but also contributes to reducing the environmental impact traditionally associated with home temperature regulation. Lambert explains that a heat pump, a core component of Quilt's system, functions much like a refrigerator, transferring heat instead of generating it, leading to remarkable efficiency gains. You can put 100 watts into the machine and, effectively, get 400 watts of heating power into the home. Lambert brings an impressive resume to the table, with experience leading a 120-person team and an investment fund at Google. His transition from Google to Quilt was fueled by a high level of conviction to address climate change.. Quilt's strategy revolves around combining mature core technologies into a seamless system that offers advantages over centralized heating and cooling methods. The company aims to address the inherent inefficiencies in traditional duct systems and provide a more tailored, room-by-room control approach to homeowners. Lambert believes that smart software and AI integration will further drive efficiency and user comfort in Quilt's system, making a substantial difference in energy consumption and sustainability. Conclusion: Lambert envisions Quilt as a platform that not only offers economic benefits to consumers but also contributes positively to the environment. With plans to roll out real home implementations by 2024, Quilt is poised to become a significant player in the home energy market, offering a cleaner, more efficient alternative to traditional heating and cooling methods. Quotes: "We're not just creating energy; we're moving it from one place to another. It's like rotating the energy." "By simply moving the heat that already exists, we can achieve insane levels of efficiency." "Choosing to work on the biggest problem means a commitment to provide a better world for the next generation. In my case, it’s addressing climate change head-on." "In the home, our jobs are to keep you warm and safe. We’re extending this by making sure we also keep you comfortable and do it sustainably."