The Enshittification of American Power
Plus: Alien life and the last words of a dying glacier (#537)
This is David, your trusted concierge to the web – but also a curious generalist who loves making things. Before we get to this week's recommendations to help you make sense of what’s happening and imagine what could be, I briefly wanted to tell you about two new things I released this week.
- Priority Compass is a tool for individuals, teams and organisations to focus your energy on what really matters. I always found this framework useful for myself, so I thought I might as well turn it into a simple tool for everyone to use.
- How I Use AI is...well...pretty much that. A collection of ways in which I use AI for work and in my personal life. Copy what you find useful.
Oh, one more thing:
1. The Enshittification of American Power
«Enshittification» is such a great term for describing why most of the web is way shittier than it could be. The idea: Platforms like Facebook attract people and businesses, but as soon as they've locked them in, they gradually turn on them until in the end, only the platform's own interests count. In this essay, the author transfers the concept to geopolitics – and it is illuminating. Military hardware, the US dollar, satellite constellations can be seen as platforms; platforms that were attractive to many countries that now rely upon them. And with Trump comes enshittification: «The United States is beginning to monetise its hegemony.»
Henry Farrell
From January 2023: the original essay that coined the term enshittification.
2. I put 40 Billion marbles in the Colosseum to find alien life
A new video by «Epic Spaceman», and it's just as mind-blowing as previous ones, with his unique blend of storytelling and animation technique. This is about the unimaginably large number of planets (and moons!) out there that could have alien life – and the disappointingly simple reason why we haven't found anyone out there yet.
3. I Love Generative AI and Hate the Companies Building It
An opinionated rating of the five most commonly used AI models in search of the most ethical one. Short answer: «There are no ethical options — only harm reduction strategies.» Still, there are notable differences and you probably don't want to choose the ones that represent «environmental racism in action» or «industrial-scale exploitation».
Christina Wodtke
More on AI in my collection «Making Sense of Artificial Intelligence»
4. The Last Words of a Dying Glacier
This moved me more than I expected. A beautiful 10-minute film documenting one man's quest to preserve «the very last sounds» of the Morteratsch Glacier in Switzerland. Just as you've started enjoying these eerie sounds, there's this dagger of a sentence: «The more alive the glacier seems, the more the glacier is actually dying.»
5. Your Professional Decline Is Coming (Much) Sooner Than You Think
«Whole sections of bookstores are dedicated to becoming successful. There is no section marked managing your professional decline.» An essay on accepting that you've peaked professionally. And how embracing it starts with recognising that you can redefine what you see as your core strengths. Hint: If you enjoy helping others thrive, you're in a good position.
Arthur C. Brooks
What else?
Instant-gratification links that make you go wow! or aha! the moment you click.
- Watch in real-time a (not quite infinite) number of monkeys try to type the entirety of Shakespeare's work.
- Interesting graphics on drag forces while riding in a Tour de France peloton. With the right position, you can cruise along with just 5% of the energy you'd need on your own.
- Images: When some icebergs decide to pay you a visit.
- Love these drawings by Japanese artist shunshun. There just so happens to be an exhibition in Switzerland at the moment.
- Had no idea they were still active. Still fun and energising to listen to. Bloc Party: Tiny Desk Concert.
Books for curious minds
Some new ones as I read them, some older ones that continue to inform how I look at the world and myself.
A fascinating biography and a window to the world of gene editing. Buy it here.
A gem from the archive
David Bauer
The Weekly Filet archive offers more than 2500 hand-picked links since 2011, like this one. You can search by interests, explore collections, shuffle for a gem or check out my all-time favs.
That's it for this week. Thanks for reading. I wish you a nice weekend and hope to see you in three weeks.
— David
Exit through the gift shop
Other things I created that you might find useful: 🌍 You Don't Know Africa, a simple game that has already humbled millions of people. 💯 Choose Impact, an online tool to compare job opportunities. 🧭 Priority Compass, a tool for individuals, teams and organisations to focus your energy on what really matters. 🪄 How I Use AI, a collection of use cases, ready to copy and steal. 💬 Climate Questions, a playful conversation starter. My 📚 digital bookshelf, with sections of 🌡️ books that help you make sense of the climate crisis, ⛵ books that make you a better product manager, and 🧒 books that help you as a parent. And ⏱️ One Minute Challenge, a little meaningful distraction to refocus.