The Learning Curve: Prioritising Human Values in Tech and Society
A discussion on online authenticity, mind-blowing AI image generation & useful time management.
Read time: 4 mins
Hi there,
It's only issue two, but this time around, we're trying a shorter, easier-to-digest format. As part of my trusted inner circle, I would love to know what you think.
Let's learn.
At a glance:
Something to follow: Barbenheimer super thread on Twi... X
Something to read: Blue ticks to red flags - who is credible online?
Something to watch: Photoshop's Generative Fill will have you questioning every photo you ever see
Something that's being done differently: Productive group meetings
Something to try out: Calendly, a meeting scheduler
Something to follow: Ok, before you roll your eyes, there is a lot to learn from how Barbie turned the world pink on the same day the world came to an end.
For Barbie: the team went far with its marketing efforts, just check out this visual thread. (quick scroll) For Oppenheimer: explore the moral complexities of powerful inventions in this article. (take a seat)
What to take from it all?
Authentic partnerships are priceless when it comes to reach and strengthening brand positioning.
Nostalgia is always in. It builds emotional connection and loyalty like nothing else.
Genius does not guarantee wisdom. Embrace wisdom over ambition.
Learn from history to make better decisions today.
Prioritise human values. Advancements in tech and society should align with the well-being of the world.
Something to read: Questioning authenticity online.
With Verified Badges up for sale and AI-generated texts everywhere, it seems like the right time to question authenticity on the internet.
Twitter/X/Whatever you want to call it gave blue badge owners the option to hide the very blue badge they are paying monthly for. This raised questions about who is a reputable and authentic figure online now. I wrote about it here.
Then, I was invited to contribute to a LinkedIn advice article about The Golden Ratio in photography. If you're on LinkedIn, there's a chance you might be invited to contribute to an article soon too. If that happens, be better than this person who I caught red-handed.
Something to watch: Photoshop's Generative Fill
Whilst we’re on the topic of trustworthy content, this video provides a fun exercise.
AI-Image generation is a dividing topic. You either love it or hate it.
Learn to use it or carry on shooting in auto mode. As Peter McKinnon very well puts it in this video, photography is whatever you want it to be.
Here, Peter asked photographers to submit their photos edited with AI Generative fill in Photoshop. Over the course of 10 minutes, put your detection skills to the test. Question what is real.
Let me know how you get on. For the record, I didn’t score well.
Something that's being done differently: The Secret to Productive Group Meetings over Video
Brainstorming meetings. Round table. One at a time. Introverts vs extroverts. A guaranteed disaster.
Google Docs are Tomasz Tunguz's secret weapon. Everyone gets a topic, and a page to write on for a specified time, and gets back together to discuss after that time is up. Benefits:
Everyone writes in parallel
All inputs are documented for future reference.
Everyone gains context by reading each others' ideas
No one freeloads (or does other tasks sneakily) because everyone is forced to write
Try it.
Something to try out: Find time for what matters with Calendly
Time is precious. In your 20's, you're a time billionaire - rich with time. It is our ultimate currency - what we have that we can never get back.
We're not here to count the seconds, but there is something in being aware of the precious nature of the time we have left. With this realisation, I've taken small but significant steps to be more intentional with my time, with both what I have to do and want to do.
One valuable tool to aid me is Calendly. By using it to schedule time for connecting with family, friends, and my professional network, I've bridged the gap of physical distance, and made "when is good for you?" exchanges a thing of the past. This simple change has saved me time, and made me value it more.
Being issue two of this newsletter, there's a good chance you're part of my inner circle. So, when is good for you?
Conclusion:
If you got this far, thank you.
Today, we questioned what we want from the world with Barbenheimer, interrogated the verified contributors to our feeds, experienced the mind-blowing capabilities of Photoshop's Generative Fill, learned a method for better team meetings, and harnessed the power of Calendly to become time billionaires.
Let’s continue this journey together - stay curious, connect, and embrace growth on The Learning Curve.
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See you in two weeks.
Peace,
Has
