Eric Ries
@ericries.bsky.social
Trying to change how startups are built
formerly @ericries on the bird app
formerly @ericries on the bird app
"30 Under 30" list used to be a badge of honor. Now, it’s becoming a red flag for governance failure.
Kalder’s founder allegedly faked $1.2M in revenue. Perhaps investors trusted the Forbes list prestige over data.
False proxies like awards don’t always equate to value creation.
Kalder’s founder allegedly faked $1.2M in revenue. Perhaps investors trusted the Forbes list prestige over data.
False proxies like awards don’t always equate to value creation.
February 17, 2026 at 10:40 PM
"30 Under 30" list used to be a badge of honor. Now, it’s becoming a red flag for governance failure.
Kalder’s founder allegedly faked $1.2M in revenue. Perhaps investors trusted the Forbes list prestige over data.
False proxies like awards don’t always equate to value creation.
Kalder’s founder allegedly faked $1.2M in revenue. Perhaps investors trusted the Forbes list prestige over data.
False proxies like awards don’t always equate to value creation.
This is critical to understand. In the academic literature, this is called "surrogation" where a metric becomes a surrogate for the thing itself. @sethgodin.bsky.social calls these "false proxies" which are far more dangerous even than vanity metrics.
Nine months have passed, and I still spend a lot of time thinking about Goodhart's Law. I think it's a law that we're going to be hearing more and more about.
Some new material I'm working on.
Some new material I'm working on.
February 6, 2026 at 6:22 PM
This is critical to understand. In the academic literature, this is called "surrogation" where a metric becomes a surrogate for the thing itself. @sethgodin.bsky.social calls these "false proxies" which are far more dangerous even than vanity metrics.
Great thread but I especially liked this bit about Arendt at the end. worth a read
One for the times we are in: The distinction Hannah Arendt drew between "action" and "behavior."
Behavior is the predictable patterns that humans fall into. What is standardized, automated, progammed and repeatable. When we teach children to "behave" we are touching a bit on what she meant. 26/
Behavior is the predictable patterns that humans fall into. What is standardized, automated, progammed and repeatable. When we teach children to "behave" we are touching a bit on what she meant. 26/
February 1, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Great thread but I especially liked this bit about Arendt at the end. worth a read
Is it generally recognized that r/AskHistorians is the best subreddit? If you've never checked it out, you owe it to yourself to see what a heavily-moderated yet deeply researched online social space can look like: www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
AskHistorians
The Portal for Public History.
Please read the rules before participating, as we remove all comments which break the rules.
Answers must be in-depth and comprehensive, or they will be removed.
www.reddit.com
February 1, 2026 at 9:14 PM
Is it generally recognized that r/AskHistorians is the best subreddit? If you've never checked it out, you owe it to yourself to see what a heavily-moderated yet deeply researched online social space can look like: www.reddit.com/r/AskHistori...
This is a must-read look at the darker side of vibe coding
I revisited the work of Csikszentmihalyi on flow and of researchers studying gambling addiction to better understand how ~vibe coding~ impacts us. Read more in my latest post:
www.fast.ai/posts/2026-0... 11/
www.fast.ai/posts/2026-0... 11/
Breaking the Spell of Vibe Coding – fast.ai
Sinister variations on the positive state of flow
www.fast.ai
January 28, 2026 at 10:28 PM
This is a must-read look at the darker side of vibe coding
Guy Kawasaki and Madisun Nuismer have written a new book called _Everybody Has Something to Hide_. It explains why and how to use Signal.
For the next five days, you can download the Kindle edition at no cost here:
www.amazon.com/Everybody-Ha...
For the next five days, you can download the Kindle edition at no cost here:
www.amazon.com/Everybody-Ha...
Everybody Has Something to Hide: Why and How to Use Signal to Preserve Your Privacy, Security, and Well-Being
Amazon.com: Everybody Has Something to Hide: Why and How to Use Signal to Preserve Your Privacy, Security, and Well-Being eBook : Kawasaki, Guy, Nuismer, Madisun: Kindle Store
www.amazon.com
January 28, 2026 at 9:11 PM
Guy Kawasaki and Madisun Nuismer have written a new book called _Everybody Has Something to Hide_. It explains why and how to use Signal.
For the next five days, you can download the Kindle edition at no cost here:
www.amazon.com/Everybody-Ha...
For the next five days, you can download the Kindle edition at no cost here:
www.amazon.com/Everybody-Ha...
Reposted by Eric Ries
You love to see it... more of this, please.
For folks abandoning TikTok after its US takeover, consider using something like @skylight.social or @sprk.so or similar systems that give you a similar feeling but on an open protocol underneath so you'll never have to "move" again.
For folks abandoning TikTok after its US takeover, consider using something like @skylight.social or @sprk.so or similar systems that give you a similar feeling but on an open protocol underneath so you'll never have to "move" again.
TikTok alternative Skylight soars to 380K+ users after TikTok U.S. deal finalized
TikTok alternative Skylight soars to 380K+ users after TikTok U.S. deal finalized | TechCrunch
Skylight, a TikTok alternative built on open protocols, has had a busy weekend.
techcrunch.com
January 26, 2026 at 11:58 PM
You love to see it... more of this, please.
For folks abandoning TikTok after its US takeover, consider using something like @skylight.social or @sprk.so or similar systems that give you a similar feeling but on an open protocol underneath so you'll never have to "move" again.
For folks abandoning TikTok after its US takeover, consider using something like @skylight.social or @sprk.so or similar systems that give you a similar feeling but on an open protocol underneath so you'll never have to "move" again.
The ancient art of close reading is poised for a comeback. I'm excited about this one: www.fast.ai/posts/2026-0...
How To Use AI for the Ancient Art of Close Reading – fast.ai
Experiments in reading with LLMs
www.fast.ai
January 21, 2026 at 1:17 AM
The ancient art of close reading is poised for a comeback. I'm excited about this one: www.fast.ai/posts/2026-0...
Reposted by Eric Ries
This is a beautifully written, powerful and *almost* optimistic piece about American democracy.
And btw, thank you @adambonica.bsky.social for taking parental leave, and discussing it publicly. That is one of the most feminist actions fathers can take!
open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
And btw, thank you @adambonica.bsky.social for taking parental leave, and discussing it publicly. That is one of the most feminist actions fathers can take!
open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
The Wall Looks Permanent Until It Falls
On the optimism of preparation in a time of democratic decay.
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 9:11 PM
This is a beautifully written, powerful and *almost* optimistic piece about American democracy.
And btw, thank you @adambonica.bsky.social for taking parental leave, and discussing it publicly. That is one of the most feminist actions fathers can take!
open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
And btw, thank you @adambonica.bsky.social for taking parental leave, and discussing it publicly. That is one of the most feminist actions fathers can take!
open.substack.com/pub/data4dem...
Misha Esipov is the co-founder and CEO of Nova Credit. In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I talk with Misha about what it takes to build a company inside one of the hardest parts of finance to break into.
January 8, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Misha Esipov is the co-founder and CEO of Nova Credit. In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I talk with Misha about what it takes to build a company inside one of the hardest parts of finance to break into.
Congratulations to @jasoncrawford.org - looking forward to reading this in book form when it comes out
My essay series The Techno-Humanist Manifesto has concluded, and you can read the whole thing online.
I’m pleased to announce that the series will be revised for publication as a book from MIT Press (expected early 2027)!
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-techno...
I’m pleased to announce that the series will be revised for publication as a book from MIT Press (expected early 2027)!
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org/p/the-techno...
The Techno-Humanist Manifesto, wrapup and publishing announcement
Revised version to be published by MIT Press
newsletter.rootsofprogress.org
December 29, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Congratulations to @jasoncrawford.org - looking forward to reading this in book form when it comes out
Reposted by Eric Ries
I have no problem with Cuban taking 100,000 angry Quote Posts to the face, if it means that even 1 extra person avoids bankruptcy and homelessness because they heard about a way to make their medicine just "really" expensive instead of "I will lose my house!" expensive.
Seriously. He can take it.
Seriously. He can take it.
December 25, 2025 at 3:11 AM
I have no problem with Cuban taking 100,000 angry Quote Posts to the face, if it means that even 1 extra person avoids bankruptcy and homelessness because they heard about a way to make their medicine just "really" expensive instead of "I will lose my house!" expensive.
Seriously. He can take it.
Seriously. He can take it.
Important finding that contradicts how most young people are counseled and coached
Really interesting research showing that while ultra-specialization in a single discipline might lead to better results early in one’s career, multi-discipline training and practice pays off big time in the long run. This applies to a range of professions from scientists to athletes and more
Recent discoveries on the acquisition of the highest levels of human performance
Scientists have long debated the origins of exceptional human achievements. This literature review summarizes recent evidence from multiple domains on the acquisition of world-class performance. We re...
www.science.org
December 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Important finding that contradicts how most young people are counseled and coached
Nothing to see here
Cross-posting this one from METR. If you've seen this graph before, you're probably going to be pretty interested in the new update.
If you've never seen this graph before, please just ignore this post. Just a guy and his charts, nothing to see here.
If you've never seen this graph before, please just ignore this post. Just a guy and his charts, nothing to see here.
December 20, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Nothing to see here
Reposted by Eric Ries
An absolute must read. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, is one of the books that I read while I brought ANLMG into power. @ericries.bsky.social thank you for this masterpiece, it helped a lot.
#LeanStartup #Startups #Entrepreneur #Business #BookSky
#LeanStartup #Startups #Entrepreneur #Business #BookSky
December 13, 2025 at 8:23 PM
An absolute must read. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, is one of the books that I read while I brought ANLMG into power. @ericries.bsky.social thank you for this masterpiece, it helped a lot.
#LeanStartup #Startups #Entrepreneur #Business #BookSky
#LeanStartup #Startups #Entrepreneur #Business #BookSky
Reposted by Eric Ries
What if technology didn’t feel so… hollow?
Some friends and I just released a manifesto about a world where tech leaves us feeling nourished (along with an evolving list of theses about how we can build it)
resonantcomputing.org
Some friends and I just released a manifesto about a world where tech leaves us feeling nourished (along with an evolving list of theses about how we can build it)
resonantcomputing.org
The Resonant Computing Manifesto
Technology should bring out the best in humanity, not the worst—a manifesto for resonant computing built on five principles that reject hyper-scale extraction for human flourishing.
resonantcomputing.org
December 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
What if technology didn’t feel so… hollow?
Some friends and I just released a manifesto about a world where tech leaves us feeling nourished (along with an evolving list of theses about how we can build it)
resonantcomputing.org
Some friends and I just released a manifesto about a world where tech leaves us feeling nourished (along with an evolving list of theses about how we can build it)
resonantcomputing.org
This is a plot point in Naomi Alderman’s book The Future
A novel new study finds you can reduce polarization on X simply with a simple change to the algorithm. I spoke with the researchers: www.platformer.news/stanford-pol...
December 2, 2025 at 2:16 AM
This is a plot point in Naomi Alderman’s book The Future
Reposted by Eric Ries
Celebrating books that started my career 📚:
The Lean Startup by @ericries.bsky.social.
This book made it so clear why startups (when done correctly) can move so much faster, and I instantly knew this was the kind of environment I'd thrive in - and I still do to this day!
This book made it so clear why startups (when done correctly) can move so much faster, and I instantly knew this was the kind of environment I'd thrive in - and I still do to this day!
November 29, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Celebrating books that started my career 📚:
The Lean Startup by @ericries.bsky.social.
This book made it so clear why startups (when done correctly) can move so much faster, and I instantly knew this was the kind of environment I'd thrive in - and I still do to this day!
This book made it so clear why startups (when done correctly) can move so much faster, and I instantly knew this was the kind of environment I'd thrive in - and I still do to this day!
@howard.fm now on O'Reilly: www.oreilly.com/radar/build-...
Build to Last
Chris Lattner on Software Craftsmanship and AI
www.oreilly.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:30 AM
@howard.fm now on O'Reilly: www.oreilly.com/radar/build-...
Most companies scale by cutting corners. Seth Goldman built a brand by refusing to.
Seth is one of the founders of Honest Tea, a longtime chair at Beyond Meat, and the cofounder of Just Iced Tea.
Seth is one of the founders of Honest Tea, a longtime chair at Beyond Meat, and the cofounder of Just Iced Tea.
November 20, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Most companies scale by cutting corners. Seth Goldman built a brand by refusing to.
Seth is one of the founders of Honest Tea, a longtime chair at Beyond Meat, and the cofounder of Just Iced Tea.
Seth is one of the founders of Honest Tea, a longtime chair at Beyond Meat, and the cofounder of Just Iced Tea.
Reposted by Eric Ries
Red Queen Bio is "is trying to make sure the AI industry's defenses are growing at least as rapidly as those who seek to exploit models to harm humans".
www.reuters.com/technology/o...
I hope to see a lot more companies and non-profits started with this kind of mission. Also love the PBC trend.
www.reuters.com/technology/o...
I hope to see a lot more companies and non-profits started with this kind of mission. Also love the PBC trend.
www.reuters.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Red Queen Bio is "is trying to make sure the AI industry's defenses are growing at least as rapidly as those who seek to exploit models to harm humans".
www.reuters.com/technology/o...
I hope to see a lot more companies and non-profits started with this kind of mission. Also love the PBC trend.
www.reuters.com/technology/o...
I hope to see a lot more companies and non-profits started with this kind of mission. Also love the PBC trend.
Counting down the top caves in the US that are not (yet) named for a prominent politician or statesman.
5. Lehman Caves, Great Basin National Park, Nevada - Beautiful limestone cavern with intricate formations.
5. Lehman Caves, Great Basin National Park, Nevada - Beautiful limestone cavern with intricate formations.
November 11, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Counting down the top caves in the US that are not (yet) named for a prominent politician or statesman.
5. Lehman Caves, Great Basin National Park, Nevada - Beautiful limestone cavern with intricate formations.
5. Lehman Caves, Great Basin National Park, Nevada - Beautiful limestone cavern with intricate formations.
Reposted by Eric Ries
The combo of walled-garden social media and AI replacing search means the death of the useful/open/free internet. Why would anyone create anything when it will just be summarized by AI and no one will ever see it? When social media deprecates outbound links, how will anyone find original content?
November 9, 2025 at 6:09 PM
The combo of walled-garden social media and AI replacing search means the death of the useful/open/free internet. Why would anyone create anything when it will just be summarized by AI and no one will ever see it? When social media deprecates outbound links, how will anyone find original content?
Most companies optimize for profit. Devoted Health was built to serve people.
In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Todd Park, co-founder of Devoted Health and former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, to explore what it looks like to design a company for human flourishing at scale.
In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Todd Park, co-founder of Devoted Health and former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, to explore what it looks like to design a company for human flourishing at scale.
November 6, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Most companies optimize for profit. Devoted Health was built to serve people.
In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Todd Park, co-founder of Devoted Health and former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, to explore what it looks like to design a company for human flourishing at scale.
In this episode of The Eric Ries Show, I sit down with Todd Park, co-founder of Devoted Health and former U.S. Chief Technology Officer, to explore what it looks like to design a company for human flourishing at scale.