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AcquiredJanuary 11, 2017
Episode 29: Special—2016 Review and 2017 Predictions
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Ben & David wrap up 2016 with a review of the top tech themes we discussed on the show this year, and look forward to which themes we think will be relevant in the coming year. Can our hosts predict the future? Tune-in in 2018 to find out! Note: we apologize for the less-than-amazing audio quality on this one. We’re still working on tuning our remote recording setup!
11 book mentions in this episode.
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Books Mentioned
Aggregation Theory
Ben Thompson
“Discussed in six different episodes, aggregation theory talks about building superior user experiences as the winning strategy in an infinitely accessible zero cost distribution world.”
Sentiment: Deep Dive
Trigger: aggregation theory discussion
For: Entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts
Key quote: “once you see it, you can't unsee it.”
The hosts highlight the significance of 'Aggregation Theory' by Ben Thompson as a recurring theme throughout their episodes. They emphasize how this theory provides insights into building superior user experiences in a digital marketplace, influencing their analysis of various companies.
ASIN: 1683727738
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“Mentioned in the context of how important the telephone was to the Obama administration and its role in communication with world leaders.”
Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: importance of communication technology
For: listeners interested in technology and communication
Key quote: “he was talking about actually, I think it was I think this quote was from one of his aides, but talking about how important the telephone was to.”
The host mentions 'Reflections of Obama on His Presidency' to highlight the significance of the telephone in facilitating communication among world leaders during Obama's administration. This reference serves to illustrate how certain technologies maintain their relevance despite the emergence of new innovations.
ASIN: 1635760585
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“Amazon was just books until long after the IPO, highlighting its initial focus on a specific market before expanding.”
Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: network effects in business
For: Entrepreneurs and business strategists
Key quote: “whereas you buying stuff from Amazon only indirectly makes Amazon more valuable to me.”
The host briefly mentions Amazon in the context of discussing network effects and how they impact business scalability. This reference highlights the indirect value that Amazon provides to its users compared to other platforms with stronger direct network effects.
ASIN: B0DFMZMKFJ
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“The speaker mentions they have not yet started reading 'The Undoing Project' but it's on their list.”
Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: human motives and economics
For: Individuals interested in economics and human behavior
Key quote: “I have not yet started reading The Undoing Project. But it's on my list.”
The host mentions 'The Undoing Project' in the context of discussing flawed assumptions in classical economics. They highlight the importance of understanding human behavior beyond just economic motivations, suggesting that the book is relevant to this discussion.
ASIN: B01KBM82M4
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“Mentioned as a top-selling book in 2013, discussing the importance of removing physical things from one's life.”
Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: importance of decluttering
For: Individuals interested in personal organization and minimalism
Key quote: “Mentioned as a top-selling book in 2013, discussing the importance of removing physical things from one's life.”
The host briefly mentions 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up' as a notable bestseller from 2013. This reference highlights the growing awareness of the significance of decluttering in one's life.
ASIN: B017WSRCGC
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“Recommended as a book to read every year, focusing on clarity and purpose in writing.”
Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: importance of writing
For: Anyone looking to improve their writing skills
Key quote: “Very few things that we can invest in that'll do more for our our communication than than learning to be a better writer.”
The host mentions 'On Writing Well' as a book they are rereading to improve their writing skills. They emphasize its focus on clarity and simplicity in writing, which they believe is essential for effective communication.
ASIN: 0062735233
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The Elements of Style
E.B. White
“Mentioned as a spiritual supplement to 'On Writing Well', emphasizing the importance of writing in plain English.”
Sentiment: Passing Reference
Trigger: importance of plain English
For: writers and students of writing
Key quote: “Mentioned as a spiritual supplement to 'On Writing Well', emphasizing the importance of writing in plain English.”
The host mentioned 'The Elements of Style' as a complementary resource to 'On Writing Well'. This highlights the significance of clear and straightforward writing.
ASIN: B0016J0EIM
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The Creative Habit
Twyla Tharp
“Described as a book with great advice on thinking creatively and structuring life for various types of work.”
Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: creative thinking and structure
For: entrepreneurs, executives, and artists
Key quote: “It's a really creative work itself, but a lot of great advice for how to think creatively and structure your life.”
The host mentions 'The Creative Habit' by Twyla Tharp as a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their creative thinking and life organization. They emphasize its relevance for a wide range of individuals, from entrepreneurs to artists.
ASIN: B07W899ZRL
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Robot Series
Isaac Asimov
“Mentioned as part of the series read by the speaker, relevant to themes of innovation and robotics.”
Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: Isaac Asimov's Robot Series
For: Readers interested in science fiction and technology
Key quote: “Really fun. And also a great a great read as we head into this world, as we've been talking about on this episode of artificial intelligence and robotics potentially coming along with that.”
The host mentioned the Robot Series as part of their exploration of Isaac Asimov's works, which they recently completed. They highlighted the series' relevance to contemporary discussions about artificial intelligence and robotics.
ASIN: 9124282871
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Empire Series
Isaac Asimov
“Mentioned as part of the series read by the speaker, relevant to themes of innovation and robotics.”
Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: Isaac Asimov's works
For: Readers interested in science fiction and themes of artificial intelligence.
Key quote: “I finally read the entire Isaac Asimov canon.”
The host mentioned the Empire Series as part of their exploration of Isaac Asimov's entire canon, which they recently completed. They highlighted the relevance of Asimov's themes to contemporary discussions about artificial intelligence and robotics.
ASIN: B0BFBV1TQ7
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Foundation
Isaac Asimov
“Part of the series read by the speaker, discussing its relevance to artificial intelligence and robotics.”
Sentiment: Highly Recommended
Trigger: Isaac Asimov's works
For: Readers interested in science fiction and technology
Key quote: “I finally read the entire Isaac Asimov canon.”
The host mentioned Isaac Asimov's 'Foundation' series as part of their exploration of fiction that ties into themes of artificial intelligence and robotics. They emphasized the influence of Asimov's work on innovators and inventors, suggesting its relevance in today's technological landscape.
ASIN: B09KZ8SNS6
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