Where the end is real
Plus: How AI ruins decision making and why you should talk to former friends. (#538)
This is David, your trusted guide to the wonders of the web, fully recharged from two weeks in the Swiss Alps. This is the Weekly Filet, the newsletter for curious minds who love when something makes them go «Huh, I never thought of it this way!». It's great to have you.
Before we begin, I'd like to try something new. A simple prompt, to each of you. A chance to learn from one another and to get a sense of who else is part of this little exquisite community of Weekly Filet readers.
💬 Tell us something interesting about the place you call home.
1. This Is What the End of the Liberal World Order Looks Like
I need to quote this in full because it's so poignant: «The end of the liberal world order is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot in conference rooms and university lecture halls in places like Washington and Brussels. But in al-Ahamdda, this theoretical idea has become reality. The liberal world order has already ended in Sudan, and there isn’t anything to replace it.» Anne Applebaum, reporting from Sudan, still the most underreported humanitarian catastrophe in the world right now.
Anne Applebaum
2. How decision making will change when AI answers are cheap and (too) easy
Did you know chief decision scientist is a role at Google? Me neither. Cassie Kozyrkov used to have that title and she has so many interesting things to say in this interview. I found the first part most interesting where she talks about what makes a good decision, and why even helpful answers from AI can lead to worse decisions.
Pocket Casts
3. Does the Stock Market Know Something We Don’t?
Even Taco, with his erratic tariff moves, could only briefly send markets downwards. These past weeks, stock markets have hit record highs. «The uncomfortable fact about its historic run is that no one really knows why it’s happening», this analysis begins. It gives a good overview of classical theories that no longer seem to apply and offers one possible explanation: more and more people invest and forget.
Rogé Karma
4. I Asked Four Former Friends Why We Stopped Speaking. Here’s What I Learned
What a wonderful – and somewhat scary – idea: The author reached out to former good friends she lost touch with – to talk about what happened.
Kui Mwai
5. The go-between: how Qatar became the global capital of diplomacy
«One of the benefits of being an absolute monarchy with limitless wealth is that vast sums can be spent without having to clear lengthy bureaucratic hurdles.» A very interesting long read on how Qatar became a major player on the world stage, «for the sort of high-stakes geopolitical deal-making transacted until recently in Geneva and Oslo».
Nesrine Malik
What else?
Instant-gratification links that make you go wow! or aha! the moment you click.
- If you needed one final proof that the climate crisis is escalating: the Financial Times now recommends men wear shorts in the office.
- Design is not gender neutral. Have a look at these graphs of how children move around their schoolyard.
- Before AI, writers used to steal writing from ██████. (guess, then click)
- Flags that look alike. (like these two that are actually not the same: 🇹🇩🇷🇴). Speaking of flags: I've got a game for you.
- Get on your bike! If everybody cycled like the Dutch, we could offset the UK or Australia’s entire carbon footprint.
- Chances of being born in each continent (as a penguin)
- «When something that is not your thing blows you away, that's one of the best things that can happen. It means you are something other than you thought you were.» – Dave Hickey
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.
Climate scientist Kate Marvel's new book is an exploration – and an appreciation – of all the complex and conflicting ways the climate crisis makes us feel: Wonder, Anger, Guilt, Fear, Grief, Surprise, Pride, Hope, Love. Really enjoyed reading it. Buy it here.
A gem from the archive
Henry Grabar
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 again next Friday!
— David
More ways to learn and take inspiration from
Check my 📚 digital bookshelf, with sections of 🌡️ books that help you make sense of the climate crisis, ⛵ books that make you a better product manager, 🪄 books that help you make sense of AI, and 🧒 books that help you as a parent. And from collecting the best links on the web for close to 15 years, my thematic collections: The Art of Thinking (Differently), The Stuff Our Modern World Runs On, Bingeworthy Podcasts, and more.
Little useful apps from me, for you
🌍 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. And ⏱️ One Minute Challenge, a little meaningful distraction to refocus.