When did it become “cool” to be cynical? I think it started May 1, 2003: A whole generation has grown up expecting their leaders to lie to them. Conspiracy theories have gone mainstream: I’m not saying there are no wolves out here. But please stop crying wolf every time. The worst kind of cynicism isContinue reading “Fuck The Cynics”
Author Archives: Neil Thanedar
Upgrade Yourself
The answer is your potential energy. The sum of all this potential energy is the world’s greatest untapped resource. In physics, potential energy is converted into kinetic energy by a force. However, if the friction is greater than the force, there will be no movement. We need to maximize our positive force and minimize theContinue reading “Upgrade Yourself”
Utopic Debates
Rules: One hour per debate on a single topic. One on One. Example: Elon Musk vs. Elizabeth Warren on the Value of Regulations. Make these the main event(s) at Utopic Live. Too many people on stage. Too little time per topic. Weak, haphazard mediation. Debaters know the topics and choose their side ahead of time.Continue reading “Utopic Debates”
The Good Future
Note: This is the introduction to my book The World’s Biggest Problems. The Bad Future, described in shows like Black Mirror, is the realistic to cynical take on where the world is going. The Good Future, presented in shows like Star Trek, is the realistic to optimistic take on where the world is going. It’sContinue reading “The Good Future”
43North for Detroit
Create a $5M+ per year fund sponsored by the City, State, and/or nonprofits. 43North invests $5M per year in startups that move to Buffalo. This accelerator is funded by the State of New York as part of its Buffalo Billion program. 43North’s Grand Prize winner gets a $1 million investment. Create thousands of jobs inContinue reading “43North for Detroit”
Arsenal of Progress
We don’t have enough food. We don’t have enough medicine. We don’t have enough masks. We don’t have enough semiconductor chips. We must have enough before we can dream of more. Literal factories. Hundreds of them. These factories of abundance are our new Arsenal of Progress. Movement: Detroit vs. Shenzhen Accelerator: YC for Manufacturing Fund:Continue reading “Arsenal of Progress”
Detroit vs. Shenzhen
From the Arsenal of Democracy to the COVID-19 Vaccine, America’s critical products are made in Michigan. Let’s honor and build on this legacy by making Detroit the home of America’s new manufacturing revolution! Idea: Make Detroit an American mass manufacturing hub to compete with China’s Shenzhen. Why? Create an Arsenal of Progress in Detroit, the original Arsenal of Democracy. Key: Leverage Michigan’sContinue reading “Detroit vs. Shenzhen”
Utopic Flywheel
Edison’s Lab, Disney’s Studio, and Warhol’s Factory are all proof it’s possible. Utopic is my contribution to this field. Utopic Studio is my indie startup studio. Pro Benches is our first product. Utopic Ventures will be my fund to invest in other founders. Utopic News is my newsletter exploring solutions to the World’s Biggest Problems. Utopic Live willContinue reading “Utopic Flywheel”
Y Combinator for Manufacturing
Invest in a new American hub for rapid R&D and manufacturing of critical products. See: Detroit vs. Shenzhen Newark secured a $50M partnership last year to relocate HAX’s US headquarters. Funding: $25M from New Jersey (NJEDA) + $25M from VC firm SOSV. Detroit: Raise $50M+ to build a manufacturing and technology accelerator in the City.Continue reading “Y Combinator for Manufacturing”
Studios vs. Startups
Startup = Growth. No company can grow forever with just one product. The best startups launch, buy, and grow many products. Xerox → PARC Google → X Amazon → Grand Challenge Google → Alphabet Facebook → Meta Keeping their startups in perpetual studio mode is key to staying relevant for another generation. Running an indieContinue reading “Studios vs. Startups”