I’ve been on Facebook since it opened to anyone in September 2006. Before that it was limited to certain universities. Incredibly. I’ve been on the platform for almost twenty years. Throughout that time I’ve averaged about a thousand “friends.” There’s been churn, of course: people drop off, new ones entered. I had one rule I … Continue reading
Category Archives: about business
Ted Turner: One of the Last of the Big Characters
When I learned that Ted Turner had died, I felt unexpectedly sad. I met Ted several times during the 1990s, mostly around the Allen & Co. conference in Sun Valley. The first time may have been at a party or event where he was with his then wife, Jane Fonda. Like many people, I already … Continue reading
The Next Era of AI Is Personal
Like many of you, I’m deeply immersed in learning and using AI. It’s not an exaggeration to say it has been life-changing for me. Right now, AI is largely synonymous with Large Language Models — ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude (my current favorite), and even Grok. But I suspect that in the not-so-distant future, we’ll look … Continue reading
Fiber internet in Lecce
I decided to upgrade my internet to fiber. There is one company that does all the fiber for the city of Lecce (Open Fiber). Then there are various companies like TIM, FastWeb that “rent” the fiber. The Open Fiber people came out to bring the fiber into our home. The fiber connects to a device … Continue reading
Apple / Avram's Past / Intel
Apple at 50 — A Tribute to the Genius and Tenacity of Steve Jobs
Apple turned out to be the most influential computer company since IBM and it continues. So while we celebrate its 50th year, we need to take amount to recognize the genius of the man who was responsible for that, Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs entered my life in 1982 and remained a recurring presence—sometimes directly, sometimes … Continue reading
Brain Tech 60 years later
There is a growing interest in coupling technology with the human brain, from devices that monitor brain activity and help relax or stimulate the mind, to the more ambitious goal of creating high‑speed connections between brains and computers. This year, CES in Las Vegas made it clear that brain technology is becoming one of the … Continue reading
about business / AI / AI / Longevity / Technology / The Post PC Period
My First Speech in 27 Years — And Likely My Last
A while back, I was invited to speak at an event connected to the World Business Forum conference in Milan which was sponsored by the Italian Institute of Technology. At the time, I was beginning a relationship with the organization. Having recently moved to Italy, I was looking for a way to stay connected to technology … Continue reading
Jimmy Kimmel and the End of Broadcast TV
Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show was recently “preempted” indefinitely by ABC, owned by Disney. The word is telling — probably chosen instead of “terminated” because of the legal fight likely to follow. Why? Kimmel’s remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk — suggesting Republicans were exploiting his death for political gain — infuriated Trump and his … Continue reading
John Malone – The Master of Sub-Optimization
I just finished John Malone’s 400-plus page account of his long and accomplished career. Whenever I read a memoir by someone I knew well earlier in my life, I admit I first search to see if my name is mentioned. Usually, it’s not. In my mind, I played an important role in their careers. They … Continue reading
Driving the Creation of Residential Broadband
I am resending this because there was an issue in the link to the chapter in my book about broadband. Sorry about this. Driving the creation of residential broadband was unquestionably the highlight of my career. Many others played important roles: developing the technology (Broadcom, 3Com), creating cable and DSL modems (General Instrument, LANcity, Texas … Continue reading
Two Thirds Done 