Yale Innovation to Biography Addiction
your Saturday roundup
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.
Yale Innovation. I spoke this week at the Yale Innovation Summit. Impressive to see ~2000 people registered and great turnout. They added an Arts track and wish I had participated in that more. Biotech track is still the strongest. I enjoyed watching Freedom Biosciences (portco) and Modifi Bio (founder friend) present. The most intriguing technology eposter I saw was Single Atomic Layer Transistors for Future Computing from Kidae Shin and team. And very excited that Modlee won the big cardboard check and 1st prize for the tech pitch competition. The cofounders of Modlee met in April at the last Start in New Haven event. A hint we should do another one?
Alcohol Abuse Treatment. Given how big a problem alcohol abuse is for so many, I wish we had more clarity on what works. I hate to think of so many wasting time (and lives?) on failed treatments. I’ve heard that studies don’t support that AA works very well on average (although some people report success). Over the years, I’ve heard about the use of an opioid antagonist in alcohol abuse treatment. The Sinclair Method for example claims great success. But why isn’t it more well-known? I was on the board of a nonprofit that hosted a SMART addiction recovery circle. Does that work?
Best Biographies. What are the best biographies you’ve read? I recently read the Truman biography by McCullough which offers insight into the beginning of the cold war. I am a raving fan of Robert Caro’s The Power Broker on Robert Moses and his LBJ biographies. Both give you a window into how power in democracy is actually gathered and wielded. I assure you they are well worth the length. Codebreaker. Henry Ford and Franklin’s autobiographies are worth it if read with the right historical lens. The Outsiders is more of a business book but still good. Love the summaries of founder bios from the Founders podcast. Which are your favorite biographies?
Until next week,
Miles
I really appreciate the reflections about Alcohol Addiction @Miles. I don't have any answers but would love to connect at some point in the future and learn more about your work with SMART.