• I understand about the potential of AI, but we tend to overreact to what threatens some of us. The Internet changed the world but hasn’t overwhelmed human judgement and values. Nor will AI.
• What we call 3D printing is going to make as significant a change as AI as it proliferates and becomes useful to individuals as well as corporations.
• If you want to fix the economy, fix this: Small businesses are by far the greatest creators of net, new jobs (large companies replace people with automation as a rule). Yet 80% of them fail in the first five years or so, and 80% of the survivors in the next five years. Make it politically and pragmatically more likely that these firms survive by eliminating excessive bureaucratic regulation and excessive taxation.
• If you could measure the export of American knowledge (global people attending our schools, experts providing help abroad, export of advice, etc.), we’d have a positive balance of trade.
• The “great resignation” and “quietly quitting” create an opportunity to cleanse the workforce by forcing management to examine what jobs are really required for the future, instead of merely “replacing bodies” needed in the past lost through attrition.
• Social media needs regulation as utilities, no less than gas, electric, and water utilities. They have too broad a range of influence through censorship, arbitrary rules, and tolerance for disinformation.
• Don’t write me letters, and this isn’t about politics, but it is virtually impossible that President Biden and Vice President Harris will be nominated as running mates again in 2024.
• By 2030 there will be more people in the US over 65 than there will be children. That is unprecedented and requires action today, which isn’t being accomplished or, perhaps, even understood.
• The equivalent of today’s focus on climate will be a model for a huge, approaching movement on the morality of harvesting animals for food.
• I’ve seen zero evidence that we will be able to support a sufficient electrical grid by the current deadlines for the numbers of electric cars that must be sold in place of internal combustion engines. We’re looking at a small or zero reduction in the “carbon footprint.” The answer is probably hydrogen (or something else), if we can learn to store it and transfer it properly, and there will be a rusting, hugely expensive, archaic electrical charging system in the country.

The Wizard of Oz

For those of you too young, look it up, but Judy Garland had to deal with this guy in one of the most popular and successful movies ever, featuring one of the greatest songs of all time: Somewhere Over the Rainbow. (L. Frank Baum wrote the book, Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg created the score.)

I recently dealt with the Wizard’s descendants, in that Linkedin banned me for no discernable reason. Their software and algorithms had reasons, but they were opaque to me. After a week of wrong turns in the maze, I finally submitted the right form in the right manner to the right address at the right time. A human actually reviewed the form and reinstated me.

In the meantime, I received scores of emails from people telling me of their own brief or lengthy banishments from varied social media platforms.

I’m not concerned about AI or ChatGPT taking over the world. I think you have to be an alarmist or have very low self-esteem for these developments to scare you. (I do think that people who are lazy, non-creative, and generally slothful do have a huge problem, but that’s another story.)

I am concerned with how easily unseen and unforgiving technology can be used by crooks and criminals to shut us down. People’s bank accounts have been hacked, municipalities have been hacked and held up for ransom, autonomous cars have crashed despite safeguards. (Firefighters have told me you simply allow an electric car to burn, you can’t extinguish the flames safely.)

Are we taking enough precautions to protect ourselves and society from inadvertent and criminal trespass on our property, our rights, and our freedom?

When I found a human, I was able to restore my status on Linkedin. When Dorothy pulled the curtain aside, she was able to deal with the Wizard who was just another human. But when you pull the curtain aside tomorrow, you might not be able to see anything at all except a dark hole.

Master Master Class II

This sold-out event in March was so popular that I’m running another in October in Newport. I accept 16 people in person (you may also attend remotely on our large screen) and we have 7 seats remaining! I’m creating new material, exercises, and challenges. Past “grads” get a discount. One person said, “I’ve known you for nearly 20 years, and this is the best thing you’ve ever done!” (Maybe I just wasn’t that good before!)

Sentient Strategy

Sentient Strategy, my new book, was released in March. It’s a revolutionary approach being facilitated by over 70 people in five countries. If you purchase the book, feel it’s justified and can give a five-star review on Amazon, I’ll invite you for free to a May Zoom session on Sentient Strategy and the role of strategy in contemporary society.

NEW! Alan’s Advisory Suite

Nine options for groups or individuals to receive “real time” coaching to build their practices and lives on a continuing basis. The strongest, best people in business, entertainment, sports, the media—all use coaches.

For individuals and/or groups.

Alan Weiss's Coaching Confidential™ Newsletter

Sign up to receive my unique, monthly, highly targeted newsletter which contains inventive coaching methodology, case studies, and strange experiences in the coaching trade! I’ve coached thousands of business executives and entrepreneurs globally.

Million Dollar Consulting® for the World

I’ve provided 14 modules with videos from me, from your colleagues globally, slides, and text. They include everything from launch to self-esteem, proposals to fees, closing business to creating a brand. No upsells! It’s only $115. What do you think about a 10,000:1 ROI? We have over 500 people from 47 countries.

New: Million Dollar Consulting® for the World ADVANCED

The new program contains over 60 videos and has 15 modules focusing on what to do in the buyer’s office, overcoming crises, financial planning, and much, much more.

Sentient Strategy Certification

My new book on the topic (above) releases in later March so this is an ideal time to market Sentient Strategy. Write me to apply, join over 70 people certified in six countries. One-time fee of $12,000, includes 90 days of my support, free admission to all future certifications, and admission to a private web board with other Sentient facilitators. In a recent program a particpant sold a $100,000 strategy program within 48 hours.

The next certification is May 30-31 via Zoom, two three-hour sessions.

Vancouver Day

I’ll be providing a full day in Vancouver for as little as $300 (US) including lunch on September 9: How to Dramatically Increase Revenues while Radically Reducing Labor. I’ll be returning from an Alaskan cruise and need the money to pay for it! This is a rare appearance in Western Canada.