I use this a topic based outline a lot. They force clarity and save time for both writer and reader. Win-win.

topic-based-outline.md

Hacker News Summary: Nearly half of Nvidia's revenue comes from four mystery whales each buying $3B+

Main Post Summary

• Nvidia makes a lot of money from AI chips.
• Four big companies are buying a ton of these chips, each spending over $3 billion.
• Nobody knows who these companies are for sure.

Key Discussion Themes

1. Who are the Big Buyers?

• It's probably the big cloud companies: Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon.
• Others mentioned are Oracle, Tesla, and OpenAI.
• Some think government agencies, like the NSA or DoE, are big buyers too.

2. AI Chip Alternatives

• Google, Amazon, Meta, and Microsoft are making their own AI chips.
• But they're not as good as Nvidia's yet.
• People are wondering if these companies will switch to their own chips when they are good enough.

3. Is this an AI Bubble?

• Some people think it's like the dot-com bubble or the crypto bubble.
• They think Nvidia's prices are too high, and the bubble will pop.
• Others think AI will keep growing and is helpful, so it's not really a bubble.

Notable Insights/Opinions

• Some people think the Nvidia chip shortage will ease once the bubble bursts.
• One person said if the AI bubble bursts, they'll use Nvidia GPUs for other stuff.
• Others think Nvidia will keep doing well because they're good at adapting to new markets.

Controversial Points

• Some people think Nvidia has a monopoly on AI chips.
• It's not clear if they are treating all customers the same or giving some special deals.
• People are worried about how much power these big companies and governments are gaining.

Resources Shared

• Observer Article: Nvidia's biggest customers.
• Forbes Article: Cerebras AI chip maker.
• Nvidia Blog Post: Meta's AI plans.
• Ars Technica Article: Musk not paying vendors.
• Awesome Self Hosted: A list of self-hosted apps.
• Tom's Hardware Article: Nvidia's desktop GPU market share.
• Wikipedia: GeForce 40 series: Nvidia's GeForce 40 series.
• PC Gamer Article: Using H100 for gaming.

Another detailed format. My ADHD is making it hard to consume.

Hacker News Summary: AnandTech Farewell

Main Post Summary

• AnandTech, a long-time tech news site, shut down.
• The site focused on in-depth, detailed articles, not clickbait.
• Many people on HN miss AnandTech.
• The discussion moved to ads, web content quality, and business models.

Key Discussion Themes

1. Google's Role in Web Quality Decline

• Key points:
  • Google's search was a good start.
  • Ads became a bigger deal than search quality.
  • Google's model isn't good for the web.
• Insights:
  • Google sold search results to the highest bidders.
  • That makes quality search harder.
• Controversial aspects:
  • Did Google hurt the web with ads?
  • Or is it a natural result of the web's value?

2. The Future of Online Content

• Key points:
  • People used to pay for magazines and newspapers.
  • Many people use ad blockers now.
  • Few people pay for online content.
• Insights:
  • The web is mostly free.
  • That's not a sustainable model.
  • Some content creators are struggling.
• Controversial aspects:
  • Should people pay for online content?
  • How can online content be funded?
  • Is the ad-driven model bad?

3. The Loss of AnandTech

• Key points:
  • AnandTech had a unique style.
  • It was detailed and informative.
  • The site lost its way after Anand left.
• Insights:
  • People liked AnandTech's style.
  • It's harder to find sites like it now.
• Controversial aspects:
  • Was AnandTech's model flawed?
  • Why couldn't it keep going?
  • Could a site like it succeed today?

Analysis

Strengths

• AnandTech was detailed.
• People felt they could trust the site.

Weaknesses

• The site slowed down.
• They didn't adapt to the changing web.

Opportunities

• A new site could fill the void.
• Subscription models might work better.

Threats

• Clickbait and AI-generated content are growing.
• People expect free content.

Actionable Takeaways

• Try Kagi for a better search experience.
• Support content creators you like.
• Think about how you use the web.

Thought-Provoking Questions

• Is the ad-driven web a good thing?
• How can we get better online content?
• What will the future of the web look like?

Resources Shared

• Stratechery Plus: A paid newsletter
• Kagi: A search engine
• Ladybird: A new browser

Community Consensus

• Many miss AnandTech.
• Ads are a big problem for the web.
• It's hard to find a good business model for quality online content.
• There's no easy solution to the problem.

One more example:

Hacker News Summary: Using Fibonacci numbers to convert from miles to kilometers and vice versa

Main Post Summary

• The post talks about a way to convert miles to kilometers and back using Fibonacci numbers.
• It's not the best way, but it's kind of neat.
• Some folks think it's a fun trick, while others think it's a silly way to do a simple calculation.

Key Discussion Themes

1. Practicality of Fibonacci Conversion

• Key points:
  • People usually just multiply or divide by 1.6.
  • Fibonacci numbers are not that easy to remember.
  • The method is not very accurate for large numbers.
• Insights:
  • It's more of a party trick than a practical solution.
• Controversial aspects:
  • Some find it interesting, others think it's silly.

2. Easier Mental Math Methods

• Key points:
  • Lots of people have quick and easy mental math methods.
  • Many use simple fractions like 3/2 or 5/3.
  • Some people even just estimate and round numbers.
• Insights:
  • People can find their own ways to do these conversions.
• Controversial aspects:
  • Some prefer more formal methods, others prefer their own hacks.

3. The Golden Ratio and Miles/Kilometers

• Key points:
  • The golden ratio is about 1.618.
  • The mile-kilometer ratio is about 1.609.
  • It's close, but probably a coincidence.
• Insights:
  • It's interesting that the ratios are so close, but it doesn't mean much.
• Controversial aspects:
  • Some people think it's a coincidence, others wonder if it's related to history.

Analysis

Strengths

• It's a fun way to think about conversions.
• It's a nice way to learn the Fibonacci sequence.
• Some people find it easier than traditional methods.

Weaknesses

• It's not very accurate, especially for large numbers.
• It's not the fastest or easiest way to do conversions.
• It requires remembering Fibonacci numbers, which is harder than 1.6.

Opportunities

• Could be useful for teaching people about the Fibonacci sequence.
• It might be useful for rough estimations in some cases.
• Could spark more interest in math and quick calculations.

Threats

• People might think it's silly or pointless.
• It might lead to mistakes if not used carefully.
• It could be harder to understand than simpler methods.

Actionable Takeaways

• If you like the Fibonacci sequence, this is a fun way to play with it.
• If you need quick estimates, simple multiplication or division is better.
• If you need accuracy, use a calculator or computer.

Thought-Provoking Questions

• Is there a relationship between the golden ratio and how units were created?
• Why do people prefer different mental math tricks?
• Is there a better way to teach conversions that makes it easier to understand?

Resources Shared

• Zeckendorf's Theorem (Wikipedia): Explains how to write numbers as a sum of Fibonacci numbers.
• Slide Rule Museum: Shows how to use a slide rule for various calculations.

Community Consensus

• Most people agree that the Fibonacci method is not the best way to convert miles and kilometers.
• There is some debate on whether it's a fun trick or a silly idea.
• There's a general preference for simpler, more accurate methods for everyday conversions.

I like this format. it's clean & clear not too bloated!

Hacker News Summary: Marketing to Engineers (2001)

Main Post Overview

• An old article talks about how to sell stuff to engineers. It says engineers like facts and details, not fancy ads.

Key Discussion Themes

1. Jargon's Role

• Main points:
  • Engineers use jargon for exact meaning.
  • It's not about being confusing.
  • Bad jargon can backfire.
• Notable insight: Using the right words the right way is key. It shows you know what you're talking about.

2. Engineers' Decision-Making

• Main points:
  • Engineers don't like ads.
  • They're driven by logic.
  • They also have feelings about tools.
• Notable insight: Engineers are human too. They use logic, but feelings play a part in choices.

3. Marketing to Engineers

• Main points:
  • Show details.
  • Be clear.
  • Provide good information.
• Notable insight: Don't try to be fancy. Just tell engineers what they need to know.

Key Takeaways

• Engineers don't trust ads.
• They want clear and accurate info.
• Use jargon carefully.

Controversial Points

• Are engineers immune to ads?
• Is marketing just manipulation?
• Should companies be completely transparent?

Useful Resources

• Infiniti Optics Whitepaper: An example of a good whitepaper for engineers.
• uBlock Origin: A tool for blocking ads.
• SponsorBlock: Another tool to skip ads.