Mitch Joel's Blog: Six Pixels of Separation, page 17

Think Different? The AI Race Apple Might Be Losing

For years, Apple has played the long game.

They weren’t the first to launch a smartphone. Or a smartwatch. Or wireless earbuds.
But when they did, they redefined the category.
That’s the Apple playbook. Slow, methodical, and ultimately, dominant.

But AI is different… or is it?

And for the first time in a long time, Apple is… late?
Apple introduced Siri – the first mass-market AI voice assistant – in 2011. 
It was a “game-changer” (hate that phrase) at the time, but fast forward 14 years, and Siri has become a punchline. 
A relic of a voice assistant that never evolved, stuck responding to basic commands while OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Amazon’s new Alexa+ feel borderline human.
Apple’s AI effort, branded Apple Intelligence, has been… underwhelming. 
Auto-sorting emails, voicemail transcriptions, and Genmojis (AI-generated emojis) are nice-to-have features, but they’re not revolutionary. 
They don’t compel anyone to upgrade their iPhone. 
And according to internal data, most Apple users aren’t even using them.

AI is supposed to change how we interact with technology. 

So far, Apple has delivered the equivalent of software updates.
Is this just a lag… or a crisis?
Bloomberg’s latest reporting says that the company’s internal AI models are already hitting their limits, competitors are poaching top AI talent, and leadership is struggling to define a path forward.

Apple’s grand AI reboot? 

It might not arrive until iOS 20 in 2027.
A half-decade behind OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft. 
In these times, that’s not just a gap… it’s an abyss.
Amazon’s Alexa+ just debuted, and those who’ve seen it say it feels like watching the first ChatGPT demo – this is going to change everything. 

Here’s my semi-contrarian/semi-serious take: Maybe Apple doesn’t need to win AI?

The company has always been about tight integration – hardware, software, and services working seamlessly together. 
Siri might be a current embarrassment, but Apple’s ecosystem still dominates.
If every app and tool we use eventually has AI built in, does Apple really need to develop its own?
Or does Apple just need to make sure AI works within its walled garden?
Apple is investing $500 billion in the U.S. alone.

And, in all seriousness, Apple does need an AI breakthrough that keeps it from looking like a dinosaur/hardware provider.

Apple is at an AI crossroads.
If they keep moving slowly, carefully, deliberately – like they always have – they might get AI right eventually.
But if they don’t speed up, they risk becoming a follower, not a leader. 

Either Apple proves they belong in AI or they fade into the background while OpenAI, Google, and Amazon define the next era of computing.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Mitch Joel · Think Different? The AI Race Apple Might Be Losing – The Elias Makos Show – CAJD 800

Before you go… ThinkersOne is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Rishad Tobaccowala On Rethinking Work – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #974 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to:

Rishad Tobaccowala is one of those rare thinkers who can seamlessly connect the dots between business, technology, media, and human behavior – so it’s always a pleasure to have him back on the show. A true industry veteran, Rishad has spent decades shaping the marketing and media landscape, from his time as Global Chief Strategist and Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe to becoming a sought-after author, advisor, and speaker. His latest book, Rethinking Work – Seismic Changes In The Where, When, And Why, dives deep into the fundamental shifts happening in the workforce, from the decline of the 9-to-5 model to the rise of hybrid work, decentralized careers, and leadership that prioritizes talent over corporate loyalty. Rishad’s first book is Restoring The Soul Of Business and his newsletter, The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past, and podcast, What Next?, are not to be missed. In our conversation, we explore the evolving role of leadership, the impact of AI on employment, and how brands must rethink trust in an era where consumers are more aligned with individuals than institutions. Rishad also shares his insights on how businesses can remain relevant by embracing change rather than resisting it, and why the future of work will require companies to shift from management-driven structures to ones that emphasize agility, learning, and human connection. Thoughtful, provocative, and always ahead of the curve, Rishad brings the kind of clarity we need as we navigate a world of constant disruption. If you want to stay relevant in a fast-changing business landscape, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Enjoy the conversation…

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose):  #974 – Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

SPOS #974 – Rishad Tobaccowala On Rethinking Work

Welcome to episode #974 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Rishad Tobaccowala is one of those rare thinkers who can seamlessly connect the dots between business, technology, media, and human behavior – so it’s always a pleasure to have him back on the show. A true industry veteran, Rishad has spent decades shaping the marketing and media landscape, from his time as Global Chief Strategist and Growth Officer at Publicis Groupe to becoming a sought-after author, advisor, and speaker. His latest book, Rethinking Work – Seismic Changes In The Where, When, And Why, dives deep into the fundamental shifts happening in the workforce, from the decline of the 9-to-5 model to the rise of hybrid work, decentralized careers, and leadership that prioritizes talent over corporate loyalty. Rishad’s first book is Restoring The Soul Of Business and his newsletter, The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past, and podcast, What Next?, are not to be missed. In our conversation, we explore the evolving role of leadership, the impact of AI on employment, and how brands must rethink trust in an era where consumers are more aligned with individuals than institutions. Rishad also shares his insights on how businesses can remain relevant by embracing change rather than resisting it, and why the future of work will require companies to shift from management-driven structures to ones that emphasize agility, learning, and human connection. Thoughtful, provocative, and always ahead of the curve, Rishad brings the kind of clarity we need as we navigate a world of constant disruption. If you want to stay relevant in a fast-changing business landscape, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 1:08:19.Hello from beautiful Montreal.Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.Please visit and leave comments on the blog – Six Pixels of Separation.Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.Check out ThinkersOne.or you can connect on LinkedIn.…or on X.Here is my conversation with Rishad Tobaccowala.Rethinking Work – Seismic Changes In The Where, When, And Why.Restoring The Soul Of Business.The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past.What Next?Book Rishad for your next meeting on ThinkersOne.Follow Rishad on LinkedIn.Follow Rishad on Instagram.This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to Rishad.
(03:08) – The Political Landscape of Tech and Media.
(06:06) – The Power Dynamics of Big Tech.
(09:03) – The Influence of Money in Politics.
(11:55) – The Shift in Consumer Trust.
(15:08) – The Erosion of Brand Trust.
(17:52) – The Changing Nature of Work.
(20:53) – The Crisis of Leadership in Business.
(35:15) – The Entrepreneurial Vision and Workforce Dynamics.
(36:25) – Leadership vs. Management: The New Paradigm.
(37:45) – Diversity in the Workplace: Ageism and Work Styles.
(38:44) – The Irrelevance of Traditional Business Models.
(39:57) – The Importance of In-Person Interaction.
(41:40) – The Future of Work: Hybrid and Remote Models.
(43:34) – AI’s Impact on Employment and Business Structure.
(46:32) – The Transformation of Knowledge Work.
(49:50) – Reimagining Business Strategies in the Age of AI.
(52:33) – The Financial Play: Mergers and Market Relevance.
(56:18) – Aligning Talent and Corporate Goals.
(01:01:48) – The Future of Work: Companies as Talent Aggregators.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #974.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Six Links That Make You Think #767

Is there one link, story, picture or thought that you saw online this week that you think somebody you know must see?

My friends: Alistair Croll (Just Evil Enough, Solve for Interesting, Tilt the Windmill, Interesting Bits, HBS, chair of Strata, Startupfest, FWD50, and Scaletechconf; author of Lean Analytics and some other books), Hugh McGuire (Rebus Foundation, PressBooks, LibriVox) and I decided that every week the three of us are going to share one link for one another (for a total of six links) that each individual feels the other person “must see.”

Check out these six links that we’re recommending to one another:

Technologies For Intelligent Voluntary Cooperation – Allison Duettmann – Gaming The Future . “Less Wrong is a site ‘dedicated to improving human reasoning and decision-making’ that contains some amazing thinking. I really liked this long form piece on gaming the future. The core idea is that emerging technologies such as bio-engineering, nanotech-scale manufacturing, and superintelligent AI are right around the corner, and could usher in unprecedented prosperity, or unspeakable horrors. What’s the ‘game theory’ answer that will guide us? I love this framing: ‘Civilization is an inherited game shaped by those before you. If you’re happy your ancestors did not lock you into a future, should you leave everything up to future players?’ Increasingly, the problem I have with these thoughts is that they’re hard to implement when politics have become a team sport and three-word slogans prevail. Still, I’m glad smart people are working on this.” (Alistair for Hugh). The Path To American Authoritarianism – Steven Levitsky and Lucan A. Way – Foreigh Affairs . “I spent a week in San Francisco recently as part of my book launch. It was a great chance to catch up with old friends I hadn’t seen in far too long. But there’s a tone in the chorus of voices across the Bay Area that was new. SF could be a flashpoint for a civil war; it’s living in the future (self-driving taxis everywhere) but has an astonishing wealth disparity. Self-avowed pacifists are posting videos of their gun training on social media (‘that’s where they’ll look for easy victims when the store shelves are empty.’) How did we get here – and how far might it go? ‘U.S. democracy will likely break down during the second Trump administration, in the sense that it will cease to meet standard criteria for liberal democracy: full adult suffrage, free and fair elections, and broad protection of civil liberties.’ This has already happened, and we’re only a few weeks in. I don’t usually recommend walled articles, but I gave Foreign Affairs my email to read it and it was worth it.” (Alistair for Mitch). David Lynch Melting My Heart For Three Minutes Straight – ingaybows – YouTube . “A few minutes of David Lynch, in interviews, on set, giving speeches and more. RIP.” (Hugh for Alistair). David Lynch’s Cigarette Cinema – Meaghan Garvey – GQ . “Cigarettes are terrible, of course, and it’s always so strange to see people smoking these days. Even stranger to see the cool young scenesters smoking. So much the better (and yet… there is something, still – hopefully just for those of us old enough to remember – so aesthetically pleasing about a well-filmed cigarette scene). David Lynch was a true lover of cigarettes. He loved them so much he died of emphysema. And his movies have some of the great smoking scenes on film.” (Hugh for Mitch). The Bald Manifesto – Eli Coyote Mandel – The New Yorker . “I think I was in my very early twenties when I pulled the tirgger and shaved my head. It was one of those ‘you can’t quit… you’re fired’ moments that I had with my follicles. Up until that point, my hair was rocker-long but fading in all of the classic ‘male pattern baldness’ ways. It was not cool to be bald back then… and I wasn’t cool anyways, so I had nothing to lose. With that, I never understood ‘bald humor’ or any humor around hair. Sure, I can be as vain as the next person, but when it comes to hair? I never got it… like never. I’m not insulted when people make comments about my chrome dome… I mean, if they think they’re being funny or insulting… ok… that’s on them. So, I read this article and thought… hmmmm… is this how people actually think? As I get older, Ibeing bald maybe, makes me look younger? Honestly, I don’t know. So… if you have someone bald in your life, maybe this will make them laugh… or feel like they’re in some kind of ‘club’… I don’t know…” (Mitch for Alistair). 4+ Hours Of Philosophy To Fall Asleep To (Taoism, Stoicism, Existentialism And More) – Success Chasers – YouTube . “A new rabbit-hoe has been unlocked. I’ve been having trouble falling asleep lately. Usually, some good binaural beats or weird jazz (with no lyrics) does the trick. But lately? It hasn’t worked. YouTube to the rescue. Here’s one example from a slew of content creators who have produced these three to six hour long videos… ASMR for the brain. The result? It works! I wish I could also confirm that I’ve become much more learned about philosophy or religion or history or any of the other topics available… but I can’t remember a thing… still… I can convince myself that if I can’t sleep, I might as well learn. I’m also guessing that these YouTubers are raking it in. This video has over two million views… Happy sleeping!” (Mitch for Hugh).

Feel free to share these links and add your picks on X, Facebook, in the comments below or wherever you play.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Amy Tung Barrysmith From Year Of The Cobra On This Month’s Groove – The No Treble Podcast

“Wait… did I miss something? Why is there an article about a bass podcast on Six Pixels of Separation?”

Here’s why:
In the late nineties my first job was as a music journalist (actually, my first interview was with Tommy Lee from Motley Crue right before the band released Dr. Feelgood).
I spent many years interviewing musicians and artists for local weekly alternative newspapers, national and international magazines (and even published three music magazines – before we had the Internet).
I also studied and played the electric bass (in high school and post-secondary) and always felt like bass players never really had a chance to tell their stories.
So, about ten years ago, Seth Godin introduced me to Corey Brown (founder of No Treble – one of the world’s biggest bass platforms – and he also worked on Squidoo with Seth).
From there, Corey and I decided to try this monthly podcast where I would interview bass players and talk about their music, art, creativity and more.
I’m hopeful that these conversations will inspire your work, creativity and innovation as much as they do for me…

Amy Tung Barrysmith is this month’s conversation on Groove – The No Treble Podcast.

You can listen the new episode right here: Groove – The No Treble Podcast – Episode #123 – Amy Tung Barrysmith.

Groove – Episode #123: Amy Tung Barrysmith by No Treble

Amy Tung Barrysmith is a bassist, vocalist, and songwriter best known for her work with the Seattle-based doom duo Year Of The Cobra. Her journey into music began with classical piano, but her transition to bass was fueled by necessity and a love for low-end frequencies. Originally jamming casually with her husband, drummer Jon Barrysmith, the duo quickly developed a signature sound, driven by Amy’s “Rig of Doom,” which allows her to create a full-band experience with just bass and drums. Influenced by bands like Led Zeppelin and The Jackson 5, Amy’s approach to bass is both melodic and powerful, and she has embraced the challenges of being in a two-piece band by crafting a style that is heavy yet deeply personal. Beyond Year Of The Cobra, she has expanded her musical repertoire with projects like Amenra and Slower (which is… Slayer but slower… seriously), demonstrating her versatility and ambition. In this episode, Amy shares insights into her songwriting process, the evolution of Year Of The Cobra’s latest self-titled album, and the balancing act of being a musician, teacher, and family person. She also dives into the technical side of her gear choices, the impact of working with producers like Matt Bayles (Mastadon and Isis), and her experiences touring both in the U.S. and internationally. Whether you’re a musician looking for inspiration, a fan of doom metal, or simply curious about the creative process behind heavy music, this conversation will give you a deeper understanding of Amy’s approach to music, life and the bass. Enjoy the conversation…

What is Groove – The No Treble Podcast?

This is an ambitious effort. This will be a fascinating conversation. Our goal at Groove is to build the largest oral history of bass players. Why Groove? Most of the content about the bass revolves around gear, playing techniques, and more technical chatter. For us, bassists are creative artists with stories to tell. They are a force to be reckon with. These are the stories and conversation that we will capture. To create this oral history of why these artists chose the bass, what their creative lives are like, and where inspiration can be found.

Listen in:  Groove – The No Treble Podcast – Episode #123- Amy Tung Barrysmith.

Are you interested in what’s next? How to decode the future? I publish between 2-3 times per week and then the Six Pixels of Separation Podcast comes out every Sunday. Feel free to subscribe (and tell your friends). 

Skype Dies. YouTube Thrives – A Tale Of Two Brands

Skype is dead.

Not overnight, but gradually… until now.
Microsoft has officially announced that Skype is being phased out in favor of Microsoft Teams, putting an end to a platform that revolutionized digital communication. 
A platform that, at one point, was synonymous with online calls, bridging continents and breaking down the long-distance barrier.

It’s the end of an era.

It’s wild to think that Microsoft spent $8.5 billion in cash to acquire Skype back in 2011. 
At the time, it was their biggest acquisition ever. 
Before that, Skype had already gone through multiple hands – first bought by eBay in 2005 for $2.6 billion, only to be sold off four years later when it became clear the fit wasn’t right. 
Microsoft swooped in, hoping to integrate Skype into its suite of products and leverage its dominance in the communications space.

What happened?

The world didn’t stop needing video calls.  
Communication platforms exploded (Hello, Covid!). 
Zoom became the de facto meeting space. 
Google Meet and Webex secured their footholds. 
Apple continued pushing FaceTime. 
Meta kept WhatsApp and Messenger thriving. 
Meanwhile, did Microsoft bury Skype while building the Office 365 ecosystem? 

Was Team ever as beloved as the Skype brand?

Skype had everything it needed to stay on top: An established user base, global brand recognition, and years of data that could have been used to train superior audio and video AI models. 
It was the app that made long-distance calling obsolete. 
It was the tool that podcasters, including me, relied on to produce better-quality interviews than most phone lines.
And yet, here we are. 

Meanwhile, in the video wars…

YouTube is now watched more on TVs than on phones.
Think about that for a second.
For years, vertical video and mobile-first content seemed like the inevitable future. 
But here we are with YouTube creators optimizing their content for the big screen. 
Sports, long-form podcasts, and episodic content are thriving. 
The best podcasts today? 
They’re practically TV shows. 
Kids’ content is massive. 
MrBeast has basically built a network that outperforms most cable channels.
Kurt Wilms, a senior product director at YouTube, pointed out that viewers are watching over 1 billion hours of YouTube from their TVs. 

That’s a shift that has major implications for creators, brands and the future of digital media.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Mitch Joel · Skype Dies. YouTube Thrives – A Tale Of Two Brands – The Elias Makos Show – CJAD 800

Before you go… ThinkersOne is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Alison Wood Brooks On The Science Of Great Conversations – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #973 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to:

Alison Wood Brooks is one of the leading voices in understanding the science of human conversation, and her latest book, Talk – The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, explores just how complex, delicate, and transformative our daily interactions can be. As a professor at Harvard Business School, Alison has spent years studying the psychology behind dialogue – why some conversations feel effortless while others fall flat, how we navigate social dynamics, and why even the simplest exchanges can shape our relationships and success. In our conversation, we explore the difference between Q&A and true dialogue, the often-overlooked art of reading the room, and the skills that can make or break an interaction. Alison shares insights on the role of AI in companionship, the way egocentrism naturally seeps into our conversations, and why teaching conversational skills is more critical than ever in a digital-first world. We also discuss the post-Covid social shift, the importance of face-to-face interactions, and how conversational missteps – something we all experience – can actually strengthen relationships if handled the right way. Her TALK Maxims (Topics, Asking, Levity, Kindness) offer a simple yet powerful framework for improving everyday communication, whether in personal relationships, business, or even in navigating difficult discussions. If you’ve ever struggled with what to say, when to say it, or how to be a better conversationalist, this episode will help you rethink the way you talk… and listen. Enjoy the conversation…

You can grab the latest episode of Six Pixels of Separation here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose):  #973 – Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond,check it out.

SPOS #973 – Alison Wood Brooks On The Science Of Great Conversations

Welcome to episode #973 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Alison Wood Brooks is one of the leading voices in understanding the science of human conversation, and her latest book, Talk – The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves, explores just how complex, delicate, and transformative our daily interactions can be. As a professor at Harvard Business School, Alison has spent years studying the psychology behind dialogue – why some conversations feel effortless while others fall flat, how we navigate social dynamics, and why even the simplest exchanges can shape our relationships and success. In our conversation, we explore the difference between Q&A and true dialogue, the often-overlooked art of reading the room, and the skills that can make or break an interaction. Alison shares insights on the role of AI in companionship, the way egocentrism naturally seeps into our conversations, and why teaching conversational skills is more critical than ever in a digital-first world. We also discuss the post-Covid social shift, the importance of face-to-face interactions, and how conversational missteps – something we all experience – can actually strengthen relationships if handled the right way. Her TALK Maxims (Topics, Asking, Levity, Kindness) offer a simple yet powerful framework for improving everyday communication, whether in personal relationships, business, or even in navigating difficult discussions. If you’ve ever struggled with what to say, when to say it, or how to be a better conversationalist, this episode will help you rethink the way you talk… and listen. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 1:06:51.Hello from beautiful Montreal.Listen and subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.Listen and subscribe over at Spotify.Please visit and leave comments on the blog – Six Pixels of Separation.Feel free to connect to me directly on Facebook here: Mitch Joel on Facebook.Check out ThinkersOne.or you can connect on LinkedIn.…or on Twitter.Here is my conversation with Alison Wood Brooks.Talk – The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves.Check out her band: The LightsFollow Alison on Instagram.Follow Alison on LinkedIn.This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to Conversation Science.
(02:49) – The Dynamics of Q&A vs. Conversation.
(05:58) – The Art of Eavesdropping and Voyeurism in Conversations.
(08:53) – Emerging Science of Conversation.
(11:59) – AI and Human Conversations.
(15:06) – The Role of AI in Companionship.
(18:01) – Egocentrism in Conversations.
(20:46) – Alpha and Beta Dynamics in Conversations.
(23:51) – Teaching Conversation Skills.
(27:07) – Conversational Toggling in a Digital Age.
(32:00) – The Fleeting Nature of In-Person Connections.
(35:06) – The Impact of AI on Human Interaction.
(38:58) – Navigating Post-Covid Social Dynamics.
(43:03) – The Importance of Reading the Room.
(48:03) – Breaking the Pace in Conversations.
(52:01) – The Value of Topic Preparation.
(57:02) – Foot-in-Mouth Moments and Repair Strategies.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #973.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Six Links That Make You Think #766

Is there one link, story, picture or thought that you saw online this week that you think somebody you know must see?

My friends: Alistair Croll (Just Evil Enough, Solve for Interesting, Tilt the Windmill, Interesting Bits, HBS, chair of Strata, Startupfest, FWD50, and Scaletechconf; author of Lean Analytics and some other books), Hugh McGuire (Rebus Foundation, PressBooks, LibriVox) and I decided that every week the three of us are going to share one link for one another (for a total of six links) that each individual feels the other person “must see.”

Check out these six links that we’re recommending to one another:

Bad News – The Fake News Game. “An interesting take on building kids’ resilience to dis- and mis-information: Play the role of a hacker trying to scam people and sway opinion with impersonation, polarization, discrediting, and more. Can you fool the world, Hugh?” (Alistair for Hugh). How Are Holograms Possible? – 3Blue1Brown – YouTube . “Holograms are cool, right? After this, you’ll probably think they’re magic. It’s as if every ‘pixel’ contains information about every angle of light that might interact with it (the ‘light field’). Let’s say you have a holographic photo the size of a sheet of paper. If you cut out a piece the size of a dime, you can ‘peek through’ it and see the whole thing, as if you’re looking at a keyhole. Yep, every piece of a hologram contains the whole hologram. How is this possible? This video is as simple an explanation as I’ve seen. Science still has some magic left.” (Alistair for Mitch). Gregory Clark On Social Mobility, Migration, And Assortative Mating – Conversations With Tyler . “Gregory Clark is an economist who has dug into 300 years of historical data, analyzing migration patterns, surnames, and surnames. His conclusion: All the social programs in the world don’t result in social mobility. It’s all in your genes. The one big factor in social mobility is: migrating somewhere where there are more opportunities. I’m pretty sure I’ve posted about Clark before, but this is a really great and probing conversation, and poses questions about heredity, outcomes, and whether or not a highly distributive system is better (Clark says: yes).” (Hugh for Alistair). Masterclass Series: Use This Framework To Move Fast And Make High-Quality Decisions – Allen’s Thoughts . “I love Allen Lau, Toronto ex-CEO of Wattpad which sold for hundreds of millions. Here’s his framework for decision-making at Wattpad, a 2×2 grid: Reversible/Irreversible and Consequential/Inconsequential. The idea is that anyone at the company is empowered to make reversible/inconsequential decisions. C-level decision making is for Irreversible and Consequential… however Allen’s magic sauce is asking: ‘Is there any way to make this decision more reversible or less consequential?’ That is, how do we build a culture where people are empowered to make more decisions faster.” (Hugh for Mitch). The AI relationship Revolution Is Already Here – Rhiannon Williams – MIT Technology Review . “The number one use of Generative AI apps is companionship. Have you dabbled in the conversations with your Generative AI tool of choice? I have… and after being skeptical of people who find solace in chatting with the machines, I really do get it. This article is a must-read for anyone who thinks deeply about tech and data (like you do). I’m reminded of a time when many were worried about how much information we feed into search engines and social media… and what/how much data we’re giving those platforms… Now, reframe that thinking for this generation: ‘People are using large language models to seek validation, mediate marital arguments, and help navigate interactions with their community. They’re using it for support in parenting, for self-care, and even to fall in love. In the coming decades, many more humans will join them. And this is only the beginning. What happens next is up to us.’ Who do you tell your deep dark secrets to?” (Mitch for Alistair).  How Shopping Malls Are Being Transformed Into Apartments In The U.S. – CNBC – YouTube . “As someone who is invested and interested in both real estate and retail, I found this to be a really interesting segment about how cities can use space (and how they can’t) as we all adjust to this ever-increasing housing crisis. While this can look like ‘desperate measures for desperate times,’ I felt another story emerging… more places to live while amplifying our ability to both commune and build community. A really interesting take on something so many ‘experts’ have been talking about for years. Why can’t shopping malls be more like community… and that includes homes…” (Mitch for Hugh). 

Feel free to share these links and add your picks on X, Facebook, in the comments below or wherever you play.

Before you go… ThinkersOne  is a new way for organizations to buy bite-sized and personalized thought leadership video content (live and recorded) from the best Thinkers in the world. If you’re looking to add excitement  and big smarts to your meetings, corporate events, company off-sites, “lunch & learns” and beyond, check it out.

Apple To UK – No Backdoors, No Exceptions

Who is, actually, defending your data and privacy?

Let’s set the scene:
The UK government, under the authority of the Investigatory Powers Act, wanted Apple to build a backdoor into iCloud’s Advanced Data Protection (ADP) feature.
Apple, rather than comply, pulled the feature entirely from the UK.
Now, UK users who aren’t already enrolled in ADP are out of luck.
The most secure version of iCloud – where backups, photos, and notes are protected by end-to-end encryption – is gone.

The fight for data…

Governments have long tried to force tech companies to break encryption under the guise of national security.
The UK’s demand wasn’t just about gaining access to user data within its own borders – it was a global request.
A backdoor that could have, in theory, compromised every Apple user, everywhere.

That’s the bigger story here.

If Apple had complied, it would have set a dangerous precedent.
Other governments – China, the U.S., the EU – could have demanded the same access.
Instead, Apple held the line.

Apple’s position has always been clear: no backdoors. No master keys.

Google still offers encrypted Android backups in the UK.
Meta continues to support encrypted WhatsApp messages and backups.
For now, UK users will have to settle for Apple’s standard encryption, which still protects some data like iMessage, FaceTime, and passwords.

But this could be a sign of things to come.

The UK government may push back harder.
They could impose fines.
They could threaten broader action against Apple’s services in the region.

And if other countries follow suit?

Apple may face an even bigger reckoning.
For Apple, pulling ADP is a bold move, but it’s also a way to force the UK’s hand.
If users protest loudly enough, the government might have to rethink its demands.
For Apple, it’s a calculated bet.

For users, it’s another reminder: privacy isn’t just a feature. It’s a battle.

This is what Elias Makos and I discussed on CJAD 800 AM. Listen in right here.

Mitch Joel · Apple To UK – No Backdoors, No Exceptions

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