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January 9, 2025

Welcome Back! count: 400 words…. 2min read. Don’t be lazy knowledge is power. Copy edited by Anthony Snaggs, Joshua Clennon, and Kervins Valcourt.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝗻'𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗔𝗜 𝗧𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗟𝗠?

Yo, Google, you’re crazy for this one. Ever wanted someone you could count on to review any document you throw at them and answer all the questions you can think of? Imagine they could check your bills and tell you if you’re being overcharged. Or analyze your Google Sheets to provide solid insights for your next meeting. Hell, you could send them a business contract, and they’d give it a once-over have you looking like Mark Cuban. Mmhmm yeah money looks good on ya.

But what if, instead of someone, it’s something? Yep, this thing can summarize documents, connect dots between ideas you might miss, and deliver insights that feel next-level. Say goodbye to overworked, sad interns—NotebookLM to the rescue. Sort of.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝗼𝗱:
- How does it work? It’s simple. Upload your docs or link to a source (like a Google Doc, Sheet, or Slide), type some prompts, and boom! You get summaries, insights, and outlines. Bro what if I told you this thing can even generate a short podcast with two people debating the subject. I’m deadass.

Now, is this a silver bullet? Na man there is always some give and take with these things.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗱:
- Hallucinations. If you’ve used an LLM before, you know the deal—they sometimes make stuff up. Always double-check the results. If it tells you George Washington was more bigger and Blacker than you remembered, you better go give it another look.
- Source-only chat. NotebookLM sticks to your sources. Thinking of asking it questions outside the uploaded docs? It’ll hit you with the same confused stare Joe Biden gave at his last press conference.
- No multitasking. It can’t chat with multiple documents or sources at the same time.

Even with these limitations, this tool is seriously dope. It’s got my seal of approval. LFG, Google—I see you! NotebookLM is a great product that allows you to parse large amounts of data in minutes. Hell, you pull away from the pack and make yourself look like a boss either in school, at work, or on the phone with a healthcare provider trying to pull one over on you.

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Impact of LA Wildfires and blowback for the East coast. _{by Joshua Clennon}

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have not only devastated communities but have also significantly impacted the home insurance industry. With insured losses estimated to reach as high as $20 billion , these events are reshaping the insurance landscape in ways that will affect homeowners nationwide, including those on the East Coast.

Current Situation in California

In response to escalating wildfire risks, major insurers have been withdrawing coverage from high-risk areas in California. For instance, State Farm stopped accepting new homeowners insurance applications in 2023 and later ended coverage for 72,000 homes in 2024 . This has left many homeowners reliant on the California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort, which often offers limited and more expensive coverage.

What you can expect on the East Coast

While the immediate impact is on California residents, the broader implications could extend to homeowners on the East Coast, including New York:

• Rising Premiums Nationwide: The financial strain on insurers due to large-scale natural disasters can lead to increased premiums across the country as companies seek to offset their losses. In New York, homeowners have already experienced a 19% increase in insurance costs since 2018.

• Policy Adjustments: Insurers may reassess their risk models and coverage options, potentially leading to stricter underwriting standards, reduced coverage, our outright denial of coverage in areas susceptible to natural disasters, including those prone to hurricanes or flooding on the East Coast.

• Market Instability: Significant losses in one region can impact the financial stability of insurance providers, potentially affecting their operations and pricing strategies in other markets.

The Challenge for NYC’s Co-ops and Condos

The insurance landscape for NYC’s co-op and condo buildings is already a pyrrhic struggle. Rising premiums and reduced access to coverage have created significant financial strain for these buildings, many of which are already grappling with inflation and rising housing costs. This pressure often translates into special assessments for residents or deferred maintenance that further exacerbates long-term risks.

The situation is even more dire for HDFC and Mitchell-Lama co-ops, which typically serve low- to moderate-income families and operate on razor-thin budgets. Many of these co-ops struggle to secure affordable insurance due to perceived risks tied to older building structures, limited reserves, or neighborhood dynamics. Insurers often view lower-income communities as inherently higher risk, using this perception as a pretext to deny coverage or inflate premiums—further marginalizing working-class communities.

If major insurers continue to withdraw from the market or raise rates, these buildings could be left with substandard coverage or none at all. This would leave residents—and entire communities—vulnerable to financial devastation in the event of fires, floods, or other catastrophic incidents.

What East Coast Homeowners Can Do

Given these potential developments, homeowners in New York and other East Coast areas should consider the following steps:

1. Review Your Policy: Ensure you understand your current coverage, including any exclusions or limitations related to natural disasters.

2. Consider Additional Coverage: Depending on your location, it may be prudent to explore additional coverage options, such as flood or windstorm insurance, to protect against specific risks.

3. Implement Mitigation Measures: Investing in home improvements that reduce risk, such as storm-proofing or installing security systems, can sometimes lead to premium discounts.

4. Stay Informed: Keep abreast of industry trends and regulatory changes that may affect your home insurance.

TikTok Ban—The War Beyond the Screen

On January 18, TikTok went dark in the United States after the Supreme Court upheld a federal ban citing national security risks tied to China’s access to user data. Millions of Americans, hooked on their daily dose of short videos, are missing the invisible war unfolding behind the scenes—a high-stakes rivalry between the U.S. and China that extends far beyond entertainment.

The ban, initially framed as a bipartisan move to protect national security, has quickly become a political flashpoint. President-elect Trump capitalized on the controversy, announcing that his first executive order would delay the ban, prompting TikTok to begin restoring services early Sunday morning. This reversal highlights not just political theater but also the immense influence of the TikTok creator economy—a multi-billion-dollar industry of influencers, small businesses, and entrepreneurs who rely on the platform for their livelihood. These stakeholders have been vocal in their opposition, arguing that the ban jeopardizes their income and dismisses the app’s economic contributions.

But the focus on TikTok obscures the larger stakes. The app’s fate is part of a broader U.S.-China rivalry over technology, data, and global influence. Central to this conflict is Taiwan, which produces 44% of the semiconductors imported by U.S. manufacturers. These chips power everything from smartphones to military systems, making Taiwan a linchpin in the global tech ecosystem. If China were to reclaim Taiwan, it could destabilize not just tech supply chains but America’s position as the world’s leading power.

The backlash to the ban underscores how deeply Americans are entangled in the digital economy. While influencers push back to protect their revenue streams, the larger question remains: Will Americans prioritize long-term national security over short-term gains? The TikTok ban isn’t just about one app—it’s a glimpse into the vulnerabilities of a hyper-connected world and the difficult trade-offs we face.

Leadership requires not just decisive action but also the foresight to navigate these challenges. As the U.S. grapples with its relationship to technology, China, and global security, the decisions we make today will define whether we’re prepared for the future—or remain blinded by the allure of fleeting entertainment.