The Villagers Are Slowly Figuring Out Who The Werewolves Are

As it turns out, Narrative Control is all the power needed to dominate entire empires.

Author

Moshe Modeira
October 20, 2024

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Hey Friends: The Power of Perception

I promised to limit my political analysis as this incredibly noxious U.S. presidential election season draws nearer to close, but the machinations of this past week compel me to make comment.

This week has been a whirlwind of campaign rallies, television interviews and podcast appearances for both candidates, highlighting the high-stakes game of public perception being played out with less than three weeks until the election.

The stark divide in public perception of both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has never been more evident. The last few days have only served to underscore this.

Let's start with Kamala’s interview on Fox News. Talk to your liberal and conservative friends — you have both, right? 😜 

Take a look across X, LinkedIn and the social media sphere right now, and honestly gauge the public sentiment about the interview.

Pretty evenly divided. Opinions about her performance are sharply divided along partisan lines.

My conservative friends saw a disaster, while my liberal friends lauded her as the second coming of Obama.

My thought was let’s not get carried away. But yes, in my opinion, there is no question that the Fox interview was a triumph for Kamala.

Her fiery, combative sit-down with Bret Baier was a certified “W” during a campaign that has had its fair share of blunders, stumbles and tone-deaf moments. To be honest, it was the most presidential that she has looked this entire election season. This was her best moment. Kamala crystallized even further into becoming the ultimate boogey-woman for American conservatives, the counter-avatar to everything that Donald Trump represents. 

I've not held back in my critical analysis this election. Democrats or Republicans — whoever shows themselves to be morally bereft, dishonest, corrupt and vainglorious will be called out. I strive to remain dogma-free, ballasting always towards first principles thinking and objective truth. My balanced worldview allows me to call things as I see them, honestly and in good faith, unshackled by partisan constraints.

I'm aware that praising Kamala Harris will draw criticism in some circles, but I have the receipts that show that I have been fairly critical of Kamala’s campaign, and far more conciliatory towards Donald Trump’s. I clearly have shown that I don’t blindly harbour bias, or hold any opinion for the sake of it.

My only obligation is to the truth.

The political landscape shifted dramatically again in the days following the Fox interview.

Donald Trump's appearance at the Al Smith Dinner quickly provided a sharp contrast to Harris's interview the night before. His bombastic performance was an absolute masterclass of holding your head high and projecting strength in a hostile environment.

Trump delivered a half-hour comedy roast of all things Democratic Party, showcasing his trademark ability to connect with audiences through humor and showmanship. In contrast, Kamala opting to send in a pre-recorded video with a lame skit featuring an SNL character who was famous 30 years ago? A missed opportunity for public engagement, dulling any momentum she had gathered from her performance on Fox.

Kamala continues to struggle with appearing as authentic, accessible, or even as truthful as Donald Trump — particularly ironic given that Trump himself is frequently accused of being a liar. Trump's ability to project an image of authenticity and directness, despite his well-documented history of misleading statements, is a testament to his mastery of political optics.

For founders and entrepreneurs, this week’s political machinations offer valuable lessons in brand management and leadership. Lessons about situational adaptability, the integrity of showing up, and using charisma and humour to connect with audiences.

As we observe the maneuvers of these two U.S. presidential candidates, we might ask ourselves: How can we balance authenticity with effective communication?

How do we maintain consistency in our message while adapting to different audiences and formats?

In both politics and business, the ability to positively shape perception while maintaining authenticity is a delicate balance. Those who master this art will always hold a significant advantage — especially when it comes to hostile, high-pressure situations

Stay tuned, and as always, stay curious.

Moshe Modeira

Editor-In-Chief

Commerce & Capital

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Market Alpha: AI Dominance, Big Tech Shifts, and Regulatory Challenges

OpenAI and Microsoft's Evolving Relationship

Google's AI-Driven Reorganization and Product Updates

Meta's Ongoing Restructuring and New Features

🔑 Key Insight: The AI arms race among tech giants is intensifying, with strategic reorganizations and evolving partnerships. Investors should watch for companies that can effectively leverage AI while navigating complex corporate relationships.

AI Model Advancements

AI Infrastructure and Chip Market Dynamics

🔑 Key Insight: The AI boom continues to drive significant investments in both AI models and underlying infrastructure. Look for companies developing cutting-edge AI technologies and those providing necessary hardware components.

Tech Regulation and Legal Issues

  • The EU warns X that it may calculate fines against X by including Elon Musk's other companies' revenue; the DSA can fine 6% of global annual revenue.

  • The US FTC adopts its final "click-to-cancel" rule requiring businesses to make canceling a subscription as easy as signing up.

  • Netherlands unveils new rules requiring an export permit to sell quantum computers, quantum measurement equipment, and chipmaking tech outside the EU.

Crypto and Cybersecurity Concerns

🔑 Key Insight: Regulatory pressures on both traditional tech companies and emerging technologies are intensifying. Prioritize companies with robust compliance frameworks and the agility to adapt to evolving legal requirements across jurisdictions.

Geopolitical Tensions and Tech

Emerging Markets and Tech Adoption

🔑 Key Insight: Geopolitical tensions continue to reshape the global tech landscape. Companies able to navigate this complex environment while maintaining strong cybersecurity practices and addressing emerging market challenges will see significant advantages.

AI and Cloud Funding Trends

Emerging Technologies and Industry Shifts

🔑 Key Insight: AI and cloud technologies continue to attract significant funding, while emerging technologies like robotics and streaming services are seeing notable advancements and market shifts.

Alpha Recap and Forecast

  • Expect increased volatility in AI-related stocks as competition intensifies and strategic partnerships evolve, particularly in the OpenAI-Microsoft relationship.

  • The chip market shows mixed signals, with strong performance from TSMC but potential slowdown indicated by ASML's weak bookings. Watch for companies that can navigate these fluctuations.

  • Regulatory pressures are likely to increase across multiple tech sectors, creating both risks and opportunities for compliant firms.

  • Emerging markets present both challenges and opportunities, as exemplified by Byju's struggles and the potential for AI in African economies.

  • The streaming wars continue to evolve, with Netflix's strong performance in ad-supported tiers potentially signaling a shift in the industry.

Investors should consider building a balanced portfolio that includes:

  1. Established tech giants adapting to the AI era and forming strategic partnerships

  2. Emerging AI infrastructure providers and chip manufacturers

  3. Companies with strong regulatory compliance and cybersecurity practices

  4. Firms successfully navigating geopolitical tensions and expanding into emerging markets

  5. Innovative startups in high-growth areas like robotics, streaming, and AI-driven services

Commerce & Capital: Werewolf or Villager?

Ending Society’s Craven Corruption & Moral Decay

A seismic shift in consciousness is currently occurring.

The curtains that once obscured the machinations of power are being violently torn away — revealing a reality that many have suspected, but could never fully articulate.

Recall the classic social experiment of Werewolves vs. Villagers, where a few powerful "werewolves" hide among the masses.

It’s a perfect allegory for our current world that is waking up to the realization that the game has been fantastically rigged for a select few, for a long, long time.

However, as we hurtle deeper into this awakening, we are finding that the lines between who villagers and werewolves are is not as clear-cut as most believe.

It's crucial to approach this topic with nuance and careful consideration, especially in our current climate of economic desperation where class warfare narratives can easily take hold. So often this thought exercise turns into a reductive comparison of net worths, and the classic eat the rich paradigm quickly comes into view.

The usual framing of Rich vs. Poor merely scratches the surface of a much more intricate power structure. While it's true that wealth often correlates with power, the reality is far more nuanced. Many wealthy families and individuals genuinely strive to be ethical actors within the system they've inherited. They donate to charities, invest in companies, fund research projects and generally work to improve their communities. Questioning systemic aberrations that tend to benefit the wealthy should not equate to questioning the overall merits of achievement, entrepreneurship and ethical wealth creation. The ability to critically examine our economic systems, while continuing to champion innovation and ethical business, is crucial for social progress. A nuanced perspective allows us to address systemic problems without falling into obtuse, simplistic thinking.

Beneath society’s visible layer of wealth and influence lies an insidious network of power. Secret societies, shadow organizations, criminal enterprise and backroom corruption shape the world in ways that even many of the wealthy are largely unaware of. This hidden ecosystem of power transcends mere financial status, operating on currencies of access, influence, psychological and physical threat and emotional duress.

The Epstein case, and the unfolding P. Diddy scandal serve as stark reminders of this hidden world. These incidents have pulled back the curtain on a realm where the ultra-wealthy, Hollywood celebrities, political powerbrokers and corporate titans intermingle in ways that sometimes defy accepted morality. The aspect of sexual misconduct with underage minors adds yet another disturbing layer, forcing society to confront the ugly reality that large swaths of celebrities, leaders and influencers we idolized for most of our lives are complicit in moral failures of historic, epic proportion.

These revelations do more than just shock; they erode the very foundation of public trust. They indict not just individuals, but entire institutions:

  • Hollywood, once celebrated as a dream factory, now reveals itself as a labyrinth of moral decay. Behind the dazzling façade, a darker reality persists where fame and fortune often demand silence in the face of sexual transgression. The entertainment ecosystem frequently rewards those who prioritize image and profit over integrity, allowing a culture of complicity to flourish. Tinseltown is becoming known as a superficial environment that too often trades human dignity for box office fame.

  • Washington D.C., oft-harkened as the cradle of democracy, has devolved into a swamp where public interests takes a back seat to private agendas. The corridors of power now echo chiefly with the whispers and concerns of lobby groups, political rainmakers and influence brokers. The system increasingly rewards those adept at navigating the murky waters of side-deals, bribes, favours, kickbacks and clandestine power partnerships.

  • Corporate boardrooms, premised to be centres of innovation, increasingly reveal themselves to instead be battlefields where ethical considerations yield to profit-driven imperatives. Management decisions are made with a searing, palpable transactionalism, relegating human dignity to mere footnotes in quarterly reports. The corporate ecosystem frequently rewards those who prioritize shareholder value over societal impact, the very notion of corporate responsibility straining under the weight of rationalized ethical compromises.

The interplay between these spheres of influence — entertainment, politics, and business — creates a web of complicity that's difficult to untangle. It's a system where information becomes currency, where knowing the right secrets can be more valuable than any amount of money in the bank.

As these truths come to light, we're faced with a populace that's not just financially strained but morally exhausted. The statistic that 60% of Canadians and Americans don't have $500 set aside for an emergency takes on new meaning in this context. It's not just about financial precarity; it's about a system so fundamentally skewed that the average person feels powerless to change their circumstances.

The current economic downturn and political rancor in the U.S. elections serve as a backdrop to this unfolding drama. A reported third attempt on Donald Trump's life just last weekend, thwarted by the Secret Service, highlights the volatile situation. These events, coupled with unprecedented civil unrest, paint a picture of a society at a breaking point.

Yet, amidst this chaos and moral decay, there's an opportunity — and indeed, a responsibility — for ethical entrepreneurship to emerge as a guiding light. As investors, creators, and business leaders, we find ourselves at a crossroads. The challenge before us is not just to succeed in business, but to redefine what success looks like in a world crying out for moral leadership.

To be an ethical entrepreneur in this landscape requires more than just following the letter of the law or making token gestures towards corporate social responsibility. It demands a fundamental reevaluation of our role in society:

  1. Transparency: We must commit to radical transparency in our business dealings, recognizing that secrecy often breeds corruption.

  2. Accountability: We need to hold ourselves and our peers accountable, even when it's uncomfortable or costly.

  3. Empowerment: Our business models should aim to empower and uplift communities, not exploit them.

  4. Education: We have a responsibility to educate ourselves and others about the complex systems we operate within, fostering a more informed and engaged citizenry.

  5. Innovation: We must innovate not just in technology or services, but in governance structures and ethical frameworks that can withstand the pressures of a morally ambiguous world.

As we seek to make the next epoch of business and society more just and moral for future generations, we must be willing to ask hard questions and confront uncomfortable truths. We must recognize that being "successful" in a corrupt system is no success at all if it comes at the cost of our moral integrity.

The path forward is not easy. It requires courage to stand against systemic corruption, wisdom to navigate complex ethical dilemmas, and compassion to remember the human cost of our decisions. But it is a path we must take if we hope to transform the current landscape of desperation and disillusionment into one of hope and genuine progress.

The villagers are indeed awake now, and they're looking not just for werewolves to blame, but for leaders to trust. As ethical entrepreneurs, we have the opportunity — and the obligation — to be those leaders. To show that it's possible to succeed without succumbing to the moral compromises that have plagued our institutions.

CTA: The Script Has Flipped

In this new reality, where the old rules no longer apply, we have the chance to write new ones. Rules that prioritize human dignity, ethical behaviour and the greater good. The challenge lies in the opportunity to be the change we wish to see in the world. The game has changed, and it's up to us to ensure it changes for the better. The future of our society, our economy, and our collective moral compass hangs in the balance. Are you ready to rise to the challenge of this new epoch? 🙏 📣 🚀 

🌍 Social Media

Building a Tiny Office Pod Under My Stairs — ManMade: A fun share to take a break from all the socio-political seriousness. I loved every moment of this quirky tiny-office build on YouTube’s Man Made.

PornHub Owner Talks About Content Moderation, Sex Work & Morality — PBD Podcast: The new owners of the infamous adult entertainment website Pornhub drop by the PBD podcast for a discussion with Patrick Bet-David, and a clash of moral frames ensues, making for riveting viewing. Notably, Pornhub faces ongoing litigation related to past issues with underage and non-consensual content, and that becomes a driving pulse of the conversation. Ownership insists that they have installed stricter uploader verification, content moderation standards, and AI tools to prevent illegal content. While they claim to be industry leaders in content safety, they acknowledge the impossibility of 100% guaranteeing all content is legal. The company employs about 1,500 people, with hundreds involved in content moderation.

Vitamin Cheat Sheet — @altcointips on X: I’m always emphasizing taking care of mind, body and soul as being a key ingredient to building a successful entrepreneurial life. I love coming across resouces like this, graphics that show us the “why” behind popular health protocol recommendations. Don’t bookmark this — I dare you! 😆 

📚 Book Shelf

The 10 Pillars of Wealth by Alex Becker. Alex Becker is an outspoken tech entrepreneur who many may know. I have been following him for years on Twitter and YouTube. He resonates with me because of his imperious, in your face tell-it-like-it-is style. This book is almost a decade old — been a while since I first read it, and I wanted to revisit. Becker challenges the belief that financial freedom is a matter of luck or talent; he argues that creating wealth is a result of cultivating specific belief systems, understandings and mindsets. The book is inspiration. It was Becker’s first foray into publishing and authorship, something that I am preparing for myself by releasing not one but two books in the near future (more on this soon, but saying it here first :)

The Only Investment Guide You’ll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias. I have an appetite for classic business books because they simultaneously transport you back in time to the financial thinking of past eras — while also reinforcing that there are indeed timeless investment principles and fundamentals that never get old. The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need by Andrew Tobias I have come to learn has developed a cult following over the years, regarded as a classic in finance literature. Tobias shares common-sense approaches to savings, assets protection, making lucrative investment bets and avoiding financial hazards. Financial markets and products have evolved in the forty years since its first publication, but I find that the core principles presented in the book remain resoundingly relevant.

Lifespan by David A. Sinclair. Sinclair, a renowned geneticist and longevity guru, presents an in-depth exploration of aging and the potential to extend human lifespan. Sinclair argues that aging is a disease that can be treated, not an inevitable process. He details cutting-edge research in epigenetics, presenting evidence that the aging process can be slowed, stopped, or perhaps even reversed. Lifespan combines scientific explanations with practical advice on adopting lifestyle changes that can promote longevity, such as intermittent fasting and strength training.

📰 Article Of The Week

AI Dreams: Microsoft @50, Chapter 1 by Todd Bishop, Geekwire: Bishop chronicles Microsoft's journey in artificial intelligence, from founding to its current position as an AI leader. Key moments are highlighted, including the AI research in the 1990s, the development of neural networks for speech recognition in the 2010s, and the pivotal decision to invest billions in OpenAI in 2019. Microsoft's approach to AI has arched from skepticism to full embrace, driven by breakthroughs in deep learning and the scale of AI advancement. AI is clearly Microsoft’s bold bet for the future, driving forward a vision of positioning the company at the forefront of what it sees as a transformative technology.

See y’all next week! Would love to hear your thoughts — leave your comments below.

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