Today's podcast covers:1. [The Real Genius of Steve Jobs | The New Yorker](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/11/14/the-tweaker)2. [What to Do](https://www.paulgraham.com/do.html)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have 2 articles covering the insights into Steve Jobs' genius and a philosophical take on what one should do with their life.Starting with "The Real Genius of Steve Jobs" from The New Yorker, Malcolm Gladwell paints a detailed portrait of Jobs not as an inventor but as a "tweaker." Jobs's brilliance lay in refining and perfecting the ideas around him, making them better. The article shares anecdotes that illustrate how Jobs's quest for perfection touched every aspect of his life, from the painstaking selection of a washing machine to his insistence on the design of the mask he wore in the hospital. Jobs's approach to innovation was editorial at its core; he knew how to spot potential and make it shine. This sensibility extended to his professional work, where he took existing concepts, like the graphical user interface from Xerox PARC, and transformed them into Apple's groundbreaking products. Despite his difficult personality, Jobs's unyielding...Generated by Pocket to Podcast

Today's podcast covers:1. [The Real Genius of Steve Jobs | The New Yorker](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/11/14/the-tweaker)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have one article covering the influence and innovation of Steve Jobs, as explored in The New Yorker.Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., was a figure synonymous with innovation, design, and a unique approach to product development. The New Yorker's article, "The Real Genius of Steve Jobs," delves into the aspects that set Jobs apart from his contemporaries, focusing on his meticulous attention to detail and his relentless pursuit of perfection. Jobs was not just an inventor in the traditional sense; rather, his genius lay in his ability to tweak, refine, and perfect the ideas and products that came his way.Jobs had a profound impact on multiple industries, including computing, music, film animation, and digital publishing. His ability to foresee and shape market trends was unparalleled, as was his insistence on design elegance and user-friendly interfaces. The article points out that Jobs was obsessed with the aesthetics and functionality...Generated by Pocket to Podcast

Today's podcast covers:1. [What to Do](https://www.paulgraham.com/do.html)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have one article covering the profound question "What should one do?" posed by Paul Graham in his March 2025 musings.In this reflective piece, Graham delves into the essence of human purpose and productivity. He starts by acknowledging the simplicity yet depth of the inquiry into what one's actions in life should aim towards. Graham posits that while helping people and taking care of the world stand out as obvious directives, there is more to human endeavor. He introduces the concept of making good new things as a fundamental principle of human action. According to Graham, the capacity for humans to think and consequently create is one of the most impressive faculties we possess. He argues, "The most impressive thing humans can do is to think. It may be the most impressive thing that can be done. And the best kind of thinking, or more precisely the best proof that one has thought well, is to make good new things."Graham expands on what constit...Generated by Pocket to Podcast

Today's podcast covers:1. [Everything that turned out well in my life followed the same design process](https://www.henrikkarlsson.xyz/p/unfolding)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have one article covering the design process of life decisions, titled "Everything that turned out well in my life followed the same design process" by Henrik Karlsson.Henrik Karlsson shares a profound insight into how the most satisfying and successful aspects of his life—his marriage, career, and personal essays—followed a distinct design process he refers to as "unfolding." Karlsson draws on the concept articulated by Christopher Alexander, suggesting that this process involves deeply engaging with one's preferences and the context of their life to iteratively create a life that fits them perfectly. He eloquently states, "Human nature is not a machine to be built after a model, and set to do exactly the work prescribed for it, but a tree, which requires to grow and develop itself on all sides, according to the tendency of the inward forces which make it a living thing," quoting John Stuart Mill to underline the organic, evolving nature of per...Generated by Pocket to Podcast

Today's podcast covers:1. [OpenAI #12: Battle of the Board Redux - by Zvi Mowshowitz](https://thezvi.substack.com/p/openai-12-battle-of-the-board-redux?utm_source=substack&publication_id=573100&post_id=160251942&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=ikvy&triedRedirect=true)2. [Seed-Strapping vs Boot-Scaling in the AI Native Era](https://henrythe9th.substack.com/p/seed-strapping-vs-boot-scaling-in?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=4439619&post_id=159512498&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=1097u&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have 2 articles covering the intricate dynamics of OpenAI's leadership and a revolutionary approach to startup funding in the AI era.Starting with Zvi Mowshowitz's piece, "OpenAI #12: Battle of the Board Redux," we dive into the tumultuous events surrounding Sam Altman's leadership at OpenAI. Mowshowitz meticulously details the internal conflicts, highlighting Altman's alleged unacceptable conduct that merited his firing. Altman is accused of misleading the board on several occasions, particularly by lying about conversations between board members with the intent of ousting one he disliked. This behavior extended to misleading employees and engaging in questionable practices with the company's investment fund and outside opportunities. Mowshowitz argues that the narrative surrounding Altman's firing, supposedly about AI safety or existential risks, was largely a smokescreen propagated by Altman's allies. The article validates its claims with ins...Generated by Pocket to Podcast

Today's podcast covers:1. [What to Do](https://www.paulgraham.com/do.html)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have 1 article covering the profound question, "What should one do?" Paul Graham, in his thought-provoking essay "What to Do," delves into a seemingly simple yet complex question: What should one do? This question, often asked by children before they learn to shy away from such broad inquiries, captivated Graham during his investigation into another topic. He believes that at its core, the answer involves helping people and taking care of the world. However, Graham goes further, proposing that making "good new things" is also essential.Graham asserts, "The most impressive thing humans can do is to think... And the best kind of thinking, or more precisely the best proof that one has thought well, is to make good new things." He argues that creating new things, in a broad sense, is a demonstration of high-quality thinking. This includes not only scientific discoveries but also new art and music, suggesting that making good new things is not limi...Generated by Pocket to Podcast

Today's podcast covers:1. [Sport must step up and be part of the social revolution to reach ‘lost boys’ | Gareth Southgate | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/mar/31/gareth-southgate-sport-step-up-deliberate-revolution-lost-boys)2. [Ben Foakes: ‘I never felt like a go-to guy for England’ | Surrey | The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/mar/31/ben-foakes-interview-england-surrey-cricket)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have 2 articles covering the intersection of sports with personal and societal transformations. First, we delve into Gareth Southgate's perspective on sports' role in societal change, specifically targeting the 'lost boys', as outlined in The Guardian. Then, we explore Ben Foakes' candid reflection on his cricket career with England, also from The Guardian, shedding light on the mental challenges and the shifting dynamics within professional sports.Gareth Southgate, the esteemed football figure, has called for sports to take a more active role in what he describes as a "deliberate revolution" aimed at reaching out to the 'lost boys' of society. While the details of Southgate's argument are not accessible, the essence of his call to action suggests a belief in the transformative power of sports. Southgate's career, both on and off the field, has consistently emphasized the importance of character, resilience, and social responsibility among athle...Generated by Pocket to Podcast

Today's podcast covers:1. [The Mediocrity of Modern Google – On my Om](https://om.co/2025/03/29/the-mediocrity-of-modern-google/)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have one article covering the critique of modern Google.Dana Blankenhorn, in a recent commentary featured on "On my Om," sheds light on the current state of Google, drawing parallels to the search engine's earlier days and its comparison to Excite!—a reference that might resonate with those who remember the internet's nascent stages. Blankenhorn's observation is a stark reminder of how Google, once a pioneer in search technology, appears to have settled into a phase of mediocrity, reminiscent of the older, less sophisticated search engines.The critique doesn't stop there. Blankenhorn evokes an image of Sergey Brin demanding employees to devote 60 hours a week to keep Google competitive, a move that, while aiming for innovation and market leadership, now feels more like a desperate attempt to cling to past glories. This comparison is likened to a scene from the movie "Trading Places," with the desperate cry of "Turn those machines back on!"—a m...Generated by Pocket to Podcast

Today's podcast covers:1. [Dean Huijsen: The two-footed, progressive centre-back coveted by Europe’s top clubs - The Athletic](https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6232044/2025/03/30/dean-huijsen-tactical-profile/)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have one article covering the meteoric rise of Dean Huijsen, a two-footed, progressive centre-back who is now coveted by Europe's top football clubs.Dean Huijsen's journey in professional football is nothing short of remarkable. Just two years ago, he was playing for Juventus Next Gen, which is Juventus's under-23 side, while also captaining the Netherlands' under-19 team. This rapid progression in his career speaks volumes about his talent and potential on the field. His leadership qualities were evident early on, as seen in his role with the Netherlands' youth team, showcasing not just his skill but also his ability to inspire and lead a team.His transition to Bournemouth marked a significant step in his career. At Bournemouth, Huijsen has been central to the team's defense, demonstrating his skills at a senior level. His performances did not go unnoticed, as they led to a senior debut for the Spanish national team after he switched internat...Generated by Pocket to Podcast

Today's podcast covers:1. [Whittling to Perfection](https://spyglass.org/m4-macbook-air-blue-thoughts/)Welcome to Pocket to Podcast. Today we have one article covering the in-depth review of the new M4 MacBook Air in its striking Sky Blue color.M.G. Siegler recently shared his thoughts on the M4 MacBook Air, highlighting its exceptional performance and design, ultimately concluding that it's a device so close to perfection, it compelled him to return his initial purchase in favor of a maxed-out version. Siegler begins by acknowledging his recent criticisms of Apple but admits that the hardware quality of products like the MacBook Air keeps him, and undoubtedly many others, deeply interested in the brand. His experience with the MacBook Air led him to describe it as "the computer, perfected," a sentiment he's expressed in the past but feels more strongly about with each new iteration. Siegler points out that the significant improvement in this version of the MacBook Air is its RAM capabilities, which now go up to 32GB compared to the previous 24GB limit. This upgrade is crucial in ou...Generated by Pocket to Podcast