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Charles Assisi

Articles by Charles Assisi

First Principles | Chat GPT is cool, but human ingenuity is cooler still

Chat GPT is not capable of independent thought or decision making. It is a tool that can assist humans in certain tasks, but it cannot replace the unique abilities of a human worker.

Chat GPT is a powerful tool that has the potential to assist humans in a variety of tasks, from customer service to data analysis. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Published on Dec 10, 2022 06:28 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | How the chips fall in the battle for semiconductors

Why doesn’t India manufacture semiconductors? Why this question matters is because as things are, we are in the midst of one of the fiercest battles since World War II. Here's why

Unlike conventional wars that most of us are acquainted with, the ongoing US-China standoff over control of the semi-conductor ecosystem is different. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Updated on Dec 02, 2022 08:55 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | Multitasking just got a new meaning

The world stands on the cusp of change driven by demographics, governed by a not-so-simplistic relationship between the rise of technology and jobs, requiring people to adapt to ‘newer jobs’.

Pearson’s models show that if people insist on sticking to what they learn as engineers alone, over 20% of jobs in the domain will shrink and the professional uncertainty will be as high as 68%. (Pixabay)

opinion

Updated on Nov 26, 2022 07:05 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

Limiting loss: To live better, it may help to divest, says Charles Assisi

The concept of stop-loss offers lessons in how to walk away from any toxic situation, and invest instead in the things that really matter

Chris Hemsworth in the documentary series Limitless. After learning that he is at high risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, the actor recently announced he will not sign any more roles. He plans to spend his time more meaningfully, with loved ones, instead.

lifestyle

Updated on Nov 26, 2022 12:49 AM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | Tech layoffs are the need of the hour

Why do funders insist founders let go of people in such large numbers? The answer depends on whom you turn to for pointers.

The unnamed founder-CEO, having done with the venting, says, “When you raise funding, you choose to sup with the devil.” (Shutterstock)

opinion

Published on Nov 18, 2022 08:34 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | Musk must smell the coffee

Twitter appears to be in chaos. Either Musk knows something most of us don’t, or he has lost the plot. To decode all this, we must begin at the beginning.

The good news for Musk though is that between the technology business going into a slump world over and his personal charisma, acquiring talent will not be an issue. (Reuters)

opinion

Published on Nov 11, 2022 05:46 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

Not all decisions are one-way doors: Life Hacks by Charles Assisi

In a world of almost-endless options, decision fatigue can eat up time and mindspace. It helps to embrace the possibility of minor regrets.

Rosita (voiced by Reese Witherspoon) goes grocery-shopping in a still from Sing (2016). Today, even picking a flavour of jam can feel overwhelming, as a landmark marketing study found.

lifestyle

Updated on Nov 05, 2022 02:28 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | Why the ‘10-minute-delivery’ business has legs

While it is true that a funding-winter has set the world over, conversations with veterans in Indian retail suggest that the India-narrative may have some other nuances to consider.

companies such as Dunzo and Zepto will morph into the logistics arms of the savvier digital-first players such as “Swiggy who have played it smartly until now”. (PTI)

opinion

Published on Nov 05, 2022 11:48 AM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | Clues to investing in crypto (or not)

The thing is, I’ve always been a crypto sceptic and have articulated that in as many words on these pages. So why bring it up again? Because of my conversation this week with Kunji.io founder, Anurag Dixit.

Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency and at its peak in October 2021, each coin was worth a little over $61,000. Since then, investors have pummeled Bitcoin and this week, it is worth between $16,000-$17-000. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Published on Oct 28, 2022 05:05 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

Some moves to flex the mind: Life Hacks by Charles Assisi

What really holds us back from physical activity are conflicting emotions that go back centuries. Fight the good fight; get moving.

lifestyle

Updated on Oct 22, 2022 03:06 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | Turn on, tune in… Something’s afoot in the hemp business

Some of India’s wealthiest are interested in start-ups on cannabis-based products. The market appears ready, and the ecosystem is prepped. It is a matter of time before the penny tips.

What many people are unaware of is that cannabis has medicinal properties as well. (Representative Image)

opinion

Published on Oct 21, 2022 04:35 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | What the new Data Protection Bill might look like

Word in policy-making circles now is that a new version of this Bill will be tabled in Parliament by December. When fully implemented, all spam may end.

Over 90% of Indians use the Chrome browser built by Google to do that. While the browser is free, the data that Chrome collects about each user is used by another division of Google to serve users highly targeted ads.

opinion

Updated on Oct 15, 2022 09:56 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | The jury’s out on @elonmusk vs @paraga

While Twitter’s investor relations team has acknowledged that it has received word from Musk’s lawyers about their intent to pay up, we don’t know if Twitter’s board, led by Parag Agrawal, will accept.

All of Musk’s moves since his initial offer to buy Twitter, including him later dragging his feet, would suggest they are carefully thought out moves to hammer his initial offer price down.

opinion

Published on Oct 08, 2022 09:58 AM IST

ByCharles Assisi

Moonlighting is just unshackling by another name, says Charles Assisi

Don’t buy into the idea that all your time must be ruled by someone else’s clock. Every minute is not a resource to be plumbed.

Be your own fairy godmother; opt to sometimes ignore the clock. Above, Billy Porter is the godparent, Camila Cabello is Cinderella, in the 2021 retelling.

lifestyle

Updated on Oct 07, 2022 04:47 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | China’s long game, and the lessons it holds

Much like Silicon Valley, China's tech prowess wasn't built overnight. That China's big tech can compete with the West today is a testament to that. However, Xi's recent crackdown has indications of which technologies he will chase and why, and which he will discard.

Much of it has to do with Xi’s optics — that of an authoritarian leader who dictates what must be done. (AP)

opinion

Updated on Oct 01, 2022 04:21 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | Hold the hosannas for web3

If history is anything to go by, it appears unlikely that web3 will create a “new middle class”.

As things are, investors from across the world have poured at least $88 billion into almost 16,000 companies dabbling with web3. Of these, 79 are now unicorns of which at least three are headquartered in India. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Published on Sep 25, 2022 07:31 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

Life Hacks: When is it time to choose between the things one loves?

Calculate life in weeks and the numbers drop to alarming lows. Are we wasting too much time, then, on things we enjoy that don’t enrich us, asks Charles Assisi.

lifestyle

Updated on Sep 23, 2022 07:58 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | AI and humans, well met

From writing political commentary to creating art, AI interventions have some interesting things to offer. And since its code is created by us humans, AI is – like we are — biased.

AI has now begun to make pretty good attempts to write political commentary (among other things) as well. (Thinkstock)

opinion

Updated on Sep 17, 2022 12:49 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

AI and humans, well met

Once upon a time, writing political commentary, or creating art, for that matter, was a domain only humans could straddle

AI(Artificial Intelligence) and Financial Technology. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

cities

Published on Sep 17, 2022 12:52 AM IST

ByCharles Assisi

Let life also be an Etch A Sketch, says Charles Assisi

We tend to view the sum of our major decisions as a carefully woven tapestry, but introducing disruption can be a vital step — away from future regret and towards new dreams.

In the film Wreck-It Ralph (2012), a videogame villain realises there are other lives he could lead, and breaks out of his game to find a place for himself in another game world.

lifestyle

Updated on Sep 10, 2022 08:55 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | Middle age may be the best time to get into business

The blame for creating a popular but untrue narrative that firms founded by young people are more likely to get funded lies at the door of firms in Silicon Valley that propped up poster boys such as Zuckerberg, Gates, and Jobs.

The times we live in, funds will chase those who present the highest potential to offer returns. It may be a matter of time before new narratives dominate the headlines — of older entrepreneurs taking charge. (Shutterstock)

opinion

Published on Sep 09, 2022 04:31 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

Middle age may be the best time to get into business, and here’s why

Venture capital firms are tightening their belts

cities

Published on Sep 09, 2022 01:09 AM IST

ByCharles Assisi

The Chinese marketing whiz who controls India’s cellphone market

It is tempting to assume Indian consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to mobile phones, and that the marketplace is brutally competitive

Young woman using cell phone to send text message on social network at night. Closeup of hands with computer laptop in background (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

cities

Published on Sep 03, 2022 01:02 AM IST

ByCharles Assisi

When a priest and an atheist sat down to dinner: Life Hacks by Charles Assisi

No matter how high the stakes, or how much of a flashpoint an issue may be, all it takes for civil discourse is intelligence and honesty.

Anglican priest Richard Coles (above) and evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins met recently as part of The Guardian’s Dine across the Divide series. One is committed to the Church, the other to atheism. But their chat was respectful, and riveting. (Photo: richardcoles.com)

lifestyle

Updated on Aug 27, 2022 04:15 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

Why IRCTC was selling passenger data

Conversations with people at the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeITY) suggest much is going on in the background.

Massive crowd of commuters waiting on the platform (Bhushan Koyande/HT Photo)

india news

Published on Aug 27, 2022 01:02 AM IST

ByCharles Assisi

First Principles | Why IRCTC is selling passenger data

Conversations with people at the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology suggest much is going on in the background.

Hypothetically, if IRCTC’s database is used by an entity to refine its model, then the monies paid to IRCTC must be distributed among the people whose data it touched as well. (Twitter)

opinion

Published on Aug 26, 2022 10:25 AM IST

ByCharles Assisi

A leaf out of history to understand Cryptos

Cryptocurrencies were first thought up as an act of defiance against the establishment that include banks and governments the world over

cities

Published on Aug 20, 2022 12:41 AM IST

ByCharles Assisi

The good news about bad news: Life Hacks by Charles Assisi

In medicine, as in other fields, even the best make mistakes and are prone to human error. In life-altering moments, trust but verify.

Medical dramas such as House MD focus on how often doctors who rely on averages get it wrong with outliers. And how second opinions lead to second chances.

lifestyle

Updated on Jul 30, 2022 03:44 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

Making a case for #SquadGoals: Life Hacks by Charles Assisi

Surround yourself with people who know things you don’t, and who live lives different from yours. They can be your personal advisory board.

In the show Parks and Recreation, Leslie Knope’s motley crew helps her win a city council election.

lifestyle

Updated on Jul 16, 2022 07:29 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

The anchor, the leash and the apron strings: Life Hacks by Charles Assisi

I believe teens on the internet need to start out on training wheels. How far may they roam? How closely can I follow? Lessons from recent thought experiments on freedom vs control.

The Dunphys on the show Modern Family often struggle to balance how much freedom and responsibility each of their three children can handle.

lifestyle

Updated on Jul 02, 2022 06:42 PM IST

ByCharles Assisi

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Charles Assisi

Chat GPT is not capable of independent thought or decision making. It is a tool that can assist humans in certain tasks, but it cannot replace the unique abilities of a human worker.

Why doesn’t India manufacture semiconductors? Why this question matters is because as things are, we are in the midst of one of the fiercest battles since World War II. Here's why

The world stands on the cusp of change driven by demographics, governed by a not-so-simplistic relationship between the rise of technology and jobs, requiring people to adapt to ‘newer jobs’.

The concept of stop-loss offers lessons in how to walk away from any toxic situation, and invest instead in the things that really matter

Why do funders insist founders let go of people in such large numbers? The answer depends on whom you turn to for pointers.

Twitter appears to be in chaos. Either Musk knows something most of us don’t, or he has lost the plot. To decode all this, we must begin at the beginning.

In a world of almost-endless options, decision fatigue can eat up time and mindspace. It helps to embrace the possibility of minor regrets.

While it is true that a funding-winter has set the world over, conversations with veterans in Indian retail suggest that the India-narrative may have some other nuances to consider.

The thing is, I’ve always been a crypto sceptic and have articulated that in as many words on these pages. So why bring it up again? Because of my conversation this week with Kunji.io founder, Anurag Dixit.

What really holds us back from physical activity are conflicting emotions that go back centuries. Fight the good fight; get moving.

Some of India’s wealthiest are interested in start-ups on cannabis-based products. The market appears ready, and the ecosystem is prepped. It is a matter of time before the penny tips.

Word in policy-making circles now is that a new version of this Bill will be tabled in Parliament by December. When fully implemented, all spam may end.

While Twitter’s investor relations team has acknowledged that it has received word from Musk’s lawyers about their intent to pay up, we don’t know if Twitter’s board, led by Parag Agrawal, will accept.

Don’t buy into the idea that all your time must be ruled by someone else’s clock. Every minute is not a resource to be plumbed.

Much like Silicon Valley, China's tech prowess wasn't built overnight. That China's big tech can compete with the West today is a testament to that. However, Xi's recent crackdown has indications of which technologies he will chase and why, and which he will discard.

If history is anything to go by, it appears unlikely that web3 will create a “new middle class”.

Calculate life in weeks and the numbers drop to alarming lows. Are we wasting too much time, then, on things we enjoy that don’t enrich us, asks Charles Assisi.

From writing political commentary to creating art, AI interventions have some interesting things to offer. And since its code is created by us humans, AI is – like we are — biased.

Once upon a time, writing political commentary, or creating art, for that matter, was a domain only humans could straddle

We tend to view the sum of our major decisions as a carefully woven tapestry, but introducing disruption can be a vital step — away from future regret and towards new dreams.

The blame for creating a popular but untrue narrative that firms founded by young people are more likely to get funded lies at the door of firms in Silicon Valley that propped up poster boys such as Zuckerberg, Gates, and Jobs.

Venture capital firms are tightening their belts

It is tempting to assume Indian consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to mobile phones, and that the marketplace is brutally competitive

No matter how high the stakes, or how much of a flashpoint an issue may be, all it takes for civil discourse is intelligence and honesty.

Conversations with people at the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeITY) suggest much is going on in the background.

Conversations with people at the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology suggest much is going on in the background.

Cryptocurrencies were first thought up as an act of defiance against the establishment that include banks and governments the world over

In medicine, as in other fields, even the best make mistakes and are prone to human error. In life-altering moments, trust but verify.

Surround yourself with people who know things you don’t, and who live lives different from yours. They can be your personal advisory board.

I believe teens on the internet need to start out on training wheels. How far may they roam? How closely can I follow? Lessons from recent thought experiments on freedom vs control.

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