The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 69 - Apple Unbundles iTunes, Cuba Update, and Content Distribution in the 21st century Jun 04, 2019

Show notes

Apple announces that they are unbundling iTunes into several apps at WWDC. Some feared this means the end of iTunes, but we discuss how it's actually a design upgrade.
Foursquare and Placed brought together in a big spinoff-merger deal. What does that mean for the future of location, ads, and attribution?
Lots of emphasis on privacy at WWDC. Cubans to get private wifi - are they slowing joining the 21st century?
localmaxradio.com/69
Finally, we look at the history of the content creation and distribution business (music, movies, tv, and podcasts) in the 21st century. P2P file sharing apps, to Apple's iTunes store, and a summary of the business models emerging as standard today.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 68 - 6 University Courses that Influenced Me in Surprising Ways May 28, 2019

Show notes

Aaron and I discuss my list of 6 university courses that in retrospect have influenced me in surprising and unexpected ways, even after many years. The list is:
Yale's Writing Seminar (Yale)
Functional Programming (Yale)
Philosophy and Computer Science (Yale)
Emerging Technology and Business Innovation (NYU Stern)
Machine Learning (NYU Courant)
Electronic Communities (NYU Stern)
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 67 - Social Credit Scores and Re-education Camps in China May 21, 2019

Show notes

The episode starts with a game of thrones discussion for 2 minutes (how can it not)! And then Max discusses some related news items coming out of China:
The Rise of The Social Credit Score
The Re-Education Camps the Uighers and others in Western China are being forced into
Causality Myths
The Big Debate on Socialism vs Capitalism
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 66 - Dennis Crowley, Hypertrending at Foursquare May 14, 2019

Show notes

I visited Foursquare HQ to check in with Executive Chairman Dennis Crowley.
- Personal stories and the Innovative mind
- Industry trends in consumer apps/big data
- Foursquare's latest labs project: hypertrending at SXSW
I also follow up on last weeks episode, with more details on voting affecting the outcome of an election, and the turkey vs email problem.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 65 - The chance of something that has never happened before May 07, 2019

Show notes

How can one estimate the probability of an unprecedented event - something that has never happened before - happening? It seems like a hopeless endeavor, but there actually are valid strategies to tackle this problem.
We also recap the interviews that occurred in the 5 previous episodes, and the continuing closure and censorship of our social networks as they are increasingly becoming associated with violence in the real world - and how we're going to get out of this.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 64 - Pro Tips for Your Resume with Marc Cenedella Apr 30, 2019

Show notes

Marc Cenedella is the CEO of Ladders, Inc, and today he talks to Max about the Ladders Job Search service, and the job matching problem in the 21st century. After diving into The Ladders’ specific audience and product approach, the conversation turns to Max’s resume. The advice provided is invaluable to all job seekers - present and future - out there.
localmaxradio.com/64
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 63 - Transfer Learning, Career Cliffs, and Investing for the Future with Bethany Crystal of USV Apr 23, 2019

Show notes

Today’s interview is with Bethany Crystal at Union Square Ventures. We cover a lot of ground
Building Network Effects as a means to Market Power
Building Careers, avoiding the career cliff
Inspiration from the Idea of Transfer Learning
Diversification in investments and in the self
Check out Bethany’s blog: http://bethanycrystal.com/blog/
I also talk about the launch of the Luminary Podcast Network: luminarypodcasts.com
Also - get my take on Google’s ill-fated AI Ethics panel.
localmaxradio.com/63
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 62 - Capitalism, Competition, and Wealth: A Conversation with Denise Hearn Apr 16, 2019

Show notes

Today's interview was done at a Tech2025 event where participants were asked to think about wealth and the present state of the US and Global economy. I spoke to Denise Hearn, author of "The Myth of Capitalism" about the trend towards Oligopoly and its causes.
Also included are discussions about the definition of capitalism, the definition of wealth, the price of a free good, regulatory capture, and the role of our monetary system in distorting the economy.
localmaxradio.com/62
https://www.mythofcapitalism.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 61 - Facebook vs Capitalism Apr 09, 2019

Show notes

Michael Bronspigel runs the Facebook capitalism page and tells the story of how Facebook’s algorithm and policies affected his group. We also talk about
- the nature of online properties
- the story of how he started the group and turned it into a business
- retro internet memes
- the push to further crack down on content
The group: fb.com/capitalists, capitalismisfreedom.org
Show notes: localmaxradio.com/61
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

Ep. 60 - Hilary Mason, Machine Learning Research in Action Apr 02, 2019

Show notes

I caught up with Hilary Mason, GM of Machine Learning at Cloudera and former founder of Fast Forward Labs. We cover how to:
- Generate ideas for Machine Learning Research
- Hold a good brainstorm
- Break into tech as a Data Scientist
- Give an engaging and successful tech talk
I also asked Hilary about the evolving role of Machine Learning and Data Science, and what she wants to build in the future!
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit localmaximum.substack.com

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