1. International meta-analysis of the relationship between fertility and intelligence
  • The study draws on 610 datasets (n ≈ 1.2m) to test whether people with higher or lower intelligence have more children across 65 countries.
  • Results suggest global IQ is declining by ~1.1 points per decade to 2100, with about one-third of the decline happening within countries.
  • Patterns differ: strongest negative IQ–fertility link in Latin America, Iran, and Turkey; weakest (near zero) in Scandinavia and Switzerland.
  • Authors caution that poor data quality in some countries tempers confidence—measurement issues may blur real differences.
  • National IQ correlates moderately with fertility differentials (r = .51), linking societal development to demographic selection. !
  • International meta-analysis of the relationship between fertility and intelligence – OpenPsych (PDF)
  1. Nat Friedman - Some Things I Believe
  • Friedman (former GitHub CEO, now AI investor) sets out a philosophy of speed, ambition, and intellectual independence.
  • Core stance: technology is humanity’s lever to reshape the universe, and progress depends on moving fast and pursuing big ideas.
  • He rejects the efficient market hypothesis as misleading, suggesting opportunity lies where consensus fails.
  • Culture: fewer, sharper teams; empower great individuals; accept mistakes if they yield “uncorrelated excellence.”
  • A recurring theme is dopamine: true builders derive motivation from improving ideas and creating impact, not external validation.
  • Some Things I Believe – Nat Friedman
  1. Barney Hussey-Yeo —Sharing Startup Pitch Decks (2016–2022)
  • The Cleo founder published all his fundraising decks, from a modest £600k seed (2016) to an $80m Series C (2022).
  • Each deck reflects shifting investor climates: early enthusiasm at EF Demo Day, frictionless pre-emptions for Seed & Series A, and a gruelling Series B.
  • Series B highlights: even strong growth plus U.S. traction didn’t guarantee easy money- timing and narrative mattered.
  • His guiding principle across decks: build an AI agent that makes money work for ordinary people - big vision, clearly expressed.
  • Startup Pitch Decks Thread – X (@Barney_H_Y)