I started my very first newsletter quoting Scott Adam’s, Systems > Goals That’s how deeply I internalized this particular insight. With the news of his passing yesterday, I pondered over his final message: "I had an amazing life... If you got any benefits from my work, I'm asking that you pay it forward... Be useful." That’s one beautiful parting message. And one of the 3 top lessons that most resonated with me.
What 2025 Taught Me About Survival and Meaning
This is the 100th edition of "Elephant in the Room", and my most personal. It's the story of survival in face of uncertainty. Edition 100 is about the year that forced me to learn the difference—and what actually kept me intact when everything felt uncertain.
Why CORE Traits Matter More Than Skills in the AI era
We posit it's because of CORE traits: 4 unchanging human qualities that will outlast every technical skill you'll ever learn. It's not nepotism, favoritism, or flattery. It's CORE traits that don't show up on resumes. And in the AI era, these traits matter more than ever
Welcome to the World Where Everyone is a Writer and Nobody Reads
Writing that actually moves us requires precisely what AI eliminates: the messy human struggle. George Saunders calls this your "iconic space": the place from which you write stories only you could write. I ask my readers: what will you write that only you can write?
The Unwritten Self: A Writer’s Identity Crisis in the AI Era
if AI can write, what does a writer become? Our roles have changed from creators to curators overnight. But what if this disruption forces us to redefine our worth, to build identity beyond skills, on foundations AI can't touch?
Has GenAI killed the college essay?
I explore if GenAI has killed the college essay. Why are students required to write essays? It’s to assess their ability to think through things, and communicate their perspective in a clear, compelling and organized fashion. I argue that GenAI, by removing the creative struggle from the writing, is capable of deeply affecting how we think.
Finding Happiness in Everyday Monotony
I explore why happiness proves elusive even as you conquer your goals. We expect life to be full of purpose, meaning and passion. What we face is incessant monotony. How can we find purpose, meaning and happiness? I ponder at length.
Why Preparation Beats Planning
I posit that there are 4 broad modes in which you approach life. The mode you operate in makes all the difference. Also, why preparation always beats planning.
How to make your podcast stand out
I talk about how to make your podcast stand out. Especially when the podcast market is saturated, and your guests are overexposed. How do you overcome podcast fatigue?
3 takeaways from Adolescence (Netflix series)
I talk about ADOLESCENCE, the new rage on Netflix. The series speaks about a critical social issue: the radicalizing influence of social media on children, particularly boys.
Musings by Madhav 