Professionally, I focus on creating social benefit startups. In my Saturday morning emails I share what I’m learning and thinking. Topics range from better living and parenting to business and philosophy.
Natural Disasters. The good news is the death rate from natural disasters remains historically low. The bad news is that the economic cost may be increasing. “The general trend over the past few decades has been for insured losses to increase between 5% and 6% each year.” Note the chart is in real dollars so it is not an inflation effect. Yes, the chart shows insured losses so it could be good news that more people have access to insurance. Also, the chart shows the absolute amount of damage, not the rate of property damage. Are we continuing to build in harm's way? Do we want to build in different locations or using different techniques or materials?
An Anxiety Treatment. I hope I didn’t make you anxious by mentioning natural disasters. If I did, perhaps increase self-efficacy could help? Let Grow has proposed independence projects as a way for kids to feel less anxious. For example, cook something or run an errand. Does it work? Are your kids allowed to do these things?
Actually Open AI. Despite its name OpenAI keeps private the details of how ChatGPT works. Mozilla, the makers of open source software like Firefox, says AI systems should be completely open and transparent. “When it comes to AI safety and security, openness is an antidote, not a poison.” Do you agree with publishing the details of how to make anthrax or nuclear weapons? Is AI like that or more like publishing source code for a computer operating system? Linus’ law states “given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow” and we’ve seen that the open source operating systems are more secure. If we don’t require a truly open AI system will it lead to the creation of monopolies?
Until next time,
Miles