Arguably the best job ad in the world? Comes from Extropic in a very straightforward way.

"Yes, but Bastian, a sexy startup has no shortage of skilled specialists".

It's not a sexy ad either.

Because, curious people want to work on interesting problems - not on boring tasks that a computer could do but you refused to invest in.

And how do you spark curiosity?

By making an engaging video.

A good video has nothing to do with effects, VFX and SFX, or quick cuts that make you and your applicants feel nauseated as if you've just been on a rollercoaster.

A good video needs a compelling theme.

A theme that captivates its target audience AND people who think "Oh, Charlie might be interested in this topic and they probably haven't heard of it yet so I am going to tell them about it…"

"That's an exciting topic!", even I thought to myself, who understands nothing of what the founders are discussing. Even though we were once invited by the researchers at Fraunhofer IAF to find out first-hand how research is being conducted at the bleeding-edge of III-V semiconductors. So yes, I may know a bit more about semiconductors than the average person on the interwebs. But I didn't study physics, computer science nor electrical engineering.

“A good video is all about an interesting topic told well and without cliches,” as Niko likes to say.

How do you make a great video?

IMHO: The easiest way is to simply explain it.

Explain it to an interested layperson.

Just like Guillaume Verdon and Trevor McCourt explain it to Garry Tan. Garry is asking these questions that we’d like to ask Guillaume and Trevor ourselves. And questions that the right applicant might be able to ask them very soon themselves.

The entire video leads with “what ground-breaking thing is going on here?”

Not the fact that they're going from stealth startup to launch.

Not the fact that Verdon’s anonymous X account had been "doxed" by the New York Times.

But the fact that they were able to keep my attention for 10 minutes, despite it quickly became clear that it was a recruitment video, makes it... arguably the best job ad in the world.

Last week I talked about the best product demo in the world.

This week I talked about the best job ad in the world.

If you don't want to miss anything "best in the world", subscribe now and click the like button.

Creating a Custom GPT: See how easy it is to create a Custom GPT yourself!

Taking the use case of a phonetic spelling application as an example to create a Custom GPT that you can use as your personal assistant.

BTW, you know what a fun prompt for the “Phonetic Speller” Custom GPT is?

Do you say "gif" or "gif"?

It told me that “[…] the creator of the GIF format, Steve Wilhite, has stated that the correct pronunciation is with a soft "g" (/dʒɪf/), like "jiff".”

I guess the longstanding debate over its pronunciation settled then?

Can somebody please fact check that?

For the entire instructions see Custom GPT documentation here.

Watch the video on YouTube and subscribe for more builds.

The new text-to-video AI model from OpenAI is capable of generating up to minute-long videos from text prompts, including complex scenes with accurate details and emotions.

Sora understands interactions in the physical world, but for now it has limitations, such as difficulties with physics simulation and specific cause-effect scenarios.

Despite these challenges, Sora represents a significant advancement in AI's ability to create dynamic and interactive video content.

Deep Inside the Minds of YC Leadership

Listening to the new YC Partner Podcast feels like being a fly on the wall within the pulsating heart of Silicon Valley.

It's as if you're privy to the very essence of the moment, tuning into conversations that resonate with the immediacy of the now.

The discussions unfurl topics that have likely been thoroughly explored in similar circles, hinting at a familiarity and depth only insiders possess.

Yes, the dialogue is moderated, and to the participants, it might tread over well-worn paths.

Yet, what captivates us are the underlying principles they navigate, principles that echo Paul Graham's essays and the inevitable intersection of business minds and administrative forces—highlighting a path to success that doesn't always necessitate their early involvement. Success, they imply, can be as simple as creating something remarkable.

YC has a long standing history shared their knowledge not just in essays and YC Startupschool and Garry Tan becoming a YouTuber.

But this time is different. It feels much more like in the present, they are talking about the now and the principles are the underlying truths, not the stars of the show. It seems they have become a media company not just a school where they as the professors graduate their students with a multi-million dollar evaluation on Demo Day.

This essence of being that proverbial fly, listening in on conversations that flow as naturally to them as breathing, offers a unique perspective.

It's exhilarating to be part of a dialogue that embodies the optimism of a generational shift, the dawn of the AI Age.

This confidence, this shared optimism, provides a comforting reassurance that my own aspirations aren't misplaced, even if they seem to be navigating the future with a six-month lead.

Chris Anderson's Insights into the Long Tail: The New Dynamics of Consumer Choice and Market Behavior

Chris Anderson discusses the concept of the "long tail" in the context of consumer choice, markets, and the influence of digital platforms.

To exemplify the "long tail" phenomena, he delves into how digital platforms and the internet have transformed the dynamics of choice and market behavior, highlighting both the challenges posed by this new landscape and the tools that have been innovated to address them.

Paradox of Choice: Drawing from Barry Schwartz's theory, Anderson highlights the potential pitfalls of overwhelming choice. Barry Schwartz's theory suggests that having too many choices can be paralyzing and often leads to dissatisfaction with one's final selection.

Abundance of Choice with Help: The internet offers an overwhelming number of choices. However, tools and platforms like Google and Amazon help navigate this abundance by ranking, categorizing, and curating content or products, effectively assisting consumers in making decisions.

Physical vs. Digital Marketplaces: While there might be an abundance of choices, we have inherent methods and tools to help us decide, especially online. To make this point Anderson compares the number of product choices in physical supermarkets with online platforms like Amazon.

Micro Hits: Within broader and expansive categories, there are niches that have their own "hits" or popular choices. This segmentation allows consumers to make more informed choices that align with their specific interests.

Content Creation: The rise of platforms like MySpace, YouTube, and blogging is driven not necessarily by monetary incentives. Anderson argues that the drive comes from the human desire for personal expression, reputation-building, and genuine passion.

Oligopoly in Digital Marketplaces: Addressing the digital realm, Anderson touches the dominance of a few major players in various online markets, such as Google in search, eBay in auctions, and iTunes in music. He suggested in 2007 that this dominance might be a short-term phenomenon, with more competitors emerging over time.