Brian Contreras
@bric.bsky.social
Inc. magazine tech journalist covering AI and social media. Occasional Clickhole contributor. Ask me about my 1996 magnum opus "Infinite Jest"
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Brian Contreras
@bric.bsky.social
· Mar 28
Sick and Lonely, She Turned to AI for Support—and a Boyfriend
Stuck at home with a host of diseases, one young woman developed an intimate relationship with the AI chatbot app Nomi.
inc.com
Over the past few months, I've spent hours talking with a young woman who goes by the name Karalyn McKay—as well as her AI 'boyfriend' Alex.
My latest for @inc.com is the result: a story about what loneliness looks like in America, and whether AI might help.
inc.com/brian-contre...
My latest for @inc.com is the result: a story about what loneliness looks like in America, and whether AI might help.
inc.com/brian-contre...
Light Helmets thinks the football industry is going about player safety all wrong -- and that a monopoly has kept things from changing fast enough. Here's how its CEO, Nick Esayian, is trying to change the game.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
The Business of Selling Football Helmets Is More Smash Mouth Than the Game Itself
Nicholas Esayian's Light Helmets offers an innovative approach to keeping players safe and already has NFL pros wearing its product. But can he break through the entrenched competition's defense?
www.inc.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Light Helmets thinks the football industry is going about player safety all wrong -- and that a monopoly has kept things from changing fast enough. Here's how its CEO, Nick Esayian, is trying to change the game.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
Today is the first day of "Founder Mindset," a popular Harvard Business School course where aspiring entrepreneurs explore what it takes to make it as a founder.
But how can the business leaders of tomorrow prepare for a world of rampant automation?
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
But how can the business leaders of tomorrow prepare for a world of rampant automation?
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
Inside Harvard's Elite Founder Class, Students Learn to Build Amid Uncertainty and AI
In Reza Satchu's 'Founder Mindset' course, which kicks off Wednesday, entrepreneurship is all about honing your judgment.
www.inc.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Today is the first day of "Founder Mindset," a popular Harvard Business School course where aspiring entrepreneurs explore what it takes to make it as a founder.
But how can the business leaders of tomorrow prepare for a world of rampant automation?
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
But how can the business leaders of tomorrow prepare for a world of rampant automation?
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
Reposted by Brian Contreras
Berkshire Hathaway is flush with cash after selling much of its Apple holdings. (📝: @bric.bsky.social)
Warren Buffett Could Turn the Tariffs Chaos Into a Payday For Himself and Coca-Cola. Here's How
Berkshire Hathaway is flush with cash after selling much of its Apple holdings.
www.inc.com
April 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Berkshire Hathaway is flush with cash after selling much of its Apple holdings. (📝: @bric.bsky.social)
Reposted by Brian Contreras
On social media, entrepreneurs are expressing confusion and concern about what import duties mean for their supply chains. (📝: @bric.bsky.social)
'We're in a New Reality': Small-Business Owners Suffering From Tariffs Are Speaking Out
On social media, entrepreneurs are expressing confusion and concern about what import duties mean for their supply chains.
www.inc.com
April 17, 2025 at 7:50 PM
On social media, entrepreneurs are expressing confusion and concern about what import duties mean for their supply chains. (📝: @bric.bsky.social)
Reposted by Brian Contreras
The Tax Foundation’s vice president of federal tax policy breaks down her criticisms of the White House’s research. (📝: @bric.bsky.social)
Are Any of Trump's Tariffs Good for Business? Tax Expert Erica York Weighs In
The Tax Foundation's vice president of federal tax policy breaks down her criticisms of the White House's research.
www.inc.com
April 16, 2025 at 2:44 PM
The Tax Foundation’s vice president of federal tax policy breaks down her criticisms of the White House’s research. (📝: @bric.bsky.social)
Over the past few months, I've spent hours talking with a young woman who goes by the name Karalyn McKay—as well as her AI 'boyfriend' Alex.
My latest for @inc.com is the result: a story about what loneliness looks like in America, and whether AI might help.
inc.com/brian-contre...
My latest for @inc.com is the result: a story about what loneliness looks like in America, and whether AI might help.
inc.com/brian-contre...
Sick and Lonely, She Turned to AI for Support—and a Boyfriend
Stuck at home with a host of diseases, one young woman developed an intimate relationship with the AI chatbot app Nomi.
inc.com
March 28, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Over the past few months, I've spent hours talking with a young woman who goes by the name Karalyn McKay—as well as her AI 'boyfriend' Alex.
My latest for @inc.com is the result: a story about what loneliness looks like in America, and whether AI might help.
inc.com/brian-contre...
My latest for @inc.com is the result: a story about what loneliness looks like in America, and whether AI might help.
inc.com/brian-contre...
20 Wildlife Conservationists DEBATE Kraven the Hunter (feat. Kraven the Hunter)
March 16, 2025 at 10:14 PM
20 Wildlife Conservationists DEBATE Kraven the Hunter (feat. Kraven the Hunter)
I wonder if he's seen Mickey 17 yet
March 14, 2025 at 6:43 PM
I wonder if he's seen Mickey 17 yet
Forged in flames: After working their way through the Los Angeles fires, a team that includes Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Digg founder Kevin Rose are giving Digg an AI-assisted revival.
“We’ve already been in the trenches," Rose tells me.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
“We’ve already been in the trenches," Rose tells me.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
Remember Digg? It's Getting a Reboot, Thanks to Reddit Co-Founder Alexis Ohanian
The early social media platform is under new ownership following an investment from Ohanian's Seven Seven Six fund and original founder Kevin Rose.
www.inc.com
March 5, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Forged in flames: After working their way through the Los Angeles fires, a team that includes Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian and Digg founder Kevin Rose are giving Digg an AI-assisted revival.
“We’ve already been in the trenches," Rose tells me.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
“We’ve already been in the trenches," Rose tells me.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
Reposted by Brian Contreras
⚠️ Entrepreneurs: what's your insurance horror story? We’re looking for founders’ worst experiences, from unjustifiably high prices, to coverage that turned out to not cover key assets, to straight-up scams. Comment below or reach out to bcontreras 'at' inc 'dot' com! ⚠️
February 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
⚠️ Entrepreneurs: what's your insurance horror story? We’re looking for founders’ worst experiences, from unjustifiably high prices, to coverage that turned out to not cover key assets, to straight-up scams. Comment below or reach out to bcontreras 'at' inc 'dot' com! ⚠️
⚠️ Entrepreneurs: what's your insurance horror story? We’re looking for founders’ worst experiences, from unjustifiably high prices, to coverage that turned out to not cover key assets, to straight-up scams. Comment below or reach out to bcontreras 'at' inc 'dot' com! ⚠️
February 10, 2025 at 8:10 PM
⚠️ Entrepreneurs: what's your insurance horror story? We’re looking for founders’ worst experiences, from unjustifiably high prices, to coverage that turned out to not cover key assets, to straight-up scams. Comment below or reach out to bcontreras 'at' inc 'dot' com! ⚠️
What happened to that Christmas sweater you weren't vibing with after you returned it to the store? It might wind up in a massive warehouse on the outskirts of Atlanta, waiting for a new home.
New from me for @Inc: inside the holiday gift return economy.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
New from me for @Inc: inside the holiday gift return economy.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
How This ‘Recommerce’ Platform Turns Unsold Merch Into Revenue for Everyone From Amazon to Walmart
In the wake of the holidays, resale platform B-Stock is booming.
www.inc.com
January 31, 2025 at 8:04 PM
What happened to that Christmas sweater you weren't vibing with after you returned it to the store? It might wind up in a massive warehouse on the outskirts of Atlanta, waiting for a new home.
New from me for @Inc: inside the holiday gift return economy.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
New from me for @Inc: inside the holiday gift return economy.
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
Reposted by Brian Contreras
This is my first time in years experiencing a major local breaking news event from outside a newsroom, and it’s awful.
mattdpearce.substack.com/p/fires-and-...
mattdpearce.substack.com/p/fires-and-...
Fires and the facts
The breaking-news experience is awful for consumers.
mattdpearce.substack.com
January 8, 2025 at 9:23 PM
This is my first time in years experiencing a major local breaking news event from outside a newsroom, and it’s awful.
mattdpearce.substack.com/p/fires-and-...
mattdpearce.substack.com/p/fires-and-...
Always find the local angle
January 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Always find the local angle
Reposted by Brian Contreras
Suddenly, lots of companies are investing in bitcoin. @inc.com's @bric.bsky.social explains why www.inc.com/brian-contre...
As Bitcoin Booms, More and More Companies Are Taking a Stake
Businesses that have nothing to do with crypto still see BTC as a hedge against inflation or a way to entice investors.
www.inc.com
January 8, 2025 at 9:44 PM
Suddenly, lots of companies are investing in bitcoin. @inc.com's @bric.bsky.social explains why www.inc.com/brian-contre...
January round of media layoffs :/
January 8, 2025 at 8:33 PM
January round of media layoffs :/
The tax startup Bench abruptly shut down late last month, throwing customers' lives into chaos at the peak of the holiday season. Then, salvation came: a last-second acquisition.
But even before the collapse, Bench had problems. New from me in @inc.com...
inc.com/brian-contre...
But even before the collapse, Bench had problems. New from me in @inc.com...
inc.com/brian-contre...
Bench's Jilted Customers Say the Accounting Startup’s Problems Began Long Before Its Abrupt Shutdown
The tax startup's recent collapse and subsequent acquisition by Employer.com has left customers unsure about where to turn.
inc.com
January 8, 2025 at 7:14 PM
The tax startup Bench abruptly shut down late last month, throwing customers' lives into chaos at the peak of the holiday season. Then, salvation came: a last-second acquisition.
But even before the collapse, Bench had problems. New from me in @inc.com...
inc.com/brian-contre...
But even before the collapse, Bench had problems. New from me in @inc.com...
inc.com/brian-contre...
Crypto booster Paul Atkins is officially Trump's pick for one of the top financial regulation gigs in the country: www.inc.com/brian-contre...
Trump Nominates Crypto Fan Paul Atkins to Run the SEC
Atkins is the co-chair of a crypto industry advocacy group.
www.inc.com
December 4, 2024 at 6:52 PM
Crypto booster Paul Atkins is officially Trump's pick for one of the top financial regulation gigs in the country: www.inc.com/brian-contre...
Reposted by Brian Contreras
enjoyed editing just a few stories for @inc.com's Best in Business list, which is officially live today! first up is @bric.bsky.social's fun piece on Brooklyn Robot —one founder's quest to make learning fun: www.inc.com/brian-contre...
How This Engineer Entrepreneur Scaled STEAM Education for Kids
At Jenny Young's growing Brooklyn Robot Foundry, budding tinkerers get hands-on training to create the technology of the future.
www.inc.com
December 3, 2024 at 3:56 PM
enjoyed editing just a few stories for @inc.com's Best in Business list, which is officially live today! first up is @bric.bsky.social's fun piece on Brooklyn Robot —one founder's quest to make learning fun: www.inc.com/brian-contre...
Reposted by Brian Contreras
NEW: The youth-beloved AI chatbot platform CharacterAI is hosting pro-anorexia (or "pro-ana") chatbots that promote disordered eating behaviors, recommend dangerously low-calorie diets, and help users attain unhealthily low body weights.
For @futurism.bsky.social
futurism.com/character-ai...
For @futurism.bsky.social
futurism.com/character-ai...
November 25, 2024 at 4:58 PM
NEW: The youth-beloved AI chatbot platform CharacterAI is hosting pro-anorexia (or "pro-ana") chatbots that promote disordered eating behaviors, recommend dangerously low-calorie diets, and help users attain unhealthily low body weights.
For @futurism.bsky.social
futurism.com/character-ai...
For @futurism.bsky.social
futurism.com/character-ai...
Federally-subsidized BlueChew sponsorship incoming
DOGE is a cover for Musk and Vivek to cut regulations for tech bros and other billionaires. That said, creating a podcast around it is a novel idea. It'll give them a platform to spread the message, highlight any wins, and make their base feel like something is happening. Worth keeping an eye on.
November 25, 2024 at 5:22 PM
Federally-subsidized BlueChew sponsorship incoming
One thing I wish we’d included in this story when we first broke it is that John Rice-Cameron (one of the students involved in the scandal, and also Amb. Susan Rice’s son) was known for riding around campus on an adult tricycle
November 25, 2024 at 12:11 AM
One thing I wish we’d included in this story when we first broke it is that John Rice-Cameron (one of the students involved in the scandal, and also Amb. Susan Rice’s son) was known for riding around campus on an adult tricycle
A startup aiming to automate truck unloading just raised $50 million. What does that mean for the millions of Americans who currently work in warehouses, shipping and logistics?
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
These Truck-Unloading Robots Just Raised $50 Million
Pickle Robot's Series B funding from firms including Toyota Ventures is a sign of growing automation in the shipping and logistics sector.
www.inc.com
November 22, 2024 at 10:07 PM
A startup aiming to automate truck unloading just raised $50 million. What does that mean for the millions of Americans who currently work in warehouses, shipping and logistics?
www.inc.com/brian-contre...
www.inc.com/brian-contre...