Civilization-Level Business "Wishes" Addressing Societal Needs
TL;DR
- OpenAI should build "Samland," a company town with subsidized AI housing, data centers, and nuclear power, to alleviate the housing crisis, generate carbon-free electricity, and demonstrate AI's societal benefits beyond just tech investors.
- Starbucks should launch "Latte Libraries" by renovating select stores to prioritize reading and studying, reinforcing its "third place" philosophy and capitalizing on the growing demand for physical spaces and book culture.
- SpaceX should revive the International Space Station and integrate it into the 2028 Olympics, symbolizing global cooperation in space and establishing a precedent for peaceful interplanetary habitation.
- Wall Street stock market predictions are historically inaccurate, with median forecasts missing targets by 14 percentage points, underscoring the unreliability of traditional financial forecasting.
- Nvidia could program its chips to automatically watermark AI-generated images and videos, signaling a commitment to preventing deceptive uses of its technology and building societal trust.
- Amazon should implement a "Buy Local" button, leveraging AI to identify local alternatives and support Main Street businesses, thereby creating economic benefits for both consumers and local communities.
Deep Dive
The core theses for 2026 center on ambitious, civilization-level business "wishes" that address societal needs and leverage emerging technological and economic trends. These aren't mere predictions but strategic proposals designed to expand imagination and demonstrate a business case for grand visions, aiming to boost brand perception, restore core values, and foster global cooperation.
Wish number one proposes that OpenAI should build a modern company town, dubbed "Samland," complete with housing, data centers, and nuclear power. This initiative aims to alleviate America's housing crisis, generate carbon-free electricity, and crucially, demonstrate the positive societal impact of AI to a skeptical public. By creating a tangible, AI-integrated community, OpenAI could cultivate voter support necessary for its massive data center expansion, while also serving as a proof-of-concept for AI-driven living and a new model for community development around burgeoning industries, reminiscent of historical company towns built around railroads or chocolate.
Secondly, Starbucks is urged to launch "Latte Libraries," transforming select stores into havens for reading, writing, and studying, thereby reviving its "third place" philosophy. This addresses Starbucks' current brand erosion due to competition and operational inefficiencies, as evidenced by store closures and consumer frustration with long wait times. By prioritizing a quiet, book-focused environment, Starbucks can reclaim its appeal as a destination for extended stays rather than just quick pick-ups, capitalizing on the growing demand for physical spaces and the resurgence of reading, a trend observed even in their Chinese market.
The third wish is for SpaceX to revive the International Space Station (ISS) and integrate it with the 2028 Olympics. With SpaceX poised for a potentially record-breaking IPO, this move would re-establish global cooperation in space as humanity ventures further, especially with upcoming lunar and Martian missions. Decommissioning the ISS in 2031 is seen as ill-timed given renewed interest in space exploration. Hosting an Olympic event in space, perhaps a zero-gravity chess match or gymnastics on the moon, would serve as a powerful symbol of peace and shared human endeavor, reinforcing the idea that space belongs to all of humanity.
The overarching implication is that bold, visionary projects, even if framed as "wishes," can address significant societal challenges and redefine industry leadership. These proposals suggest that companies can leverage their resources and influence not only for profit but also to shape civilization, demonstrate societal value, and secure long-term public support.
Action Items
- Create AI company town: Develop a pilot community ("Samland") integrating housing, data centers, and nuclear power to demonstrate AI's societal benefits and address housing/energy crises.
- Design Starbucks library concept: Renovate 3-5 select Starbucks stores to function as "latte libraries," prioritizing reading and studying spaces to reinforce the "third place" philosophy.
- Audit SpaceX's ISS proposal: Evaluate the feasibility and business case for SpaceX reviving the International Space Station for potential 2028 Olympic events, focusing on global cooperation.
- Implement "Buy Local" button: Develop an AI-driven feature for Amazon to identify local availability of products and offer customers a "buy local" option.
- Draft DoorDash membership model: Propose an annual membership structure for DoorDash to replace service fees, enhancing customer and restaurant appeal.
Key Quotes
"Our wish number one is that open ai should build an entire town with homes data centers and nuclear power an ai company town call it samland because ai ain't just an industry ai is a way of life."
Nick and Jack propose that OpenAI should construct a self-contained AI company town, named "Samland." They argue that AI is more than just an industry; it represents a fundamental shift in how society operates, and building such a town would demonstrate the broad benefits of AI beyond just the wealthy.
"Our second big business wish of the year is that starbucks should launch a chain of libraries that's right latte libraries bessies starbucks needs a turnaround plan for 2026 and a library is the ultimate third place."
The hosts suggest that Starbucks should pivot by establishing "latte libraries" as a turnaround strategy. They believe this concept aligns with Starbucks' original "third place" philosophy, offering a space for reading and studying that could revitalize the brand's appeal.
"And our third and final big business wish of the year spacex should host the olympics in outer space spacex they're ipoing in 2026 why not host an olympic event in 2028."
Nick and Jack propose that SpaceX should host an Olympic event in outer space in 2028. They see this as a symbolic gesture of global cooperation, especially as space becomes more accessible, and a way to leverage SpaceX's anticipated IPO.
"The median stock forecast was off by 14 percentage points 14 percentage points and we whipped up some examples for you in 2023 the prediction was that stocks would rise by 6 but in reality stocks rose by 22."
The hosts highlight the inaccuracy of Wall Street's stock market predictions, citing data that shows a significant median error rate. They provide examples from recent years where actual stock market performance vastly differed from analyst forecasts, underscoring their rebranding of predictions as "wishes."
"Amazon should use ai to find out if the thing you're about to buy on amazon is also available on your local main street and give you the option to buy local in that case as for the business model amazon could ship it to make money that way or take a tiny referral fee if you buy it in person."
This wish suggests that Amazon should integrate AI to identify local availability of products and offer customers the option to purchase them from nearby businesses. The hosts propose that Amazon could profit through shipping or a small referral fee, thereby supporting local economies.
Resources
External Resources
Books
- "The Second Great Gatsby Sequel" by F. Scott Fitzgerald - Mentioned as a hypothetical work that could have been written in a Starbucks library.
Articles & Papers
- "The New York Times" - Mentioned as the source for data on the inaccuracy of stock market forecasts.
People
- Adam Newman - Mentioned as someone not to invite to lead the OpenAI company town project.
- Brian Chesky - Mentioned as a guest on the "Crucible Moments" podcast.
- Brian Nichols - Mentioned as the CEO of Starbucks.
- Drake - Mentioned in relation to OpenAI's brand image problem.
- Elon Musk - Mentioned in relation to SpaceX and a statue in an incorporated town.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald - Mentioned as a hypothetical author who might have written in a Starbucks library.
- Jack - Co-host of the podcast.
- Jeff Bezos - Mentioned in relation to Blue Origin landing rockets.
- Kendrick - Mentioned as someone Jack is a fan of.
- Michael Phelps - Mentioned as someone who has started training again for moon freestyle.
- Nick - Co-host of the podcast.
- Rulof Botha - Mentioned as the host of the "Crucible Moments" podcast.
- Sam Altman - Mentioned in relation to OpenAI building a company town.
- Sequoia Capital - Mentioned as a venture capital firm that hosts the "Crucible Moments" podcast.
- Steve Huffman - Mentioned as a guest on the "Crucible Moments" podcast.
- Steven Chen - Mentioned as a guest on the "Crucible Moments" podcast.
- Tony Xu - Mentioned as a guest on the "Crucible Moments" podcast.
Organizations & Institutions
- Alaska Airlines - Mentioned as the airline that launched a Disney-themed airplane.
- Amazon - Mentioned as a company that should add a "buy local" button.
- Apple - Mentioned as a company that did not launch the iToilet.
- Barkley - Mentioned for a stock market prediction in 2023.
- Barnes & Noble - Mentioned as a place where childhood memories were made.
- Black Rock Coffee - Mentioned as a smaller coffee chain eating into Starbucks' market share.
- Blue Origin - Mentioned in relation to landing rockets safely on Earth.
- Blink Street Coffee - Mentioned as a smaller coffee chain eating into Starbucks' market share.
- Chipotle - Mentioned as the former employer of Starbucks' new CEO.
- Disney - Mentioned in relation to acquiring Spirit Airlines and launching a themed airplane.
- Doordash - Mentioned as a delivery app that should eliminate the service fee.
- Dutch Bros - Mentioned as a smaller coffee chain eating into Starbucks' market share.
- Equinox - Mentioned as a company that should build airport health and fitness centers.
- JP Morgan - Mentioned for a stock market prediction in 2024.
- National Football League (NFL) - Mentioned in the context of previous predictions.
- New England Patriots - Mentioned in the context of previous predictions.
- Nvidia - Mentioned as a company that could program chips with watermarks on AI-generated content.
- Oklo - Mentioned as a next-generation nuclear power company.
- OpenAI - Mentioned as a company that should build an entire town.
- Palo Alto Networks - Mentioned as a company featured on "Crucible Moments."
- Pullman, Illinois - Mentioned as a town built around the railroad boom.
- Reese's Pieces - Mentioned as a product eventually made in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
- Robin Hood - Mentioned in relation to Doordash potentially eliminating service fees.
- Sequoia Capital - Mentioned as a venture capital firm.
- Sears - Mentioned in relation to mail-order homes.
- SpaceX - Mentioned as a company that should host the Olympics in outer space and is IPOing.
- Spirit Airlines - Mentioned in relation to a potential Disney acquisition and bankruptcy.
- Starbucks - Mentioned as a company that should launch a chain of libraries.
- Starship Texas - Mentioned as an incorporated town with a statue of Elon Musk.
- Supercell - Mentioned as a company featured on "Crucible Moments."
- The New Yankee Stadium - Mentioned for comparison of cost to the International Space Station.
- Tiktok - Mentioned as a company that is known to be sold.
- Valvoline Instant Oil Change - Mentioned as a sponsor.
- YouTube - Mentioned as a platform for a new initiative.
Podcasts & Audio
- Crucible Moments - Mentioned as a podcast hosted by Sequoia Capital.
Other Resources
- AI Company Town - Mentioned as a concept for OpenAI to build.
- AI Living - Mentioned as a concept for smart housing.
- AI Supremacy - Mentioned in the context of China potentially beating America.
- Airport Gym - Mentioned as a business wish for Equinox.
- Airport Lounge - Mentioned as a trend in 2025.
- Artemis Program - Mentioned as NASA's program to bring humans back to the moon.
- Bear-Shaped Barista Bottles - Mentioned as a popular item at Starbucks.
- Buy Local Button - Mentioned as a feature Amazon should add.
- Cappuccino Paralysis - Mentioned as a problem with Starbucks order preparation times.
- Carbon-Free Electricity - Mentioned as a benefit of OpenAI's company town.
- Company Town - Mentioned as a historical concept for new industries.
- Crucible Moments - Mentioned as a podcast.
- Decaffeinated Era - Mentioned as the current state of Starbucks.
- Delivery App - Mentioned in relation to Doordash.
- Disney Airlines - Mentioned as a hypothetical acquisition.
- Disney Themed Airplane - Mentioned as a product launched by Disney and Alaska Airlines.
- Energy Requirements for AI - Mentioned as a factor in the AI boom.
- Fia-cracy - Mentioned as something to kill.
- Gift Ideas - Mentioned as a query for ChatGPT.
- Global Cooperation in Space - Mentioned as a concept that could be continued with the ISS.
- Google Search - Mentioned for comparison of electricity usage to chatbot queries.
- Halloween Decorations - Mentioned in relation to Home Depot selling full-sized skeletons.
- Home Depot Homes - Mentioned as a concept for Home Depot to sell.
- Housing Crisis - Mentioned as a problem that OpenAI's company town could help alleviate.
- Hyh Tvy - Mentioned as a sign-off.
- iToilet - Mentioned as a product Apple did not launch.
- Impulse Buy - Mentioned for comparison of cost to the International Space Station.
- Industry of 2026 - Mentioned in relation to AI.
- International Space Station (ISS) - Mentioned as a structure SpaceX should revive and tie to the Olympics.
- Interplanetary Life - Mentioned as a future human endeavor.
- IPO - Mentioned in relation to SpaceX.
- Latte Libraries - Mentioned as a concept for Starbucks.
- Lavooboo Latte - Mentioned as a type of drink.
- Lifts - Mentioned in relation to SpaceX's valuation.
- Local Main Street - Mentioned in relation to Amazon's "buy local" button.
- Mars - Mentioned as a potential ticker symbol for SpaceX.
- Maxim Magazine - Mentioned as a magazine Jack enjoys.
- Moon Freestyle - Mentioned as a training activity for Michael Phelps.
- Natural Gas Turbines - Mentioned in relation to electricity grid capacity.
- Nuclear Power Company - Mentioned in relation to Oklo.
- Olympic Event in Outer Space - Mentioned as a wish for SpaceX.
- Predictions Podcast - Mentioned as a type of podcast.
- Private Valuation - Mentioned in relation to SpaceX.
- Pullman Rail Cars - Mentioned as the product built in Pullman, Illinois.
- Quiet Period - Mentioned as part of a pre-IPO process.
- Railroad Boom - Mentioned as a historical industrial boom.
- Reese's Pieces - Mentioned as a product.
- Regular Google Search - Mentioned for comparison of electricity usage to chatbot queries.
- Ressurect the International Space Station - Mentioned as a suggestion for SpaceX.
- Robin Hood - Mentioned as an analogy for Doordash eliminating service fees.
- Samland - Mentioned as a name for OpenAI's company town.
- Sears Mail Order Homes - Mentioned as a historical concept.
- Service Fee - Mentioned in relation to delivery apps like Doordash.
- Smart Housing - Mentioned as a concept for OpenAI's company town.
- Space of 2026 - Mentioned in relation to space exploration.
- Space Boom - Mentioned as a current trend.
- SpaceX IPO - Mentioned as a significant event in 2026.
- Starbucks Library - Mentioned as a concept for Starbucks.
- Starbucks Reserve - Mentioned as a type of Starbucks store.
- Starship Texas - Mentioned as an incorporated town.
- Stock Market Forecast - Mentioned as a prediction made by Wall Street analysts.
- Subsidized Prices - Mentioned as a way OpenAI could offer housing.
- Third Place Philosophy - Mentioned as a core ideal of Starbucks.
- Trade War - Mentioned as a factor in stock market predictions.
- Turnaround Plan - Mentioned as a need for Starbucks.
- Union Protest - Mentioned in relation to Starbucks.
- Valvoline Instant Oil Change - Mentioned as a sponsor.
- Voter Support - Mentioned as something OpenAI will need for data centers.
- Watermarks on AI-Generated Content - Mentioned as a feature Nvidia could implement.
- Winter Olympics - Mentioned as an upcoming event.
- Workers of Nuclear Power Plant - Mentioned as people who would need housing in OpenAI's company town.