You know you are alright; at least logically. But depression isn’t logical. It creeps in, convincing you that there’s no point to doing anything because whatever you are doing is shitty, you are so shitty, or the world is so shitty.

Even when you know it’s not true (it’s not), you still find yourself wanting to believe it; for some reason(self-sabotage).

Still, you repeat it to yourself: I am alright.
But depression keeps whispering louder than truth.

The post-mortem showed plenty of injuries, but the doctor claimed Smith’s heart showed signs of extreme emotional shock. In short: they believed fear alone killed him.

It’s a grim story, but also a reminder that “scared to death” wasn’t always just a figure of speech, at least not in 19th-century headlines.

Turns out, Galileo’s law only works in a vacuum. On Earth? Air resistance is the party crasher.

…Anyway it might just be a Renaissance-era science myth that stuck around because it sounds so cool.

"morality is not defined by the consequences of our actions, our emotions, or an external factor but Morality is defined by duties and one's action is moral if it is an act motivated by duty."

is the following correct,

"LLMs are incredibly intelligent tools for processing information and hence LLMs can be trained to identify patterns in moral arguments or respond in ways that seem morally sound. However, this doesn't mean they truly understand the concepts they're using.

Meaning that as much as they appear to be morally reasonable they are not!"

🤔

• Applying Ethical Principles: Moral reasoning does involve applying ethical principles – a framework for right and wrong.

• Context and Impact: Understanding the context (situation) and potential consequences of actions is crucial for moral judgment.

• LLMs' Struggle: Current LLMs struggle with these aspects of moral reasoning.

Kantian twist:

• Consequences vs. Duty: For Kant, morality wasn't primarily about consequences. It was about acting out of duty, even if the consequences weren't ideal. However, a Kantian wouldn't completely ignore consequences – they'd factor them in while prioritizing their duty.

Incorporating the Kantian perspective:

Moral Reasoning: This involves applying ethical principles to situations and making judgments about right and wrong. It requires an understanding of the context, potential consequences, and the impact on others, while prioritizing acting out of duty even if the consequences differ from what's desired. This is where LLMs struggle.

Read-more

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_imperative

2. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/kant-moral/

Kenya's pride bright on my wrist,

Life's adventures calls.

Twigs whisper tales of sun and rain,

Edges soften.

See more about Candlenut Tree: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleurites_moluccanus

In modern interpretations of traditional Japanese arts and culture, MA is taken to refer to an artistic interpretation of an empty space, often holding as much importance as the rest of an artwork and focusing the viewer on the intention of negative space in an art piece. The concept of space as a positive entity is opposed to the absence of such a principle in a correlated 'Japanese' notion of space... ~ Wikipedia - Link to page

Consider how a culinarian, would leave empty spaces on a plate to show cleanliness, hygiene, accuracy, and to draw focus towards the food plated.

OR

How a clean canvas amplifies an artist's masterpiece.

As a concept, in general, "MA" typically refers to Minimalist Aesthetics or Minimalist Design. Negative space (or white space) in software design can also convey the same feeling of cleanliness, simplicity, and focus on essential elements to enhance user experience.

Here's how white space can particularly be beneficial for a software product:

Focus and Prioritization:

• Minimalism with impact: Prioritize core functionality and avoid cluttering the interface with extraneous features. Think streamlined dashboards with clear data visualization.

• Guided interaction: Employ visual hierarchy and intuitive navigation to guide users to the most important actions and information. Imagine prominent buttons for primary functions.

• Granular control: Empower users with precise control over settings and options, enabling them to achieve desired outcomes with accuracy.

Cleanliness and Efficiency:

• Elegant simplicity: Embrace a clean and uncluttered interface with ample white or background space. This evokes a sense of professionalism and reduces cognitive load, much like a well-organized workspace.

• Seamless execution: Aim for a smooth and bug-free user experience. Anticipate potential issues and implement intuitive error handling, ensuring uninterrupted workflows.

Engagement and Detail:

• Microinteractions with purpose: Consider subtle animations or hover effects to guide users through workflows and draw attention to specific elements, encouraging exploration and engagement.

• Finding the sweet spot: While negative space offers benefits, too much can feel sterile and uninviting. Strike a balance between providing enough information and maintaining a focused, visually appealing experience.

A few examples

Final Thoughts.

MA is a detail, a sensory detail, an active object, it is something you purposely include and not just the space left between elements.

Negative space is a strategic, intentional design element that transforms a product into a canvas where essential functions shine.

"...data and qualitative feedback from your users will tell you which problems to go solve. Then use intuition to figure out what the solutions to those problems might be..." ~Mark Zuckerberg

It is this magical blend of data and gut feeling that makes product development a success story.

In this article, I go into the nitty-gritty of Event Tracking and Logging, revealing how they're your secret weapon to understanding user behaviour, so you can make savvy decisions.

Deep Dive

1. The Power of Event Tracking and Logging:

   Event tracking and logging are crucial tools for understanding what's happening within your product. By recording user actions, you can gain invaluable insights into how your audience interacts with your features. This information can lead to data-driven decisions, helping you make improvements and optimize user experience.

2. Focus on Feature Usage:

   When it comes to event tracking, focus on feature usage. Identify the 5-7 most important user actions that align with your product's goals and log them. This data can help you understand which features are popular, which are being underutilized, and where potential pain points might be hiding.

3. Tracking Unique Users:

   It's not just about what your users are doing; it's also about who is doing it. Unique user tracking is essential for understanding your audience. By monitoring the behaviour of individual users, you can identify trends and patterns that will allow you to tailor your product to their specific needs.

4. Gaining Insight into Customer Behavior:

   Event tracking and logging provide a window into what's going on with your customers. Are they getting stuck at a particular step in your user journey? Are they dropping off before completing a crucial action? Such insights can be invaluable in addressing issues promptly, ensuring a smoother user experience.

5. Establishing Historical Baselines:

   One of the challenges that every product team faces is not knowing how many people are using a feature. Event tracking solves this problem by giving you historical baselines for important user actions. By understanding past usage, you can track growth or decline, enabling you to make informed decisions about feature development.

6. Avoid Product Development by Intuition:

   While intuition plays a role in product development, relying solely on it can lead to costly mistakes. Data provides a solid foundation for decision-making, ensuring that your efforts are well-directed. As Mark Zuckerberg mentioned, data reveals the problems, and intuition helps you find the solutions.

Visualizing: Event Tracking in Action

In the snapshot below, which is a visual representation of a lending app's database, a meticulously designed system captures the essence of event tracking and logging, revealing a treasure trove of insights specific to loan applications. This visual representation unveils the intricate network of data points, each a vital piece of information, reflecting user actions and interactions within the context of loan management. Together, these data gems create a roadmap to enhance the user experience by informing the app's developers on which sections and features require improvements, re-evaluation, discontinuation, or building.

Links & Resources

For those looking to dive deeper into event tracking and data-driven decision-making, there are some valuable resources available. Check out these links for insights and guidance:

• https://x.com/mikemcg0/status/1681646379154698240?s=46&t=o7N-aHQz8eqiHSYHfBi7VA

• https://x.com/mikemcg0/status/1716807734966784189?s=46&t=o7N-aHQz8eqiHSYHfBi7VA

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving world of technology, data is the cornerstone of informed decision-making. Event tracking and logging offer you the power to understand user behaviour, identify problems, and create solutions. By collecting data on feature usage and unique users, you can establish historical baselines and avoid the pitfalls of intuition-driven product development. Remember, as Steve Huffman and Mark Zuckerberg have highlighted, the combination of data and intuition is the key to success in the digital landscape.

In this article, follow me as I explore the key elements of battle bots, such as aggression, damage strategy, and control, and illustrate how they can serve as valuable lessons for entrepreneurs aiming to build successful startups.

I hope I will come back to this later and be more specific about my lessons from the challenging terrain of launching and scaling a tech startup, particularly as an African founder.

• Aggression - Seizing Market Opportunity

• Damage Strategy - Targeted Market Entry

• Control - Managing Resources Wisely

• Damage by Primary Weapons - Leveraging Core Strengths

• Durability when Primary Weapons are Down - Adaptability is Key

For Now😉

In general, I will be drawing parallels between the strategies employed in Battlebots and the path to building a thriving tech startup.

1.Aggression - A Powerful Start

In the world of Battlebots, aggression is a key factor. It's about taking the initiative, being relentless, and not letting the opponent dictate the pace of the battle. In startups, this translates into the need for assertive market entry strategies. . .

Entrepreneurs must be proactive, seizing opportunities and making their presence felt in the market. Just as Battlebots gain an upper hand by being aggressive, startups that take bold steps are more likely to gain traction.

2.Damage Strategy - Calculated Risk-Taking

Battlebots employ a variety of primary weapons to inflict damage on their opponents. Startups also need a damaging strategy, which involves identifying their unique value proposition and targeting it effectively. This means understanding the competition, knowing where to strike, and having a clear plan for customer acquisition and retention.

Just as Battlebots focus their damage on specific vulnerable areas, startups should concentrate their efforts where they can have the most impact.

3. Control - Maintaining a Steady Course

Control is essential in both battle bots and startups. Battlebots need to maintain control over their movements and weapons to avoid becoming vulnerable to attacks.

In startups, control refers to the ability to manage resources wisely, adapt to changing circumstances, and make informed decisions. A well-managed startup is more likely to navigate challenges successfully, just as a battle bot with good control can avoid taking unnecessary damage.

4.Durability when Primary Weapons are Down

In Battlebots, what happens when their primary weapons are disabled is crucial. Similarly, startups must be prepared to adapt and survive when their primary strategies or products face challenges or become obsolete. This requires diversification, agility, and the ability to pivot when necessary.

Startups should have contingency plans in place to ensure their long-term survival, even if their initial plans encounter setbacks.

Powerful, Durable, Deadly - The Startup Approach

A successful startup shares the characteristics of a Battlebot designed for victory:

1. Powerful: Startups should aim to create a product or service that stands out in the market, offering a compelling solution to customer needs.

2. Durable: Building a resilient business model and organization is essential. Startups must be able to weather storms and adapt to changing market conditions.

3. Deadly: In the startup world, "deadly" means being competitive and having the ability to disrupt the status quo. Startups should aim to outmanoeuvre competitors and dominate their niche.

The 11-Point System

Battlebots are often scored based on an 11-point system, which includes 5 points for damage, 3 points for aggression, and 3 points for control. Startups can apply a similar scoring system to assess their progress and performance. Here's how it might look:

• 5 points for Damage: Evaluate the impact your product or service has had on the market. Are customers benefiting significantly from your solution?

• 3 points for Aggression: Measure how assertive and proactive your startup has been in terms of market penetration, marketing efforts, and seizing opportunities.

• 3 points for Control: Assess your ability to manage resources, adapt to change, and make well-informed decisions that contribute to long-term sustainability.

Conclusion

Battlebots are a thrilling spectacle, but they also offer valuable lessons for entrepreneurs embarking on the journey of startup creation. By embracing the principles of aggression, damage strategy, control, and adaptability, startups can increase their chances of becoming powerful, durable, and ultimately, deadly players in their respective markets. Just as Battlebots aim for victory in the arena, startups can strive for success in the competitive world of business.

Jack's Example - Opensource Software | Punk Music

People would write code and it was terrible and they'd write it again and it was terrible and a year from that it was Linux and now it's running the majority of every system out there today for free! ~ Jack Dorsey

From his experience living a punk lifestyle and building solutions with global reach and undeniably permanently impacting generations, Jack, looking back, highlighted some insights and below I will draw parallels to how they apply to various aspects of our lives individually and consequently as a society.

1. Confidence in Learning: The punk philosophy encourages unapologetic confidence in one's learning journey. Punk musicians are unafraid of making mistakes in public settings, be it on stage or in the streets. This confidence allows them to grow rapidly and improve their skills. The key lesson here is not to be shy about your learning path, regardless of your chosen field.

2. Embrace Imperfection: Punk teaches us that progress is more important than perfection. Musicians in the punk scene often start out poorly but steadily improve with each performance. Embracing imperfection and persevering through the learning curve is crucial in any endeavour. Remember that everyone starts somewhere, and consistent effort leads to improvement.

3. Openness to Feedback: Constructive feedback is a fundamental component of growth in the punk scene. Young punk musicians receive criticism, which fuels their improvement. Similarly, in any field, constructive feedback helps us evolve and refine our skills. Embrace feedback as a valuable tool for personal and professional development.

4. Confidence and Scrappiness: Punk promotes both confidence and a scrappy attitude. It's about never getting too comfortable and always challenging yourself. The punk mindset encourages individuals to question, push boundaries, and stay motivated by the fight for progress. Maintain adaptability and a growth-oriented attitude in all your pursuits.

Conclusion

Punk rock, with its rebellious spirit and DIY ethos, has often been more than just a genre of music. It's a way of life, a mindset that encourages individuals to embrace confidence and never stop learning.

Whether you're a musician, a software developer, or pursuing any other passion, the punk philosophy reminds us to be bold, resilient, and always striving for improvement. Channel your inner punk spirit and rock through life's challenges with boldness and resilience!

Links

Youtube 2014 - CNN Business - Jack Dorsey: I'm still punk

Square watermelons, are much easier to stack and store, and they are less likely to roll around. This makes them a more attractive option for supermarkets and retailers.

In addition, the square shape of watermelons is seen as being more aesthetically pleasing in Japan. Japanese culture places a high value on beauty and symmetry, and the square watermelon is seen as a symbol of these qualities. As a result, square watermelons are often given as gifts or displayed at events.

Some drawbacks to growing square watermelons:

1. They are more expensive to produce.

2. They have a shorter shelf life.

3. They are not as juicy as round watermelons.

I find it fascinating that square watermelons are grown in a square box. It is a unique and innovative way to grow fruit, and I think it is a creative solution to the problem of round watermelons rolling around and getting damaged. Them being ornamental as an outcome is just another example of how people can experience the same thing differently.

In addition to its literal meaning, 加油 also has a figurative meaning. It can be used to express support, encouragement, or motivation.

I am working to have it added to my team’s lexicon. It is a reminder that we all have the strength to overcome challenges and achieve our goals.

What is the designers' MO?

• There is a great desire to take this amazing game forward, The challenge is that Candy is already an amazing game. The bar is extremely high for doing new awesome things.

We expect people to do great things but they are also allowed to fail. ~ Karin Bergvall Product Director at King Games.

Fun Facts:

1. 58% of the players are women, while 46% of the players are Gen X, though more youths and children play it.^{[last updated in 2019].}

2. The game has been translated into over 26 languages.

3. The blinking hints are purely random.

4. The candies are added to the board randomly.

5. Users have spent 73 billion hours on Candy Crush Saga.

    #include <iostream>
    using namespace std;
   
    int main() {
      int hours = 730000000;
      int days = hours / 24;
      double years = days / 365.25;
      cout << "There are " << days << " days and " << years << " years in 73 billion hours." << endl;
      return 0;
    }
   

   There are 304,166,667 days and 83,333 years in 73 billion hours.

   • Candy Crush Saga was first developed for Facebook in Flash (ActionScript 3), All gameplay code was later rewritten in C++ and ported to Objective-C for iOS and Java with JNI for Android.

6. King Digital Entertainment, the original Candy's publisher was acquired for $5.9 billion in 2016 by Activision Blizzard.

7. Off the back of Candy Crush’s success, King filed for IPO in 2013.

8. Candy Crush is the sixth highest-grossing mobile game of all time.

Resources

Learn more about Myths, What went wrong, Distribution via Facebook, Moving to Mobile, Branding, Working with celebrities, and Building Community.

1. Creating Candy Crush - King´s Recipe for sweet success - Tommy Palm - Youtube

2. Candy Crush Saga -Wikipedia

"The Louis Vuitton brand is selling “desire” and “culture,” not just watches, bags or dresses" ~ Bernard Arnault, Chairman & CEO of LVMH

With such a premise, there is no limit to what you can sell and to whom.

By selling products to different markets, LVMH can derisk the business. By diversifying the market and sales channels, they reduce reliance on any one market. - This helps to protect the business from economic downturns or other unforeseen events.

It is basically a capitalization on the global market and culture that in turns fuels their unit economics.

Examples:

1. In China, LVMH focuses on online marketing, while in the United States, the company focuses on brick-and-mortar stores.

2. In India, LVMH sells a version of its Louis Vuitton bags that is made with vegan leather.

And it might have been. Right there in front of you since the first joke, but it is only now, afterwards that it is apparent.

But again for someone like this, it is said that you pay attention not to what or how they say, but to what they do.

So, does it even count to ask about their intentions now that the legitimacy of the answer is still inconsistent?

But also, is it unfair to ask, why is it that you care?

Pause, let me save this perfect memory

Play!

This is fascinating to me: It was invented in 2016 by a Swiss typographic designer Renato Casut. Read more about it on the official website

"When we’re redefining the experience, there’s no way you can just build an app on top of an existing thing” Dubugras Co-founder Brex"

Dubugras's point is that if you want to succeed in today's competitive market, you need to offer something truly unique and innovative. Just building a copycat product or service isn't going to cut it.

Of course, innovation is easier said than done. It takes time, effort, and a lot of creativity. But if you're willing to put in the work, it can be incredibly rewarding.

So if you're thinking about starting a business or launching a new product, remember Dubugras's advice. Don't just build an app on top of an existing thing. Redefine the experience and create something truly new.

Here are some tips for innovating and redefining the experience:

• Start by identifying a problem that needs to be solved. What are people struggling with? What are their pain points? Once you know what the problem is, you can start brainstorming solutions.

• Don't be afraid to think outside the box. The best innovations are often the completely unexpected ones. So don't be afraid to come up with ideas that are different from anything that's already been done.

• Be creative. Innovation is all about creativity. So don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. The more creative you are, the more likely you are to come up with something truly new and innovative.

• Don't be afraid to fail (more on this). Failure is a part of the innovation process. So don't be afraid to fail. Just learn from your mistakes and keep trying.

Take it all in.