The Local Maximum with Max Sklar

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 59 - Internet in Cuba, Bitcoin in Venezuela Mar 26, 2019

Show notes

Today we have a look at how information technology is affecting life in authoritarian socialist regimes such as Cuba and Venezuela. Particularly, we discuss the introduction of 3G cellular service in Cuba, and how it has needed to compromise on allowing more connectivity to its citizens over the last decade.In the case of Venezuela, we look at how cryptocurrency (and Bitcoin in particular) is being used to work around currency controls and hyperinflation. It’s still speculative on how much this is really going on, but we talk more generally about how crypto technology can be used in a social-upheaval type situation in the future.We also check in on Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s recent 3.5 hour long interview on Joe Rogan. The main topic, which we have covered here in the past, is on content moderation and bias at social media companies. We round up the different viewpoints expressed and continue to provide our ongoing analysis.
localmaxradio.com/59
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. 58 - Using Reflection from Media to Engineering with Mark Weiss Mar 19, 2019

Show notes

Today's interview is with Mark Weiss, Data Engineer at Beeswax and host of Using Reflection which is a podcast where engineers talk about what they love and what they've learned in their careers. I asked him about what he personally has learned from his interviews and from his own career started in the news media.
Then, we turn to the craft of data engineering - on which the viability of all the internet services you love (or hate) hinge upon. There is so much change going on in the data engineering world, and I asked Mark about that change, and where he hopes and thinks it can go in the future.
localmaxradio.com/58
usingreflection.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. 57 - Data Science Glut, Analogies, and Nearest Neighbors Mar 12, 2019

Show notes

There's a lot of confusion over what a "data scientist" is these days, and the job titles can mean multiple things to multiple people. It's also getting tougher for new entrants into the job market. Max breaks it down and gives advice for those looking to break in.
On the technical side, Max starts with the argument from analogy, a philosophical argument that works alongside Bayes which we use without knowing every single day. Then, a connection to machine learning is made with a description of the Nearest Neighbor (kNN) algorithm, and the specific use case at Foursquare.
localmaxradio.com/57
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. 56 - True News, Fake Faces, and Adversarial Algorithms Mar 05, 2019

Show notes

Google's "VP of Trust and Safety" has put out Google's strategy for weeding out fake news. Do they have the right definition? Will it work? What is a VP of Trust and Safety? We'll discuss whether Google is looking out for their users.
In that vein, we wanted to discuss new ways fake news might be generated, and found this site thispersondoesnotexist.com created images of people who are not real but look pretty convincing. They use Generative Adversarial Networks. After listened, you'll know how those work to create plausible images.
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. 55 - Bitwise: A Life in Code with author David Auerbach Feb 26, 2019

Show notes

Author David Auerbach covers Bitwise: A Life in Code. We discuss:
- The consequences of data everywhere from the 1980s to today.
- Taxonomies and their bias and imperfection. Applications to Mental Illness, personality (meyers-briggs + PI), marketing age buckets
- Dealing with Bias in AI and Humans
- David's Role in the fight for compatibility between MSN messenger and AIM
Get the Book: https://www.amazon.com/Bitwise-Life-Code-David-Auerbach/dp/1101871296/
Show notes page: localmaxradio.com/55
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. 54 - 5G and the AI AR VR Connection Feb 19, 2019

Show notes

We discuss 5G and what that means for mobile tech in the 2020s, as well as augmented reality, virtual reality, mesh networks, gaming, and self driving cars.
See the show notes: localmaxradio.com/54
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. 53 - Live Behavioral Assessment Results with Swati Doshi Feb 12, 2019

Show notes

Swati Doshi, Founder and Managing Director of Human Results, has Max and Maryam take time-tested behavioral assessments. We learn about our results live and respond to them on-air. Also covering:
- Why these assessments can be useful in forming teams.
- Considering team chemistry
- Examples from Foursquare Labs
Take the assessment Swati gave to Max and Maryam here or write to info@humanresults.com.
Show notes: localmaxradio.com/53
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. 52 - A Look Back at Foursquare, What's Next, and Superuser Shoutout Feb 05, 2019

Show notes

Today I look back at my 7 years, 8 months, and 1 day working at Foursquare, including:
- How my career splits into 2.5 year increments
- The initial data team at Foursquare
- More discussion on the Swarm/Foursquare app split
- More on Marsbot and Recommender Systems
- Superuser voting, and a shoutout to Foursquare Superusers
- My new role starting February 6th
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. 51 - Swarm Lifelogging, Microsoft Evolving, and Sports Analyzing with Avneesh Kohli Jan 29, 2019

Show notes

Foursquare Swarm PM Avneesh Kohli tells us about the lifelogging app and more. We cover:
- The controversial Foursquare/Swarm app split of 2014
- The importance of Slack reaction emojis
- Editing and Storytelling in consumer apps
- Timehop
- The evolution and turnaround of Microsoft during Avneesh's time there
- The growing role of data analytics in basketball strategy
localmaxradio.com/51
@avneeshk91 @maxsklar
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. 50 - Gatekeepers Bypassed, Anonymous Tips, and Facebook's Familiar Frustrations Jan 22, 2019

Show notes

Facebook is definitely not going to allow me to advertise this one!
- Cryptocurrency/Bitcoin as the alternative to Patreon and the Credit Cards
- Anonymous Reddit Users seems to know inside details about the Google Memo Situation
- An article comes out about Facebook's internal problems among employees, but how much of this is common?
Affiliate Link
Trezor Hardware Wallet to hold your cryptocurrency: https://shop.trezor.io/?offer_id=10&aff_id=1299&source=ShowDesc50&tiny_url=1
Show Notes:
localmaxradio.com/50
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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