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Week of July 24, 2023

Weirdo's Weekly Update — 24 Jul, 2023

Uniswap launches UniswapX aggregating liquidity across sources with gas-free swaps, while Bitcoin's near-term outlook hinges on Fed rate decisions and the SEC's Ark Invest ETF ruling. AI news covers Google Bard and Bing Chat's new image input capabilities and ChatGPT's custom instructions feature, plus a guide to top Southeast Asian digital nomad destinations.

Crypto News

Uniswap's UniswapX Protocol

Uniswap introduced UniswapX, a new trading protocol that aggregates liquidity from multiple sources. The platform enables asset swaps without gas fees and includes protections against manipulative bot trading. Users must opt-in through Uniswap's central platform.

Bitcoin Market Drivers

Bitcoin's near-term performance depends on two factors: the upcoming Federal Open Market Committee meeting (expecting a 25 basis point rate increase) and the SEC's pending decision on an Ark Invest ETF application, due August 13th. Approval could significantly boost Bitcoin's value.

Weekly Changes

  • Bitcoin: $29,216 (-0.2%)
  • Ethereum: $1,851 (-1.2%)
  • Gold: $1,976

AI News

Multimodal Capabilities Expand

Google Bard and Microsoft Bing Chat now accept image inputs alongside text, enabling applications like calorie estimation, recipe creation, and design-to-code conversion.

ChatGPT Custom Instructions

OpenAI released custom instructions for ChatGPT Plus users, allowing personalized context without repeating prompts each session. The feature currently excludes EU and UK users and is available via Settings on web and iOS. Note: information provided through custom instructions will be used for API model training, with opt-out options available.

Travel Tips: Top SE Asian Destinations for Digital Nomads

  1. Bangkok, Thailand — Reliable internet, affordable housing, excellent food
  2. Taipei, Taiwan — Plentiful cafes, reliable connectivity, up to 3-month visa for EU citizens
  3. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam — Budget-friendly, stable internet, vibrant community
  4. Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Growing digital nomad hub with affordable coworking spaces
  5. Bali, Indonesia — Strong remote worker community despite higher popularity

Currently Consuming

Podcast: Lex Fridman #390 featuring Yuval Noah Harari discussing human nature, intelligence, and power

Series: Arnold (Mini-series about Arnold Schwarzenegger)

Tool of the Week

Unstoppable Domains offers blockchain-based domain names with .crypto and .zil extensions stored on Ethereum and Zilliqa blockchains, providing full user ownership and cryptocurrency address attachment capabilities.

Inspiring Quotes

"It's better to make a few people really happy than to make a lot of people semi-happy." — Paul Graham

"Beware of looking for goals: look for a way of life." — Hunter S Thompson

Productivity Insights

Peak productivity timing varies individually. While some people excel in mornings, others perform better afternoons or evenings. Circadian rhythms, lifestyle factors, and work schedules influence productivity patterns. Self-awareness and experimentation help identify personal peak performance windows.