What I’ve been reading this week ending 13 July 2025
Free-market economics is working surprisingly well
“The boring truth is that the ideal economy is a mixed one; it’s built on the foundation of markets, but also contains a significant amount of redistribution, public goods provision, and industrial policy. The exact optimal balance depends on the country, and on the times; even if you happen to get it exactly right for a while, the optimal mix will change over time as countries develop, as technology changes, as trading patterns shift, and so on.”
Does AI actually boost productivity? The evidence is murky
“The common narrative around AI and productivity is that AI automates mundane tasks, making us faster at doing things and giving us more time for creative pursuits. This, however, is a naive view of how work happens.”
Tech Philosophy and AI Opportunity — Stratechery by Ben Thompson
“Tech is about doing things for you” (agent) vs “Tech is about enabling you to do things” (tool)
How to delegate while maintaining high standards
- Delegating is not binary
- Identify your direct report’s task relevant maturity
- Resist the urge to “hide” behind doing stuff you’re already good at
- Take the time upfront to explain a project thoughtfully
- Avoid owning IC work
At least five interesting things: It Isn’t That Bad edition (#66)
“If people tell you that the American economy is not delivering higher wages over time, they’re just wrong.”
“If we want to fix the fertility crisis, we should probably not try to transform our society into The Handmaid’s Tale.”
“The way to solve mass incarceration is just to reduce crime.”
Two Big Takeaways from Three Lean Transformations — Lean Enterprise Institute
“…without the scaffolding of a management system, lean transformation efforts will stall or even disappear, no matter how successful your efforts on the frontlines.”
“Regularly stepping back, assessing the situation, defining gaps, and making necessary adjustments is essential for the success of your transformation.”
