On NYC, the role of philosophy in tech, the user need for content discovery, lessons on distribution & the future.

Some ramblings on many things. Excuse any broken thoughts and feel free to respond with your own. To read the full article and future ones, subscribe to our newsletter here.

On New York.

I'm frequently asked why koodos labs is building a team in NYC. In essence, this city possesses the highest ambition per capita and the most culture per square foot globally. To establish a generational company that centers culture, these are indispensable elements.

On philosophy in tech

There’s a noticeable lack of deep thinking and introspection in the tech world. It's common to find that foundations are incorrectly laid. However, this isn’t to say we should spend our days in deep thought and avoid shipping regularly to gather feedback and iterate. Scientists also run experiments & talk to people to validate their mental models. They don’t just think.

Unearthing the “secrets” that underpin creative works demands production. The resonance of many profound creative pieces stems from a deep understanding of the human condition; and to get there the creative process necessitates a significant amount of trial and error.

On content discovery

Content discovery is not a burning user need. Yes, there are plenty of problems with content discovery, and yes “we don’t know what to watch” sometimes — but we’ve found that it’s simply not a burning human need and there are plenty of channels to discover content today. People aren’t short on new content. We’ve chosen to frame content discovery as an outcome of our experience, not as a need or value proposition for using our product.

On distribution & the deadly sins.

Attention is the most scarce resource. Platforms, driven by the goal of maximizing time spent and ad views, exploit basic human desires—often summarized as the “deadly sins” of lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. This model, when it becomes the foundation of user engagement, instigates a destructive cycle.

In our journey, we’ve anchored on share of identity, instead of share of time. That there’s ongoing utility, joy and insight unlocked from continuous use — that it can be generative and cathartic, without being a time suck or numbing. The idea that Shelf and Self are one letter apart, and that users should be able to see themselves on their Shelf. This is especially important as we shift ownership of one’s identity, and the data that underlies it, to the user.

Nonetheless, the dynamics of distribution are distinct. It revolves around seizing attention amidst the endless demands on it. The deadly sins can make a product resonate, create allure, and quickly occupy mental space. While the sustaining attributes and foundations of a retentive product might not be based on these patterns, it’s evident that effective distribution articulates how a product caters to intrinsic human desires or fears from the onset. It’s possible to align good long-term intentions, avoid gimmickry, and leverage innate human desires for distribution simultaneously.

On the future

I envision a world where diverse tastes are not just tolerated but celebrated; where our similarities unite us and enable us to see beyond the superficial, appreciating each other’s essence. A world where our differences are not viewed as reason for division, but as gateways to uncharted terrains awaiting exploration. We don’t need a second brain, we need a second heart. We need more soul. I imagine a world where our data is unequivocally ours, where we can keep all our stuff in “virtual USBs” that can be connected and disconnected at will, fostering a sense of ownership and empowerment in the infinite expanse of the internet.