Engaging Reads of the Week #5

Welcome back to "Engaging Reads". Here are this week's thought-provoking articles that explore technology's purpose, the emotion that rules our ethical judgements, and the fascinating concept of "stock and flow" in digital content.

1. The Purpose of Technology - Balaji Srinivasan

Balaji argues that technology's ultimate goal isn't just to make things cheaper or faster, but to help us live longer—potentially forever. He believes that mortality is our biggest limitation, and if we had unlimited time, everything else would be less scarce.

What's interesting is his call for tech experts to become better storytellers. He says people who understand technology need to create inspiring content—not just tweets, but articles, videos, and films—to show why technological progress matters for humanity's future.

2. Outraged - Kurt Gray (Book Review)

Kurt Gray's new book examines why we fight about morality and politics, offering a fresh perspective on bridging societal divides. His central insight is that all moral judgments stem from perceptions of harm—we condemn things based on how harmful they feel to us.

The most valuable takeaway is Gray's rejection of the "destruction narrative" (the belief that the other side wants to destroy our way of life) in favor of a "protection narrative." He argues that people on both sides of political divides are primarily trying to protect what they value, not destroy others. Gray suggests that sharing personal stories of harm is more effective than citing statistics when trying to understand opposing viewpoints, as these stories help us see others' moral convictions as rational responses to their experiences.

3. Stock and Flow - Robin Sloan

Robin Sloan uses a simple economic concept to explain content creation. "Flow" is your daily social media posts and updates that keep you visible. "Stock" is your lasting work that people will still find valuable months or years later.

His key point: We've gotten really good at flow (constant posting), but often neglect creating stock (meaningful, lasting content). The best approach is to do both—keep up with regular posts while working on bigger projects that will stand the test of time.

What are you reading this week? Share your recommendations in the comments below.