MichaelBTech

I’ll spare you into writing up another dissecting blog post, breaking down Kendrick Lamar’s Superbowl halftime performance. I will highlight Time Magazine’s since I think it’s the best comprehensive breakdown review. In its conclusion the writer says the following:

In its framing, narrative approach, and density, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl was unlike any that have come before it. To some, it mystified; to others, it kicked open the door for what this format could be. Just because something is expected of you, he seemed to be saying, doesn’t mean that’s the path you should take. Maybe Kendrick, in his own words, does deserve it all.

If you haven’t watched it, I suggest you do.

Okay, so today’s Super Bowl Sunday. Big deal, right? Just another excuse to wear a jersey and eat questionable snacks. But seriously, even my church got in on the action. I swear, the place looked like a Cowboys fan club meeting – and as a Commanders fan, I’m contractually obligated to be bitter. But all those jerseys got me thinking…

It’s curious, isn’t it? It’s not just football teams that inspire this kind of devotion. America has its own set of “teams” – not all of them athletic – that people rally behind. Think Cowboys, Yankees, Lakers, sure, but also Apple, and even Taylor Swift. It’s fascinating how we choose these “teams” and how fiercely we defend them.

And let’s be real, this tribalism isn’t just about the big names. It’s in the small things too. Think about the great Android vs. iPhone debate. Green bubbles vs. blue bubbles. It’s a digital divide that separates friends and families (okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic). But seriously, it’s another example of how we find our tribe and stick with them, even when it comes to something as silly as phone preferences.

Anytime someone steps away from the beloved teams, you’re practically an outcast (just kidding… mostly). But seriously, it does feel like we’re wired to belong, to find our tribe. Whether it’s a sports team, a brand, or even a pop star, we find something to connect with and declare our allegiance. We’re tribal creatures, after all.

This whole jersey-filled Sunday got me wondering, why do we do this? What is it about being part of something bigger than ourselves that’s so appealing? Psychologists have explored this, suggesting it taps into our need for community and identity. Being a fan connects us to something larger, giving us a sense of belonging and shared purpose. It’s like having an extended family of fellow fans. But it goes beyond just feeling good. Our “team” affiliations can influence how we see the world, from what we buy to how we interact with others. Think about it: do you find yourself more drawn to people who share your fandoms? Do you subtly (or not so subtly) judge those who root for the “wrong” team? It’s funny how these seemingly small allegiances can shape our perceptions and even our relationships.

And where do we draw the line between healthy fandom and, well, not-so-healthy tribalism? So, from Cowboys jerseys to green bubbles, it seems we’re always finding new ways to define our tribes. The question is, why? Maybe it’s something to think about as we head into the rest of the week.

Anyway, I got the Chiefs winning, even though I want the Eagles to win.

Kendrick Lamar Teases His Setlist for Superbowl, His Motivation, and More

If you blinked you might’ve missed it, but Kendrick Lamar did a live interview with Apple Music Nadeska and Ebro to discuss his journey leading up to the Superbowl:

On the topic of authenticity, Kendrick Lamar had this to say:

The number one thing people feel in the room, over love and over fears, is authenticity.

He spoke about how he had been in rooms where people felt his authentic self so intensely that it inspired them. He continued on saying the following:

…To stay authentic, you have to believe in yourself and know that there is only one you. You are unique and a miracle. When you wake up every day and realize that you are an individual, you have to carry that authentic nature and allow yourself to say, “This is who I am. This is how people are going to see me and respect me.” It’s going to inspire people to have truth. When everyone is authentic, what comes out of that is true love. There are no boundaries, no judgment, and no perception of being able to ridicule anyone because you are showing up as your true self.

Nadeska leaned in on all that happened this past summer'24, during the rap sparring against Drake, without naming him of course. I love what Kendrick had to say.

I love the competitive spirit of hip-hop and that was the thing just for this year. It was always a continuum. It was more from a space where a lot of people were putting rap to the back and you didn’t see that grit, you didn’t see that bite anymore. I always took that into consideration when going into any time with his music.

I don’t know about you but I’m looking forward to the Superbowl performance next week. Definitely check out the interview if you can.

John Gruber’s reply to Casey Newton’s about Gemini’s model UI

Casey Newton: I realize this is now the standard UI, but I truly don’t understand how an average person is supposed to decide which model to use for which task

John Gruber: This is where it especially sucks that Apple isn’t a player in the game, because they’d have either just one model or two tops (regular/pro).

Both of them are absolutely right, especially John Gruber, to some extent because we all know Apple would have what Joanna Stern suggests:

I count at least four…

Apple Intelligence, Apple Intelligence Plus, Apple Intelligence Pro, Apple Intelligence Pro Max

While Google engineers are likely working diligently on the Gemini models, it appears that product managers may have lost sight of user needs, or perhaps user feedback indicates a desire for an excessive number of features. Personally, I believe a simplified approach is best.

First, echoing John Gruber’s suggestion, there should be only two models. Let’s start with Flash. While I’m not entirely sold on the name, the model is certainly fast and lightweight (and presumably the least expensive to run), which aligns with the name’s implication. The “Experimental” models, both Flash and Pro, should be accessible via an opt-in toggle in the settings. This keeps them out of the way for average users while still providing access for those who want them. If Gemini 2.0 Flash is available, the Gemini 1.5 Flash model should be discontinued. Maintaining multiple versions of the same model can lead to confusion and redundancy, hindering a clear user experience.

The Gemini Pro model should, as its name suggests, be the one that handles complex tasks and provides in-depth answers. I understand that the “in-depth answers” aspect is tied to the “Deep Research” feature (which allows users to delve deeper into a topic by providing additional context and sources), but in my experience with Gemini, I typically choose when I want to engage in deep research, and that feels like a “Pro-tier” experience. Again, the “Experimental” Pro model should be hidden behind the opt-in toggle in the settings, away from the average user. Here’s how this could be implemented on the Pixel 9 Pro.