Parallel Universes

Tings Newsletter #26

If you’re new here: I’m Michael Karnjanaprakorn, the founder of Skillshare and Otis. Currently on a sabbatical, I’m exploring what's next and sharing my journey. I write about life, work, and random things. If someone forwarded this to you, join 5K+ other readers by subscribing here.

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1. I haven't done one of these in a while, but I finally wrote my 2024 Review, which you can read here or listen here. The theme of my year was fun, and I centered every decision around day-to-day joy. I added things that brought me joy like playing Magic: The Gathering and removed things that didn’t, which led to me adopting financial minimalism.

2. Here are some key lessons from the year: dropping the mask, redefining success, health is wealth, simplifying to focus, and accepting that transitions take time. Letting go of the personas we built to meet society's expectations, combined with redefining success, creates a powerful recipe for growth.

3. I had a great conversation with returning guest Safwaan Kay on the podcast. We discussed AI Agents, Open Source Software, and the intersection between legacy and ambition.

4. We also discussed this essay from the founder of Loom: I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life. After selling his company for $975M , he wrote about the existential crisis that followed. It’s a good reminder that no matter how successful you are, you still have to figure out your own shit.

5. From Kevin Dahlstrom (my most-listened-to podcast) about "How to Build a Kickass Life." He shares 10 different lessons and advice for designing an amazing life. My favorite tip is focusing on your Camera Roll rather than your Bank Roll.

6. I've added two new podcasts to my rotation: Technology Bros, which feels like All-In meets Silicon Valley (the show)—it's hilarious and keeps me updated on tech and Collaborative Fund Conversations, where Morgan Housel interviews top investors.

7. Marc Andreessen's original posts on productivity remain some of my favorites. Here's an updated guide. I like his approach of scheduling everything—including free time—on his calendar.

8. Speaking of productivity, I downloaded Speechify—an app that converts any document into spoken audio. It can read any text aloud, and I like using the Snoop Dogg voice option.

9. Todoist's app continues to improve impressively. As mentioned in my 2024 review, I've adopted the "Quick Capture" one-inbox method throughout the year with great success. Their new calendar integration works flawlessly. Highly recommended.

10. Only AI agents can apply for this job.

11. I read a single line buried in an article: Google’s quantum chips could be linked to the multiverse. Their latest quantum processor, Willow, completed a calculation in five minutes that would take a supercomputer 10 septillion years. The head of Google’s Quantum AI suggested that this performance “lends credence to the idea that quantum computation happens in many parallel universes.” Wait, what?!

12. Then I stumbled upon a wild theory that quantum computing could be enabling rapid calculations for navigation that mimic the gravity-defying maneuvers reported in UFO sightings. And just when I thought the rabbit hole couldn’t go deeper, I came across the latest claims from a UAP whistleblower, who says a UFO retrieval program exists. 🤯

13. I can’t decide what’s more annoying in public spaces: someone talking on speakerphone, or someone blasting Youtube at full volume. PSA: Please use headphones!

14. "100 Foot Wave" is a two-season documentary on HBO Max (with season three coming soon), and it's excellent. It follows big wave surfers in Portugal attempting to break the world record for the largest wave ever surfed. While they haven't reached the 100-foot mark yet, they're getting remarkably close.

15. Strongly agree with Will Manidis: “Work dinners should be illegal. rob you from your family, pretend to enjoy drinking with strangers, get home late and feel horrible the next day. work breakfasts are aristocratic, separate lazy boys from early to rise men, feel great when you get to work, easily expensible”

16. An inspiring story about taking a bet on your entrepreneurial dreams and following the winding road to success. What began as a simple Airbnb evolved into a luxury cave that now rents for $1,400 per night. It’s now one of the world’s most profitable Airbnb’s.

17. I've enjoyed following signull on X. He writes about "the rapid changes in culture at the intersection of hyper-capitalism and proliferation of tech at scale." Here’s his 2024 credit card recommendations: AMEX Platinum for travel and lounges, and US Bank's 4% cash back card for everything else. He also shared his thoughts on a new "learn anything" app—I'm still looking to invest in a company doing something like this!

18. Here's some quick health stuff: tips for fixing "nerd neck" and different ways to increase your VO2 max.

19. What’s the best place to find a PT Virtual Assistant or Podcast Video Editor?

20. This will make you smile!