#2 Aurum Finds

AI Tutors, Singapore, Technology, Creativity & Computers, TikTok

Hey Finders, in this issue, we bring you articles about specialised AI tutors for kids, The History of Singapore, How Technology Grows, Creativity in Computers, and TikTok.

Enjoy!

An AI Tutor in Every Child’s Hand

This one’s a little unusual (so far, at least): this is my article! I wrote this sucker. 

My goal is to share a sense of wonder with my readers, and nothing encapsulates the immediate potential to change the world more than Sal Khan’s idea to put an AI tutor in every kid’s hands.

That’s every kid in the world, too.  The implications for reducing inequality and cultivating a much more productive, thoughtful future for humanity are profound. 

Also: I reference Neal Stephenson, one of the best contemporary sci-fi writers. 

Link to Article

The Story of Singapore

Lee Kuan Yew is unique among world leaders of the 20th century. David Perell paints a vivid picture of Singapore's remarkable transformation from a poor, resource-limited nation to a prosperous global player, primarily under the guidance of its first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew (LKY for short).

LKY’s success story is based on innovative strategies that focused on fostering clean systems, maintaining strict rule of law, and creating world-class infrastructure and workforce. If you want to find out how to create a nation from scratch, Singapore’s story is a must-read, and Perell’s piece is excellent.

Link to Article 

How Technology Grows

Dan Wang’s timely, comprehensive piece acts as a scathing critique of society's complacency about the decline of industrial prowess and physical innovation, which is masked by the rapid advancement in digital technology. Wang points out that the loss of process knowledge, or “know-how” is indicative that the shift from an industrial economy to a knowledge economy has led to a decaying industrial base.

The societal and industrial shocks felt during the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an enormous societal shift in focus towards digital technologies and services. And, near and dear to my heart, Wang draws parallels from sci-fi. 

Link to Article 

Computers and Creativity 

I love articles on the art of computing. This is no exception, but it takes a unique direction: the intersection between humans and machines vis-a-vis creativity. I haven’t seen a take quite like this one, and I’ve seen a lot of computing history takes. 

Molly Mielke emphasizes the importance of digital tools that enable us to think creatively, translate our thoughts into computationally articulated work, and share that work with others. By harnessing the full power of creative thought and computational actualization, we can drive human innovation to new heights. This is a thoughtful exploration of the history and potential of digital creative tools, tracing their journey from room-sized machines to potent aids for human imagination. 

Mielke provides an in-depth perspective, arguing that computers' true value isn’t merely inherent, but lies in how we utilize them to translate creative thought into tangible outputs. If you're interested in the intersection of technology and creativity, or if you're curious about how computers have transformed over time to influence and augment human creativity, then this article is very much for you.

Link to Article

The TikTok Sorting Hat

Eugene Wei presents a comprehensive history of how TikTok got to here, all the while defying the assumed cultural barriers between China and the U.S. that have stymied other tech giants. 

Wei examines the journey from the app's initial incarnation as Musical.ly, created by Chinese founders who made inroads in the U.S. by listening to their American teenage user base, to its rebranding and explosive growth under Bytedance's aggressive user acquisition strategy. This exploration of TikTok's meteoric rise reveals a new model for cross-cultural tech success, challenging preconceived notions and offering a fresh perspective on product-market fit. If you want to have a richer understanding of the dynamics shaping today's global tech landscape, you would have a hard time doing any better than this.

Link to Article 

If you’re new, Welcome!!!

Welcome to Aurum Finds, your exclusive gateway to the enriching world of interesting articles on every topic; from Christianity to Rocketry, curated by Edem Gold and commented on by Andrew Smith. Like seekers of the ancient 'aurum', we set out on the quest to mine golden nuggets of information from the limitless expanses of the Internet. Aurum is Latin for Gold, and this is a collaborative effort born out of the complementary skills and interests of Edem and Andrew.

Edem Gold, a voracious reader and seeker of knowledge, constantly scours the web for articles that inform, provoke, inspire, and challenge. He is the compass that navigates the vast seas of information and zeroes in on pieces worth your time and attention.

Andrew’s role, on the other hand, is to provide commentary, adding another layer of perspective and understanding to the articles Edem identifies. It was an invitation from Edem that led Andrew to join this venture, contributing his thoughts and reflections on these nuggets of information.

Our hope is to bring to you, through Aurum Finds, a curated and thoughtful selection of articles across a broad spectrum of subjects, complemented by commentary that deepens your understanding and incites conversation. We invite you to join us on this enriching journey of discovery, as we delve into the corners of the Internet and mine the 'aurum' hidden within. Welcome, and happy reading!