Seth Black
AI, Python, and Startups
The Pitfalls of Appealing to Lizard Brains: Ethical Marketing in Tech Startups
In this thought-provoking post, a seasoned tech startup veteran explores the pitfalls of "lizard brain marketing" - strategies that bypass higher reasoning to appeal to primal instincts. While effective in the short term, these tactics can erode trust, invite regulatory backlash, and raise ethical concerns. The author advocates for sustainable marketing approaches that focus on genuine value, transparency, and ethical considerations, ultimately building more resilient and respected tech businesses. read on »
Navigating the AI Resume Revolution: Uncovering Authentic Talent for Startups
In this insightful post, a seasoned startup veteran shares five battle-tested techniques for navigating the AI resume revolution. From identifying unnaturally formal language to implementing practical skills assessments, these strategies help startups uncover authentic talent in an era of AI-generated applications. The author emphasizes the importance of embracing the human element in hiring while adapting to the changing landscape of recruitment in the AI age. read on »
The AI Symphony: Why Orchestrating Specialized Systems Trumps AGI
The pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) may be misguided. Instead of creating a singular, omniscient AI entity, we should focus on orchestrating a symphony of specialized AI systems. This approach leverages current AI capabilities, allows for faster development and deployment, and mitigates ethical concerns associated with AGI. By embracing an AI orchestra rather than a single all-knowing entity, we can create practical, powerful AI tools that tackle complex real-world challenges while complementing human capabilities. read on »
Excel's Date Dilemma: From Phantom Leap Years to AI-Assisted Fixes
Excel's date handling quirks offer a fascinating glimpse into the complex world of software development, where early design decisions can have far-reaching consequences. From the infamous 1900 leap year bug to gene names accidentally becoming dates, Excel's temporal tribulations serve as a reminder of the challenges in balancing backwards compatibility with accuracy. As we continue to rely on this ubiquitous spreadsheet tool, its date-related idiosyncrasies persist, shaping how we interact with data and influencing fields from genetics to international business. read on »
Startup Death-Flailing: The Final Throes of Failing Ventures
Explore the telltale signs of struggling startups in their final stages, including communication silence, hiring freezes, desperate pivots, extreme cost-cutting, executive departures, and frantic searches for saviors. Learn valuable lessons from these experiences for founders, investors, and the broader startup ecosystem. read on »
Project Highlight
I've been investing in real estate since the 2010s and realized that my property investment modeling system could be used by others, so I built it!
I chatted with Nick Janetakis from Running in Production about the software and hardware stack that has been running my website for the last decade...more.
seth.black Photography
I <3 photography, this is my personal showcase.
Adriana and I got married, so why would I not personally design, draw, develop and code our wedding website?
FindMeNoms is an easy way to "find tasty food around you wherever you are". This is a side project that was born out of my need for an app/website that would remember all of the tasty places that I have eaten at, or would recommend to someone, or have been recommended to me. Basically, Yelp wasn't cutting it, as I'd find myself falling down the rabbit hole of reading one-star reviews and laughing at how crazy people can be instead of actually finding food.
This was a short-lived startup idea. The basic premise was, well, just watch the explainer video.
Document management for schools, doctor's offices, and pretty much anyone else who would give us money. Unfortunately it didn't work out too well. I did get a really cool logo out of it, though.
My very first startup: web development, web hosting and an ISP. This is the very first time I got to work with my friend Darrel. He designed our sites, logos, business cards and even mousepads! No joke.