Communication

Sequencing

When an audience feels informed, confidence increases and the opportunity for lasting collaboration is refined. Perhaps everything is an enumerated collection of objects in which repetition and order matters?

Understanding how everything connects is impossible for even the most methodical mind. Be it system thinking, design thinking, meta synthesis, neural networking, or whatever mindset you choose, the abstract intensity of complexity makes it hard to see how a few things relate, let alone immeasurable members in infinite streams.

Machines add computed awareness. But the squishy nature of each member within a sequence feels like it will remain a futile enigma, forever transforming based on if, who, what, when, where, why, and how something is being observed.

The processing power required to source the connection(s) of every moment would paralyze your thoughts. The mind is effective, thanks to sequenced memories and staying light enough to deduce answers with limited real-time input. This saves time, but it’s interesting how this type of internal sequencing actually quiets the depth of each sequence.

Enjoy the moment and be a serendipitist but keep tabs on where each member fits into a sequence.How sequences are pieced together keeps strategies in harmony. This brews appreciation from the past and adds a lightness for the moment. Delivering less information gives people only what they need when they need it. Added depth can then arrive down string to make a timelier impact.

Brewed From Within - Layers of Understanding

Layers of Understanding

As a sequenced narrative stretches, depth that rhymes will meet people where they’re at and more effectively guide the curious through new layers of understanding.

By Ben McDougal, ago

Conversationalized

Humans have long used technology to communicate with each other. As we’ve taught machines to see, learn, speak, and move, computers were invited into the conversation.

ChatUX is technology that helps computers speak our language, with a conversational experience supported by deep learning and large language models (LLMs). ChatUX makes AI easier to enjoy with a potential for accurate, unbiased, and meaningful interactions. This allows the seven types of AI to be so much more than pointless help desks, deceptive lead generators, misleading content, or fake followers on social media. Instead, the objective is to access endless insight with an ability to translate it effectively.

When upgraded this way, ChatUX bridges trust channels to personalize education, enhance business efficiencies, assist customers with empathy, deliver meaningful mental health therapy, and make past tasks irrelevant, all while parlaying multimodality so anyone can effectively express ideas.

As ChatUX evolves, improvements geared for safety and customizability will keep technology in the conversation.

The freedom of speech is a complex topic, but guardrails that identify certain words or dangerous rhetoric helps to keep everyone safe. Along with responsible policymaking, influence layers help to customize ChatUX. This can add depth to personalize an interaction or provide internal teams a more reliable source of truth.

With technology conversationalized, prompt engineering became a professional field of reconstructing inputs to optimize outputs. The demand for a brand new mode of communication reminds us how real skills are required to remain relevant. Fortunately, when it comes to technology, an increased effort here, often decreases effort there. In this case, learning to communicate with technology may require new resources, but ChatUX bolsters a paradigm shift where access to knowledge becomes pedestrian.

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When the cost of information is zero, willpower becomes a path to wealth.

We prepare our children with communication skills while instilling kindness, honesty, empathy, integrity, and so much more. From the words we use to the interactions we share, positive traits can be ingrained into technology for good.

By Ben McDougal, ago

Septenary

AI is often thought of as a singular technology. This blanket assumption makes it impossible to compare the capabilities and functionalities that differ between the seven different types of artificial intelligence.

The seven types of AI are organized into two groups. The first group is based on capability and includes Narrow AI, General AI, and Super AI. The second group is based on functionality and includes Reactive Machine AI, Limited Memory AI, Theory of Mind AI, and Self-Aware AI.

Capabilities are determined by what different types of AI are able to accomplish. The three types of AI categorized by capabilities are Narrow AI, General AI, and Super AI. Here’s a rundown to leverage what’s possible today, while staying mindful of what may be possible tomorrow.

Narrow AI <realized>

AI trained from existing data, with compute geared to do one thing really well. While data sets are vast, this type of AI can not go beyond the data sets it is tied to. As of 2026, Narrow AI is the only type of AI that is fully realized within the three types of AI categorized by capabilities. Examples of Narrow AI include language translators, game-playing programs, spam filters, recommendation engines, voice assistants, facial recognition, self-driving vehicles, and robots with specific tasks. Generative AI also falls within this type of AI, which seems odd. The mashups of generated text, images, video, and sound seem to be random, but are still constraints by existing data sets. Neural networks, optimized data sets, computer vision, and machine learning make the capabilities of Narrow AI remarkable, but limited by the data it has to munch.

General AI <theorized>

This advancing realm of AI leverage existing data like Narrow AI, but can reason beyond those constraints. The transfer of intelligence, with no human intervention, makes the race to General AI (also called AGI) intense. When AI can make decisions based on an advancing state of its own understanding, the limit of this AI’s capabilities become unknown. Theories set the potential limit around that of a human. Agentic AI hints at AGI with decision making and interdisciplinary task management, but lacks the emotional traits, planning, and other methods of generalization that will define the capabilities of General AI. Other potential examples include all-new content creation, robots that can learn new tricks. As the theories of AGI become realized, ethics, regulation, and a determination of consciousness will be moving targets to navigate. The breeding speed of AGI may release points of no return, which makes it critical to understand and debate opening to ensure a new species is copacetic.

Super AI <theorized>

Welcome to when AI becomes it’s own species. Concern triggers due to the finite resources of Earth, but when AI surpasses the capabilities of humankind, dust from the deep future will already be everywhere. Multi-planetary travel will be underway, climate problems will be solved, and life extension will be supported by Super AI. Singularity is theorized to push the functionalities of Self-Aware AI and the capabilities of Super AI beyond humanity’s control. This means the time to plan ahead is now. As the minds of machines are wired, it’s crucial to collectively consider the heart and soul we build into technology. This will guide discovery with an excellence that came before it.

AI based on functionality is less about power and more about how things works. Reactive Machine AI, Limited Memory AI, Theory of Mind AI, and Self-Aware AI are the types of AI classified by their functionalities.

Reactive Machine AI <realized>

This is old school AI. Rooted in statistical math, Reactive Machine AI arrived soon after the programmable computer was developed. There is no adaptive learning here, but the speed at which it can calculate a vast amount of data makes the performance seem intelligent. The functionalities of Reactive Machine AI drives more primitive examples of Narrow AI, such as recommendation engines and game-playing programs. This type of AI provides a static base, but with no memory and only a focus on specific tasks, attention quickly shifts toward functionalities that have more adaptive characteristics.

Limited Memory AI <realized>

This type of AI learns and evolves. Functionalities of Limited Memory AI are still constrained by the existing data it was trained with, but world-changing advancements have been seen in machine learning, large language models (LLMs), generative AI tools, multimodality, computer vision, and self-driving vehicles. The realization of Limited Memory AI has Narrow AI pushing it’s full potential.

Theory of Mind AI <theorized>

Here we combine existing data, an adaptive ability to learn, and an emotional willingness to think. Enhanced reasoning, multimodality, customizability, adaptive computing, and user-driven functionalities bring General AI (AGI) to life. Theory of Mind AI embraces emotions and understands how we think. This type of AI will add personality to humanoid robots and support reliable relationships by combining digital depth to the realities of our world. As lines blur between humans and machines, compute will remain a currency, efficiency will skyrocket, and a new era of life on earth will begin.

Self-Aware AI <theorized>

It’s hard to define consciousness, but true self-awareness exemplifies this type of AI. Along with understanding how we think, Super AI will own emotions, hold beliefs, and is theorized to support the functionalities of Super AI.

Understanding the seven types of AI helps leaders leverage the perks of technology now and later. Our willingness to lift the fog helps avoid a fear in the unknown and while resisting technology is a choice, it’s one that may put you behind innovation curves. Hybrids add artificial co-pilots, but remain assertive and budget resources knowing we are the pulchritudinous architects of our own neon future.

By Ben McDougal, ago

Storytelling

Humans are innate storytellers. We use (sequenced) stories to enjoy life, relay ideas, and network experiences. Passed over generations, the willingness to tell stories has helped our species survive. When collided, shared understandings then summon diverse environments connected to thrive.

As we narrow the narrative into an entrepreneurial lifestyle, the values of storytelling are felt as we learn, create interest, unite, and act beyond the shared moment. Over a brew, in the office, at events, out with friends, or on-stage, leaders must be able to translate the story of a business.

The environment, industry, audience, and format affect how a story is told. The sentiment should be consistent, but your story won’t sound the same each time. Agility, preparation, and awareness will keep a story genuine, truthful, and engaging. Preparedness also boosts our confidence to share our stories in any situation.

Internal storytelling between owners, co-workers, mentors, advisors, and customers is guided by listening, curiosity, data, transparency, and all that’s found in the Team chapter of You Don’t Need This Book.

Let’s expand the repertoire with a focus on storytelling with strangers. This is done by playing with styles and tinkering with creative formats for the story.What’s your style? How casual can you make it? How nerdy can you go? What feelings do you evoke?

Alongside different styles, timing also helps to format the story. One sentence is a sharp conversation starter. 42 Seconds is ideal for networking events and in small groups. 6 Minutes delivers details to support a valuable Q&A. 10+ minutes creates space for more depth, but don’t numb the audience. 45+ minutes is leading event sessions and keynote speaking.

Along with talk, relatable assets bring a story to life. Such creation uncovers flow for a story. So embrace branding, social media, website development, slide decks, one-pagers, and endless types of physical and digital materials that connect storytelling with an audience that cares.

No matter the situation, honest understanding, energizing enthusiasm, practice, transparent vulnerability, intellectual humility, and concise simplicity will serve you well. Nothing pushy, but pops of persuasion curate attention along the way. As a remarkable story comes together, feedback will sharpen the business and help tweak the transmission.

By Ben McDougal, ago

Momentum Mountain

From the moment we decide, a force is required — strategic action that is geared to find and then maintain momentum.

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“Inspiration is perishable —  act on it immediately.” – Naval Ravikant

Meaningful momentum is awakened in endless ways. Early momentum might mean showing up at an event for the first time, researching the competitive landscape, testing an early hypothesis, leaning into customer discovery, considering potential co-founders, building product, and eventually activating a launch sequence.

Once a project is launched, the need for momentum gets stronger. It only becomes more important. There are a world of examples, but growing the business, achieving milestones, and celebrating progress are all forms of valuable momentum. Even in later stages of a company, momentum drives activities like succession planning, navigating exit paths, and considering how your human, financial, cultural, intellectual, and network capital can be recycled back into the entrepreneurial ecosystem.

If momentum is maintained long enough, the result can be a flywheel effect that feeds on itself. Most things you want to grow require attention, but with less friction, momentum delivers bonus time and valuable understanding. Space for new activity emerges and that keeps things interesting.

The tough reality may be that if momentum is melting, it’s difficult to recapture. Once something melts, it’s never quite the same. These dips are moments to consider when and what to quit. If there’s enough energy to keep going, there may be a way to keep building.

Like the opening quote reminds us, inspiration is perishable. The longer stagnancy lingers, the further you get from momentum. Tactics to maintain kamiwaza, even when momentum is melting, start with communication.

Honest communication adds clarity and is the easiest way to appreciate the realities of slowness. Reducing the weird by exposing the why, also keeps different stakeholders on the same page. By reducing the tension that quietly brews in silence, teams may be able to run at lower speeds, even during lethargic times. If left unattended, however, this can devolve into a lack of urgency that brings another set of challenges.

At lower speeds, perhaps less movement is needed to regain the sense of shared momentum? That’s a real thought, but a tad boring. When it’s time to thrive, not just survive, sparks fly as initiative is taken.

Tactics for climbing a momentum mountain include:

  • Connecting within startup communities
  • Traveling and learning something new
  • Saying “yes” to unlock adventure
  • Saying “no” to create space
  • Revisiting customer discovery
  • Building a new feature
  • Considering a pivot
  • Onboarding new customers
  • Adding to the team
  • Have fun, then staying centered on a climb down
  • Whatever else generates joy in your own life

    Momentum is crucial to playing long-term games with long-term counterparts. Find a good pace by exploring the momentum you’ll need at different stages of the quest.

    This awareness helps you quit chasing momentum and sets us free to forge better art at a sustainable speed. Continue to multiply mass and velocity, which equates to momentum when, where, and how it’s needed to stay wild.

    By Ben McDougal, ago