The Era Arc (TEA) Time: The First Brew
Self-Autonomous Cities: A New Normal?
Hello my dear fellow humans,
Welcome to the first edition of The Era Arc! (I guess the word Era is banished because of the Era Tour? Sorry Swifities. I hope it’s not too cringe to handle. There’s lots of corniness on the way. IYKYK. 100%. Period. 🤓)
We will dive into the latest trends in AI, blockchain, and quantum computing. Quirky updates from business, tech, HR, and marketing will also be our cup of tea.
Well, before we start the serious and juicy stuff…Actually before doing anything(well, most of things), I would always like to ask myself: Why doing this? What’s the purpose of this? What’s the end goal? So…why do I want to start this newsletter? I jotted down a few:
Sharing:
Knowledge Sharing: hopefully this newsletter could be a battleground for ideas, where events could be interpreted through first principle reasoning (to my best capacity)
Building/Finding Community: people are the key. Hopefully this newsletter would be the key to find people👬
Learning:
knowledge&insights: news+interpretation of AI, Crypto, Quantum computing (If I do this everyday anyways, why don’t I document and share it?)
Skills: writing skills, personal branding practices, product, marketing, and all that business jazz (Ooo, starting a newsletter and run it on a regularly basis is a whole business.)
Organization: documentation and project management (I have been struggling with finding a scalable way to store articles, quotes, and news pieces. Making this newsletter gives me a great opportunity to stay on track, stay organized, stay hungry, stay foolish etc.)
Technology and humanity. What a great time to be alive! ✨Cheers to the first sip of many!
🍵Your Weekly Cup of TEA:
Self-Autonomous Cities: A New Normal?
Toyota is building a futuristic city: Woven City,
"a living laboratory where residents serve as willing participants, allowing inventors to test their ideas in a secure, real-world environment."
The city is now nearly ready for its first residents. Toyota envisions these residents testing emerging technologies in their homes—including robot assistants for everyday tasks like folding laundry. The city will also focus on autonomous transportation and logistics systems.
Toyota isn't alone in building its own city. On December 12, 2024, SpaceX submitted a petition to local authorities requesting an election to incorporate the Starbase launch site as an official city in Texas.
"Incorporating Starbase will streamline the processes required to build the amenities necessary to make the area a world-class place to live—for hundreds already calling it home, as well as for prospective workers eager to help build humanity's future in space," SpaceX officials said in the petition.
Brewed Thoughts:
Major companies are expanding their physical footprint in unprecedented ways, seeking to establish official cities around their factories and work centers. Meanwhile, countries like Brutan are beginning to include cryptocurrencies in their strategic reserves.
Elon Musk often says "the universe is the answer. We just need to ask the right questions." Here are my questions: What would people choose if given complete freedom to select their currency and citizenship?
In "Denationalisation of Money: The Argument Refined," Friedrich Hayek argues that people should be able to choose which currency they use. He envisions a system where private entities issue competing currencies, replacing government monopolies on money creation.
Thanks to blockchain technology, we're finally at a point where global citizens could actually exercise these choices—though regulatory bodies like the SEC and CFTC currently limit this freedom. Could the Trump administration's new crypto policies shift this landscape? While Facebook's Diem project didn't succeed, might DOGE and X join forces to create a new payment ecosystem? And could our Social Media platforms transform into full-fledged Media Societies?
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🥺TEArful Moments
AI and the Bonds Beyond Loss
A Korean mother who lost her seven-year-old daughter to a rare disease used virtual reality to reconnect with her in a deeply emotional experience. Through advanced VR technology, she was able to see, touch, and talk to a lifelike recreation of her child in a virtual garden, sharing moments like singing “Happy Birthday.”
🤪TEAHEE Moments
1. Mirumi: a robotic sloth bag charm
A robotic sloth bag charm clings to purse straps, makes eye contact with passersby, and moves its head shyly. Its sole purpose is bringing joy - proving that robots can be playful rather than intimidating.
2. Nékojita FuFu: a robot that cools your hot drinks
Nékojita FuFu, a $25 cat-shaped device that cools hot drinks and food. It attaches to cups and bowls, using a small fan to blow cool air in a pattern that mimics breathing. The name comes from "néko jita" (cat's tongue), the Japanese term for sensitivity to hot foods.
🌱TEA Shots
Quick links to this week’s highlights and fun finds
Nvidia announces $3,000 personal AI supercomputer called Digits
LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise 2025: The 25 fastest-growing jobs in the U.S.
Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables: A Month-by-Month Guide to Produce
It’s hard to believe this is the first post from the writer. Your content is comprehensive, practical, and engaging. What’s the update schedule? Looking forward to the next one!