#177 - AI + SMB

"This is my intuition... I have this feeling that the west itself needs to die, in fact I think it already has died. This thing we call the west is a sacrifice and is being sacrificed so that the plant can die so the seeds can grow.... You don't get the growth without the sacrifice...We have created a culture that is irreligious, Babylon like, and top heavy, and it is just fading away." - Peter Kingsnorth, in conversation with Jonathan Pageau

---

2024 was an eventful year, both personally and professionally! I'm not one to set 'new years resolutions', but in 2025, I am hoping to write / read / share more.  On the personal side, my wife and I are thrilled to be welcoming our third child in just a few weeks. On the professional side, I’ve been busy running and growing our property management, maintenance, and construction businesses. We are under contract to acquire an appliance service business as a tuck-in for our maintenance operations, and our construction division eked out a small profit in its first year of operation. 

Lately, I’ve been diving deep into AI and its potential impact on businesses and industries. I use tools like ChatGPT and Anthropic almost daily for writing emails, documents, contracts, and more. However, I haven’t come across many widely adopted, systematic uses of AI in small businesses.

I’d love to hear from you—have you seen or implemented any effective AI solutions in small businesses? Let’s compare notes!

Tech Corner

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how we work, invest, and think about the future. Here are some resources that stood out:

• Dominic Cummings: Is AI Already in Control? — A thought-provoking perspective on the potential of AI to guide, and possibly dominate, decision-making processes in unprecedented ways.

• Geoff Hinton - Will Digital Intelligence Replace Biological Intelligence? — Hinton’s reflections on how digital intelligence could surpass human capabilities and what that means for society.

• Vertical AI Agents Could Be 10X Bigger Than SaaS — An analysis of how specialized AI agents could revolutionize industries and create exponential growth opportunities.

• Chip War 2.0: The Global Battle for Semiconductor Supremacy — Chris Miller’s deep dive into the geopolitical and economic implications of semiconductors, a critical component of AI technology.

Investor’s Corner

Here are some standout interviews and articles I enjoyed:

• Jared Kushner - The Mechanic — A profile that offers lessons on persistence, problem-solving, and the power of taking a hands-on approach.

• John Huber on Running a Buffett-Style Investment Partnership — Insights into long-term, value-based investment strategies that align well with enduring themes like AI and innovation.

• Billionaire Investor Howard Marks on Ownership vs. Debt — A deep dive into Marks’ investment philosophy and the balance between equity and debt.

• Jon Gray - President of Blackstone | Podcast | In Good Company — Insights from one of the most influential figures in real estate and private equity investment.

• The Rate of Return on Everything, 1870–2015 — A fascinating study by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco on historical returns, providing a backdrop to modern investment trends.

• U-Haul Growth States of 2024 — Insights into regional growth trends, with South Carolina topping the list for the first time.

Philosopher's Corner

Finally, I’ve been reflecting on how technology intersects with human nature and culture:

• Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard — A powerful documentary exploring Girard’s ideas about human behavior and societal transformation.

• Apocalypse Now? Peter Thiel on Ancient Prophecies and Modern Tech — Peter Thiel’s take on how ancient wisdom could inform our approach to the modern technological revolution.

• Western Civilization Is Already Dead - with Paul Kingsnorth — A thought-provoking exploration of the state of Western civilization and its cultural implications.