Business
Is it a bubble? It’s never clear to me what the end game of all these AI tools is. They cannot replace humans. If it’s about productivity, we should have 3 years of data and real use cases to have an idea whether the increase in output can justify the enormous investments. Likely not. We can sit here and debate what a bubble is and what different kinds of bubbles there are. When the fever dream cools off, it’s all back to the classic supply – demand.
Before Apple Disrupted Everything, Sony Did It First. Steve Jobs Never Forgot. A fascinating article on the history of Sony, what a maverick it was and how it failed to adapt to the new age. What Akio Morita said gives me a lot to think about: the more people you know, the better it is. He kept a database of 10,000 people…
Apple-TSMC: The Partnership That Built Modern Semiconductors. I am not a subscriber of this blog, so I could not read the whole thing in its entirety, but even what I could read is fascinating. It captures the relationship which will be looked back upon as iconic between Apple and TSMC. It also shows the vision , the patience and the execution that Apple has.
Spotify’s New CEOs Are Battling Algo Fatigue and Angry Artists. Spotify has been through a lot. The stock was nowhere for a long time, tanked after investors questioned its outlook due to controversial content, but sharply turned up and exploded after proving its merits. The company produced a lot of innovation and had pricing power with three price hikes in the last four years. The founder is now the Chairman and handed the reins to two long-time lieutenants who proved their worth.
The Curious Cult of Aldi. “With ambitions to have more than 3,000 locations by the end of 2028, Aldi US plans to operate more grocery stores in the country than any other chain but Walmart Inc. It already generated some $29 billion in US sales in 2024, putting it squarely ahead of Trader Joe’s, which had as much as $20 billion in revenue.”
Other Stuff I Find Interesting
Japan Curbed Excessive Overtime. A Labor Shortage Is Forcing a Rethink. Japan was infamous for punishing working hours and karoshi, or death from excessive work. However, a stagnant economy and a workaholic new Prime Minister are prompting those in power to evaluate the limits on overtime that was implemented 6 years ago. I get that Japan needs to get the economic engine back up and running, but the workforce is aging and there is not enough new blood. The country is notoriously unfriendly to immigrants. Something has to give here and I am not sure which one.
A major agreement to protect the Amazon is falling apart after 20 years. It is disappointing and concerning that the Amazon may be at risk again because soybean producers no longer have tax benefits and will likely expand production to make up the shortfall. What does that mean? More deforestation, more trees coming down and a step backwards in the fight against climate change.
The Retirement Crisis No One Warns You About: Mattering. An under-discussed topic. “What these retirees were describing wasn’t just disappointment in a lack of opportunities. It was an erosion in something far more fundamental—their sense of mattering, the deep human need to feel valued and to have a chance to add value to the world. We plan for our wealthspan and healthspan, mapping out financial security and physical well-being. Yet very few of us prepare for an equally essential dimension of retirement: our mattering span, or how we will continue to feel seen, useful and capable of making a difference in this next chapter of life. A 2024 study of 748 adults, published in the Canadian Journal on Aging, found that while most retirees plan carefully for their finances, fewer than half give real consideration to what their lives will be like once they stop working.“
What 75,000 People Regret. “Big moments can mean nothing. Small moments can change our lives. The good can become bad, and the bad can become good, and it’s simply impossible to predict what will actually matter in life. So here’s the best we can do: We can carry forward with gusto, making the most of our time, building the things that matter, pursuing what matters most to us, and living as if there’s nothing to regret.“
Stats
Average job posting received 242 applications, triple the average in 2017
Cost of food at home increased by 0.7% in Dec 2025, highest since October 2022
“The 20 biggest US banks made over $3 billion last year in overdraft fees”
Minh Quang Duong 
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