Someone asked me at a networking event at Lerer Ventures about upcoming trends or potential places to invest. Here’s what I had to say: 1. The global epidemic that is diabetes. Diabetes medications, treatment centers, tracking tools, and prevention /
Hong Kong Startups
I’ve been traveling in Asia for the past month and am spending most of my time in Hong Kong. While here, I’m working on my app, Power 20, and meeting entrepreneurs to learn about the tech scene. Below are some
Postpone The Long Emergency
In 2005, investigative journalist James Howard Kunstler published The Long Emergency, a book that ominously describes economic and social collapse caused by climate change, crashing financial markets, and high oil prices. Hurricane Sandy (officially dubbed “Superstorm Sandy”) and the challenges
We Have Work To Do
According to Napster founder and former Facebook president Sean Parker, “It’s technology, not business or government, that’s the real driving force behind large-scale societal shifts.” Thanks to improvements in technology across all sectors, we now produce sufficient goods and services
Get A Passport
For the past few decades the United States has helped destabilize the planet by maintaining its status as the the world’s number one exporter of arms. It’s possible, however, that another US export will add a modicum of stability to
Build A Raft
Brazil, Russia, India, China, Mexico… These countries can no longer be described in terms of first and third world or developed and developing nations. Instead, the vast chasm between rich and poor in those countries foretell a new global norm.
Ownership is Over
We’re changing from a nation of consumers to a nation of renters. The confluence of US and European economic depression, global migration into cities, and exponentially improving technology is causing us to abandon the concept of owning a finite number
Privacy Will Be Illegal
Since I’m involved in building technology, I often worry about the unintended consequences of my work. Technology will tear apart centuries-old institutions and laws, and the process of change will not be pretty. Very soon privacy will be effectively illegal.
This Is Going To Hurt
This week’s global stock market gyrations foretell tough times ahead for startup entrepreneurs. When investor confidence dips, VC investment dives. We need only look to changes in investment in 2008 and 2009 to predict how 2011 and 2012 will shake
Tomorrow’s Schools
My education was ridiculously expensive. Private high school, private college, and private graduate school cost my family over $250,000. Kids in school today face a bill nearly double that for the same education. It’s no longer worth it. Technology is