AI S2 ep 1: We wrote a manifesto. Now what?
Thu Jan 08 2026
Why a manifesto
Sam: “Why do we feel the need for a manifesto? It allows us to really put into words this feeling…which is a feeling of shame. That feeling that you did everything right and then you suddenly can’t get anything. You can’t get any job.”
The “Bermuda Triangle Problem”
Magan: “I did not come up with this concept. Simon Ventura wrote a book about it. We see some of the most high achieving peers of ours follow the same pathway…consulting, banking, big tech, and law. This video got over a million views. It was kind of crazy how much this story resonated.”
Projects / platforms
LAUNCH website
Stats & reporting
* NBC News: “Americans no longer see four-year college degrees as worth the cost”
* Inside Higher Ed: “Survey: When Should College Students Use AI? They’re Not Sure”
* Cleveland Fed: “Are Young College Graduates Losing Their Edge in the Job Market?”
* Axios: “Behind the Curtain: A white-collar bloodbath”
* WEF: “More and more jobs can be done from anywhere …”
* New York Times: “Employers Are Buried in A.I.-Generated Résumés”
* Rolling Stone: “ ‘I Love LA’ Creator Rachel Sennott Is Carrying the Flag for Gen Z”
Get full access to Mindful Notions by Sam H Li at samhli.substack.com/subscribe
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Why a manifesto Sam: “Why do we feel the need for a manifesto? It allows us to really put into words this feeling…which is a feeling of shame. That feeling that you did everything right and then you suddenly can’t get anything. You can’t get any job.” The “Bermuda Triangle Problem” Magan: “I did not come up with this concept. Simon Ventura wrote a book about it. We see some of the most high achieving peers of ours follow the same pathway…consulting, banking, big tech, and law. This video got over a million views. It was kind of crazy how much this story resonated.” Projects / platforms LAUNCH website Stats & reporting * NBC News: “Americans no longer see four-year college degrees as worth the cost” * Inside Higher Ed: “Survey: When Should College Students Use AI? They’re Not Sure” * Cleveland Fed: “Are Young College Graduates Losing Their Edge in the Job Market?” * Axios: “Behind the Curtain: A white-collar bloodbath” * WEF: “More and more jobs can be done from anywhere …” * New York Times: “Employers Are Buried in A.I.-Generated Résumés” * Rolling Stone: “ ‘I Love LA’ Creator Rachel Sennott Is Carrying the Flag for Gen Z” Get full access to Mindful Notions by Sam H Li at samhli.substack.com/subscribe