Suggestions
David Valdman
Sabbatical
David Valdman is a prominent figure in the fields of mathematics and artificial intelligence, currently serving as a Board Member at Standard AI. He has an impressive academic background, holding a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from New York University and a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His academic pursuits have equipped him with a strong foundation in mathematical principles and their applications in real-world scenarios.
Throughout his career, Valdman has held various significant positions, including Co-Founder of Standard AI, where he was instrumental in leading teams focused on computer vision, analytics, data science, and operations. His previous roles include Graphics Lead at Mapzen and Chief Architect at Famo.us, showcasing his versatility and expertise across different domains.1 Additionally, he has experience as a Financial Quant at Gresham Investment, where he developed mathematical models for risk assessment.
Valdman's contributions to the tech industry are underscored by his leadership roles and technical expertise, particularly in developing software and mathematical models for complex systems. His work at Standard AI aligns with the company's mission to revolutionize retail through AI-powered solutions that facilitate seamless shopping experiences.23
Highlights
slutcon ended over a week ago but i wanted to reflect more on my experience. much of the writing around the event focused on its mechanics: the talks, the "flirt girls", the demographics of attendees, the cost, etc. all fine talking points but it's missing the forest for the trees if you ask me..
when the event ended, I felt as though I'd received a gift. like the event was this elaborately staged alternate reality meant to convey something important but was never explicitly stated. the more you'd explore, the more it'd tug at you. simply put, the space communicated: "we love men", "be authentic even if it's cringe", "it's okay to fail", "let's have fun".
these feels were there to normalize a relation that's gone askew. the male/female dynamic is caught in an unhealthy arms race. men want something (sex, validation, etc.) and have developed sophisticated ways to conceal their intent, and women have developed ways just as sophisticated to suss out intent and protect themselves from overreach. we've over-indexed on offense/defense and it's turned us into malformed creatures who cannot openly express our desires.
slutcon was staged de-escalation. men were asked to be honest about their intentions, own their potential rejection, and enjoy the process while letting go of the outcome. women were asked to meet that honesty with openness, be direct with their boundaries and engage generously. it was an experiment that put faith in us getting to a better place if we had more empathy.
the gift i felt at the end was feminine containment. the women were actively holding an emotional (and physical) space. in this space men could lean in to our charming selves because our fears were minimized. you feared rejection less because "we love men", you feared embarrassment less because "be authentic, even if it's cringe", you feared inadequacy less because "it's okay to fail". the space was beautiful, clean, filled with curious objects and a zillion cubbyholes. groups would materialized and evaporate and materialize again in new forms with virtually no cliques. it all created a sense of ease where the men stopped acting and the women were relieved. we could all just be.
Self doxxing so that you can have radiant skin.
Hey nano banana, what skin care should I implement? Mark with a red pen the problematic areas and remedy. https://t.co/9cf1EMt0j9
