Mitch Joel's Blog: Six Pixels of Separation, page 23

No Scroll Zone – Why Australia Just Ghosted Social Media For Kids

Australia has made history (in a way).

It’s the first country to ban social media for kids under 16.
A sweeping law that’s earned the nickname “the sledgehammer approach.”
Supporters say it’s a necessary step to combat the mental health crisis among young people.
Critics (like me) argue it’s a blunt tool for a nuanced problem.

But here’s the real question:

Does banning social media fix the problem – or does it just push it elsewhere?
Under the new law, platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat must take “reasonable steps” to block users under 16.
Failing to comply could cost them fines of up to $45 million.

It’s a big stick.

But here’s the catch: the legislation doesn’t define “reasonable steps.”
This lack of clarity leaves enforcement as murky as the problem it’s trying to solve.
And with a government review of age-verification technologies not due until 2025, even Australia seems to be figuring it out as it goes.

The case for a ban:

There’s no denying the data.
A recent study found that 40% of teens who use social media struggle with sadness.
Teen girls are particularly vulnerable, twice as likely as boys to experience suicidal thoughts or be bullied online.
For many, social media isn’t just a distraction – it’s a daily source of stress.
The argument is simple: take it away, and you take away the harm.
But is it that simple?

The pushback:

Unintended consequences.
Forbidding kids from something doesn’t mean they’ll stop wanting it.
In fact, it often has the opposite effect.
Banning social media might drive kids to darker corners of the internet where protections are non-existent.

The platforms themselves have pushed back hard (obviously).

Meta and TikTok have called the law rushed and harmful, noting that it ignores advice from mental health and youth advocacy experts.
Then there’s the risk of oversimplifying the issue.

Social media isn’t all bad.

For isolated kids, it’s often a lifeline – a way to connect with like-minded peers, engage in activism, or access vital information.
Take it away, and you risk taking away the good along with the bad.

Is there a better way?

Instead of a ban, we need a more balanced approach.
Matt Hatfield, executive director of Open Media, suggests gradual education on social media use.
“Young people shouldn’t be completely off social media one day and thrown to the wolves the next,” he says.
Others (me raising my hand here!) argue that governments should focus on the root causes of harm: better mental health services, education, and content moderation.
It’s less headline-grabbing than a ban, but potentially far more effective.

Canada is watching closely.

The Online Harms Act, also known as Bill C-63, is already in its second reading.
If passed, it would create a regulatory body to enforce safety requirements across platforms.
It’s a far cry from Australia’s sledgehammer, but it signals a growing global appetite for holding tech companies accountable.

Accountability is a two-way street.

If we focus solely on regulation, do we risk letting governments off the hook for providing real support?

The bigger picture:

Social media has become the battleground for how we protect – and empower – our kids.
But banning it outright feels like using a chainsaw for surgery.
Yes, something (lots!) needs to change.

The question is: Are we willing to do the hard work to get it right?

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

Mitch Joel · No Scroll Zone – Why Australia Just Ghosted Social Media For Kids

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.

Seth Godin On Strategy And More Humane Decisions – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #960 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to:

It’s not every day you get to sit down with someone who has shaped your professional life in such a profound way. I’ve known Seth Godin for nearly two decades. While I wouldn’t say we’re the kind of friends who text each other about weekend plans, there’s a kinship that comes from two people who respect the craft of ideas, the power of language, and the art of making things better for others. Over the years, Seth has been a generous mentor – not in a formal sense, but in the way his words, books, and insights have seeped into the cracks of my thinking, slowly but surely changing how I approach my own work. Seth’s latest book, This Is Strategy – Make Better Plans (Create a Strategy to Elevate Your Career, Community & Life), feels like a culmination of his ethos. If you’ve read his work before, you know his magic lies in making the complicated feel clear, the overwhelming feel doable, and the intimidating feel… well, fun. This book is no different. It’s a map, not just for businesses trying to navigate a tricky economy or professionals angling for that next promotion, but for anyone looking to build something meaningful – whether it’s a company, a community, or a life. And here’s the thing: Seth doesn’t just teach strategy; he lives it. From the outside, it might seem like his career has been one unbroken string of successes – best-selling books, a groundbreaking blog, iconic projects like The Marketing Seminar and altMBA. But what he really teaches us, and what I’ve seen firsthand, is that strategy is about persistence, adaptability, and the willingness to say, “I made this,” even when you’re not sure how it will land. In this conversation, we went deep into not just the mechanics of strategy but the mindset behind it. Seth has this uncanny ability to get you to question your assumptions while making you feel like you’re capable of anything. It’s a rare kind of mentoring, and I think you’ll feel it too when you listen to this episode. So, if you’re someone who’s wrestling with what’s next – whether it’s a project, a career move, or just a better way to spend your days – I hope you’ll carve out some time for this one. Seth has this way of reminding you that strategy isn’t about being clever; it’s about being clear. And clarity? That’s something we could all use more of. 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):  #960 – 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 #960 – Seth Godin On Strategy And More Humane Decisions

Welcome to episode #960 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

It’s not every day you get to sit down with someone who has shaped your professional life in such a profound way. I’ve known Seth Godin for nearly two decades. While I wouldn’t say we’re the kind of friends who text each other about weekend plans, there’s a kinship that comes from two people who respect the craft of ideas, the power of language, and the art of making things better for others. Over the years, Seth has been a generous mentor – not in a formal sense, but in the way his words, books, and insights have seeped into the cracks of my thinking, slowly but surely changing how I approach my own work. Seth’s latest book, This Is Strategy – Make Better Plans (Create a Strategy to Elevate Your Career, Community & Life), feels like a culmination of his ethos. If you’ve read his work before, you know his magic lies in making the complicated feel clear, the overwhelming feel doable, and the intimidating feel… well, fun. This book is no different. It’s a map, not just for businesses trying to navigate a tricky economy or professionals angling for that next promotion, but for anyone looking to build something meaningful – whether it’s a company, a community, or a life. And here’s the thing: Seth doesn’t just teach strategy; he lives it. From the outside, it might seem like his career has been one unbroken string of successes – best-selling books, a groundbreaking blog, iconic projects like The Marketing Seminar and altMBA. But what he really teaches us, and what I’ve seen firsthand, is that strategy is about persistence, adaptability, and the willingness to say, “I made this,” even when you’re not sure how it will land. In this conversation, we went deep into not just the mechanics of strategy but the mindset behind it. Seth has this uncanny ability to get you to question your assumptions while making you feel like you’re capable of anything. It’s a rare kind of mentoring, and I think you’ll feel it too when you listen to this episode. So, if you’re someone who’s wrestling with what’s next – whether it’s a project, a career move, or just a better way to spend your days – I hope you’ll carve out some time for this one. Seth has this way of reminding you that strategy isn’t about being clever; it’s about being clear. And clarity? That’s something we could all use more of. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 1:03:00.Hello from beautiful Montreal.Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.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 Seth Godin.This Is Strategy – Make Better Plans (Create a Strategy to Elevate Your Career, Community & Life).Seth’s Blog.All things Seth.Follow Seth on X.Follow Seth on Instagram.Follow Seth on LinkedIn.This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Chapters:

(00:00) – The Journey of Influence.
(02:59) – Navigating Public Speaking.
(06:09) – The Impact of AI on Culture.
(08:47) – Understanding Intimacy in the Digital Age.
(11:59) – The Essence of Strategy.
(14:50) – The Role of Story in Strategy.
(17:56) – Status and Affiliation in Marketing.
(20:55) – The Philosophy of Strategy.
(23:59) – Empathy and Systems Change.
(27:06) – The Power of Nostalgia.
(29:59) – The Future of Work and Culture.
(33:00) – The Role of News in Our Lives,
(36:11) – Recommendations and Reflections.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #960.

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 #753

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 (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: 

We’ve Hit Peak Denial. Here’s Why We Can’t Turn Away From Reality – Marianne Cooper – Maxim Voronov – Scientific America. “The results from COP 24 are pretty bleak. As are the hot war escalations, spreading pandemics, and social media. Hank Green summarized many of these issues really well recently, echoing some of the things I’ve said at FWD50 (and even a thing I published about how Latin words in English often label someone as part of the ‘elite’.) But what really stuck with me was his final question: We know change is coming, but how do we speedrun it? It took 200 years for the printing press to reform the world, and those were pretty bleak years. When radio hit, we got two world wars. Each time human sensemaking changes, there’s an upheaval in how we organize ourselves. It would be great if we could avoid that somehow – and as this piece suggests, the first step is to stop denying it. But nobody likes bad news, and we got way too comfortable.” (Alistair for Hugh). Murder Party – reddit . “I listened to The Kill List while driving last week. While entertaining, there were so many cheap production tropes and dangling suspense throughout. It reminded me of Bodkin, Will Forte‘s Netflix comic/crime series about True Crime podcasters. I guess this is in the Zeitgeist now, and this comic I saw on Reddit hit me a bit. Since you like graphic novels, I figured you might find this interesting.” (Alistair for Mitch). Brick . “Are you a slave to your phone and those damn apps. First job is to delete social media apps (do it now! You won’t regret it). And next step, maybe, is to order this little device/app called Brick, that lets you set a schedule to turn off various apps, and only get them turned back on if you tap your phone to the device (that you might, say, keep out of your bedroom in the kitchen).” (Hugh for Alistair). The 99 Best Movies of 1999, Ranked – Rolling Stone . “Oh, nostalgia. It was quite a nice experience going through this list of the top 99 movies from 1999, which turns out to have been a banger of a year for movies. Lots you’ll remember/expect (The Matrix, Run Lola Run, Office Space, South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut), and a few surprises (Last Night, The Limey, Election). This list is quite incredible. I cannot believe how many amazing films came out in this one year.” (Hugh for Mitch). Why Human Brains Were Bigger 3,000 Years Ago – Chris Baraniuk – BBC . “Spoiler alert: Just because your brain is smaller doesn’t make you less smart. Still, when you read this article, what should strike you is the timeline of civilization. Right now, it seems like our world is on fire (for a myriad of reasons)… but reading this article makes you realize that this is all a blink in the main timeline. Science is amazing and we keep learning more and more about our past and how our brains really work. Such a fascinating area of discovery (and, if this is interesting to you, look for some of the many books on the mind like, The Consciousness Instinct – Unraveling the Mystery of How the Brain Makes the Mind by Michael Gazzaniga). Also, it turns out, that size is just one piece of the puzzle… and maybe that’s something to think about beyond just the size of brains.” (Mitch for Alistair). How Podcasting Became The New TV – John Herrman – New York Magazine . “I’ve been having some (semi) serious conversations about the state of podcasting with some of my peers. Most of it stems from this one main thought that I can’t seem to shake: Podcasts are now TV shows. This may seems obvious to some, but my show (Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast) is now over 18 years old. Over 950 episodes. 52 new episodes every year. And it’s audio-first/audio-only. Just posting the video of it on YouTube doesn’t seem to do much. And if I look at my podcast habits, I tend to prefer ‘watching’ podcasts on YouTube. The ones that I prefer to watch look more like a TV show than a video recording of a conversation. They have sets, quality gear, proper editing and production. So, do I need to change it up? Has the landscape shifted away from audio… even seeing clips on TikTok and Instagram add huge value to other shows. This article is validating these conversations that I am having. This should also validate the power of new media, if you’re still licking your wounds over the past US election cycle…” (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.

Breaking Up (Google) Is Hard To Do

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is pushing for a historic shake-up of Google’s dominance in the tech world.

We saw this with Microsoft back in 2001, and now it’s Google’s turn.
One remedy? Forcing Google to sell Chrome, the world’s most popular browser.

Other options?

Sell off the Android mobile operating and not allow Google to make search deals like the one with Apple (where Google is the default search in Safari, etc.).
This isn’t just a fight over internet dominance.
It’s a battle over the future of competition, innovation, and consumer choice.

But here’s the big question:

Does breaking up Google solve the problem, or does it just scatter the monopoly across multiple players?

Here’s what we know…

Chrome isn’t just a browser – it’s a gateway to the Internet and Google’s empire.
With a 60%+ global market share, Chrome feeds directly into Google Search, which commands 90% of the entire search engine market.
It’s not just default settings… it’s “extremely valuable real estate,” as Judge Amit Mehta described.
The DOJ says this ecosystem is anti-competitive.
Google argues it’s just good business.

Let’s play devil’s advocate.

Breaking up Google might not create competition.
Instead, it could create multiple monopolies.
Selling off Chrome or Android doesn’t guarantee innovation.
It might just shuffle the pieces.
Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO, put it bluntly (and correctly): “breaking up integrated systems doesn’t always mean better consumer experiences.”

In fact, customers often want integration.

So, if Chrome, Search, and Android are split, does that mean different logins?
Higher costs?
More fragmentation?

The AI Elephant in the Room

Meanwhile, the real battle of the day isn’t browsers – it’s AI.
Microsoft, Google, Apple, Amazon, OpenAI, Anthropic and more are fighting tooth and nail to dominate this space.
Even Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai, admits AI is where the future is headed.
The DOJ’s proposal to add guardrails around Google’s AI and data usage might sound like a step forward.
But is it addressing today’s problems with yesterday’s tools (and potentially limiting their ability to compete fairly in AI)?

What Do Users Actually Want?

Here’s where it gets tricky.
Users don’t care who owns what (I don’t think).
They care about seamless experiences, reliable products, and, let’s face it, convenience.
Do they love Chrome? Probably.
Do they love that Google Search just works? Definitely.
Would they abandon it if a better product came along? Maybe.

But here’s the rub:

Despite competitors like DuckDuckGo and even OpenAI entering the search game, users aren’t flocking to alternatives (yet).

What’s the Endgame?

The DOJ wants to “restore competition.”
But breaking up Google raises more questions than answers.
Will it foster innovation, or just make tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, Amazon stronger?
Will it create a fairer market, or just disrupt an ecosystem users already rely on?

And perhaps most critically:

If we break-up Google, what exactly are we building in its place?
For now, the DOJ’s proposals are a step toward reining in Big Tech.

But history shows us that these battles are long, messy, and rarely end the way regulators hope.

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

Mitch Joel · Breaking Up (Google) Is Hard To Do – 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.

Rebecca Homkes On Growth Strategies In Volatile Times – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #959 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to:

Dr. Rebecca Homkes is a high-growth strategy specialist who has dedicated her career to helping CEOs and executive teams navigate growth and uncertainty. As the founder of her own boutique consultancy firm, she advises some of the world’s leading organizations on how to thrive in challenging economic landscapes. Rebecca is a Lecturer at the London Business School‘s Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, faculty at Duke Corporate Executive Education, and an advisor and faculty member at Boston Consulting Group University. Her rich academic background includes directing the joint McKinsey & Co and LSE Centre for Economic Performance Global Management Project, and her writings have been featured in publications like the Harvard Business Review, Businessweek, Fortune, and Forbes. In this conversation, Rebecca delves into the intricacies of formulating effective growth strategies amidst economic uncertainty. She emphasizes that true entrepreneurs can find growth opportunities in any market situation. While organizations often excel at short-term and long-term planning, Rebecca points out that many struggle with midterm strategies – a critical gap that needs addressing. She introduces her framework, Survive, Reset, Thrive (also the name of her recently published book), which serves as a roadmap for organizations to navigate uncertainty and build a sustainable right to win. Rebecca highlights the importance of internal predictability, suggesting that organizations with stable internal processes are better equipped to adapt swiftly to external changes. She also discusses how speed, when aligned with clear direction, can serve as a competitive advantage in today’s fast-paced business environment. We debate the future of work, where Rebecca anticipates a potential renaissance in trades as industries evolve. She underscores the necessity of continuous learning and capability-building, urging organizations to invest in their people’s development alongside their strategic initiatives. Rebecca’s insights offer valuable guidance for leaders seeking to navigate growth amid uncertainty and provides thoughtful approaches to thriving in today’s complex business landscape. 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):  #959 – 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 #959 – Rebecca Homkes On Growth Strategies In Volatile Times

Welcome to episode #959 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Dr. Rebecca Homkes is a high-growth strategy specialist who has dedicated her career to helping CEOs and executive teams navigate growth and uncertainty. As the founder of her own boutique consultancy firm, she advises some of the world’s leading organizations on how to thrive in challenging economic landscapes. Rebecca is a Lecturer at the London Business School‘s Department of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, faculty at Duke Corporate Executive Education, and an advisor and faculty member at Boston Consulting Group University. Her rich academic background includes directing the joint McKinsey & Co and LSE Centre for Economic Performance Global Management Project, and her writings have been featured in publications like the Harvard Business Review, Businessweek, Fortune, and Forbes. In this conversation, Rebecca delves into the intricacies of formulating effective growth strategies amidst economic uncertainty. She emphasizes that true entrepreneurs can find growth opportunities in any market situation. While organizations often excel at short-term and long-term planning, Rebecca points out that many struggle with midterm strategies – a critical gap that needs addressing. She introduces her framework, Survive, Reset, Thrive (also the name of her recently published book), which serves as a roadmap for organizations to navigate uncertainty and build a sustainable right to win. Rebecca highlights the importance of internal predictability, suggesting that organizations with stable internal processes are better equipped to adapt swiftly to external changes. She also discusses how speed, when aligned with clear direction, can serve as a competitive advantage in today’s fast-paced business environment. We debate the future of work, where Rebecca anticipates a potential renaissance in trades as industries evolve. She underscores the necessity of continuous learning and capability-building, urging organizations to invest in their people’s development alongside their strategic initiatives. Rebecca’s insights offer valuable guidance for leaders seeking to navigate growth amid uncertainty and provides thoughtful approaches to thriving in today’s complex business landscape. Enjoy the conversation…

Running time: 1:06:47.Hello from beautiful Montreal.Subscribe over at Apple Podcasts.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 Dr. Rebecca Homkes.Survive, Reset, Thrive.Follow Rebecca on X.Follow Rebecca on LinkedIn.This week’s music: David Usher ‘St. Lawrence River’.

Chapters:

(00:00) – Introduction to Growth Strategies.
(03:00) – Navigating Economic Uncertainty.
(06:01) – The Role of CEO Tenure in Strategy.
(09:01) – Midterm Growth Strategies.
(12:02) – Understanding the Right to Win.
(14:51) – Building Loyalty Lock-In.
(18:06) – Survive, Reset, Thrive Framework.
(21:01) – The Impact of AI on Business.
(23:58) – The Challenge of Acting to Shape.
(27:07) – The Future of Work and Skills.
(29:50) – The Importance of Internal Predictability.
(33:06) – Speed vs. Direction in Strategy.
(36:13) – Personal Reflections and Lessons Learned.

Download the Podcast here: Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast – Episode #959.

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 #752

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 (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:

Then Comes Next – Exurb1a – YouTube. “This profoundly affected me. It is not what you think it is, and you should listen to it all the way through, with your eyes closed and nobody around to interrupt you. It may be one of the most beautiful things I have heard in the last decade, in part because I can hear myself saying it.” (Alistair for Hugh). Paralyzed Man Unable To Walk After Maker Of His Powered Exoskeleton Tells Him It’s Now Obsolete – Frank Landymore – Neoscope . “File under ‘Black Mirror Is A Documentary’. We need new laws now that technology isn’t just an external tool, but a part of our lives and, indeed, biology. Cory Doctorow talks about platform enshittification – but what about when that platform is a part of your body?” (Alistair for Mitch). Ivan Krastev On The New Global Order – The Good Fight – Yascha Mounk . “This discussion with political scientist, Ivan Krastev, is the most cogent and important analysis I have read/heard of the profound restructuring of the world that we are living through.The rise of China, decline of Europe, the shifting of political norms, and the challenge to democracy going forward. The conversation and ideas in this podcast are sweeping and fundamental. He makes the case that those who wish for democracy as it was to remain as it was are doomed. Here’s a choice quote: ‘The future is not perceived as an opportunity anymore, but as a threat. So the clash between left and right is the clash between two extinction rebellions.’ Crikey. Krastev’s last book came out in 2020, and I eagerly await the next one to help me better understand wtf is going on.” (Hugh for Alistair). The Munger Operating System: How To Live A Life That Really Works – Farnam Street . “When the existential gets a bit much, it’s always good to search out some practical wisdom. Charlie Munger, Warren Buffet’s partner at Berkshire Hathaway died this year at age 99. For decades he’s been a source of no-nonsense advice, much of which I wish I was better at taking.” (Hugh for Mitch). Three Ways to Become A Deeper Thinker – Arthur C. Brooks – The Atlantic . “I’m going to write something now, and I don’t want anyone to perceive this as political commentary, but rather a thought about thinking. Prior to the results of the last US presidential election cycle, the Republican Party claimed that if they had lost, it was rigged. Now, after a sweeping victory, there is no mention of any type of fraud or issues in the electoral system. Is that strange? We have a group saying something is completely rigged, unless they win. Then, if they do win, everything is perfect. My point isn’t to criticize politics. My point is to think more about how we think. It’s one thing to become a deep thinker, which is something I grapple with daily. I spend so much time studying… but I’m not sure I understand that the blurriness of the lines between studying and working. Also, I don’t think you need to move to a mountain top, eat vegetables and not speak for six months to contemplate difficult things. This article is a great way to start. I want people to think more… I want people to think differently… I want people to think critically… but, maybe more importantly, I really just want people to stop and learn how to think in a way that delivers clear answers.” (Mitch for Alistair). The Man Who Invented More Than 800 Iconic Toys – Eddy’s World – The New Yorker . “Every once in a while, the feed feeds me something fantastic. So, I don’t know who to thank at YouTube for bringing this into my life, but thank you. Every couple of years (or so) I find myself going down a rabbit hole of short documentaries. Most of them produced by publications that I follow, like or I’m simply interested in. This is a fantastic one. This is less about the work and more about how we live a good and quality life. Eddy lived an incredible life… Doing things that most people could never dream of… And still keeping it very simple. There are countless life lessons in this beautiful little documentary about a life well lived…” (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.

Is Bluesky The Social Media We Actually Need?

The latest darling of the social media world isn’t X or Threads – it’s Bluesky… or is it?

Bluesky is the new Twitter-clone that Jack Dorsey, former Twitter CEO, quietly birthed as a decentralized, user-first alternative some time back.
Now, it’s riding a wave of disillusionment with X (formerly Twitter), boasting over 20 million users (thanks, Trump?!).
But before we all throw up our hands and proclaim it the next big thing, let’s think on this:

Is this what we’ve been waiting for?

Bluesky feels like Old Twitter, but it’s smarter – or at least that’s the pitch.
The app offers a chronological feed (no algorithms dictating what you see) and lets users choose moderation tools and algorithms that fit their vibe.
You can even join niche servers that cater to your specific interests.
So… Twitter 2.0… with customization knobs?

So are we solving problems, or just moving furniture around the same room?

It could be a post-US election exodus from X?
Since the election, over 115,000 users have deactivated their accounts, frustrated by Elon Musk’s tweaks to promote his own pro-Trump posts and the results.
Social media was supposed to connect us, but instead, it feels like we’re all running to our corners, shouting into echo chambers.
Does Bluesky solve that (does it want to)?… Or are we just splintering further, with each platform leaning into its own ideological tilt?

Here’s my argument: People crave connection, not fragmentation.

Bluesky needs to grow its user base fast – its 20 million users pale in comparison to X’s once – mighty 229 million daily active users.
And Threads, the Meta-backed alternative, still dominates with over 175 million monthly active users.

Bluesky also faces a trust issue.

It’s hard to be “the future of social media” when you’re run by the same guy who helped build the platform that many saw as a problem for democracy long before this last election cycle (or did we already forget about that?).
And while its decentralized model sounds great, how will it handle bad actors testing the boundaries of “choose-your-own” moderation?

We’ve been here before.

For all its flaws, Bluesky has a chance to rewrite the rules.
By emphasizing real-time news and chronological feeds, it offers what X used to: An immediate pulse on the world.
The question is whether it can scale without becoming the very thing it’s trying to replace.
Can it stay true to its promise of user control?
Will it remain a space for honest debate, or will it devolve into another ideological silo?

The big blue picture.

Bluesky might not be the perfect answer, but it’s asking the right questions.
What do we really want from social media?
Do we need more connection, or better curation?
And, perhaps most importantly:
Is this the start of something truly new, or just another iteration of the same old story?

Whether it becomes a beacon – or fizzles out – depends on whether we’re ready for real change… with real voices… from real people… with real opinions.

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

Mitch Joel · Is Bluesky The Social Media We Actually Need? – 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.

Greg Epstein On How Technology Became Religion – This Week’s Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Episode #958 of Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast is now live and ready for you to listen to:

Greg Epstein is not your average chaplain. As the Humanist Chaplain at both Harvard University and MIT, Greg bridges the gap between spirituality and secular life, offering a unique perspective that resonates deeply in today’s rapidly evolving world. With a rich background that spans philosophy, ethics, and humanism, Greg has become a beacon for those seeking meaning beyond traditional religious frameworks. In this conversation, Greg dives into his new book, Tech Agnostic – How Technology Became The World’s Most Powerful Religion, And Why It Desperately Needs A Reformation (his first book is: Good Without God – What A Billion Nonreligious People Do Believe). Picture this: technology has ascended to the status of a global deity, worshipped and unquestioned. Greg challenges this reverence, urging us to adopt a stance of skepticism and agnosticism towards our digital overlords. He doesn’t advocate for abandoning technology but rather for a thoughtful and ethical approach to its integration into our lives. Greg draws on his extensive experience advising corporations, government agencies, and non-profits to highlight the ethical dilemmas posed by unchecked technological advancement. He likens the current tech-driven era to a modern-day religious movement, complete with its own set of beliefs, rituals, and moral codes. However, unlike traditional religions that offer community and purpose, technology often isolates us, fostering a superficial connection that lacks depth and genuine human interaction. Throughout our conversation, Greg emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and ethical accountability in shaping the future of technology. He challenges leaders and innovators to ask the tough questions: Who benefits from this technology? What are the unintended consequences? How can we ensure that advancements serve the greater good rather than narrow interests? Tech Agnostic is more than just a critique of our tech-obsessed society; it’s a call to action for a reimagined relationship with technology – one that prioritizes human values, ethical integrity, and meaningful connections. Greg’s insights are both timely and timeless, offering a roadmap for navigating the complexities of our digital age with wisdom and compassion. If you’re grappling with the pervasive influence of technology in your personal or professional life, Greg’s perspectives offer a refreshing and necessary counterbalance. His work serves as a reminder that amidst the rapid advancements and digital transformations, our humanity remains our most valuable asset. 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):  #958 – 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.