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Solutions > Problems

Instead of laws, regulations, and protests we should focus on a Manhattan Project for making fusion reactors, 100% efficient solar panels, and a next generation of batteries a reality. The smartest people of our world should be working towards solutions, not discussing problems.

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How To Minimize Phone Use

Most people struggle with their phone use. The main reason for this is the habits we’ve developed over many years of using social media, messaging, and news apps on our phones. 99% of the time we reach for our phone and unlock it out of habit. To check the X, Instagram or LinkedIn feed. Not because we have chosen to do so, just because our habit leads us to do so. I truly believe this is a major reason why most of us can no longer think clearly and work deeply. The cheap dopamine is calling 24/7 and is always available within half a second via Face ID.

The easiest way to minimize phone use is not only to delete all the distracting apps, but more importantly to disable Face ID and fingerprint unlock and replace it with a long password. That way, every time you pick up your phone, you have to enter a long password before you can use it. It could take you 20 seconds to type it. Enough time to check your intentions and realize that you don’t really want to use your phone.

Try it and your unwanted screen time will drop significantly.

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Hotels as Social Hotspots

As our world becomes more high-tech and AI-powered, our natural desire to connect with others will become even more intense. We’re wired to be social animals, always looking for social bonds and moments to share. Our human nature craves that connection.

As the typical office (for example) becomes less relevant, where will people meet and socialize in the future?

I think hotels will play a much more central and important role in the future – as they have in the past.

In the past, before I was born, hotels were like the heartbeat of cities, bringing people together. They weren’t just for travelers. They were these bustling hubs where locals and visitors mingled, where events were held and connections were made. It was like a meeting place where stories, cultures, and experiences collided, creating this vibrant tapestry of interactions beyond just a place to sleep.

Today, hotels have basically been downgraded to a place where travelers only go when they need a place to sleep. Even though most hotels have a restaurant and bar open to everyone, they are not used as such.

Hotels should take advantage of this potential and start to re-create this meeting and melting point for locals and travelers. A large hotel lobby with a bar, café, and restaurant. Co-working spaces, meeting rooms and even a large gym – available to everyone, not just guests.

Most hotels market themselves exclusively to travelers, missing out on the potential of being THE social hotspot in a neighborhood, which will only become more important in an automated and AI-driven world.

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Pay Attention to Who Shouts the Loudest

There are many values, qualities, and virtues that we look up to. Most of us try to live ethical and morally correct lives. In business, we try to build a great culture where everyone feels welcome and challenged. We all try to be kind, compassionate, and loving to those around us. But no matter what value, quality or virtue we’re talking about, I’ve learned that we should all be very critical of those individuals or organizations that shout the loudest.

I have found that the people who use the word ethical the most are usually the ones who are the most unethical. Business people who talk the loudest about how trustworthy they are usually end up betraying you. Companies that talk the most about innovation tend to be the least innovative. Political parties that talk the loudest about saving the planet or helping the poor usually end up doing the opposite. 

Ethical people don’t need to advertise that they’re ethical – they just are. Trustworthy people don’t think about being trustworthy because they don’t know the concept of betrayal. The most innovative companies don’t need to talk about it – they let the results speak for themselves. Political parties help the poor and save the planet by doing the right things – not by talking about them.

When someone is unusually vocal about something – watch out.

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Abundance or Chaos?

The future will be drastic. Either we will see abundance or we might find ourselves in total chaos.

On the one hand, we see technological advancement such as artificial intelligence which in and of itself will lead to further exponential technological advancements. For example, researchers closest to AI research and development predict AGI might arrive in as little as 3 years.  AGI which refers to artificial general intelligence or in other words artificial intelligence that is capable of doing any intellectual task that humans can perform.

The arrival of AGI could lead to groundbreaking advancements across diverse fields, potentially solving complex global challenges, enhancing human capabilities, and propelling society into a new era of prosperity and knowledge.

On the other hand, however, unchecked AGI also poses existential risks, where unintended consequences or malicious use might result in catastrophic outcomes, challenging the very fabric of human society and control. And that might turn out even worse than the current global geopolitical landscape where the deep state of the United States challenges an ever more mighty OPEC+ – with Europe incapacitated.

Overall, negative news spread faster and wider. Exponential advancements with and through AGI are not understood by the majority of people.

If we get artificial intelligence right, we might find ourselves in a world of abundance. If we fail to achieve or regulate it – chaos will persist.

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Nothing Beats Personal

Tomorrow I’ll be flying to Munich for three meetings. I’ll be meeting a partner of me, the seller of a very exciting business, and a potential business partner.

In theory, all of this could be done through a video call. In reality not so much.

While video calls are great for efficiently working through some relevant points, they are awful for building human relationships.

Video and phone calls often work great for the initial contact. They also work to efficiently discuss through relevant points to get some work done. But to build relationships, video calls simply don’t work.

Shaking hands, sharing a laughter, having a coffee or beer, meeting for dinner, hugging each other after a long time one has not seen each other. This is what life is about and what Zoom cannot offer you.

Over my life, the only lasting and true relationships were built in person. Often a few intense hours spent together with another person will build such a strong relationship that even if you don’t see this person for 5 years, as soon you meet this person again the 5 years passed will feel like 5 days.

It is not so much about the time you simply see someone in person but the quality of time you spend together. For example: I think for business meetings it mostly doesn’t matter whether they are in person or virtual. Why? Because the magic happens before and afterward. While getting a coffee together or while ending the day in a nice Italian restaurant and a wine. You might forget about the business meeting – but the bonding that takes place in the after hours are priceless.

That’s why I think every amount of money spend on meeting relevant and important people in person is worth it a hundredfold.

Not only because it builds deeper relationships, but because it makes life worth living.

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Progress Through Consciousness

For at least two decades, we have not seen any real progress. Not in science, not in business, not in our real world.

In order to unlock the secrets that lie beyond Einstein’s theory, delve into the mysteries of UFOs, explore the feasibility of space travel, harness free abundant energy, and achieve global peace, we must explore alternative approaches.

I believe this approach does not start with science but with consciousness.

I believe that we can solve our world’s greatest challenges and solve the universe biggest enigmas by using, accessing, and expanding our human consciousness.

When we collectively expand our consciousness, we will achieve a quantum leap as a human species.

The way to progress is through consciousness.

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Thoughts on Apple Vision Pro

Apple announced their first Augmented Reality (AR) product, the Apple Vision Pro. I believe that AR and Virtual Reality (VR) represent the next step in how we interact with technology. Currently, our interaction with digital software and communication relies on screens, keyboards, and devices that are separate from our reality. However, AR and VR have the potential to make our interactions with software immersive and integrate the digital realm into our everyday lives.

That said, the Apple Vision Pro’s $3,500 price tag, bulky headset design, and mere 2-hour battery life were quite unexpected. I had envisioned Apple Glasses resembling stylish Ray-Bans, weighing less than 100 grams, boasting a 7-day battery life, and offering practical real-world applications.

As an AR enthusiast since 2016, I founded an AR startup and worked as a salesman for the Oculus Rift. My experiences have convinced me that AR and VR will revolutionize various fields, including:

  • Gaming and entertainment
  • Collaboration and communication (remote work)
  • Healthcare
  • Education and training

In each of these categories, new multi-billion-dollar markets for AR-first and VR-first software will emerge.

I am particularly excited about healthcare applications, especially in the realm of psychotherapy.

One thing is clear: once AR and VR become affordable and accessible to the masses, they will dramatically change how we interact with software and, consequently, alter the way our world functions.

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Caution With Rapamycin

In the quest for longevity, Rapamycin has emerged as a potential contender. Originally developed as an organ transplant drug, this intriguing compound has captured the attention of researchers and biohackers alike. As the debate around its promise unfolds, questions about risk, benefit, and uncertainty take center stage.

Rapamycin has been tested on multiple species with seemingly promising results in extending lifespan. However, these findings tell only part of the story. While evidence supports its potential benefits, the unknown side effects cast a shadow over the drug’s viability as a longevity treatment.

When considering any medical intervention, it’s crucial to weigh the risks against the benefits. In the case of Rapamycin, this analysis is fraught with challenges due to the unpredictable nature of life. Asserting that there’s a risk-benefit analysis in this context is fallacious since the risk component cannot be accurately measured or predicted.

There is no risk benefit analysis when the downside is unknown.

While emphasizing caution is necessary, it’s also essential to acknowledge the positive aspects of Rapamycin research and the potential breakthroughs it may bring. Striking a balance between optimism and skepticism is crucial when examining novel interventions.

For instance, ongoing research on Rapamycin has shed light on the molecular pathways involved in aging, providing valuable insights that could pave the way for future treatments.

As we venture into the realm of longevity research, it’s vital to remember that uncertainty demands careful consideration. The pursuit of extended life should be guided by a healthy dose of skepticism and prudence, without stifling curiosity and innovation.

We should not take risks with young, healthy and vital people. No proof of harm is required to assert that a drug or an unnatural intervention carries danger. The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

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My Local Farmer

My local organic farmer serves as a wonderful reminder that one does not need immense wealth to find joy and happiness.

He’s living a fulfilled life. His wife shared with me that he spends most of the day in the garden while on Wednesdays and Saturdays, they sell the produce on the market.

Every day, he’s outside in the sun. He’s eating fresh organic food. This reflects on his appearance. He looks young and vital for his age. Something all biohackers and longevitists try to accomplish with so much force.

When you meet his gaze, his eyes reflect fulfillment, happiness, and inner peace.

A small organic farm is all he needs to be satisfied. This leads us to ponder, why do we believe that acquiring massive amounts of wealth is a prerequisite for happiness?