Avoid Your Eyes!

My Sunday morning thoughts on incompetence, corruption, and policy failures.

• Windsurf: A Cautionary Tale. Initially a success story in Silicon Valley, Windsurf’s recent deal with Google has left investors feeling uneasy. It raises questions about future collaborations between venture capitalists and founders.
• Simplify’s Sticky Fingers: An Unexpected Downturn. Simplify is launching what should be a straightforward money market ETF. But, instead of being dull, it seems to focus more on extracting funds from its own shareholders.
• Concerns Over Wall Street 401(k): Recent developments in alternative funds spotlight the complications of introducing private assets to public investors.
• Google’s AI: A New Kind of Trouble. The latest AI updates from Google may be making it harder for people to distinguish fact from fiction, complicating efforts to discover and support small businesses.
• Elon Musk’s Cybertruck: A Major Misstep. Touted as a groundbreaking vehicle, the Tesla Cybertruck is now viewed as one of the biggest flops in automotive history, joining the ranks of other infamous failures like Ford’s Edsel and GM’s Pontiac.
• A Presidency Shaped by John Roberts. The U.S. has seen the emergence of a powerful institution, largely due to the influence of one individual.
• Rent Control in NYC: More Complicated Than It Seems. While freezing rents may sound effective, Zohran Mamdani’s proposal likely won’t tackle the deeper issues of housing affordability.
• A Murder Case Left Unsolved. In California, if someone faces accusations, there’s no assurance that their side of the story will be investigated thoroughly.
• Amazon’s Price Increase on Essentials. Contrary to its promises to keep prices low, Amazon has recently raised costs on numerous essential items, as Walmart lowers its prices.
• A Concert Gone Wrong: A Reflection on Surveillance. The CEO’s failed Coldplay concert represents a broader issue of social media surveillance and facial recognition, affecting everyone in public spaces.