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durée : 00:03:32 - Le Billet de Daniel Morin - par : Daniel Morin - Ca bosse dur à la Silicon Valley ! Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.
Welcome to another episode of Data Driven, where we dive deep into how data and AI are shaping—sometimes shaking—the modern world. In this episode, hosts Frank La Vigne, Andy Leonard, and Carmen Li sit down with Carmen Lee, the trailblazing CEO of Silicon Data and a former Bloomberg data aficionado.Carmen's on a mission to bring clarity to the wild west of GPU compute markets, and she shares with us how she's turning raw compute into a true tradable commodity—think futures markets for GPUs, the “Bloomberg terminal” for AI infrastructure, and perhaps even a Carfax for your next used GPU cluster.Together, they explore everything from why AI startups struggle with fluctuating margins, to the crucial role TSMC plays in the world economy, all the way to the data transparency that might be the missing piece in AI's explosive growth. Whether you're curious about benchmarking GPUs, tokenomics, managing infrastructure costs, or just want a glimpse into the future of data markets, this one's for you.Stay tuned for a fascinating conversation on normalizing chaos, hedging tech costs, geeking out over hardware, and even a few laughs about used GPU “car lots” in Virginia. Let's get data driven!LinksSilicon Data -https://www.silicondata.com/Dancing with Qubits -https://amzn.to/4mIOG8UThe Nvidia Way -https://amzn.to/3VH9aUvTime Stamps00:00 "AI Commodities and GPU Markets"06:56 Ecosystem Transparency Benefits All10:55 AI SaaS Cost Optimization Challenges13:41 Token Economics in Cloud AI15:27 Optimizing GPU and Token Commitment18:41 Token-Based Product Innovation25:00 "Verifying UIDs and Connectivity"28:43 Measuring GPU Performance30:41 Supply Chain Impact on GPU Industry35:43 "TNC's Unchallenged Leadership in Supply Chain"36:31 Silicon Ecosystem Collaboration39:38 Nvidia's Strategic TSMC Capacity Purchase42:51 Bloomberg's Media and Finance Expansion46:53 "Quantum Reading Challenges"50:13 "Data Driven Podcast Wrap-Up"
Go to https://ground.news/Silicon for a better way to stay informed. Subscribe for 40% off unlimited access to world-wide coverage through my link. ----------DESCRIPTION:Expert Insights on Drones in the Ukraine War: Technology and Strategy with Alex FergussonIn this episode, Alex Fergusson, a leading expert on drones, joins the discussion to delve deep into the technological advancements and strategic uses of drones in the Ukraine war. Alex provides insights into his background, detailing his shift from racing drones to combat drones and highlighting his recent work in Ukraine. The conversation touches on the importance of battle testing drones in real combat scenarios, the challenges of eliminating reliance on Chinese components, and the adaptability required for drone warfare. The episode also explores the potential future of AI in drone operations and the significant threat posed by naval drones. Engage with this detailed discussion to understand the evolving landscape of drone warfare and its implications for global security.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:59 Alex Fergusson's Background and Expertise02:54 Drone Testing and Challenges in Ukraine06:12 Importance of Local Adaptation and Training08:28 Media Consumption and Bias19:41 Russian Drone Tactics and European Airspace24:47 Challenges in Identifying Drone Operatives25:35 Russian Drone Operations and Capabilities27:10 Potential Threats and Geopolitical Risks29:07 Assumptions and Perspectives on Russian Strategy35:39 Naval Drones and Maritime Security39:43 Excluding China from the Drone Supply Chain44:07 AI and Autonomous Drone Warfare51:44 Conclusion and Future Discussions----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtainAutumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalionhttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------TRUSTED CHARITIES ON THE GROUND:Save Ukrainehttps://www.saveukraineua.org/Superhumans - Hospital for war traumashttps://superhumans.com/en/UNBROKEN - Treatment. Prosthesis. Rehabilitation for Ukrainians in Ukrainehttps://unbroken.org.ua/Come Back Alivehttps://savelife.in.ua/en/Chefs For Ukraine - World Central Kitchenhttps://wck.org/relief/activation-chefs-for-ukraineUNITED24 - An initiative of President Zelenskyyhttps://u24.gov.ua/Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundationhttps://prytulafoundation.orgNGO “Herojam Slava”https://heroiamslava.org/kharpp - Reconstruction project supporting communities in Kharkiv and Przemyślhttps://kharpp.com/NOR DOG Animal Rescuehttps://www.nor-dog.org/home/----------
Go to https://ground.news/Silicon for a better way to stay informed. Subscribe for 40% off unlimited access to world-wide coverage through my link. ----------Ben Hodges is a retired United States Army officer, who became commander of United States Army Europe in November 2014, and held that position for three years until retiring from the United States Army in January 2018. Until recently he was the Pershing Chair in Strategic Studies, at the Centre for European Policy Analysis, specialising in NATO, Transatlantic relationship and international security.----------DESCRIPTION: Geopolitical Tensions: Russia's Aggression and Strategic Implications - With Ben HodgesIn this episode, Jonathan interviews Ben Hodges, retired United States Army officer and former commander of United States Army Europe. The discussion covers a range of geopolitical issues, including Russia's recent attacks on EU, UK, and US assets in Ukraine, and the potential consequences of perceived US disengagement under the Trump administration. Hodges shares insights on the likelihood of Russia feeling emboldened to act against NATO countries and the strategic importance of Europe acting collectively as a superpower. The conversation also delves into the tactical behaviors of both Putin and Trump, the risks of inadvertent escalation into a larger conflict, and the necessity for Europe to defend itself and support Ukraine in the absence of consistent US backing.----------LINKS:https://twitter.com/general_benhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Hodges https://cepa.org/author/ben-hodges/ https://warsawsecurityforum.org/speaker/hodges-ben-lt-gen/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-hodges-1674b1172/ ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------DESCRIPTION:Western Response to Russian Aggression: Challenges and StrategiesIn this episode, the speaker discusses the current state of Western opposition to Russian aggression, focusing on various strategies and challenges. Key topics include Russian sabotage in the Baltic region, the use of shadow fleet vessels, and potential responses such as seizing these vessels and strengthening air defense systems. The conversation touches on the technological and strategic capabilities needed to counter Russia, including the integration of air defenses with Ukrainian forces. The discussion also covers the broader geopolitical landscape, including European unity, U.S. policy under Trump, and the global implications of Russian actions. The speaker stresses the necessity for decisive leadership and coherent strategic objectives to effectively counter Russia and avoid prolonged conflict.----------CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction: Russia's Covert War Tactics00:50 Western Response and Consequences02:23 Air Defense Strategies and Challenges04:39 European Leaders' Stance on Trump and Ukraine10:07 Media Consumption and Bias14:04 Trump's Admiration for Authoritarian Leaders18:28 Russia's Strategic Objectives and Vulnerabilities24:12 Historical Parallels and Western Industrial Capacity----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------
Go to https://ground.news/Silicon for a better way to stay informed. Subscribe for 40% off unlimited access to world-wide coverage through my link. ----------ABOUT: Edward Lucas was one of the first journalists to raise the alarm about Putin's actions and motivations. While most of the world still thought of Putin as ‘someone we could do business with', Edward published a prescient and insightful book in 2008 called “The New Cold War – Putin's threat to Russia and the West”. He is a columnist for The Times and has been a Senior Editor on the Economist. Edward is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for European Policy Analysis. ----------LINKS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Lucas_(journalist)https://cepa.org/author/edward-lucas/https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-lucas-65a0a21b/https://x.com/edwardlucas?lang=enhttps://edwardlucas.substack.com/https://foreignpolicy.com/author/edward-lucas/----------BOOKS:The New Cold War: Putin's Threat to Russia and the WestDeception: Spies, Lies and How Russia Dupes the WestThe Snowden Operation: Inside the West's Greatest Intelligence DisasterSpycraft Rebooted: How Technology is Changing EspionageCyberphobia: Identity, Trust, Security and the Internet----------This is super important. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtainAutumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal€22,000)We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. 93rd Brigade "Kholodnyi Yar", Black Raven Unmanned Systems Battalionhttps://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SUPPORT THE CHANNEL:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtainhttps://www.patreon.com/siliconcurtain----------DESCRIPTION:Edward Lucas Discusses Russia's Sub-threshold Warfare and Western ResponseIn this insightful episode, veteran journalist Edward Lucas, an expert on Russian affairs, discusses the increasing intensity of Russian sub-threshold warfare, exemplified by drone incursions and other disruptive actions. Lucas argues that these actions are not new but represent a continuance of tactics used by the Kremlin to destabilize and challenge Western decision-making and social cohesion. Despite the clear evidence of Russia's aggressive maneuvers, he believes that the West is not adequately prepared, displaying a peacetime mentality even in the face of ongoing threats. The conversation also highlights the importance of accurately interpreting these threats without falling into paranoia and emphasizes the need for a strategic, calibrated response rather than reactive measures. Lucas calls for stronger support for Ukraine and argues for seizing frozen Russian assets to fund Ukrainian defense. He concludes with a powerful message about the necessity of shifting from a reactive to a proactive stance in dealing with Russia's multifaceted threats.----------CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction to Edward Lucas and His Insights on Putin00:36 Current Issues: Drone Flights and Kremlin Denials01:06 Historical Context: Kremlin's Pattern of Denial02:07 Analyzing the Scale and Intensity of Incursions02:53 Sweden's Experience with Sabotage and Disruption04:48 Psychological Warfare and Cognitive Resilience06:20 Media Consumption and Bias Detection09:15 NATO's Response and Strategic Considerations13:32 Escalation Dominance and Political Attacks19:08 Reflexive Control and US Politics20:44 Urgency in Re-Arming and Defense Strategies25:25 Conclusion: Supporting Ukraine and Final Thoughts----------
In this episode of the Made by Google Podcast, we take a deep dive into the Tensor G5 chip, the brains behind the new Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro. Join our host, Rachid Finge, as he talks with Jesse Seed, Group Product Manager for Google's Silicon Team, about how this new chip is ushering in the era of the "AI phone".Discover the engineering breakthroughs that make Tensor G5 Google's biggest upgrade yet, and learn how it unlocks incredible new AI experiences like Live Translate in your own voice, the agentic helper Magic Cue, and the astonishing 100x ProRes Zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro. Jesse even breaks down the complexities of the new 3-nanometer process node with a simple and fun Lego analogy you won't want to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The US loves trucks. So is the key to making them love electric trucks… a very small one? That's the bet that California-based startup Telo has been making since its inception in 2022. The company has designed a bite-sized truck called the MT1 with an admittedly not-so-small starting price of around $41,000. Also, Sila, the battery materials startup, started operations Tuesday at its facility in Moses Lake, Washington, a milestone that could pave the way for longer range, faster charging EVs. The factory, which will initially be capable of making enough battery materials for 20,000 to 50,000 EVs, is the first large-scale silicon anode factory in the West, and future expansion could fulfill demand for as many as 2.5 million vehicles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
One lowly pledge must satisfy the girls of Omega U. By QuothTheRamen - Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Life as a lowly pledge The day I went to college I thought I had cleaned my last floor. Washed my last dish. Scrubbed my last toilet. I left home after five years too many of flipping burgers and dealing with other people's shit. I was done trying to make a bunch of assholes happy. It took all of one day in a frat to realize I was wrong. The world was filled with unhappy assholes, and they were all my problem."Pledge Needledick! Make sure the floor shines." Beko was the frat vice president. He was about as funny as a cold sore. But he was also a linebacker, so people generally felt obligated to laugh. "It's Cam." I said. "It's Cam what?" "It's Cam, Sir." I said. I did not sigh. It was difficult. "It's pledge Needledick now." Beko woofed. Like a dog. A retarded dog. "We are getting fucked up!" Shaun slid himself between Beko and me, smooth as anyone I had ever seen. "What Beko is trying to say is that today is your night on the chore rota Cam. All pledges take a turn." Shaun was the frat president. And he was probably going to be a senator. "No. I get it. Shit needs cleaning." I said. "Right. Spirit of brotherhood. Don't wait up." Shaun said. "Beko! What have I told you about pissing on the floor?" And, with the sloppy zip of a zipper, I was alone. I had the place to myself, piles of shit to clean up, and a fresh puddle of piss to mop. "I am so fucking stupid." I said. I pledged the frat because Alpha Nu Alpha Lambda was the place for business majors. Just this chapter alone had produced three Fortune 500 CEOs, a couple of Silicon valley royalty, and so many millionaires they stopped keeping track. And business is all about who you know. A poor boy from the shit end of the city who does not know anyone needs to change that. And so I did. And now I was picking up empties while the future leaders of the free world were getting shitfaced and laid. You would think that with so many rich bastards they would have a maid. I was well into the second hour and elbow deep in the world's most disgusting toilet when the doorbell rang. I didn't get up. I just kept scrubbing. Whoever they were here for it certainly was not me. The bell rang again. And again. And then someone starting pressing it like they'd been duct taped to the damn button and then had a seizure. I ripped off my yellow gloves, jogged to the door and opened it. "What the fu-" I started. I did not end that sentence. I saw where it was going, flagged it down, and gave it directions to a new and better place. "How can I help you?" I said. Is this because I am a good person? The kind of person who does not tear people's heads off for no reason? Of course not. I worked in fast food. It was because, on the other side of the door, stood a very pretty young Asian girl in heels, a knit skirt, and a sorority sweater so tight that it had to have been drawn on her. The girl blinked the blink of the slightly high, or the very dumb. "I'm here for Beko." she said. Dumb it is. "He's out right now. I can tell him you called." I said. She blinked again. "I didn't call. I walked." "Right. No. Totally get that. Do you want to leave a message?" "Nope. I want to see Beko." "Tell you what. Come on in. We'll call him." I said. "Let me just wash my hands." She walked in and, with a clear familiarity, walked over to our least disgusting couch and sat on it. I ran to the sink, scrubbed up and came out. Then I called Beko from my cell. He answered on the first ring. "Beko, it's me, Cam. I have a--" I looked at the Asian space cadet quizzically. "June." she said. "--June here to talk to you." "Needledick! I was watching porn on my phone." Beko shouted. Over what must have been one hell of a party. "Now I just see your stupid Needledick name on my phone. Hang up so I can see some titties." So I hung up. "He's very busy right now." I said. "Is there anything I can do for you?" "Is Joe here?" "No. Just me." "Louis?" "No. He's out." Ryan?" "No. I am the only one here. I am the only Alpha in the house. There is just me. I see you thinking of another name. But he is not here either. I assure you, I am the Alpha and the Omega of people in this house." She looked confused. "No. I am the Omega. Omega Chi Upsilon Mu." She said. Now I was confused. Omega was almost a honor society. It was not your run of the mill sorority. "Pardon?" "I'm an Omega." She smiled. "And I am high as fuck." Ahh. So not dumb. Just really high. "Right. Well is there anyone else you need me to call? I don't want to blow you off, but I still have a lot of cleaning to do." I said. "I want to blow you off." "Is that a pot joke?" "No." She stopped, wrinkled up in a frown, then continued. "At least I don't think so. I need to blow an Alpha." "And why is that?"" "Scavenger hunt. You guys are worth forty points for a facial." "I'm sorry?" Let's step back for a moment. Time to create a Venn diagram. One circle will be "Woman who have sucked my dick." Small circle. Not empty. Filled with women to whom I am forever grateful. Let's have the other circle be "Women who are so fucking hot that I silently apologize after jerking off to their memory." Now, and I want to be totally clear on this, these circles do not intersect. Not even a little. They don't even get written out on the same piece of paper. Imagine too, a circle labelled "Women who let me cum on their face." This circle was empty. Back to the moment. "Tonight is the Omega Scavenger hunt. And I wanna win it." she said. Her smile was tempting me to make a bad decision. "So what do I do?" "Take off your pants. But leave on the Alpha sweatshirt." I reached for my belt, and then years of self-preservation kicked in. "Wait, Beko's not your boyfriend is he? Because he would have an easy time killing me and I would have a hard time stopping him." "Nope. He just has a nice dick." Which is exactly not what I want to think about when I next see Beko. I dropped my pants. Then I closed my eyes and waited for the someone to tell me that this was a terrible terrible prank. What I felt instead was warm breath across my the head of my dick. I cautiously opened one eye, then the other. She'd taken one of the couch cushions and put it on the floor in front of me. She was kneeling on it, her face just inches away from me. I was not hard. But that was not going to last. She traced her fingers up my thigh, sliding them slowly up, I bit my lip as I watched her. Her hand slid under my balls, then she ran a finger from my ass all the way to where they hung. All the while her hot breath surrounded me. I'd never watched myself get hard before, but it was happening so fast it barely registered. One minute her hand lightly cupped my balls and the next I am so damn hard that it almost slaps me in the stomach. "You like this?" She asked, as she ran her soft cheek along the head. "I'm neither dead nor gay, so yes." "Good." She said. The she wrapped her hand around the base of my shaft, holding it up. She leaned in and alternated between soft kisses and quick licks as she worked her way up. I balled my fists so hard that my nails dug into my palms. She teased and licked her way up, until her mouth was just at the head. Then she looked up at me, winked, and took me in her mouth. I'd had my dick sucked before. I thought it was awesome. It turns out that everyone who came before was just shit. She ran her tongue under my shaft, her mouth wet and ready. She swirled it against the hole at the tip, then leaned in, taking inch after inch. She did not slow. She did not stop. She took me in until her nose was flush against me, her chin touching my balls. She winked again. And then slowly, slowly, ever so slowly, she let me out. Her tongue made every inch of my man flesh electric. I reached down to her head, but she just brushed me off, then waved her finger in the classic naughty naughty gesture. Chastened, I put my hands behind my head and groaned. She firmly wrapped one hand around my root, and with the other cupped my balls, pressing a finger against my taint. She leaned forward again, taking me until her lips reached her hand. She began to rock her head back and forth, slowly at first. Her hand stayed with her lips, making every rock a long slow stroke of my dick, with the wet miracle of her mouth keeping me on edge. I took a deep breath as she started speeding up. Every downstroke felt my cock getting wetter, every upstroke felt my balls getting tighter. Her free hand was rubbing my taint, teasing my balls, and driving me crazy. I felt my hips go loose as I adopted her rhythm. Pulling away when she pulled away. Pushing in as she pushed in. I felt myself in the back of her throat, then running the length of her tongue. She kept a wet suction that gave me no respite. I felt myself pushing the pace now. Seeing her, so gorgeous, so sexy so fucking good at sucking a cock was too much. I pushed so hard she gagged. I pulled out so far the cool air hit me. But she did not stop. Her grip on my shaft tighten. She slammed me into her mouth as if daring me to try to stop. I was off balance, standing on my toes, my dick falling into her amazing mouth, my eyes seeing stars. "Fucking Christ! I'm going to blow!" I said. She sped up, moving so fast she got blurry. I felt my load begin, rumbling from the depths of me up my shaft. She felt it too, and right when it was about to escape she learned back, her hands continuing to work the shaft. I exploded on to her. On her cheek, her perfect nose, her hair. And she put her face right against me. Pulling me still, milking every last drop onto her skin. I was in love. So it is a clear understatement when I say I was surprised when the flash went off. "Did you just take a selfie?" I said. "Yep. Gotta get the points." She said. "I forgot about that." And I had. This was clearly a one-time thing. But at least I closed the Venn diagram. "So June, could you send me that?" "Nope." "Right." I reached for the paper towel roll that remained from my cleaning and offered it to her. "Towel?" I said. She smiled the gorgeous smile, buried under layers of my spunk. "Nope. I'll wear it out. Extra five points." And, just like that, she was gone. It was the best thirty minutes of my life so far. Of course, by the end of the night it would be the third best thirty minutes of my life. One lowly pledge must make her nasty video dreams come true. I found pizza under a couch. Not a pizza box. No box to be found. Not a single slice, but instead eight slices, composing a whole pizza of what I can only assume was pepperoni pizza, all perfectly arranged under the couch. Like it was being delivered to hungry mice whose ordering reach far exceeds their grasp. Or a bunch of morons with the munchies. Fifty/fifty. I had been tempted, only briefly, to leave the pizza out as a reminder to my frat brothers to clean up after themselves. But, given the bags of filth I trucked out to the dumpster, this cause was lost. I tossed the pizza in with the condom wrappers, used dental floss, and random crusty Kleenex that so recently littered our floors. You might think that I would be unhappy, cleaning up after a couple dozen very well connected douchebags. And, on a normal night, you would be right. But this was not a normal night. This was a night in which the mere fact of my association with Alpha Nu Alpha Lambda resulted in me getting the kind of blow job reserved for men with excessive body hair, giant cigars, and private armies. A night in which one of the hottest women I had ever seen allowed me to not only cover a tile in ethnic bingo (Row: BJ, Column: Asian. Bingo!) but also had me paint her face like a drunken Jackson Pollack. So while I may be the lowest man on a very mangy totem pole, I was also a man who had had my pole waxed. I was in a post orgasm glow, and oscillated between absolute disbelief that I might ever be so lucky, and a profound fear that the best thing that might ever happen to me had already happened. It was deep into one of these swings into self-doubt, and deep into a pile of what I could only assume were once out dishes, that the doorbell rang. It may seem crazy to you that I did not run to the door. It may seem crazy to you that I did not even leave the dishes behind. But, to be clear, you are three hundred words into chapter two. I assumed I was living in the boring epilogue of chapter one. So I did not walk to the door. And I did not run. Instead I picked up the next sorry excuse for a plate and started scrubbing. The doorbell rang again. With feeling. And then again. Eventually I realized that whomever was pushing it was actually tapping out a beat. A lively bossa nova thing. And they were not going anywhere. No night is perfect. I put the dish down, dried off my hands, and walked to the door. The persistent beat made my feet want to run, but I kept them under control. I stood in front of the door, took a deep breath, and opened it. "Welcome to Alpha Nu, how can I help you?" It was dark outside. But she was very blonde. The kind of blonde that happens when you have hair bleach and a wandering mind. The hair framed a lovely face, ghostly pale. And now I was staring. She smiled, a thousand watt thing. "You can help me by getting out of my way." "What?" "'How can you help me?'" She said. "You just asked. Then you got stupid." "Right. No. Come in. I'm Cam." I moved out of the way She pushed past me, pulling a giant roller bag. "I'm Mary. But everyone calls me Daisy." "Why is that?" She hit me with the smile again. "Because I tell them to." She put the bag down, then spun around like a Julie Andrews on a German mountain. This caused her slightly modest sundress to become much less modest, and gave me a lovely view of a pair of runner's legs. And I was staring again. "This will have to do. It's funny, because the place looks so classy outside. All bricks and ivy. Then you come in and it looks like someone threw up on the floor." She said. "Someone does throw up on the floor. Every day. His name is Ted. He calls it clearing his throat." Daisy looked at me with an expression that I could not place. Something between amused and irritated. "Let the artist work, dear." She said. "And that is not the visual I want in my head." She stalked around the room, framing parts with her fingers. "I want sultry. I want dark. I want something that oozes passion and hunger and need." She said. "It's a dump. A dump with couches that are so nasty they make crunching sounds when you sit on them." I said. "It needs lighting. It needs ambiance. It needs to be perfect." "Perfect for what?" I asked. "This!" She said. Then she handed me a piece of paper. I scanned it. "Is this a shot list?" "Of course. You can't direct without one." "And everything on this-" I waved the sheet. "Is going to happen here?" "Of course." "Who is playing willing young co-ed?" I asked. "Me. I am the star of all my works." "And who is playing the hard and ready young stud?" "Well Cam, I was going to audition the boys," She said. And then that smile almost knocked me down. "but you're the only one here. So... are you up for it?" I started pulling off my pants. She put a hand on my chest. "Hold up cowboy. You've seen the shot list. Not until scene 3. Now help me set up." You might think a roller bag would only hold a small amount of film equipment. You would be wrong. You might think that setting up lights, area mikes, a camera, and a bunch of shit that I do not have names for would be difficult with an erection. You would be right. But, given the proper motivation, all work can be rewarding. "I've never seen anyone work so fast." She said. "I'm a lover of film." I said. "You know, I don't normally ask questions when an absurdly attractive woman asks me to make a porno with her-" "You get asked that a lot?" She said, as she was draping sheets over the couch. "More than I'd have ever thought." I said. "But why are we making a porno?" "Because I am an Omega Mu. And this is our annual scavenger hunt." She said. "This video should be worth 355 points, should you be able to keep your load in for every shot." "So, I'm just going to ask this." I said. I looked up and saw her fiddling with the camera. It took me a second to refocus from looking down her dress at her very impressive rack. She caught me looking, and smiled behind the viewfinder. "Why are you doing this at all. This is not me trying to scare you away, I am just really curious." She stopped for a second, and pulled a couple of wispy blonde strands from in front of her face to behind her ear. I don't know that I believe in any god, but if one exists he must be damn happy with his work here. "Do you know how competitive Omega Mu is? The girls there are driven to be great. They will walk off this campus and into lives that most people only dream of. And I'm a film major. They don't respect what I do. They don't understand it. Most of them can't even be bothered to stay awake during my films." She stepped close, so close I could smell strawberries and the faintest hint of excitement. "But they will stay awake for this one. By the time I'm done showing it to them they'll be sitting in puddles of their own juice, awkwardly fidgeting and looking for any excuse to get back to their rooms and get their stuck up snatches off. That room will absolutely stink of arousal and lust and need. And they will know that I am one hell of a filmmaker." My dick was threatening to leave my body and go into orbit. "Is the camera rolling? I need it to be rolling." I said. She pointed at the red light. "It's been rolling for the last five minutes. Take off your shirt." I took my shirt off so damn fast I nearly sprained my shoulders. "I don't have a script." "We'll improvise." She closed her eyes and leaned in. I laid my fingers on top of her hand, gliding them up her arm, to her shoulders. I traced her collarbone, then ran them up her neck, to her cheek. Her lips parted. I leaned in to meet them with my own. I felt a slight shudder as they touched, and I wondered if perhaps all her confidence masked a delicacy, a pure and innocent nature, uncorrupted by all the debauchery that surrounds her. Then I felt a firm hand against my chest. It shoved me on to the couch. I fell with no resistance. She walked up to me, put one leg up by my head and pulled up her dress, revealing absolutely no underwear. "You will lick the living shit out of my pussy. If you're lucky I'll let you lick my ass. And If you do a very good job at that I will let you put that monster trying to escape your jeans balls deep inside me." I am a terrible judge of character. That delicate flower ground her incredibly wet pussy into my face. I am not the smartest guy. And I am no actor. But I certainly take direction. I put my hands on her thighs to steady her, then teased her outer lips with my tongue, splitting them, letting them close, tasting her mix of sweat and natural lubrication. I pulled the inner lips between mine, tracing them up to the hard nub. I ran my lips against it, lightly at first, teasing it with my tongue. She rocked her hips into my face, grinding her clit against my lips. I sped up my tongue to meet her urgency, tightening my grip on her legs, pulling her into me. Her juices flowed all over my jaw, pooling on my chest. She lowered her hands to my head and pulled me in so tight I could barely breathe. "Faster you bastard! If I don't get off you don't get off." Being a gentleman, I obliged the lady. But I knew that speed alone was not going to be enough. I freed one of my hands and ran it between her legs. I took her clit between my lips and raced my tongue along it, feeling it pulse with her arousal. A feeling matched only with the untended arousal currently in my pants. "You can't go too hard with me. And you sure as hell aren't going hard enough." I am competitive. Ninety nine percent of the time it is a terrible flaw. This day, not so much. I found an extra gear and pulsed my tongue against her, moving so fast that I got sloppy, and was licking the whole of her pubis. I slipped a couple fingers into her depths, probing until I found the rough patch of her G-spot, then timed my strokes outside with those inside. "Fuck. Just keep doing that." She said. Then words became groans, moved to soft moans, quickly strung together and rising in pitch. I kept up a steady rhythm, feeling her body stiffen, her strong legs go taut, her breathing get ragged. "Fuck me." She shouted. "Fuck Me!" She pulled my head in hard, rubbing herself against me. Her clit ground against me, tracing a wet line on my lips. She gasped, then caught her breath. "Fuck" Her body went slack. I eased my lips off of her. Took my fingers out, running them along my tongue to capture the taste. I lowered her to the couch, then reached for my belt. She smiled. And I wanted her so badly that there was no terrible thing I would not have done. "Not yet. You're only halfway there. And I need more points." And with that she spread her legs, then pulled her knees in. Now, to be clear, at that point I'd have cut off my left arm to fuck her. So eating her ass was not going to be a problem. I dove right the fuck in. I kissed the cutest pinkest prettiest little asshole that I had ever seen. It was wet with her juices and my spit, and I could not help but run my lips upon the rim. She gasped when my lips touched, and it puckered tightly. I blew on it, seeing it shrink with the cold. I ran my tongue under it, watching it loosen as she got aroused. He hands drifted to her pussy, and she spread it apart with one, then ran two fingers through. A delicate strand of drool ran between her fingers and her pussy, and it was all I could do to not ram my tongue against her pretty pucker. My resolve lasted for about two seconds. Then she started grinding her wet fingertips on her clit and I started pushing my tongue against her. Probing for resistance, feeling her tense. I could hear her fingers, sloppily running, making the wet noises of sex and driving me out of my goddamn mind. She sped up and I pushed my tongue right against her flower. I'd read her rhythm, I waited for my moment, and when it came I pushed into her ass. "Jesus Fucking Christ!" She shouted. I didn't stop. It felt like a compliment. I ran my fingers into her again, easing in a couple, felling myself fill her, wanting so much to put more into her. She rocked herself back and forth, using me as a tool to get her off. I was happy with this arrangement. Tongue, fingers and mind were all synchronized as she took control. Her breathing sped up, but I kept my pace. Her rocking increased, her hungry pussy pulling my fingers in, but I was patient. I knew I would get what I wanted and she was about to get hers. "Don't. Fuck. This. Up." She said. Each word punctuated with a thrust. "I'm. Going. To. Cum." And as she said it I felt the signs. She bottomed out on my fingers, her wet pussy spasmed against them. Her ass rippled against my tongue, Her toes curled, and then I got a face full of what I can only assume was her ejaculate. Given what I had done to June it only felt fair. Daisy put both legs on the ground and stood up. Her dress fell back over her assets, robbing me of the wonderful view. "That was worth an extra 20 points. So I am very happy." She said. "I think it is time to make you very happy. Take off your pants." You can't rip off blue jeans. Denim is not a fabric that rips. But you can get them off so fast that short one high speed camera no one can tell the difference. "Stay on the couch." She said. She lifted one spaghetti strap and slowly pulled it over her shoulder. Then the other one. The dress fell noiselessly to the ground. She wore no bra. She didn't need one. Her breasts were as amazing as I had hoped, and the rest of her runner's body was more than I could possibly have dreamed. Taut muscle and soft flesh played in perfect harmony. She stepped towards me, putting one knee outside my legs, then the other. She lifted herself up on her knees, so that she could look down on me, her perfect breasts damn near poking my eyes out. "How badly do you want to fuck me." She said. I could feel all of the wet between her legs dripping on me. My dick twitched like a divining rod on the Mississippi. I looked into those amazing blue eyes and said "A lot." She smiled. "I'll fix that in editing." Then she lowered herself onto me. I wanted to thrust. To take her. To put my hands on her hips, give in to the animal inside me, and slam myself into that perfect wet pussy until I exploded deep within her. But I did not. It nearly killed me, but I kept my shit together. I wanted this to last as long as possible. I felt the lips slowly divide, taking in the head. There was no friction, just heat and wet. She put her forearms on my shoulder, leaned in close, pressed her chest against mine, and brought her lips to my ear. "I love the way you smell. Your sweat and my juices have me so fucking hot." I didn't say anything. I couldn't. She lowered herself a little more. I felt the first inch of me squeezed into her depths. "You want to take me. Use me. The way I used you." I groaned. Her tongue teased my ear. She pushed further, inviting more of me in. "I don't know how you're holding off. Am I not wet enough for you? Tight enough?" I said nothing. My concentration was all I had left. She slid down a bit, her wetness running down my shaft. "Or maybe you're not man enough to take what you want." I put my hands on her hips. Put my lips to her ears. And I stage whispered, loud enough for the camera to hear. "You talk too much." My hips rose. Hers descended. She gasped, but I had been patient for too long. I lifted her, pulled out, then pushed back in. I lifted one arm around her back and pulled her close to me, feeling those tremendous breasts push against me, feeling the muscles in her back tighten. "You're going to match me, stroke for stroke. You are going to match my pace, you are going to match my enthusiasm, and I swear to god you are going to cum with me. I have done everything you wanted. Everything you told me to do. And I am going to fuck the shit out of you." She stopped. And I was struck with terror that I had overplayed my hand. But that smile, dear lord that smile. "I knew you had it in you tiger." She lowered herself to meet me. We started slow, with her walls teasing every bit of me. Each deliberate thrust brought with it a host of mind bending sensations. I locked eyes with her. Saw her passion and need as she pulled me in. Watched her groan every time I bottomed out, watched her grind her pubic bone against mine, trying to get all the stimulation she could. I could have gone forever, but she was a performer. Her pace quickened. I sped up to match. I lowered my head to her breast. She pulled me in, forcing it into my mouth, responding to the suction, the delicate nibble,. My speed increasing, my erection an iron bar straining inside her. Her moans getting louder, my excitement reaching a crest. All pretense of erotic sex had been abandoned. I pushed myself into her with violence, she responded in kind. Our bodies slapped against each other. My hands were gripping her hard runner's ass for dear life, her nails dug into my back. The only word I could say was fuck. The only thing I could do was fuck, All I ever wanted to do was fuck. But all the servicing of this woman had taken its toll. No man could resist her for long. "Now cum for me." I said. I don't know who came first. I came so hard I blacked out for a second, every sense shutting down so that I could bust the world's most righteous nut. She had taken me all the way into her, so deep I could feel every bit of the inside of her, and it was all squeezing me as she pulsed through her own orgasm. I don't know if I've ever cum more. I'm not sure I could. After a minute she stretched out, still impaled on me, giving me an eyeful that I will take with me to the grave and far beyond. "And cut." She said. Then she got up and walked to the camera. Everything I'd left behind was running down her leg and she did not mind at all. "Are you sure you've never acted before? You seem like a natural." "Is this pillow talk?" "No. A direct question." "Ahh. No. Not since I was a tree in the 3rd grade musical." She finished packing the camera. "You must have been one hell of a tree. Now help me clean up." I broke down the lights and the mics. I stole every glance I could. If this was going to be the best night of my life I wanted to remember every bit of it. Far too quickly we were packed. She pulled on her dress. I pulled on my clothes. She turned to leave. "Daisy. stop." I said. "Can I give you my number? In case of rewrites or something?" Daisy reached into her bag, and pulled something out. The she hit me with that smile one last time. "Here's my card. I'll be honest, your ear for dialogue is shit, so you will in no way be involved with a rewrite." She said. "But, if you are ever looking to fuck again, my cell is on the back." I stood stock still and watched her walk away. Shock does terrible things to a man. Then I spent the next fifteen minutes memorizing her phone number, because I am not a complete idiot. The day may come when I forget who I am, where I came from, and everything I have ever cared about. And on that day will still be able to recite all 10 fucking digits because some shit is too damn important to forget. By QuothTheRamen for Literotica
One lowly pledge must satisfy the girls of Omega U. By QuothTheRamen - Listen to the Podcast at Steamy Stories. Life as a lowly pledge The day I went to college I thought I had cleaned my last floor. Washed my last dish. Scrubbed my last toilet. I left home after five years too many of flipping burgers and dealing with other people's shit. I was done trying to make a bunch of assholes happy. It took all of one day in a frat to realize I was wrong. The world was filled with unhappy assholes, and they were all my problem."Pledge Needledick! Make sure the floor shines." Beko was the frat vice president. He was about as funny as a cold sore. But he was also a linebacker, so people generally felt obligated to laugh. "It's Cam." I said. "It's Cam what?" "It's Cam, Sir." I said. I did not sigh. It was difficult. "It's pledge Needledick now." Beko woofed. Like a dog. A retarded dog. "We are getting fucked up!" Shaun slid himself between Beko and me, smooth as anyone I had ever seen. "What Beko is trying to say is that today is your night on the chore rota Cam. All pledges take a turn." Shaun was the frat president. And he was probably going to be a senator. "No. I get it. Shit needs cleaning." I said. "Right. Spirit of brotherhood. Don't wait up." Shaun said. "Beko! What have I told you about pissing on the floor?" And, with the sloppy zip of a zipper, I was alone. I had the place to myself, piles of shit to clean up, and a fresh puddle of piss to mop. "I am so fucking stupid." I said. I pledged the frat because Alpha Nu Alpha Lambda was the place for business majors. Just this chapter alone had produced three Fortune 500 CEOs, a couple of Silicon valley royalty, and so many millionaires they stopped keeping track. And business is all about who you know. A poor boy from the shit end of the city who does not know anyone needs to change that. And so I did. And now I was picking up empties while the future leaders of the free world were getting shitfaced and laid. You would think that with so many rich bastards they would have a maid. I was well into the second hour and elbow deep in the world's most disgusting toilet when the doorbell rang. I didn't get up. I just kept scrubbing. Whoever they were here for it certainly was not me. The bell rang again. And again. And then someone starting pressing it like they'd been duct taped to the damn button and then had a seizure. I ripped off my yellow gloves, jogged to the door and opened it. "What the fu-" I started. I did not end that sentence. I saw where it was going, flagged it down, and gave it directions to a new and better place. "How can I help you?" I said. Is this because I am a good person? The kind of person who does not tear people's heads off for no reason? Of course not. I worked in fast food. It was because, on the other side of the door, stood a very pretty young Asian girl in heels, a knit skirt, and a sorority sweater so tight that it had to have been drawn on her. The girl blinked the blink of the slightly high, or the very dumb. "I'm here for Beko." she said. Dumb it is. "He's out right now. I can tell him you called." I said. She blinked again. "I didn't call. I walked." "Right. No. Totally get that. Do you want to leave a message?" "Nope. I want to see Beko." "Tell you what. Come on in. We'll call him." I said. "Let me just wash my hands." She walked in and, with a clear familiarity, walked over to our least disgusting couch and sat on it. I ran to the sink, scrubbed up and came out. Then I called Beko from my cell. He answered on the first ring. "Beko, it's me, Cam. I have a--" I looked at the Asian space cadet quizzically. "June." she said. "--June here to talk to you." "Needledick! I was watching porn on my phone." Beko shouted. Over what must have been one hell of a party. "Now I just see your stupid Needledick name on my phone. Hang up so I can see some titties." So I hung up. "He's very busy right now." I said. "Is there anything I can do for you?" "Is Joe here?" "No. Just me." "Louis?" "No. He's out." Ryan?" "No. I am the only one here. I am the only Alpha in the house. There is just me. I see you thinking of another name. But he is not here either. I assure you, I am the Alpha and the Omega of people in this house." She looked confused. "No. I am the Omega. Omega Chi Upsilon Mu." She said. Now I was confused. Omega was almost a honor society. It was not your run of the mill sorority. "Pardon?" "I'm an Omega." She smiled. "And I am high as fuck." Ahh. So not dumb. Just really high. "Right. Well is there anyone else you need me to call? I don't want to blow you off, but I still have a lot of cleaning to do." I said. "I want to blow you off." "Is that a pot joke?" "No." She stopped, wrinkled up in a frown, then continued. "At least I don't think so. I need to blow an Alpha." "And why is that?"" "Scavenger hunt. You guys are worth forty points for a facial." "I'm sorry?" Let's step back for a moment. Time to create a Venn diagram. One circle will be "Woman who have sucked my dick." Small circle. Not empty. Filled with women to whom I am forever grateful. Let's have the other circle be "Women who are so fucking hot that I silently apologize after jerking off to their memory." Now, and I want to be totally clear on this, these circles do not intersect. Not even a little. They don't even get written out on the same piece of paper. Imagine too, a circle labelled "Women who let me cum on their face." This circle was empty. Back to the moment. "Tonight is the Omega Scavenger hunt. And I wanna win it." she said. Her smile was tempting me to make a bad decision. "So what do I do?" "Take off your pants. But leave on the Alpha sweatshirt." I reached for my belt, and then years of self-preservation kicked in. "Wait, Beko's not your boyfriend is he? Because he would have an easy time killing me and I would have a hard time stopping him." "Nope. He just has a nice dick." Which is exactly not what I want to think about when I next see Beko. I dropped my pants. Then I closed my eyes and waited for the someone to tell me that this was a terrible terrible prank. What I felt instead was warm breath across my the head of my dick. I cautiously opened one eye, then the other. She'd taken one of the couch cushions and put it on the floor in front of me. She was kneeling on it, her face just inches away from me. I was not hard. But that was not going to last. She traced her fingers up my thigh, sliding them slowly up, I bit my lip as I watched her. Her hand slid under my balls, then she ran a finger from my ass all the way to where they hung. All the while her hot breath surrounded me. I'd never watched myself get hard before, but it was happening so fast it barely registered. One minute her hand lightly cupped my balls and the next I am so damn hard that it almost slaps me in the stomach. "You like this?" She asked, as she ran her soft cheek along the head. "I'm neither dead nor gay, so yes." "Good." She said. The she wrapped her hand around the base of my shaft, holding it up. She leaned in and alternated between soft kisses and quick licks as she worked her way up. I balled my fists so hard that my nails dug into my palms. She teased and licked her way up, until her mouth was just at the head. Then she looked up at me, winked, and took me in her mouth. I'd had my dick sucked before. I thought it was awesome. It turns out that everyone who came before was just shit. She ran her tongue under my shaft, her mouth wet and ready. She swirled it against the hole at the tip, then leaned in, taking inch after inch. She did not slow. She did not stop. She took me in until her nose was flush against me, her chin touching my balls. She winked again. And then slowly, slowly, ever so slowly, she let me out. Her tongue made every inch of my man flesh electric. I reached down to her head, but she just brushed me off, then waved her finger in the classic naughty naughty gesture. Chastened, I put my hands behind my head and groaned. She firmly wrapped one hand around my root, and with the other cupped my balls, pressing a finger against my taint. She leaned forward again, taking me until her lips reached her hand. She began to rock her head back and forth, slowly at first. Her hand stayed with her lips, making every rock a long slow stroke of my dick, with the wet miracle of her mouth keeping me on edge. I took a deep breath as she started speeding up. Every downstroke felt my cock getting wetter, every upstroke felt my balls getting tighter. Her free hand was rubbing my taint, teasing my balls, and driving me crazy. I felt my hips go loose as I adopted her rhythm. Pulling away when she pulled away. Pushing in as she pushed in. I felt myself in the back of her throat, then running the length of her tongue. She kept a wet suction that gave me no respite. I felt myself pushing the pace now. Seeing her, so gorgeous, so sexy so fucking good at sucking a cock was too much. I pushed so hard she gagged. I pulled out so far the cool air hit me. But she did not stop. Her grip on my shaft tighten. She slammed me into her mouth as if daring me to try to stop. I was off balance, standing on my toes, my dick falling into her amazing mouth, my eyes seeing stars. "Fucking Christ! I'm going to blow!" I said. She sped up, moving so fast she got blurry. I felt my load begin, rumbling from the depths of me up my shaft. She felt it too, and right when it was about to escape she learned back, her hands continuing to work the shaft. I exploded on to her. On her cheek, her perfect nose, her hair. And she put her face right against me. Pulling me still, milking every last drop onto her skin. I was in love. So it is a clear understatement when I say I was surprised when the flash went off. "Did you just take a selfie?" I said. "Yep. Gotta get the points." She said. "I forgot about that." And I had. This was clearly a one-time thing. But at least I closed the Venn diagram. "So June, could you send me that?" "Nope." "Right." I reached for the paper towel roll that remained from my cleaning and offered it to her. "Towel?" I said. She smiled the gorgeous smile, buried under layers of my spunk. "Nope. I'll wear it out. Extra five points." And, just like that, she was gone. It was the best thirty minutes of my life so far. Of course, by the end of the night it would be the third best thirty minutes of my life. One lowly pledge must make her nasty video dreams come true. I found pizza under a couch. Not a pizza box. No box to be found. Not a single slice, but instead eight slices, composing a whole pizza of what I can only assume was pepperoni pizza, all perfectly arranged under the couch. Like it was being delivered to hungry mice whose ordering reach far exceeds their grasp. Or a bunch of morons with the munchies. Fifty/fifty. I had been tempted, only briefly, to leave the pizza out as a reminder to my frat brothers to clean up after themselves. But, given the bags of filth I trucked out to the dumpster, this cause was lost. I tossed the pizza in with the condom wrappers, used dental floss, and random crusty Kleenex that so recently littered our floors. You might think that I would be unhappy, cleaning up after a couple dozen very well connected douchebags. And, on a normal night, you would be right. But this was not a normal night. This was a night in which the mere fact of my association with Alpha Nu Alpha Lambda resulted in me getting the kind of blow job reserved for men with excessive body hair, giant cigars, and private armies. A night in which one of the hottest women I had ever seen allowed me to not only cover a tile in ethnic bingo (Row: BJ, Column: Asian. Bingo!) but also had me paint her face like a drunken Jackson Pollack. So while I may be the lowest man on a very mangy totem pole, I was also a man who had had my pole waxed. I was in a post orgasm glow, and oscillated between absolute disbelief that I might ever be so lucky, and a profound fear that the best thing that might ever happen to me had already happened. It was deep into one of these swings into self-doubt, and deep into a pile of what I could only assume were once out dishes, that the doorbell rang. It may seem crazy to you that I did not run to the door. It may seem crazy to you that I did not even leave the dishes behind. But, to be clear, you are three hundred words into chapter two. I assumed I was living in the boring epilogue of chapter one. So I did not walk to the door. And I did not run. Instead I picked up the next sorry excuse for a plate and started scrubbing. The doorbell rang again. With feeling. And then again. Eventually I realized that whomever was pushing it was actually tapping out a beat. A lively bossa nova thing. And they were not going anywhere. No night is perfect. I put the dish down, dried off my hands, and walked to the door. The persistent beat made my feet want to run, but I kept them under control. I stood in front of the door, took a deep breath, and opened it. "Welcome to Alpha Nu, how can I help you?" It was dark outside. But she was very blonde. The kind of blonde that happens when you have hair bleach and a wandering mind. The hair framed a lovely face, ghostly pale. And now I was staring. She smiled, a thousand watt thing. "You can help me by getting out of my way." "What?" "'How can you help me?'" She said. "You just asked. Then you got stupid." "Right. No. Come in. I'm Cam." I moved out of the way She pushed past me, pulling a giant roller bag. "I'm Mary. But everyone calls me Daisy." "Why is that?" She hit me with the smile again. "Because I tell them to." She put the bag down, then spun around like a Julie Andrews on a German mountain. This caused her slightly modest sundress to become much less modest, and gave me a lovely view of a pair of runner's legs. And I was staring again. "This will have to do. It's funny, because the place looks so classy outside. All bricks and ivy. Then you come in and it looks like someone threw up on the floor." She said. "Someone does throw up on the floor. Every day. His name is Ted. He calls it clearing his throat." Daisy looked at me with an expression that I could not place. Something between amused and irritated. "Let the artist work, dear." She said. "And that is not the visual I want in my head." She stalked around the room, framing parts with her fingers. "I want sultry. I want dark. I want something that oozes passion and hunger and need." She said. "It's a dump. A dump with couches that are so nasty they make crunching sounds when you sit on them." I said. "It needs lighting. It needs ambiance. It needs to be perfect." "Perfect for what?" I asked. "This!" She said. Then she handed me a piece of paper. I scanned it. "Is this a shot list?" "Of course. You can't direct without one." "And everything on this-" I waved the sheet. "Is going to happen here?" "Of course." "Who is playing willing young co-ed?" I asked. "Me. I am the star of all my works." "And who is playing the hard and ready young stud?" "Well Cam, I was going to audition the boys," She said. And then that smile almost knocked me down. "but you're the only one here. So... are you up for it?" I started pulling off my pants. She put a hand on my chest. "Hold up cowboy. You've seen the shot list. Not until scene 3. Now help me set up." You might think a roller bag would only hold a small amount of film equipment. You would be wrong. You might think that setting up lights, area mikes, a camera, and a bunch of shit that I do not have names for would be difficult with an erection. You would be right. But, given the proper motivation, all work can be rewarding. "I've never seen anyone work so fast." She said. "I'm a lover of film." I said. "You know, I don't normally ask questions when an absurdly attractive woman asks me to make a porno with her-" "You get asked that a lot?" She said, as she was draping sheets over the couch. "More than I'd have ever thought." I said. "But why are we making a porno?" "Because I am an Omega Mu. And this is our annual scavenger hunt." She said. "This video should be worth 355 points, should you be able to keep your load in for every shot." "So, I'm just going to ask this." I said. I looked up and saw her fiddling with the camera. It took me a second to refocus from looking down her dress at her very impressive rack. She caught me looking, and smiled behind the viewfinder. "Why are you doing this at all. This is not me trying to scare you away, I am just really curious." She stopped for a second, and pulled a couple of wispy blonde strands from in front of her face to behind her ear. I don't know that I believe in any god, but if one exists he must be damn happy with his work here. "Do you know how competitive Omega Mu is? The girls there are driven to be great. They will walk off this campus and into lives that most people only dream of. And I'm a film major. They don't respect what I do. They don't understand it. Most of them can't even be bothered to stay awake during my films." She stepped close, so close I could smell strawberries and the faintest hint of excitement. "But they will stay awake for this one. By the time I'm done showing it to them they'll be sitting in puddles of their own juice, awkwardly fidgeting and looking for any excuse to get back to their rooms and get their stuck up snatches off. That room will absolutely stink of arousal and lust and need. And they will know that I am one hell of a filmmaker." My dick was threatening to leave my body and go into orbit. "Is the camera rolling? I need it to be rolling." I said. She pointed at the red light. "It's been rolling for the last five minutes. Take off your shirt." I took my shirt off so damn fast I nearly sprained my shoulders. "I don't have a script." "We'll improvise." She closed her eyes and leaned in. I laid my fingers on top of her hand, gliding them up her arm, to her shoulders. I traced her collarbone, then ran them up her neck, to her cheek. Her lips parted. I leaned in to meet them with my own. I felt a slight shudder as they touched, and I wondered if perhaps all her confidence masked a delicacy, a pure and innocent nature, uncorrupted by all the debauchery that surrounds her. Then I felt a firm hand against my chest. It shoved me on to the couch. I fell with no resistance. She walked up to me, put one leg up by my head and pulled up her dress, revealing absolutely no underwear. "You will lick the living shit out of my pussy. If you're lucky I'll let you lick my ass. And If you do a very good job at that I will let you put that monster trying to escape your jeans balls deep inside me." I am a terrible judge of character. That delicate flower ground her incredibly wet pussy into my face. I am not the smartest guy. And I am no actor. But I certainly take direction. I put my hands on her thighs to steady her, then teased her outer lips with my tongue, splitting them, letting them close, tasting her mix of sweat and natural lubrication. I pulled the inner lips between mine, tracing them up to the hard nub. I ran my lips against it, lightly at first, teasing it with my tongue. She rocked her hips into my face, grinding her clit against my lips. I sped up my tongue to meet her urgency, tightening my grip on her legs, pulling her into me. Her juices flowed all over my jaw, pooling on my chest. She lowered her hands to my head and pulled me in so tight I could barely breathe. "Faster you bastard! If I don't get off you don't get off." Being a gentleman, I obliged the lady. But I knew that speed alone was not going to be enough. I freed one of my hands and ran it between her legs. I took her clit between my lips and raced my tongue along it, feeling it pulse with her arousal. A feeling matched only with the untended arousal currently in my pants. "You can't go too hard with me. And you sure as hell aren't going hard enough." I am competitive. Ninety nine percent of the time it is a terrible flaw. This day, not so much. I found an extra gear and pulsed my tongue against her, moving so fast that I got sloppy, and was licking the whole of her pubis. I slipped a couple fingers into her depths, probing until I found the rough patch of her G-spot, then timed my strokes outside with those inside. "Fuck. Just keep doing that." She said. Then words became groans, moved to soft moans, quickly strung together and rising in pitch. I kept up a steady rhythm, feeling her body stiffen, her strong legs go taut, her breathing get ragged. "Fuck me." She shouted. "Fuck Me!" She pulled my head in hard, rubbing herself against me. Her clit ground against me, tracing a wet line on my lips. She gasped, then caught her breath. "Fuck" Her body went slack. I eased my lips off of her. Took my fingers out, running them along my tongue to capture the taste. I lowered her to the couch, then reached for my belt. She smiled. And I wanted her so badly that there was no terrible thing I would not have done. "Not yet. You're only halfway there. And I need more points." And with that she spread her legs, then pulled her knees in. Now, to be clear, at that point I'd have cut off my left arm to fuck her. So eating her ass was not going to be a problem. I dove right the fuck in. I kissed the cutest pinkest prettiest little asshole that I had ever seen. It was wet with her juices and my spit, and I could not help but run my lips upon the rim. She gasped when my lips touched, and it puckered tightly. I blew on it, seeing it shrink with the cold. I ran my tongue under it, watching it loosen as she got aroused. He hands drifted to her pussy, and she spread it apart with one, then ran two fingers through. A delicate strand of drool ran between her fingers and her pussy, and it was all I could do to not ram my tongue against her pretty pucker. My resolve lasted for about two seconds. Then she started grinding her wet fingertips on her clit and I started pushing my tongue against her. Probing for resistance, feeling her tense. I could hear her fingers, sloppily running, making the wet noises of sex and driving me out of my goddamn mind. She sped up and I pushed my tongue right against her flower. I'd read her rhythm, I waited for my moment, and when it came I pushed into her ass. "Jesus Fucking Christ!" She shouted. I didn't stop. It felt like a compliment. I ran my fingers into her again, easing in a couple, felling myself fill her, wanting so much to put more into her. She rocked herself back and forth, using me as a tool to get her off. I was happy with this arrangement. Tongue, fingers and mind were all synchronized as she took control. Her breathing sped up, but I kept my pace. Her rocking increased, her hungry pussy pulling my fingers in, but I was patient. I knew I would get what I wanted and she was about to get hers. "Don't. Fuck. This. Up." She said. Each word punctuated with a thrust. "I'm. Going. To. Cum." And as she said it I felt the signs. She bottomed out on my fingers, her wet pussy spasmed against them. Her ass rippled against my tongue, Her toes curled, and then I got a face full of what I can only assume was her ejaculate. Given what I had done to June it only felt fair. Daisy put both legs on the ground and stood up. Her dress fell back over her assets, robbing me of the wonderful view. "That was worth an extra 20 points. So I am very happy." She said. "I think it is time to make you very happy. Take off your pants." You can't rip off blue jeans. Denim is not a fabric that rips. But you can get them off so fast that short one high speed camera no one can tell the difference. "Stay on the couch." She said. She lifted one spaghetti strap and slowly pulled it over her shoulder. Then the other one. The dress fell noiselessly to the ground. She wore no bra. She didn't need one. Her breasts were as amazing as I had hoped, and the rest of her runner's body was more than I could possibly have dreamed. Taut muscle and soft flesh played in perfect harmony. She stepped towards me, putting one knee outside my legs, then the other. She lifted herself up on her knees, so that she could look down on me, her perfect breasts damn near poking my eyes out. "How badly do you want to fuck me." She said. I could feel all of the wet between her legs dripping on me. My dick twitched like a divining rod on the Mississippi. I looked into those amazing blue eyes and said "A lot." She smiled. "I'll fix that in editing." Then she lowered herself onto me. I wanted to thrust. To take her. To put my hands on her hips, give in to the animal inside me, and slam myself into that perfect wet pussy until I exploded deep within her. But I did not. It nearly killed me, but I kept my shit together. I wanted this to last as long as possible. I felt the lips slowly divide, taking in the head. There was no friction, just heat and wet. She put her forearms on my shoulder, leaned in close, pressed her chest against mine, and brought her lips to my ear. "I love the way you smell. Your sweat and my juices have me so fucking hot." I didn't say anything. I couldn't. She lowered herself a little more. I felt the first inch of me squeezed into her depths. "You want to take me. Use me. The way I used you." I groaned. Her tongue teased my ear. She pushed further, inviting more of me in. "I don't know how you're holding off. Am I not wet enough for you? Tight enough?" I said nothing. My concentration was all I had left. She slid down a bit, her wetness running down my shaft. "Or maybe you're not man enough to take what you want." I put my hands on her hips. Put my lips to her ears. And I stage whispered, loud enough for the camera to hear. "You talk too much." My hips rose. Hers descended. She gasped, but I had been patient for too long. I lifted her, pulled out, then pushed back in. I lifted one arm around her back and pulled her close to me, feeling those tremendous breasts push against me, feeling the muscles in her back tighten. "You're going to match me, stroke for stroke. You are going to match my pace, you are going to match my enthusiasm, and I swear to god you are going to cum with me. I have done everything you wanted. Everything you told me to do. And I am going to fuck the shit out of you." She stopped. And I was struck with terror that I had overplayed my hand. But that smile, dear lord that smile. "I knew you had it in you tiger." She lowered herself to meet me. We started slow, with her walls teasing every bit of me. Each deliberate thrust brought with it a host of mind bending sensations. I locked eyes with her. Saw her passion and need as she pulled me in. Watched her groan every time I bottomed out, watched her grind her pubic bone against mine, trying to get all the stimulation she could. I could have gone forever, but she was a performer. Her pace quickened. I sped up to match. I lowered my head to her breast. She pulled me in, forcing it into my mouth, responding to the suction, the delicate nibble,. My speed increasing, my erection an iron bar straining inside her. Her moans getting louder, my excitement reaching a crest. All pretense of erotic sex had been abandoned. I pushed myself into her with violence, she responded in kind. Our bodies slapped against each other. My hands were gripping her hard runner's ass for dear life, her nails dug into my back. The only word I could say was fuck. The only thing I could do was fuck, All I ever wanted to do was fuck. But all the servicing of this woman had taken its toll. No man could resist her for long. "Now cum for me." I said. I don't know who came first. I came so hard I blacked out for a second, every sense shutting down so that I could bust the world's most righteous nut. She had taken me all the way into her, so deep I could feel every bit of the inside of her, and it was all squeezing me as she pulsed through her own orgasm. I don't know if I've ever cum more. I'm not sure I could. After a minute she stretched out, still impaled on me, giving me an eyeful that I will take with me to the grave and far beyond. "And cut." She said. Then she got up and walked to the camera. Everything I'd left behind was running down her leg and she did not mind at all. "Are you sure you've never acted before? You seem like a natural." "Is this pillow talk?" "No. A direct question." "Ahh. No. Not since I was a tree in the 3rd grade musical." She finished packing the camera. "You must have been one hell of a tree. Now help me clean up." I broke down the lights and the mics. I stole every glance I could. If this was going to be the best night of my life I wanted to remember every bit of it. Far too quickly we were packed. She pulled on her dress. I pulled on my clothes. She turned to leave. "Daisy. stop." I said. "Can I give you my number? In case of rewrites or something?" Daisy reached into her bag, and pulled something out. The she hit me with that smile one last time. "Here's my card. I'll be honest, your ear for dialogue is shit, so you will in no way be involved with a rewrite." She said. "But, if you are ever looking to fuck again, my cell is on the back." I stood stock still and watched her walk away. Shock does terrible things to a man. Then I spent the next fifteen minutes memorizing her phone number, because I am not a complete idiot. The day may come when I forget who I am, where I came from, and everything I have ever cared about. And on that day will still be able to recite all 10 fucking digits because some shit is too damn important to forget. By QuothTheRamen for Literotica
Tune into episode 445 of the Mobile Tech Podcast with guest Daniel Bader of Android Police -- brought to you by Mint Mobile. In today's show, we review Apple's AirPods Pro 3 and Nothing's ear (3), and share our first impressions of the Apple Watch SE 3, Watch 11, and Watch Ultra 3. We also discuss silicon-carbon batteries, then cover news, leaks, and rumors from Qualcomm, Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Oppo. Good times :)Episode Links- Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/tnkgrl- Donate / buy me a coffee (PayPal): https://tnkgrl.com/tnkgrl/- Support the podcast with Mint Mobile: https://mintmobile.com/mobiletech- Daniel Bader: https://www.threads.com/@journeydan- Apple AirPods Pro 3 review: https://www.theverge.com/headphone-review/777798/airpods-pro-3-review-active-noise-cancelling-live-translation-headphones- Nothing ear (3) review: https://www.androidpolice.com/i-tried-the-nothing-ear-3s-wild-super-mic-feature-and-it-really-works/- Apple Watch SE 3, Watch 11, and Watch Ultra 3 wrist-on: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-apple-watch-series-11-ultra-3-and-se-3- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 coming Sept 23: https://www.gsmarena.com/snapdragon_8_elite_5_is_qualcomms_next_flagship_chipset-news-69497.php- Xiaomi 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max teaser leaks: https://www.gsmarena.com/this_is_the_xiaomi_17_pro_max_with_its_rear_display-news-69509.php- OnePlus 15 design leaks: https://www.gsmarena.com/first_photo_of_the_oneplus_15_reveals_its_revamped_design_and_the_three_colorways-news-69498.php- Oppo Find X9 Pro photo samples: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_shares_first_camera_sample_from_find_x9_pros_200mp_periscope-news-69505.php- Oppo Find X9 Pro camera kit: https://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_find_x9_pro_will_come_with_an_optional_hasselblad_imaging_kit-news-69478.phpAffiliate Links (If you use these links to buy something, we might earn a commission)- Apple AirPods Pro 3: https://amzn.to/47TGHSK- Apple Watch Ultra 3: https://amzn.to/46hxRNi- Apple Watch 11: https://amzn.to/4nKFrpJ- Apple Watch SE 3: https://amzn.to/4pvQsg8- Nothing ear (3): https://amzn.to/48bw4Lh- OnePlus Watch 3: https://amzn.to/48tlLlF
How media helps to shape the conversation around innovation and social good to create global impact. This week my guests are: - Pierre-Yves Lanneau Saint Léger, CEO of Forbes Luxembourg and Silicon Luxembourg - Jess Bauldry, Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Luxembourg - Genna Elvin, co-founder of Tadaweb and President of Pulse, Luxembourg's largest startup association. - Anne Goeres, founder of Philantree Why Forbes Came to Luxembourg For Pierre-Yves Lanneau Saint Léger, the arrival of Forbes in Luxembourg was a recognition that our success stories deserve a global stage. Forbes embodies the values of celebrating entrepreneurship and Luxembourg is now part of the global Forbes family (49 editions). Pierre-Yves also highlights the continuing importance of Silicon Luxembourg, launched 13 years ago as a blog and now a vibrant community of 40,000 followers. “If you create your startup, you are in Silicon; when you sell your startup, you are in Forbes,” he quipped, neatly capturing the lifecycle of highly successful entrepreneurship. Storytelling and Connection Jess Bauldry knows that in Luxembourg, connections and jobs are often fostered through in-person engagement, especially in the startup sector. “So many business deals and jobs here are still made through face-to-face encounters, not just applications.” Storytelling is business necessity. Nonetheless, Jess and her team at Forbes and Silicon Luxembourg are highly attuned to spotlighting innovators who may not be the loudest in the room but are making transformative contributions without the self-promotion. She feels it is their job to shine a spotlight on people like this, rather than the ‘same faces' constantly. Building a Startup Nation Genna Elvin has become the pin-up girl for entrepreneurial tech success in Luxembourg. From modest beginnings in Brussels to developing Tadaweb in Luxembourg, the team has grown from nothing to 150 employees, raised €40 million in capital and expanded internationally with offices in Luxembourg, Paris, London and the United States. Recognised as one of Forbes' Top 100 Female Founders in Europe, Genna now also leads Pulse, Luxembourg's largest startup association. Elvin recalled being told a decade ago that Luxembourg could never attract top talent. “That's not true,” she insisted. Instead, her company recruit globally, offering newcomers an instant community and support system. From an in-person welcome to apartments on arrival, to thoughtful gestures like helping employees navigate supermarkets, Tadaweb put people first. “At a human level, you need to get the base right if you want to execute at a high level,” she said, referencing Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Her perspective also touched on Luxembourg's risk-averse culture, often cited as a barrier to innovation. While family-run businesses might make caution understandable, Genna knows that progress requires calculated risks. Philanthropy: Love for humanity Anne Goeres, who previously ran Luxembourg's children's cancer foundation, has now founded Philantree, an organisation designed to help businesses and families channel their wealth into meaningful impact. Goerges explained that while terms like charity, foundation or non-profit differ in structure, their essence is the same: love of humanity. “It always starts with a group of people committed to a cause,” she said, noting that even the largest organisations begin with small acts of compassion. Today, she sees a shift toward long-term partnerships rather than one-off donations. “Companies want to integrate philanthropy into their culture, aligning their values with those of their employees,” she said. This approach not only deepens impact but also helps unite generations around shared purpose. ESG: Beyond Box-Ticking Of course, philanthropy and sustainability are not immune to scepticism. Regulations can sometimes feel bureaucratic, and companies risk treating ESG commitments as box-ticking exercises. Yet Pierre-Yves and Bauldry agree that in today's job market, values-driven business is non-negotiable. Millennials and Gen Z want purposeful careers. Without them, companies will lose talent, and no amount of AI can replace that. That is why Forbes Luxembourg continues to highlight stories that blend profit with purpose. From entrepreneurs innovating in health and space tech to executives shaping green finance, the magazine seeks to showcase leaders who both earn and spend wisely, with an eye toward long-term wellbeing. The Future: Voices That Matter As Luxembourg prepares to unveil its Forbes Under 30 list, the challenge is not just to identify the loudest voices but to find and elevate those who deliver true, lasting impact. There is still time to apply or nominate someone! “Some founders don't have time for self-promotion,” Bauldry admitted. “Our job is to find them, investigate, and shine a light on their work.” This inclusive approach reflects the broader Luxembourg ecosystem: diverse, international, ambitious, yet grounded in a sense of community. https://philantree.lu/ https://www.tadaweb.com/ https://www.gennaelvin.com/ https://www.forbes.lu/ https://www.siliconluxembourg.lu/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pylsl/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-bauldry/?originalSubdomain=lu https://www.forbes.lu/under-30/
Great founders shine in a crisis.
One of the best parts of running a game studio and policy shop here at Riskgaming at Lux Capital is the actual public launch of a new game. That day is today, because we are dropping Southwest Silicon to the world. It's a game that models the tensions between residents, farmers as well as old and new industries in the context of the rise of chip fabs in Arizona. Water security is one of the most challenging and complex issues facing the American Southwest, and through the lens of nine characters in the game, we hope to leave every player with a more profound set of questions on what's next as America continues to grow.On the podcast today, host Danny Crichton talks with the game's designer, Ian Curtiss. Ian previously designed our Chinese electric vehicle scenario, Powering Up, and now he brings his hometown lens to bear on the future of advanced manufacturing and economic development.The two talk about the game's design, its implications and what we've witnessed as we have watched players the world over compete over the future of silicon and sand. Listen in, and we hope you join a live runthrough soon — or host your own.
9/15/25: SILICON 666 Beginning today, September 15, tech billionaires are openly planning the Luciferian World State — and they think you are too stupid to notice. Peter Thiel, the billionaire puppet master behind PayPal, Palantir's surveillance empire, and Facebook's early rise, is hosting a private, four-part lecture series at San Francisco's Commonwealth Club. The topic is not about "AI ethics." Not "technological disruption." Not "digital transformation." No, the lecture series will be about the Antichrist. And guess what - he's not warning about it. He's teaching Silicon Valley's elite how to recognize it, analyze it, and work with it. These new Silicon Valley companies are making inroads into creating a system that will only allow you to buy, sell, or conduct transactions if you have a unique identifier, similar to the mark of the beast, embedded in your hand—or in your forehead. Sound familiar? Listen to Ground Zero with Clyde Lewis M-F from 7-10 pm, pacific time on groundzeroplus.com. Call in to the LIVE show at 503-225-0860. #groundzeroplus #ClydeLewis #markofthebeast #siliconvalley #PeterThiel
How To Sell to the Dept of War – The 2025 PEO Directory by Steve Blank
“Projects like HPQ Silicon's strengthen Canada's ability to manufacture components for high-performance batteries, and are creating a world-class battery ecosystem…” – The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources“Canada is taking action to build a nation that is ready to unlock the strength, potential and innovation of our workers, businesses, and resources. The work being done by HPQ Silicon is a key part of that goal.” - Claude Guay, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural ResourcesHPQ Silicon $HPQ / $HPQFF announced it has been awarded up to C$3 million in federal funding to accelerate commercialization of its silicon-based anode materials—a key component that can increase the capacity of lithium-ion batteries. The funding is non-dilutive (no new shares issued) and is aimed at moving from lab success to scaled manufacturing.Silicon anodes can store more energy than conventional graphite alone, but historically they've faced swelling and durability issues. HPQ Silicon has addressed major integration challenges and produced commercial-grade material designed to deliver meaningful performance gains over 1,000 charge cycles—a hurdle that has limited broader adoption.CEO Bernard Tourillon outlines a near-term plan to scale production capacity and finalize equipment manufacturing with its R&D and engineering partners over the next 3–6 months. The goal: move from pilot output to an initial commercial line sized for meaningful cell volumes, with the company referencing a 50-ton per year material system as a stepping stone to larger deployments.Beyond the federal award, HPQ emphasized that the funding came after a rigorous, multi-stage government review process that effectively validates its technology and commercial approach. The company continues to work closely with its specialist R&D partner to refine the production system and has already been invited to participate in upcoming industry and government showcases, underscoring its role in Canada's broader battery ecosystem. Together, these elements provide not just financial support, but also external recognition that positions HPQ as a credible player in the emerging market for advanced battery materials.Bernard Tourillon underscored that the demand for more efficient batteries is only increasing, driven by rising global energy needs—even as active populations plateau. He highlighted that industry experts view lithium-based batteries enhanced with graphite and silicon as the long-term path forward, much like how solar technology became the dominant standard after years of incremental improvement. HPQ's silicon anode material, validated through government funding, is designed to integrate directly into existing battery production lines. This positions both HPQ and Canada to be competitive players in a market that will continue to expand as efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness remain top priorities worldwide.The interview frames a credible multi step-change for HPQ: government validation, non-dilutive capital, a defined 3–6 month scale-up plan, and a cost pathway via continuous processing. Execution remains key, but the risk-reward has improved as the company moves from “talking the talk” to building capacity for commercial orders. WHAT'S NEWWHY IT MATTERSCOMMERCIAL PATH AND TIMING 3RD PARTY VALIDATION MARKET POTENTIALTHE TAKEAWAY
durée : 00:05:52 - Le Journal de l'éco - par : Anne-Laure Chouin - La société américaine vient de signer un contrat de 10 milliards de dollars avec l'armée américaine, à qui elle fournit des services logiciels. Fondée par Peter Thiel, proche d'Elon Musk, elle a surtout bâti un modèle d'affaires, basé sur la surveillance, qui la rend incontournable.
What if the secret to unlocking world peace, generational wealth, and breakthrough health technology could all be found in one room—and you're about to get inside?In this electrifying kickoff episode of the Thrive LouD “Global Passion Project” series (1 of 5), host Lou Diamond takes you behind the scenes at an exclusive gathering in Southampton, NY, where the world's most influential visionaries are connecting passion, power, and purpose to transform the future.Get ready for candid, no-holds-barred conversations with powerhouse guests like J. Bradley Hilton, Shane Hackett, and healthcare entrepreneur Richie Hosein. This episode peels back the curtain on never-before-heard insights into:The biggest generational wealth transfer ever—and how legacy families like the Hiltons and Rockefellers are rethinking their impactBridging the worlds of AI, blockchain, and health for a whole new era of human potentialPractical strategies the wealthy are using to merge health and wealth in the face of today's chronic illness epidemicThe untold story behind Hilton Hotels' founding mission for international peace—and how this vision is being supercharged with 21st-century tech and empowermentHow innovators are blending philanthropy, business, and cutting-edge science to tackle problems from longevity to chronic fatigue… and what might surprise you most about the methods they usePlus: insider habits from the high performers in the room for stoking daily motivation and resilience, no matter the challenge. Whether you're a legacy builder, entrepreneur, or impact-seeker, you'll walk away with a shot of inspiration—and an inside track on the sparks flying among today's gamechangers.Episode Overview:[00:00:02] – Shane Hackett introduces the Thrive Loud mission and Lou Diamond as “Master Connector”[00:00:25] – Lou welcomes listeners to the Global Passion Project series and sets the scene in Southampton, NY[00:01:17] – J. Bradley Hilton and Shane Hackett share what makes this event—and their work—revolutionary[00:02:44] – Delving into generational legacies, transitioning wealth, and the technological leap from Silicon to Graphene Age[00:03:52] – The real-time challenges: accelerating change, aligning partnerships, and the push to launch global initiatives[00:05:08] – Hilton family history: from hotelier legacy to a mission for world peace through connection and entrepreneurship[00:06:34] – Shane Hackett on merging family offices, technology, and the health crisis shaping new investment paradigms[00:08:40] – The closer ties between health and wealth—and why both are more connected than ever before[00:10:01] – Lou welcomes Richie Hosein, entrepreneur and healthcare leader, to share his passion and purpose[00:11:37] – Richie Hosein's formula for growing impactful businesses, with a special focus on health innovation[00:12:32] – How passion-driven connections and personal story drive innovation in healthcare[00:13:35] – The daily rituals and mindset strategies top performers use to stay resilient and thrive[00:16:04] – Where to find and follow Richie Hosein's work, plus a snapshot of his mission in healthcare and innovation[00:16:59] – Final reflections: what guests hope to achieve—and the ripple effect the Global Passion Project is set to haveTune in for a front row seat to the legacies, tech, and missions that could shape our tomorrow.
When a leading global manufacturer of fumed silica asks a small cap company for product samples and then confirms those samples meet commercial-grade standards, it signals more than validation. It signals disruption. HPQ Silicon (TSX-V: HPQ, OTCQB: HPQFF) has achieved exactly that, advancing its one-step, cleaner, and lower-cost process for producing fumed silica from quartz.Independent Validation: Confirmed by a top global fumed silica producerGlobal Interest: 6 of the top 7 players in the world are interestedLOI With World Leader: The biggest fumed silica maker in the world has already signed an LOIScale-up achieved: After 60+ lab-scale tests producing grams of material, HPQ is now producing kilograms at pilot scale.Fumed silica is a ubiquitous material, used in food, cosmetics, construction, and advanced manufacturing. Today's market is dominated by a few entrenched players with billions invested in traditional production methods. HPQ's process lowers barriers to entry, potentially enabling even quartz deposit holders to participate in higher-value fumed silica production rather than selling raw material at low margins.As HPQ CEO Bernard Tourillon explained:“This is a pivotal validation of both the process and the product—confirming that we can now produce commercial-grade fumed silica in a single-step, scalable operation.”Management emphasized the importance of pursuing commercialization strategically, including funding commitments and offtake agreements, while safeguarding shareholder interests and intellectual property. HPQ also benefits from the support of institutional investor Investissement Québec, which holds an 8% stake — an often-overlooked factor that strengthens its position in any potential negotiations.Test #6 marks the turning point where HPQ can begin serious NDA and LOI discussions with industry partners. The company's next target is to push surface area performance above 200 m²/g, opening the door to the highest-value grades of fumed silica.With third-party validation, a dramatic scale-up from grams to kilograms, and confirmation that its bold claim is now reality, HPQ Silicon has crossed a critical threshold. In an industry ripe for innovation, HPQ is positioning itself as a potential paradigm-shifter — one that could redefine cost structures, environmental standards, and competitive dynamics across the global fumed silica market.WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWSTRATEGIC IMPLICATIONS FOR COMMERICIALIZATION PROTECTING SHAREHOLDER VALUETHE ROAD AHEADINVESTOR TAKAWAY
In this episode, agronomist and Logan Labs soil consultant Bill McKibben talks about silicon as a mineral that can improve soil health. Subscribe for more content on sustainable farming, market farming tips, and business insights! Get market farming tools, seeds, and supplies at Modern Grower. Follow Modern Grower: Instagram Instagram Listen to other podcasts on the Modern Grower Podcast Network: Carrot Cashflow Farm Small Farm Smart Farm Small Farm Smart Daily The Growing Microgreens Podcast The Urban Farmer Podcast The Rookie Farmer Podcast In Search of Soil Podcast Check out Diego's books: Sell Everything You Grow on Amazon Ready Farmer One on Amazon **** Modern Grower and Diego Footer participate in the Amazon Services LLC. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Send us a textX-ray technology reveals what the naked eye cannot see - the intricate world of semiconductor interconnects that power our digital lives. In this deep dive with Ben Peecock, Senior Director of Business Development at Nordson Test and Inspection, we uncover the critical differences between x-ray inspection and metrology that keep semiconductor manufacturing on track.With nearly three decades of experience in the industry, Peecock guides us through the evolution of semiconductor inspection technologies. While silicon itself remains transparent to x-rays, the metal interconnects between components provide the perfect canvas for quality assessment. As advanced packaging pushes toward smaller, more complex structures with 3D stacking and chiplet architectures, the need for sophisticated inspection has never been greater.We explore how inspection (focused on imagery) and metrology (centered on precise measurements) serve complementary roles across the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. From R&D laboratories perfecting new processes to high-volume production lines seeking zero defects, these technologies help manufacturers identify issues before they become costly failures. The conversation ventures into the distinctions between 2D inspection (optimized for speed) and 3D analysis (delivering comprehensive structural information) and when each approach proves most valuable.Particularly fascinating is Nordson's approach to vertical integration, developing their own specialized x-ray sources and detectors optimized specifically for semiconductor applications. This expertise extends to their innovative work integrating artificial intelligence to accelerate inspections while maintaining accuracy. Their thoughtful approach to data security gives customers options to protect proprietary information while still benefiting from AI's capabilities.Discover how these technologies are already supporting emerging trends like panel-level packaging and learn about Nordson's unique radiation management solutions that protect sensitive components during inspection. Whether you're a semiconductor professional seeking quality control insights or simply curious about the technologies that ensure your electronic devices function reliably, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into an invisible world of quality assurance.Nordson Test and Inspection Delivering best-in-class test, inspection, and metrology solutions for semiconductor applications. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the showBecome a sustaining member! Like what you hear? Follow us on LinkedIn and TwitterInterested in reaching a qualified audience of microelectronics industry decision-makers? Invest in host-read advertisements, and promote your company in upcoming episodes. Contact Françoise von Trapp to learn more. Interested in becoming a sponsor of the 3D InCites Podcast? Check out our 2024 Media Kit. Learn more about the 3D InCites Community and how you can become more involved.
In the latest episode of This Much I Know, our Managing Partner, Carlos Espinal and Nandan Nayampally, Chief Commercial Officer of Baya Systems (previously at ARM, Amazon and AMD), delve into the geopolitics and innovations within the semiconductor industry. Nandan shares his extensive career journey from AMD to ARM and Amazon, providing valuable insights into the evolution of the semiconductor industry. He also emphasizes the shift towards specialized IP designs and the global distribution of manufacturing. The conversation explores the impact of geopolitical factors on the chip industry, the rise of localized manufacturing, supply chain resilience and the future implications of AI and edge technology. Tune in! Show Notes: Nandan Nayampally - linkedin.com/in/nandannayampally Carlos Espinal - linkedin.com/in/carloseduardoespinal Baya Systems - bayasystems.com Seedcamp - seedcamp.com
Was passiert, wenn ChatGPT zu Donald Trump wird? Oder wenn eine KI perfekt vorhersagt, wen du wählst? In dieser Folge erkunden Gregor und Fritz das "Silicon Sampling" - den Versuch, Menschen mit KI zu simulieren. Nicht nur die Marktforschung experimentiert mit der Methode, auch CEOs erstellen digitale Zwillinge von sich selbst, und Politiker könnten ihre Botschaften an virtuelle Bürger optimieren. Fritz und Gregor fragen: Wo sind die Grenzen der synthetischen Durchschnittsmenschen?
Israeli/Ukranian-style bolt from the blue drone attacks freak out Eric. I don't buy Silicon Shield. Lessons from Waymo on about the future of warfare. Intertextual analysis of the Mick Ryan interview. Fed Supernova, which is a terrible name for a conference, and counterintelligence. Has John Bolton taken enough Ls already? I guess not. Guests include: Tony Stark, Army vet who writes https://www.breakingbeijing.com/ Justin McIntosh, former Green beret who writes https://justinmc.substack.com/ Eric Robinson, lawyer and Army vet who spent time in OSC, JSOC and the NCTC Outtro Music: Bach, Chris Thile, Partita 1 in B Minor 1002: VI. Double https://open.spotify.com/track/780bh3MspPK19jVDD7EIKu?si=4809af67eda34c38 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Israeli/Ukranian-style bolt from the blue drone attacks freak out Eric. I don't buy Silicon Shield. Lessons from Waymo on about the future of warfare. Intertextual analysis of the Mick Ryan interview. Fed Supernova, which is a terrible name for a conference, and counterintelligence. Has John Bolton taken enough Ls already? I guess not. Guests include: Tony Stark, Army vet who writes https://www.breakingbeijing.com/ Justin McIntosh, former Green beret who writes https://justinmc.substack.com/ Eric Robinson, lawyer and Army vet who spent time in OSC, JSOC and the NCTC Outtro Music: Bach, Chris Thile, Partita 1 in B Minor 1002: VI. Double https://open.spotify.com/track/780bh3MspPK19jVDD7EIKu?si=4809af67eda34c38 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of The Six Five Pod, hosts Patrick Moorhead and Daniel Newman discuss the tech news stories that made headlines this week. The handpicked topics for this week are: Intel and Government Investment: Extensive coverage of Intel's recent developments. A debate on the U.S. government stake in Intel and its implications. Chip Advancements: Discussion on China's progress in computer and chip manufacturing. Analysis of China's indigenous chip acceleration efforts. Market Dynamics and Economic Outlook: Examination of current market conditions and Fed Chair Powell's comments. Insights on potential interest rate cuts and their economic impact. Tech Earnings and Company Performance: Analysis of recent earnings from Palo Alto Networks, Zoom, and Workday. Discussion on challenges and opportunities in the SaaS market. Nvidia's Upcoming Earnings Report: Predictions and expectations for Nvidia's financial performance. Long-term outlook on Nvidia's market position and growth potential. AI and Cybersecurity Trends: Exploration of AI's role in enhancing cybersecurity measures. Discussion on Palo Alto Networks' position in securing AI infrastructure. For a deeper dive into each topic, please click on the links above. Be sure to subscribe to The Six Five Pod so you never miss an episode.
The battery materials startup raised significant Series D funding to expand its manufacturing capability. At the same time, it bought out partner SK's stake in a joint venture. The company helps automate complex enterprise workflows (like continuous integration and testing) — or, in other words, it makes DevOps capabilities more efficient as AI technology takes hold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
How will we feed the 100s of GWs of extra energy demand that AI will create over the next decade? On this episode, Casey Handmer (Caltech PhD, former NASA JPL, founder & CEO of Terraform Industries) walks me through how we can pull it off, and why he thinks a major part of this energy singularity will be powered by solar. His views are contrarian, but he came armed to defend them.Watch on YouTube; listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.Sponsors* Lighthouse helps frontier technology companies like Cursor and Physical Intelligence navigate the U.S. immigration system and hire top talent from around the world. Lighthouse handles everything for you, maximizing the probability of visa approval while minimizing the work you have to do. Learn more at lighthousehq.com/employersTo sponsor a future episode, visit dwarkesh.com/advertise.Timestamps(00:00:00) – Why doesn't China win by default?(00:08:28) – Why hyperscalers choose natural gas over solar(00:18:01) – Solar's astonishing learning rates(00:27:02) – How to build 50,000 acre solar-powered data centers(00:40:24) – Environmental regulations blocking clean energy(00:44:04) – Batteries replacing the grid(00:49:14) – GDP is broken, AGI's true value must be measured in total energy use(00:58:45) – Silicon wafers in space with one mind each Get full access to Dwarkesh Podcast at www.dwarkesh.com/subscribe
Low-cost MacBooks could begin production soon, with a release period for early 2026. The developer beta for iOS 26 Beta 6 is out now. Could the iPhone 17 be introduced with a higher price point? And Alex Lindsay is excited to play with a new camera to record Vision Pro content. Low-cost MacBook production starting soon, possible $599 or $699 pricing. Apple's MacBook Pro overhaul with OLED might not launch until 2027. Apple's bid to close the AI gap could be hampered by AI brain drain. Apple will bring GPT-5 to Apple Intelligence in iOS, iPad OS and macOS 26. Everything New in iOS 26 [dev] Beta 6. AirPods could soon get Live Translation, iOS 26 beta code suggests. iPhone 17 models 'likely' to have higher prices, another analyst says. Gold, Frankincense, and Silicon. Japan law is forcing more browser choice on iPhone in December. Tech giants Apple and Google lose landmark court case as federal judge rules they engaged in anti-competitive conduct. Picks of the Week: Andy's Pick: DockLite Board Alex's Pick: The BlackMagic Immersive Camera Jason's Pick: Instapaper Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: helixsleep.com/twit
Low-cost MacBooks could begin production soon, with a release period for early 2026. The developer beta for iOS 26 Beta 6 is out now. Could the iPhone 17 be introduced with a higher price point? And Alex Lindsay is excited to play with a new camera to record Vision Pro content. Low-cost MacBook production starting soon, possible $599 or $699 pricing. Apple's MacBook Pro overhaul with OLED might not launch until 2027. Apple's bid to close the AI gap could be hampered by AI brain drain. Apple will bring GPT-5 to Apple Intelligence in iOS, iPad OS and macOS 26. Everything New in iOS 26 [dev] Beta 6. AirPods could soon get Live Translation, iOS 26 beta code suggests. iPhone 17 models 'likely' to have higher prices, another analyst says. Gold, Frankincense, and Silicon. Japan law is forcing more browser choice on iPhone in December. Tech giants Apple and Google lose landmark court case as federal judge rules they engaged in anti-competitive conduct. Picks of the Week: Andy's Pick: DockLite Board Alex's Pick: The BlackMagic Immersive Camera Jason's Pick: Instapaper Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: helixsleep.com/twit
Low-cost MacBooks could begin production soon, with a release period for early 2026. The developer beta for iOS 26 Beta 6 is out now. Could the iPhone 17 be introduced with a higher price point? And Alex Lindsay is excited to play with a new camera to record Vision Pro content. Low-cost MacBook production starting soon, possible $599 or $699 pricing. Apple's MacBook Pro overhaul with OLED might not launch until 2027. Apple's bid to close the AI gap could be hampered by AI brain drain. Apple will bring GPT-5 to Apple Intelligence in iOS, iPad OS and macOS 26. Everything New in iOS 26 [dev] Beta 6. AirPods could soon get Live Translation, iOS 26 beta code suggests. iPhone 17 models 'likely' to have higher prices, another analyst says. Gold, Frankincense, and Silicon. Japan law is forcing more browser choice on iPhone in December. Tech giants Apple and Google lose landmark court case as federal judge rules they engaged in anti-competitive conduct. Picks of the Week: Andy's Pick: DockLite Board Alex's Pick: The BlackMagic Immersive Camera Jason's Pick: Instapaper Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: helixsleep.com/twit
Low-cost MacBooks could begin production soon, with a release period for early 2026. The developer beta for iOS 26 Beta 6 is out now. Could the iPhone 17 be introduced with a higher price point? And Alex Lindsay is excited to play with a new camera to record Vision Pro content. Low-cost MacBook production starting soon, possible $599 or $699 pricing. Apple's MacBook Pro overhaul with OLED might not launch until 2027. Apple's bid to close the AI gap could be hampered by AI brain drain. Apple will bring GPT-5 to Apple Intelligence in iOS, iPad OS and macOS 26. Everything New in iOS 26 [dev] Beta 6. AirPods could soon get Live Translation, iOS 26 beta code suggests. iPhone 17 models 'likely' to have higher prices, another analyst says. Gold, Frankincense, and Silicon. Japan law is forcing more browser choice on iPhone in December. Tech giants Apple and Google lose landmark court case as federal judge rules they engaged in anti-competitive conduct. Picks of the Week: Andy's Pick: DockLite Board Alex's Pick: The BlackMagic Immersive Camera Jason's Pick: Instapaper Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: helixsleep.com/twit
Michael Monks joins the show to discuss that Los Angeles County purchased the Gas Company Tower in downtown Los Angeles for $200 million. Huntington Beach Police Department readies Drone as First Responder program. Silicon Valley Smart Babies.
Low-cost MacBooks could begin production soon, with a release period for early 2026. The developer beta for iOS 26 Beta 6 is out now. Could the iPhone 17 be introduced with a higher price point? And Alex Lindsay is excited to play with a new camera to record Vision Pro content. Low-cost MacBook production starting soon, possible $599 or $699 pricing. Apple's MacBook Pro overhaul with OLED might not launch until 2027. Apple's bid to close the AI gap could be hampered by AI brain drain. Apple will bring GPT-5 to Apple Intelligence in iOS, iPad OS and macOS 26. Everything New in iOS 26 [dev] Beta 6. AirPods could soon get Live Translation, iOS 26 beta code suggests. iPhone 17 models 'likely' to have higher prices, another analyst says. Gold, Frankincense, and Silicon. Japan law is forcing more browser choice on iPhone in December. Tech giants Apple and Google lose landmark court case as federal judge rules they engaged in anti-competitive conduct. Picks of the Week: Andy's Pick: DockLite Board Alex's Pick: The BlackMagic Immersive Camera Jason's Pick: Instapaper Hosts: Leo Laporte, Alex Lindsay, Andy Ihnatko, and Jason Snell Download or subscribe to MacBreak Weekly at https://twit.tv/shows/macbreak-weekly. Join Club TWiT for Ad-Free Podcasts! Support what you love and get ad-free shows, a members-only Discord, and behind-the-scenes access. Join today: https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsor: helixsleep.com/twit
Host: Sebastian HassingerGuest: Andrew Dzurak (CEO, Diraq)In this enlightening episode, Sebastian Hassinger interviews Professor Andrew Dzurak. Andrew is the CEO and co-founder of Diraq and concurrently a Scientia Professor in Quantum Engineering at UNSW Sydney, an ARC Laureate Fellow and a Member of the Executive Board of the Sydney Quantum Academy. Diraq is a quantum computing startup pioneering silicon spin qubits, based in Australia. The discussion delves into the technical foundations, manufacturing breakthroughs, scalability, and future roadmap of silicon-based quantum computers—all with an industrial and commercial focus.Key Topics and Insights1. What Sets Diraq ApartDiraq's quantum computers use silicon spin qubits, differing from the industry's more familiar modalities like superconducting, trapped ion, or neutral atom qubits.Their technology leverages quantum dots—tiny regions where electrons are trapped within modified silicon transistors. The quantum information is encoded in the spin direction of these trapped electrons—a method with roots stretching over two decades1.2. Manufacturing & ScalabilityDiraq modifies standard CMOS transistors, making qubits that are tens of nanometers in size, compared to the much larger superconducting devices. This means millions of qubits can fit on a single chip.The company recently demonstrated high-fidelity qubit manufacturing on standard 300mm wafers at commercial foundries (GlobalFoundries, IMEC), matching or surpassing previous experimental results—all fidelity metrics above 99%.3. Architectural InnovationsDiraq's chips integrate both quantum and conventional classical electronics side by side, using standard silicon design toolchains like Cadence. This enables leveraging existing chip design and manufacturing expertise, speeding progress towards scalable quantum chips.Movement of electrons (and thus qubits) across the chip uses CMOS bucket-brigade techniques, similar to charge-coupled devices. This means fast (
A tariff-fueled tech revolution is underway. With a $600B Apple investment, TSMC's chip plant in Arizona, and the Pentagon pouring $400M into rare earth mining, the U.S. is reclaiming its tech dominance and cutting China out of the supply chain. Trump's bold “build here or pay up” strategy has flipped the global semiconductor game—making Taiwan expendable, thwarting China's tech takeover, and setting the stage for an American manufacturing renaissance. This is next-level economic warfare—and we're winning.
A $600 billion Apple investment, a TSMC factory in Arizona, and a renewed focus on rare earth minerals mark a seismic shift in America's tech war with China. Backed by Trump-era strategy and new Pentagon funding, the U.S. is rebuilding its supply chain from the ground up—on American soil. This is more than manufacturing; it's about national security, energy dominance, and stopping China from seizing Taiwan's tech crown. The chip war is here—and the battlefield just moved stateside
A $600 billion Apple deal backed by Trump-era strategy is turbocharging America's fight to reclaim tech dominance from China. With Taiwan's chip supremacy in the crosshairs and rare earth mines roaring back to life, the U.S. is turning supply chain vulnerability into national strength. This isn't just about manufacturing—it's about power, protection, and a global tech war reshaping geopolitics.
What do a $600B Apple deal, rare earth minerals, and Taiwan's chip factories have in common? Everything. Dive into the explosive story of how Trump's push to onshore tech production—and Tim Cook's latest moves—are reshaping America's national security strategy and its fight to outmaneuver China in the global tech war.
Apple's $600 billion manufacturing deal, backed by Donald Trump's bold trade and tech strategy, is igniting a Made-in-America revolution. With chip giant TSMC building in Arizona, rare earth minerals back in play, and full supply chain control coming home, the U.S. is taking the power back from China—one wafer at a time. This isn't just an economic revival; it's a national security play that could reshape global tech dominance.
In this episode of the IC-DISC show, I sit down with Ronak Shah to discuss his transition from a corporate career at Intel to entering the scrap metal business, to founding a successful scrap metal business in New Caney, Texas. We talk about the motivation behind his career shift and the mentors who guided him along the way. Ronak opens up about the challenges he faced while transitioning from a large corporate environment to a smaller, more hands-on business. We also explore Ronak's decision to sell his business and the unexpected opportunities that arose from that choice. He reflects on the experiences gained throughout his career, emphasizing the importance of taking calculated risks and adapting to change. His story offers insights into the value of connecting past experiences to current ventures, even when the path isn't always straightforward. Finally, we discuss navigating today's fast-paced digital world and the importance of maintaining a low profile on social media. Ronak's journey highlights the balance between professional growth and personal fulfillment, making this episode a thoughtful exploration of entrepreneurship and resilience. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS I explore Ronak's remarkable transition from a corporate role at Intel to establishing a successful scrap industry business in New Caney, Texas, emphasizing his desire for more tangible work and the influence of key mentors. The episode delves into Ronak's career progression at Schnitzer Steel and Alter Trading, where he gained critical insights in non-ferrous recovery and learned the importance of agile, smaller teams in driving technological advancements. Through journaling and introspection, Ronak clarifies his professional desires, leading to the creation of Levitated Metal and reflecting on personal challenges, including his late wife's battle with cancer. We discuss the financial strategies Ronak utilized in his entrepreneurial ventures, such as leveraging IC-DISC tax advantages and aligning financial decisions with personal values. The conversation highlights Ronak's leadership insights, his decision to pursue a smaller business for personal fulfillment, and the impact of selling his business on both his professional and personal life. Ronak shares reflections on his entrepreneurial journey, touching on the lessons learned from his career, the importance of taking risks, and the role of hindsight in connecting the dots of his experiences. The episode concludes with a discussion on navigating the complexities of the modern digital landscape and the importance of maintaining a low profile in a rapidly changing social media environment. Contact Details LinkedIn - Ronak Shah (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronakshahpdx/) LINKSShow Notes Be a Guest About IC-DISC Alliance About Levitated Metals Ronak ShahAbout Ronak TRANSCRIPT (AI transcript provided as supporting material and may contain errors) Dave: Hi Ronak, how are you today? Roank: Good David, Nice to see you again. Dave: Likewise, and where are you calling into from? Where are you in the world at the moment? Roank: I'm at my factory in New Caney, Texas, just a little bit northeast of Houston Great. Dave: Now are you a native Houstonian. Roank: I'm not, so I moved out here in 2019 to build this factory and start this business. I think I've been to Houston once in the prior year to visit for the first time and never before, other than perhaps through the airport. So, I didn't know a lot about Houston. I'm not saying that I know a lot about Houston now, but it's been a great place to build a business. It's been a fine place for my kids to grow up. Dave: It's been good it's been a fine place for my kids to grow up. It's still good. Yeah, it's. Uh, it's kind of a, it's kind of a hidden gem in a lot of ways. Uh, you know houston is, it's got a lot going for it that if your only experience is just driving through town or going through the airport, you know, I mean you hear traffic, humidity, heat, urbanl and you're just kind of like, you know, yeah, it doesn't sound like my kind of place. Roank: Yeah, well, it would be a lot more believable if you did not have a Breckenridge background behind you. Dave: True, yeah, that is the Breckenridge background for sure. So where did you grow up then, if you didn't grow up in Houston? Roank: I grew up in upstate New York so my dad was one of the many immigrants that came over in the late 60s, early 70s. They were looking for people with medical training and background. So he came over from India, lived in New York. I was born in New York City but very soon after grew up in the middle of the Finger Lakes. We moved to Syracuse when I was in middle school and then I went to Boston for undergraduate and I bounced kind of between Boston and London and back to Boston, then to Portland, oregon, which is where I came into the scrap industry and lived for some time in St Louis. I lived there for about nine years and from St Louis to here. Dave: Okay. So what made you get into the scrap business if you didn't have a family history in it? Roank: Yeah, it was just very random, my interest in the scrap industry. I think, the truth of the answer is probably the more interesting one. So after mba I was working, I was an operations guy and I was working at intel corporation in portland, near portland oregon, and loved being in portland. It's a fine place to live. But intel was, I mean, a huge company, right, 80 000 people, and just like the process of making something that was about this big, the the size of the core diet, multiprocessor, microprocessor this wasn't sufficiently interesting to me and I was too far from it, as well as my chain organization. Yeah. It didn't feel tangible enough, and so that was one part of it. But then the other part of it as well was you know I was there as a worker bee, you know, in a reasonably senior job for someone of my age, but then, you know, in a reasonably senior job for someone of my age, but then you know intel was having difficulty. So they bring in bane and company to kind of work on strategy or whatever and so two of the guys that I went to school with that, I knew well, were like literally working literally seven layers in the organization above me, and I'm like what? and so I just hit that, I tapped out, I extracted, I was like this is just some horse crap. I, this isn't the place for me. I need to go somewhere where I'm, you know, in a, in a smaller pod, where I can really touch and feel a thing. And so I just started throwing resumes out and wound up at Schnitzer Steel. Now really, yeah, and oh really. Yeah, and it was great. It was a time of transition for Schnitzer. I don't know if it was a great transition time for Schnitzer. They were transitioning from an older style scrap company to a more professional slash corporate company of the style that it is today. So they had parts of the parts of their business were both things and for sure I liked the old thing a lot and just tons of fun being in places like Boston and Portland scrapyard when they were building big mega shredders and new factories and driving the continuous improvement process there and trying to get metrics around things. It was really a good time. I enjoyed a lot of it. I came to Alter Trading in 2010 and that was wonderful right, I owe so much of my career everything I learned everything to the team at Alter, to Jay Rabinovitz and Rob and Michael Goldstein. I learned a lot there. I did a lot of really fun stuff for them that helped transform the company into the highly successful privately owned scrap company it is today. Dave: Like on the technology side, correct yeah. Roank: So I built a few factories, non-ferrous recovery plants to process not steel non-ferrous portions of the shredder and extract more metals out of stuff that would otherwise have gone to the landfill. And it was you know, exciting to do that, and it wasn't just building the factories but really growing out the entirety of the division that became, you know, a kind of center of excellence around that function, and it's an area that you know Alter remains very strong in today. Dave: Okay, well, I am excited to get into the next part of your story. So you're living in St Louis, working at Alter, being involved in some cool stuff and forward thinking technology. So how did from there? How do you end up starting a company in New Caney, texas? Roank: Yeah, so it's no reason not to be as open and honest about it as possible. So Alter was amazing. For the first six or seven years I was there, the job was like a nine and a half out of 10. I remember I was in New York going to make this time up sometime in 2013 or something like that. I've been there for three years and the Powerball was like some huge number, like a billion dollars, and so me and some buddies that were in finance, we all bought Powerball tickets and we talked about what we would do if we won the money, and I remember I determined to say I don't know if I would necessarily quit my job, right, like I really love what I do. I still think about that today. Dave: Did any of them have the same thought? Roank: No, they thought I was just completely crazy and they weren't necessarily wrong. I think I think perhaps again I loved it, but the point of it is I really enjoyed it. It was fulfilling, I had impact, things were changing. All of that when I struggled is as that phase of what Alter needed ended and I needed to move and assist alter with other things, primarily helping them grow a tier of management that had come from the art management level into being the next business leaders of the company. Just, you know, it's kind of standard transition planning type stuff and succession planning. I struggled with doing that successfully, a role that perhaps would have been viable or successful or satisfactory for me to do had it occurred during a standard line management. You know, hierarchical management structure was hard for me to find value in fulfillment, in and I would say success in doing. Yeah, as a matrix manager, you know, as a, as a guide, as a internal consultant. I just didn't love it. I hate to put it that way. I just sure, sure and at the same time, alter was going through a certain amount of a a ton of growth, right, a lot of growth that I participated in through acquisition and internal growth as well disbanded organic growth. But it was going through a lot of growth and so the company that felt small and familial at 40 yards suddenly felt just large and 70 for me. Dave: Too much like it felt too much like Intel. Roank: Nowhere near that level. There's nothing like that. It remains a really effective, well-directed company today. But, it felt different for me and I also realized that I wasn't good at that bigger company stuff. You know, my way of thinking about things didn't scale successfully to that level. I would not be the right guy at that level and this is an unfortunate thing to say. But I chose to. I did not want to change. You know, I thought about so. My boss for many years there was Jay Rabinowitz, who was, until he retired recently, the CEO of Alter Trade. He was fascinating. His ability to grow into the mindset required, the management rank that he was in at the time, or growing into, was phenomenal. And so a guy that if you only knew him 30 years ago was a rough and tumble scrap guy was and you've seen him on podcasts and things like that. It became and presents fully as and fills the shoes of a methodical, thoughtful, mature and a CEO who does a great job of leading A 1,200, 1,500 person organization. You would have never thought that if you only knew him 25 years ago perhaps, but his ability to grow was really phenomenal. For, by choice or by capability or whatever it was, I did not have or want that and so I wanted something dramatically smaller. Dave: Okay. Roank: And so I spent a bunch of time not just thinking about it but literally journaling about it. Because when you just think about these type of problems in your mind like hey, what do I want to do professionally? Yeah, you can just ping pong in your brain. And what I found helped me through the process was writing it down. And if you remember, back in high school, your English teacher would tell you to you know write a draft of the story, or an outline, and then a draft and then the final essay. I mean, I don't know about you, but I would never do any of that crap. But I did this time and I found that, like the first draft was, you know, just vomit on a page of orally thought out concepts and beliefs. And so I wrote it again and it was clear. And I wrote it again, it was clear. It helped me really understand what I liked and didn't like and what I wanted and didn't want from the next phase. And it was a time when, you know, my kids were just about to graduate middle school. If I was ever going to leave St Louis, this was the time to do it. It was not going to be easy. It was not easy for them to leave St Louis, but that's when. That's how I made that choice. I was uncertain as to what I would do. Right, I was out there both looking at shredder yards to buy as well as businesses. To start, I looked at a wire chopping plant. I ultimately built a heavy media plant. I did look at and made successful offers on a couple of different shredders, but none of that actually panned out and in the end I raised a bunch of money, moved out to Houston, built this thing. Dave: That is a great story and your kids ended up adjusting okay to, because I believe you live in one of the really nice master plan communities around Houston. Roank: Yeah, and they've adjusted well. I think my son is glad that we moved down here. My daughter is a little bit on the fence, but she was younger when we moved. Both my wife my late wife and I in many ways would have probably preferred where we lived in. Dave: St Louis, it was a small town in Kirkwood. Roank: You're familiar with it, but here it's been great. The Woodlands is a, you know, magical little bubble of a place to live. It's got everything you need. It's 25 minutes to the factory. All of it has been, from that perspective, just fine. When my wife got cancer, we were right here at MD Anderson. You know a lot of that stuff worked out. Dave: That is great. So tell me what your business premise was for Levitated Metal. So maybe give just a little background. What does the company do? Roank: Sure, so we're a heavy media flotation platform. What we do is we buy a thing called Sorba and we make aluminum Twitch. But stepping back from that to people that don't know what any of those words mean, our suppliers are the largest scrap metal processors in the region. Right, the states who will buy something like an old 2008 ford 500 sedan that's at the end of its life, yeah, shred it into fist size and smaller pieces, extract all the steel out with a magnet and then extract all the other metals like aluminum from the engine, copper, brass zinc, die, cast through other technologies. That aluminum, copper, brass zinc all is mixed up together in little pieces in a giant pile and that product is called a made up word Zorba by the industry. They make lots of it inside of houston. probably 15 million pounds to 18 million pounds of it is made every month right I buy that it's useless the way it is because you can't melt it, because it's got too many different types of metals in it and it doesn't make a useful alloy. But if you can get the aluminum out, that aluminum is super valuable because that aluminum you know used to be the engine block of a old car. It's a pretty tight chemistry match to the alloy required for the engine block of a ford f-150 a 2005. So through a density flotation process using water and ferrosilicon, we can change the density of that water so we can actually float the aluminum out. Dave: Hence the name levitated. Roank: Yeah, it's not a novel technology. I buy the equipment from some dude in Italy. There are well over 100 of these kind of plants in the world, maybe a little less than a dozen when levitators started up in the united states and a very what it sounds like a simple process is a royal pain in the rear. That actually managed because it's a very analog system with all sorts of weird chemistry and other things involved and a challenging plant to rot. But you know, we do a pretty decent job of it. Dave: Now, why did you pick New Caney, texas? I've been to St Louis, in fact, I was just there last month. They appear to have plenty of land around that place, you know, especially across the river in uh, is that illinois? That's just east so why? Didn't you just buy some land and do it up there? Roank: so where these plants, where the competitive plants exist, are relatively close to where their consumers, the aluminum smelters that would buy the recycled aluminum, are, and that's generally already in that area. So there are plenty of plants in that area. Dave: Okay. Roank: Down here in Houston. What was the case when I chose to move down here it became very quickly not the case, because two other people also built plants was that there was a large market in Mexico that did not have access to this type of material because there were no media plants in Texas or along the Mexican border. And aluminum manufacture in Mexico was growing incredibly well, much like the rest of their economy, and so what I saw was a consumer need right mexican heavy media plants, a set of suppliers in the texas area that did not have a domestic buyer for their zorba and so good supplier footprint and, at the time, a relative lack of competition. But I didn't realize. So, like two months after the financial raise was done and everything like that was, there were in fact, two more plants that were in the process of being built. They both started, you know, six to 12 months after mine did not so far away. There's one up near dallas, there's one up in arkansas so it became a little bit more competitive, though in truth that has not really changed the calculus on anything in a great way. It hasn't really improved the deal too much. Dave: Okay, and it was you started with, just a green field, right? Roank: Yeah, it was some trees and dirt and 10 acres. It was some trees and dirt and 10 acres and I started with dirt work and stormwater and concrete and buildings and equipment and built the whole thing. Dave: What year did you? Roank: start COVID 2020. Oh, it was the heck of a time. Dave: That was the construction was during COVID yeah. And when did you open? Roank: Then we started processing. At the end of December we shipped our first 2020 and we started shipping material in full January 2021. Dave: Oh wow, that really was in the midst of COVID. It was Most of it wasn't? Roank: that big a deal. There was some delay in equipment delivery because it came from Italy, and so if anybody had a rougher time COVID wise, it was Italy. So it came from Italy, and so if anybody had a rougher time COVID-wise, it was Italy. So it came from Italy but that might have only cost us a couple months. What was really frustrating and challenging and ultimately we were able to get through it was simply the difficulty of bringing process experts from Europe to the US during the COVID timeline. You know, like I can't tell you how many voicemails I left at the US embassy in Milan to sorry the US consulate in Milan to try to, you know, accelerate the review of the visa for the texts to come in from Italy, but I can tell you how many times somebody probably listened to it with zero, so just a royal pain in the rear. You know, just because the pain in the rear to get that all done, it got done. But those were challenging times. Dave: So started January of 2021 and, uh, at the time, had you given any thought to how long you might want to, that you and your investor group might want to run the business or own the business? Did you have any thought when you started it about what I honestly thought? I? Roank: would run it and own it for like nearly 10, 15 years years and grow it over time and continue to be in the space, et cetera, et cetera. It was meant to be a longer term cashflow, not one necessarily built on an exit strategy of selling at some point in the future. That was the original intent. Dave: How did that-year plan end up working out for you? Roank: Well, it turned out to be much shorter than that. So, as it turned out, in 2023, we had an unsolicited offer from Murfrees Industries to purchase the business assets. Dave: Wow, just two years later. Roank: Yeah, two years of operation later. Yeah, and for a number of reasons, it was the right choice for me and my investors to do the sale and it's been absolutely phenomenally good, I think, for both sides. The transaction itself, you know, from my perspective, great because you know it was an accelerated exit, but an exit nevertheless, and it still gives me the opportunity to continue to do the same job in the same office every day that I really enjoy doing that. I find great fulfillment and mental stimulation and sense of purpose in without the undeniable and underestimated stress of being a business owner. Dave: Yeah. Roank: So that's been absolutely great. It occurred at a time when my wife was battling cancer and took a lot of stress off. Taking that business stress off the table Sure Just made it easier to get through that entire process. Yeah, and it's just been a good. I think it's been fun for everybody. You know Adam and Michael Mervis were the you know fourth generation. Perhaps Adam and Michael Mervis we're the fourth generation perhaps owners of Mervis Industries enjoy having the levitated team in their company. We enjoy being part of it. Both of us have to do better together. It's been really just great. Dave: That is awesome, because not all transactions work out that well. Roank: Yeah, I'm sure there's some number out there that I would have sold the company at, knowing full well that I would not have wanted to work there afterwards. I'm sure there is, but I'm glad I didn't have to. Dave: Because you were I'm guessing you were the. Were you a minority shareholder? Did your? I was a minority shareholder. Roank: Oh, you were the majority, okay. Dave: So it was ultimately your call Correct and your but the the deal clicked, checked all the boxes and and were your investors disappointed that they were going to lose their cash flowing business. Roank: No, they were very pleased with the cash they got all up front. They were fine. That is great. Coincidentally, I did this math when we were doing the sale. I think that the net result of it was the same. Dave: IRR or plus or minus one within 1% of the IRR. Roank: That was in the financial presentation for the business itself. Really, yeah, very unexpected. Yeah, again, nothing more than a coincidence yeah what do you, what do you enjoy most? enjoy the most about the business is building and growing things. What I have realized is that is not sufficient to be a great leader. Right, there's building and growing things. A great leader right, there's building and growing things. But there's also all the other things that a leader should gain and find value in a business that I'm just not personally built to enjoy nearly as much. Right, I enjoy growing the skillset for the people that work for me. I enjoy seeing them be successful, but I don't think I enjoy it as much as I really should, or that a leader really should. In many ways, I think what I've discovered is I almost enjoy being an individual contributor more than. I enjoy being a leader and in in many ways, that's why I enjoy being at such a small company. Right, yeah, here the leadership I have to do is very direct. It's in the office, with people that are no more than 15 feet away from me right now. It's a very old style of working. You, you know, I have one remote employee and thank God she is very self-directed and capable and intelligent and proactive about reaching out to me, because otherwise she would be really disappointed and I would suck at that job. And so when we talk about you know what do we like about the job? I enjoy the improving of things. I enjoy the new thing to be done. That is not as much of it's not that much of running a business as you would want it to be. Sure, it's not like about a small business, though are just the variety of stuff I get to do I wear slightly fewer hats now than I did before the acquisition, but I was the CFO. I was, unfortunately, the lead IT guy, even though portions of these functions were outsourced as well. I sold all the metals. Having never sold a pound of metal in my life prior to levitated metals, I sold all the amount and then I was the president. I was the lead on any plant improvement projects of great size that we had again support throughout the organization on all these little pieces. But that's a lot of little hats to wear okay, okay. That a bigger company would have a head underneath every one of those hats. Sure, so I enjoy being able to do the breadth of those activities. I think it's rare that people can do the breadth of those activities. You and I talk about ICDIS stuff all the time and I would wager at a level that maybe less than five company owners that you interact with are able to discuss the situation. Is that probably correct, or am I? I think it's probably less than three yeah. Dave: And I can't think of who the other two are, so you might be in a class of your own. Roank: Yeah, I enjoy that thing right when I think about things that I would have been in a different life. Perhaps tax accountant could be one of those. But man, this is a very different life than tax accountant. Dave: Yeah for sure I think you made the right call. Well, as we're kind of rounding the home stretch, I've just got a few more questions. One is when you were leaving Intel, if you had a time machine, or maybe right after you left Intel and you had a time machine that you could go back and have a conversation with the younger Ronak 20 years ago, what might you have told yourself? What advice might you have had? Roank: or wisdom that you might've wanted to share. I don't think I would've shared anything. Dave: No, wouldn't want to, but I would've wanted that. Roank: With the exception my wife's death, there is not a single thing that I would have changed that is a you're. Dave: I asked that question on my guest and you're probably the only one who's ever answered it that way. Roank: So I would say, yeah, what type of things do people say? Oh, you know the number one, because I'm not just saying that because I don't want to watch other podcasts, I just yeah, well, no, I can give give you the rundown. Dave: The most common answer is they wish they would have taken a risk sooner. They wish they would have started their company sooner. They wish they'd been more willing to take a chance. Now, granted, many of my guests are self-made first-generation entrepreneurs like you know, are, you know, self-made first generation entrepreneurs like you are meaning? You know they formed the company, but some of them may have worked at other companies. In hindsight they realize, oh, I should have done this five years sooner, you know it. Just, it would have only been better if I'd done it five years. That's kind of. The most common answer is just, they wish they'd played it less safe. You know, they wish they'd taken, you know, more risks in college. They wish they. That's kind of the most. But that one is consistent with what most people say near the end of their life they don't regret the things they did, they regret the things they didn't do. So that tends to be the answer. But that, to me, is a really good. That's a really good answer for somebody who's pretty content with where their life is. Roank: Yeah, other than you know your wife, obviously, and I see what everybody else describes, but I feel that everything I did, I was learning something that became foundationally valuable. Dave: Yeah. Roank: You know there was a period of time I got laid off from Schnitzer in early 2009. And I didn't start up at Alter Trading until, you know, about a year later. But I did some consulting in the middle for a wonderful company, Steel Pacific Recycling in Vancouver Island, Victoria, British Columbia, and I was there for three months and it was a magical time because we were there in the wintertime. The whole family moved up. My kids were very young. We had an apartment right in Victoria. I rode a bicycle to work to the scrapyard. But I did a bunch of really interesting financial cost accounting structure set up that helped them understand their business better and those were super useful skills when I had to do a chart of accounts setup for levitated metals. We were able to slice and dice our financials. You know extremely well and I don't know if I would have used an erp system nearly as well as I do here had I not had all those little formative experience things in the end I think for me at least. I don't feel like I had a lot of wasted years throughout any of that time I learned steve jobs, as you say. Dave: Steve jobs has the saying that you can only connect the dots when you look backwards, that at the time you can't. It's not like you had some grand plan, I'm guessing you know when you left intel. It just you know. Because steve talks about. He took this calligraphy class that he audited in college and, uh, you know, and that influenced everything at apple design and fonts and and other stuff that it only makes sense looking back so that's. Roank: That's interesting. Yeah, I can. I can see that, and it is hard to connect the dots until yeah until you look back so. Dave: So here's kind of a fun one. I think you've been a like me, you're a. Well, I consider myself a naturalized texan. My wife's a native texan, so, uh, you know, if you you know. So you're also a non-native texan, but I think you've been here long enough for this question. Tex-mex or barbecue. Roank: Barbecue makes me fall asleep. I'm not saying Tex-Mex, I've always loved Tex-Mex. So yeah, we've got some great barbecue. Actually, right near the plant Rusty Buckle is some great barbecue. Near my house is Corkscrew, which just got a Michelin star, which. Dave: Oh nice. Roank: Yeah, which I still struggle to understand how that all plays out. But Texas I guess you get a star. But I love me some Lupe Torquillo yeah yeah, I am with you. Dave: Well, is there anything I didn't ask you or we didn't talk about that you wish we had or we should have? Roank: No, but I'll do you a favor and I'll plug a little bit the IC disc. I know that's not the goal of this podcast, but it is why we know each other. Yeah, so I'll tell this story if I may. Yeah, absolutely, the IC disc and levitated metals. Yeah absolutely, yeah, absolutely, disc and levitated metals. So I called you on my birthday, three months before I, a little bit before I sold the company, and I had talked to you many times previous to that about setting up an icy disc. We, like many scrap companies, are well suited to the icyDIS because the profile of our sales are high margin exports and lower margin domestic sales, and the value of, as a pass-through entity, being able to translate ordinary income into dividend income, has great benefits to the investors of a company. I think there's probably some advantages, even if you're a C-corp, but you can detail that kind of At most. I think there's probably some advantages, even if you're a C-corp, but you can detail that kind of stuff out. I don't really know. Dave: Sure. What was? Roank: interesting when we talked about it is I was in the process of selling the company and when you sell a company that's done a bunch of bonus depreciation because it built a big factory, there's always depreciation recapture that shows up as ordinary income at the time of the sale and so whatever normal ordinary income there would have been that year it was going to be much, much higher because we would have clawed back a ton of depreciation. I put a recapture on depreciation. It's ordinary income. We, like many scrap companies again, have an IC discable kind of amount of headroom of income translation from ordinary income to dividend income Well in excess of the ordinary income we normally make in any particular year, and so, like most scrap companies, there should be no reason to pay ordinary income tax. Dave: Right. Roank: Again, most scrap companies that are Nazi corpse or whatever. But in the year of the sale, all that extra headroom suddenly became valuable because I was going to have this abnormal ordinary income from the depreciation recapture, and so what would have been X million dollars of ordinary income that would have turned to dividend income wound up being something like 2.5, x, yeah, all of which I was able to use because I had so much ordinary income, yeah. And your shareholders as well. Yes, absolutely yes, I and my shareholders. And that was phenomenal. And then on top of it, I think I got to. The ICDIS lets you defer some of that dividend income into the following year. So just sat there in our bank accounts making 5% or whatever we chose to do with that money for another year more than a year, excuse me. Just truly phenomenal. The impact of the ICDIS in my space. Not an easy thing to kind of think through. You and I were just spitballing stuff. We popped it up as an option. You had to go back and think about it, but it looks like it works. And I don't know if you have done it before. Dave: No, yeah, it was just such a unique fact and it was mostly because of how new the business was. Right, if the business had been open for 10 years, we would have started the IC desk probably in year four or five it was coming, and then you would have been using it and then you would have had that transaction, the depreciation recapture, and it would have given you a bigger benefit. It would have happened anyway. It was just your circumstances were so unique is how it all fell out, and I doubt we'll ever see that. That circumstances, because it's so rare to start a business and sell it so quickly, you know I think the takeaway of it is the one. Roank: So one of the takeaways I have from this is I should have started the ICS earlier, because of the bonus depreciation as a startup of the company and the complete depreciation of the entire factory. In the first year, I and investors had a ton of NOL and net operating losses that were just going to take a while to turn into a cumulative net gain and before that happened we sold the company. I was planning on doing an IC disc in 2024, I think was my expected timeline, which is when we would have clicked over to a game and then suddenly there would have been income that I wanted to translate over into dividend income. But I really should have just done it before into dividend income but I really should have just done it before. Dave: So the question I should have asked you was if you could go back in time two years and do anything different. Give any advice to yourself. What would it have been? I mean, it's a joke, right? You would have said start the ICDISC sooner. Roank: The real advice I would have given would have been understand how your NOLs work so that you can do a donor advice fund for the ordinary income you thought you were going to. But outside of that, in truth it's a minor esoteric thing that doesn't really matter. Dave: And so, since you brought it up I rarely talk about this. Since you brought it up, just a couple quick questions. One, because the cpa firm you use actually has some icdisk expertise and you know you could have used them. So do you recall what aspect of our I remind you. Roank: Yeah, because you're, I see this guy. Okay, and the thing that I was talking about felt esoteric enough that I didn't want to click just on a cheap bastard. I didn't want to click over, you know. CPA for billable hours while they tried to figure it out and roll me in a show or something like that. That's not how I want to play now, but the truth is I just needed something done quick and fast because every day that I waited to do the icy disc was another day of revenues that I couldn't utilize. And the second reason is, you know there's a time there's time it takes to create an icy disc and set it up and all that kind of stuff. You have that down to a science and had a method to kind of quickly get me rolling on it. While you and I both know you made a bunch of money on that transaction for a couple of years of work on it, it was completely worth it to me and a very satisfying business and personal relationship that tested both of our intellectual capabilities to kind of put together and work on. I enjoyed doing it right, like when we talk about what we enjoy and work. Dave: Yeah, that was a fun thing it was, yeah, no, it was for me too, because so yeah, so few of my clients, you know, know, have that much interest, you know, getting into the weeds there, and it caused me to think of some things I hadn't thought about in this. And again, since you brought it up, in the experience, you know, the team was the responsiveness Good, I mean, was the? Is the experience been positive? Oh yeah, it's been great, yeah what about coordinating with your CPA firm, because sometimes a CPA firm who has an ICDIS practice will sometimes say things like yeah, but it'll be more seamless if it's all under one umbrella right. Umbrella right, I mean, it's the. Did you get the sense that? That it created a lot of of extra work by the cpa firm, or that balls got dropped because you didn't have one entity doing it all? Roank: I don't think I got that sense, because the cpa firm is made up of multiple people too. That, oh, it's a good point, right? I mean, it's not like the ICDISC person is the CPA that you're working with, right? Dave: You know, I hadn't thought about that, and you're right, and there's some level of communication that is required regardless. Roank: Yeah, and that. Dave: IC-DISC practice, if I recall, for that particular firm. I think it's out of a different office. Roank: Anyway, I don't think, even if they were next to each other right which are of course not next to each other because they all work remote Even if they were next to each other, still two people having to talk, and so there's still coordination that has to happen, and you know what you're talking about. In the end. There is enough esoterica on optimizing the ICDISC usage, that especially trying to maximize the ICDISC capability that I don't think others really understand and not all of them need to understand it. But what I mean by that is for many companies they can just use the stupid simple approach for doing ICDISC and it'll still let them translate all the income they have right. In my particular case, it was important to look at the transaction by transaction optimization capability of the ICDISC in order to fully utilize and maximize the amount of income I could translate to dividend income. I use shared logic as my ERP system. There is literally an ICDISC button that creates the report that you care about. Dave: Right, and so that's one of the benefits of not to interrupt you, but people ask me because, like my, our IC disc business is almost impossible to sell. In fact your CPA firm even talked to me a few years ago about buying the ICDIS practice. The problem is we're not very sellable. We have a huge, we have a concentration risk because it's all tied to one part of the tax code. So they wanted to discount that, or they would have wanted if the conversation on that far. And the second problem is I'm a craftsman, I have the primary relationship with all of the clients. So they would have made me stay around for three or five years and I'm like you know and it would have been tied to some kind of an earn out because they're going to say well, what if the IC just goes away next year? You know we want you to basically keep some of that risk. So I don't know what got me off on this tangent of that risk. Roank: So I don't know what got me off on this tangent. I hear you, and I've thought about that question on your behalf as well, because from my perspective I think your job is kind of interesting and fun. Right, you get to visit a lot of different scrap yards, talk to a bunch of different scrap dudes about a thing you're very knowledgeable about that you know really could trans dramatically improve their financial position, and yet it's still a tough sell. Right, it should be like selling. You know it's not like selling ice cream to eskimos, and yet sometimes it probably feels that way. It is that way, yeah, yeah, and also the question of how to. Because you have a couple of people, I think that work for you, right, at least? Dave: one, yeah, yeah, there's a whole team, yeah. Roank: And so, yes, if IC-DISC went away, it would be I don't know what else you guys do, but pretty close to the end of the company and that's a rough gig. And you know, the low-grade communist in me certainly is shocked, shocked by all the awesome and incredible tax code optimization tools that exist for business owners tools that exist for business owners. Dave: I mean between the IC-DISC, new market tax credits opportunity zones right Bonus appreciation just it's Cost segregation, research-. Roank: Absolutely phenomenal, right, I am now a W2 employee like a putz, you know it's just phenomenal. But if that went away then, yeah, this does die. It's a really difficult thing to try to sell, right. It's the type of thing that, I don't know, if you can't keep some level of skin in the game or risk on it. It feels like the type of thing that if you have the right person in the organization that could be the face, should be kind of employee acquired in some capacity. Dave: Well, and that opportunity exists Some of my partners, I mean I have a standing offer to basically sell my part of the business and in many ways are you familiar with the inside. Roank: I am the. Dave: There's a deep dive of tax yeah, yeah, the structure for us I've already looked at it just doesn't. It doesn't really, it's not not the right fit, but yeah, I thought this thing. You know the funny thing about the disc it's been around since 1972, but it's been quote going, going away since 1973. So I've been doing this 20 years, and I thought I might have five years before this went away or there was a change. But the key, though, is that and that's true the concentration risk is there, but on the flip side, there's also a premium. You get a specialization premium that comes along with it. It's the reason if you look at a lawyer, the more specialized they are, the higher their billing rate, and so there's a premium that comes with that specialization. I know what I was going to say, and then I doubled down further where we have a concentration of risk within the scrap metal industry. But the benefit of that, though, is that when I show up to a scrap metal conference, I'm the only one there talking about IC disc, and I'm the one that well, a scrap guy introduced us. I mean, in fact, I won't mention him by name, but I call him my best unpaid salesman. He's referred as multiple clients. For a variety of reasons, they don't use us, but he's still a big fan of uh, of the work we do. So, yeah, and then the. Finally, there's this concept that has not caught on with a lot of americans. But there's this concept of saving Like you don't have to spend all your income in any given year, so there is this concept of you can make money, put it away and then, if the business goes away, you have this thing called like a nest egg, or you know. So People should think about it, yeah, but yeah my clients, my clients who I have a relationship with, that's. Oftentimes they'll ask me hey, dave, I'm a little worried about you, like as a friend, what happens if the IC disc goes away and I'm like I'll just spend more time there? That's what will happen. Roank: If it makes you feel better, I don't worry about you. I just think it's a very interesting company sale situation. I just think it's a very interesting company sale situation. Yeah, and you know, when you look at the environment today, you could be a tweet away from getting doged. Yeah, yeah, exactly yeah. So one of the you know, keep your head down and stay quiet, kind of things which appears to be the standard business approach to today's situation. Dave: It does seem to be. Roank: Well, hey Ronak. Dave: I can't believe how fast the time has floated. This has been a blast. I really appreciate it and I hope you have a great afternoon. Thank you, it's good to talk to you. Special Guest: Ronak Shah.
Two Chinese nationals are arrested for allegedly exporting sensitive Nvidia AI chips. A critical security flaw has been discovered in Microsoft's new NLWeb protocol. Vulnerabilities in Dell laptop firmware could let attackers bypass Windows logins and install malware. Trend Micro warns of an actively exploited remote code execution flaw in its endpoint security platform. Google confirms a data breach involving one of its Salesforce databases. A lack of MFA leaves a Canadian city on the hook for ransomware recovery costs. Nvidia's CSO denies the need for backdoors or kill switches in the company's GPUs. CISA flags multiple critical vulnerabilities in Tigo Energy's Cloud Connect Advanced (CCA) platform. DHS grants funding cuts off the MS-ISAC. Helicopter parenting officially hits the footwear aisle. Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest Today we are joined by Sarah Powazek from UC Berkeley's Center for Long-Term Cybersecurity (CLTC) discussing her proposed nationwide roadmap to scale cyber defense for community organizations. Black Hat Women on the street Live from Black Hat USA 2025, it's a special “Women on the Street” segment with Halcyon's Cynthia Kaiser, SVP Ransomware Research Center, and CISO Stacey Cameron. Hear what's happening on the ground and what's top of mind in cybersecurity this year. Selected Reading Two Arrested in the US for Illegally Exporting Microchips Used in AI Applications to China (TechNadu) Microsoft's plan to fix the web with AI has already hit an embarrassing security flaw (The Verge) ReVault flaws let hackers bypass Windows login on Dell laptops (Bleeping Computer) Trend Micro warns of Apex One zero-day exploited in attacks (Bleeping Computer) Google says hackers stole its customers' data in a breach of its Salesforce database (TechCrunch) Hamilton taxpayers on the hook for full $18.3M cyberattack repair bill after insurance claim denied (CP24) Nvidia rejects US demand for backdoors in AI chips (The Verge) Critical vulnerabilities reported in Tigo Energy Cloud connect advanced solar management platform (Beyond Machines) New state, local cyber grant rules prohibit spending on MS-ISAC (StateScoop) Skechers skewered for adding secret Apple AirTag compartment to kids' sneakers — have we reached peak obsessive parenting? (NY Post) Audience Survey Complete our annual audience survey before August 31. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What makes human thought distinctive, and can machines ever truly think like us? In this profound conversation with Nicholas Villarreal, author of "A Soul of a New Type: Writings on Artificial Intelligence and Materialist Semiotics," we journey into the heart of what makes intelligence possible—through the often overlooked lens of semiotics.The discussion begins with a critical examination of how we conceptualize both human and artificial intelligence. Villarreal challenges the dominant frameworks used by today's AI rationalists and humanist critics alike, offering a materialist semiotic approach that provides startling new insights into the nature of thought itself. By exploring how signs and symbols function as the building blocks of cognition, we discover why current AI systems simultaneously impress and disappoint us.Rather than seeing artificial intelligence as either a potential godlike superintelligence or a mere statistical parlor trick, Villarreal guides us toward understanding AI as a different kind of intelligence altogether—one that interacts with the entire semiotic field in ways fundamentally different from humans. Where human understanding is shaped by individual experience, trauma, and desire, large language models neutrally absorb patterns across the entire spectrum of human communication.The conversation takes fascinating detours through the philosophy of mind, the nature of narrative, the failures of linguistic policing, and even the unexpected ways social media platforms have trained us to interact with each other. Throughout, we return to a central question: how might semiotics help us create technologies that enhance rather than diminish our humanity?Whether you're fascinated by artificial intelligence, cognitive science, philosophy of mind, or political theory, this conversation offers fresh perspectives that challenge conventional wisdom and open new avenues for understanding both technology and ourselves. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration that may forever change how you think about thinking.Send us a text Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to BitterlakeSupport the showCrew:Host: C. Derick VarnIntro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.Intro Video Design: Jason MylesArt Design: Corn and C. Derick VarnLinks and Social Media:twitter: @varnvlogblue sky: @varnvlog.bsky.socialYou can find the additional streams on YoutubeCurrent Patreon at the Sponsor Tier: Jordan Sheldon, Mark J. Matthews, Lindsay Kimbrough, RedWolf, DRV, Kenneth McKee, JY Chan, Matthew Monahan, Parzival, Adriel Mixon
On this episode of The Six Five Pod, hosts Patrick Moorhead and Daniel Newman dive into the latest tech news and earnings reports. They discuss Intel's foundry strategy, NVIDIA's chip sales to China, and recent earnings from major tech companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple. Get their analysis of market trends, geopolitical factors affecting the tech sector, and the competitive landscape among industry giants. This week's handpicked topics include: Discussion of the EU's 40 billion Euro AI chip purchase agreement with the U.S.: A quick analysis of the practicality and implications of this deal. (The Decode) Palo Alto Networks Acquisition of CyberArk: A look at their potential $25 billion acquisition of CyberArk and the strategic importance of identity management in cybersecurity. (The Decode) NVIDIA Updates: Concerns about potential backdoors in NVIDIA's H20 chips and an analysis of the insatiable global demand for NVIDIA's AI chips. (The Decode) Microsoft & OpenAI's Ongoing Relationship Challenges: Commentary on Satya Nadella & Sam Altman's respective strategies (The Decode) The Flip - Intel's 14A Foundry Strategy: A simulated debate on Intel's approach to 14A Foundry development, including a discussion of geopolitical implications and competition in the semiconductor industry. Bulls & Bears Tech Earnings Roundup - Analysis of recent earnings reports from major tech companies: - Amazon's impressive growth and future potential - Microsoft's strong performance, particularly in Azure - Meta's success in leveraging AI for platform stickiness - Apple's steady performance and potential AI developments - Arm's strategic shift towards chip production - Qualcomm's challenges in market perception despite solid performance Market Reactions and Future Outlook: Market responses to earnings reports and strategic moves, and speculation on future developments in AI, robotics, and data center technologies. For a deeper dive into each topic, please click on the links above. Be sure to subscribe to The Six Five Pod so you never miss an episode.
Your nerd best friends did not make it to SDCC this year, so instead it's a re-roll of the interview with Cosplay winner of Los Angeles Comic Con 2022. Check out this episode and get ready for The Great Goblin Argle-Bargle NEW episode next week!-----------------------Los Angeles Comic Con's 2022 Best in Show Costume Contest winner, Alison, joins the podcast today to talk about cosplay and costume making, and the path to her big win in December 2022. Rob is speechless at the artistry and Analese missed out on seeing it live!CALL TO ACTION: (1) create your 23 for 2023 and let us know by sharing on social media with #2023nerdgoals, (2) share your progress over the year when you complete a goal with the same hashtag, (3) gamify your goals for this year!OTHER NERDY TOPICS: Rotate your GM/DM, nerd algorithm, The Dark Crystal, Jim Henson, Labyrinth, Winchester Mystery House, SiliCon, Adam Savage, Rose Bowl Flea Market, Dungeon Mayhem. @NerdBestFriends is our social media, podcast@nerdbestfriends.com is our email - message us today! Follow and like our stuff, it'll be fun, we SWEAR!Original Airdate: January 25, 2023 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
John Haller is back to bring us headlines from any and every corner and byway of the "information superhighway". Remember when the internet was called that? A highway of information, bumper to bumper and filled with potholes? Well, they had that right. And it's very hard to find an exit ramp if you are on it, because it gets weirder by the day. Today we talk about a treasonous conspiracy that frankly, most Americans will not have any trouble believing - the Clinton/Obama/DOJ/Biden mafia circle of influence on American politics circa 2016. We all know that something went really wrong and still, few of us think anything will come of it. We also talk about AI and the dangers, which change daily - and affect every person in the Western world at least. For now. Soon enough it will engulf the globe via technocracy. Then there's Turkey and it's love fest with Qatar. Back in 2023, following the Hamas brutality against Israel, Qatar was hosting some negotiations, something that should have sent up multiple red flags. Just whom is in bed with whom over there? John helps us sort all that out in today's installment of Stand Up for the Truth. You can find John's excellent and timely updates on the FBC YouTube channel. Stand Up For The Truth Videos: https://rumble.com/user/CTRNOnline & https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgQQSvKiMcglId7oGc5c46A
Angel Studios https://Angel.com/ToddJoin the Angel Guild today and stream Testament, a powerful new series featuring the retelling of the book of Acts. Alan's Soaps https://www.AlansArtisanSoaps.comUse coupon code TODD to save an additional 10% off the bundle price.Bioptimizers https://Bioptimizers.com/toddEnter promo code TODD to get 10% off your order of Berberine Breakthrough today.Bizable https://GoBizable.comUntie your business exposure from your personal exposure with BiZABLE. Schedule your FREE consultation at GoBizAble.com today. Bonefrog https://BonefrogCoffee.com/toddThe new GOLDEN AGE is here! Use code TODD at checkout to receive 10% off your first purchase and 15% on subscriptions.Bulwark Capital https://KnowYourRiskPodcast.comHear directly from Zach Abraham as he shares insights in this FREE “Halftime” Webinar, THIS Thursday, July 24th at 3:30 Pacific. Register now at Know Your Risk Podcast dot com. Renue Healthcare https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddYour journey to a better life starts at Renue Healthcare. Visit https://Renue.Healthcare/ToddLISTEN and SUBSCRIBE at:The Todd Herman Show - Podcast - Apple PodcastsThe Todd Herman Show | Podcast on SpotifyWATCH and SUBSCRIBE at: Todd Herman - The Todd Herman Show - YouTubeCode is the new medicine. Silicon valley and big pharma have converged, which is why I still believe that the fight against the medical technocrat elite is the battle of our time.Episode Links:I still stand by my message and my warning, research us before we dieHHS Secretary RFK Jr. announces the Trump administration has rejected U.S. participation in the World Health Organization's IHR regulations and pandemic response measures:The press and others consistently shout out the vaccines are safe and effective. Vaccinate your family … We all vaccinated our families. Everybody sitting here bar two vaccinated their families with catastrophic results. Over 12,000 signatures on those two buses of death, death, death."Emily Tarsell, a retired psychotherapist, stood before Senate to share the heartbreaking story of her daughter, Christina—a vibrant, healthy 20-year-old whose life was cut short by the HPV vaccine.American surgeon records her peer-2-peer call with UnitedHealthcare trying to get a patients surgery approved they deniedThe infamous Letter. ~
SpaceTime with Stuart Gary | Astronomy, Space & Science News
In this episode of SpaceTime, we tackle some of the most profound questions in science, including the mystery of why the universe exists, the potential for liquid water on Mars, and the birth of a new solar system.Unraveling the Mystery of the UniverseScientists have made significant strides in understanding the fundamental differences between matter and antimatter, a question that has puzzled humanity since the dawn of physics. The LHCB collaboration at CERN has provided compelling evidence of a mirror-like asymmetry in how baryons behave compared to their antimatter counterparts. This breakthrough could shed light on why our universe is predominantly composed of matter, despite the equal creation of matter and antimatter during the Big Bang. We delve into the implications of this discovery and its potential to unlock the secrets of the universe's existence.Liquid Water on Mars: A New PossibilityA groundbreaking study suggests that liquid brines may form on the Martian surface, challenging the long-held belief that Mars is devoid of liquid water. Lead researcher Vincent Chevrea from the University of Arkansas discusses how meteorological data and advanced computer modeling indicate that brines could develop during specific seasonal windows. This finding opens new avenues for the search for life on Mars and highlights the importance of targeting these periods for future exploration.Witnessing the Dawn of a New Solar SystemAstronomers have made an unprecedented observation of a new solar system forming around the protostar HOPS 315, located 1300 light-years away. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array (ALMA), researchers have identified the very first specks of planet-forming material, marking a significant milestone in our understanding of solar system formation. This discovery not only provides insight into the processes that shaped our own solar system 4.6 billion years ago but also offers a unique opportunity to study planetary formation in real-time.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.com✍️ Episode ReferencesNature Journalhttps://www.nature.com/natureJournal of Communications Earth and Environmenthttps://www.nature.com/commsenvBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/spacetime-space-astronomy--2458531/support.
In this debut episode of The CEO Spot, Rick Watson sits down with Dipti Desai, Founder and CEO of CRSTL, for an unfiltered look into one of the most quietly powerful protocols in commerce—EDI.From her early days as an electrical engineer in Silicon Valley to building mission-critical infrastructure for today's omni-channel brands, Dipti shares the journey that led her to found Crystal—a SaaS network designed to modernize the way suppliers and retailers communicate.We explore:The surprising origin story of Crystal during the PPE crisisWhy EDI is more like the English language than a piece of legacy techThe difference between the application layer and the protocol layer—and why it mattersHow penalties, complexity, and digital transformation are reshaping supplier operationsWhy Crystal doesn't charge by seat and how it's enabling real collaboration at scaleThe future of B2B commerce in an age of AI, API, and protocol convergenceWhether you're a founder, brand operator, or just EDI-curious, this episode unpacks how structured data exchange is fueling the future of retail—and why ignoring the "boring" infrastructure could be your biggest mistake.
Jurandir Filho, Felipe Mesquita, Evandro de Freitas e Bruno Carvalho batem um papo sobre a "Rock N' Roll Racing", lançado em 1993 para Super Nintendo. Ele é um daqueles jogos que marcaram época não só pela jogabilidade viciante, mas também por sua atitude irreverente e trilha sonora inesquecível. Desenvolvido pela Silicon & Synapse, que mais tarde se tornaria a lendária Blizzard Entertainment, o game colocou os jogadores em corridas futuristas recheadas de armamentos, explosões e, claro, muito rock ‘n roll.O diferencial do jogo estava no seu estilo: uma mistura de corrida isométrica com combate veicular, tudo embalado por versões em 16 bits de clássicos do rock como "Paranoid" do Black Sabbath, "Born to Be Wild" do Steppenwolf e "Bad to the Bone" do George Thorogood. Era a primeira vez que muitos jogadores ouviam essas músicas, ainda que em versões sintetizadas, e isso ajudava a criar uma atmosfera única, empolgante e rebelde. A narração de Larry "Supermouth" Huffman também foi um show à parte. Frases como "The stage is set, the green flag drops!" ou "Rip is dominating the race!" ecoam até hoje na memória de quem cresceu nos anos 90.O jogo ainda resiste ao tempo?Esse é mais um episódio da nossa série Remakes!-- ALURA | Faça o Quiz Jornada Tech e entenda qual o seu perfil profissional! É DE GRAÇA!!! https://alura.tv/99vidas-quizjornada
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