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November 19, 2023

38/ ocular sunburns and jazz giants

another hodgepodge of shiny bits from the junk drawer of the internet

dall-e prompt “NFTs in a tanning booth in a dance club”
  • Today in “you can’t fix stupid”, a Bored Ape Yacht Club party in Hong Kong gave attendees ocular sunburns (OW!) by using UV lights in the party light show. via uncle Randy.

  • someone built a whole product team with AIs, those AI create a simple game in minutes. via Jared, who has a cool new book out (free!)


Record scratching sound

I was 1 week early on Private Equity taking over my personal zeitgeist - Freakonomics podcast released an episode about PE, featuring two books: Plunder and Two & Twenty. I also see good reviews of another plunder themed book about PE

Also I learned of the DoJ monopoly action against a PE firm that consolidated anesthesiology in Texas thanks to OddLot’s interview with Lina Khan.

I’ve skimmed 2 & 20, and it is 1/2 hagiography case studies of deals the “Masters of Private Equity” have done, and 1/2 skinny latté tell all, where even I can guess who he’s referencing even though ‘names have been changed’. The author is a PE veteran but as he tried to wrap up the book it started to feel like a love letter to an abusive ex.

Accepting suggestions for other books that defend PE or explain its vital importance to the global economy. I know they’re out there, or they will be soon.

Needle drop back into “beelzebub”


  • Bill Bruford is one of the giants of drumming. He’s also become a giant on YouTube, posting numerous concerts and performances from his storied career. Check out this selection from Metafilter as a starting point. I also recommend his autobiography, of which the title is the only boring phrase. It might be the best musician’s autobiography I’ve read. It’s better than both The Dirt and Music is my Mistress.

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