Quick Essays and Other Ideas...

Chamath Palihapitiya
Jan 25, 2023
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Learn With Me

Chamath Palihapitiya
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Nov 2
Learn With Me

I’m often asked how I quickly synthesize information and form opinions. The value, to me, of doing this can be summarized as follows: Be more informed about technology, markets and the economy Improve my situational awareness about trends and competitors

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A Short History of OpenAI

Chamath Palihapitiya
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Nov 20
A Short History of OpenAI

On Friday, OpenAI ousted its co-founder Sam Altman as CEO. While OpenAI cites a lack of consistent candor in Altman’s dealings with the board as the key reason for his removal, there is widespread speculation about other motives behind his termination. These range from disputes concerning the profit vs nonprofit motives of the company to the discovery o…

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The Federal Reserve and Critical Moments in U.S. Monetary Policy

Chamath Palihapitiya
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Nov 15
The Federal Reserve and Critical Moments in U.S. Monetary Policy

In 2021, the U.S. missed a once-in-a-generation opportunity to refinance its national debt at near zero-rates. With soaring interest rates and a looming debt storm approaching, the actions of the Treasury and Federal Reserve have never been more important. We decided to look back at the history of monetary policy from the establishment of the Federal Re…

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The Case for Big Action to Regulate Artificial Intelligence

Chamath Palihapitiya
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May 9
The Case for Big Action to Regulate Artificial Intelligence

This essay originally appeared on The Information. In technology circles, people balk at the mere mention of government regulation. The naysayers argue it interferes with innovation and is a bad byproduct of big government. But history tells a different story. Transparent, accountable and expert oversight—even when implemented late or ineffectively at fir…

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2022 Annual Letter

Chamath Palihapitiya
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Apr 4
2022 Annual Letter

Social Capital Performance Summary To the supporters and friends of Social Capital: This is the fifth of our annual letters in which we discuss our observations and reflections of the year passed, how they’ve shaped our investment views, and other ideas on technology, markets, and our mission to build the future.

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Advice to Startup Founders and Employees: Strength Doesn’t Always Come in Numbers

Chamath Palihapitiya
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Mar 24
Advice to Startup Founders and Employees: Strength Doesn’t Always Come in Numbers

The narrative fallacy in Silicon Valley, and venture capital broadly, is that venture investing is an artisanal business, made up of good “pickers” that have a nose for special founders, and at times, are known for putting intangibles above prudent risk management.

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Higher Rates Will Lead to the Next Generation of Great Tech Startups

Chamath Palihapitiya
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Jan 26
Higher Rates Will Lead to the Next Generation of Great Tech Startups

More than 13 years of zero-interest-rate policy in the U.S. has now come to an end. With sticky inflation, climbing interest rates, a focus on near-term cash flow, and potentially a looming recession on the horizon, the outlook for many technology companies appears bleak. In response, the risk appetites of U.S. VC funds have shrunk dramatically, with ca…

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