ZD 24.18: Serious Grilling
When the times get crazy, the smart start grilling.
In the Issue: Summer of AI? Or not? Charts explaining the migration crisis. Learn how to keep up with Gen Z. And a healthy dose of grilling content to cleanse the soul after a rough week.
The Distilled Spirit
🌞 The Lukewarm AI Summer (Benedict Evans)
Despite the headlines, the vast majority people have not tried ChatGPT. A very small minority use it regularly. Venture Capital is getting nervous. The glass could be half-empty, but it could be half-full. The other hand there are clear signs of increasing momentum — consultancy bookings and interest are up. That consulting work is sitting on top of the boatloads of CapEx that are going into data centers and GPUs. The future will be different — but who will be the financial winners?
👩🌾The Migration Crisis ()
Immigration is one of the most important cultural and public policy issues in America today. Adam Tooze presents a data-rich picture of the migration crisis around America’s Southern border. The article provides really good context around one of the most important issues of today from a lot of perspectives and is worth studying.
🦄 Keeping Up With Gen Z ()
Rex has long had an eye for the trends of Gen Z. This piece illustrates how that generation is growing up in a different world and their collective psyche. Worth a read from many angles depending on your perspective. A must-read for parents and marketers.
The Focus
When times get serious, the serious start grilling. Here is a roundup of things I have loved since the last grilling roundup.
🔥 Serious Grilling Gear
Serious eats has long been a favorite cooking guide of mine. It looks like they recently launched an outdoor cooking section. The crew spent quality time testing lump charcoal and chimney starters so you can pick the right one for your next cookout. I’ve got a kit to do it over a komodo, but they convinced me to look into an outdoor wok burner too.
Long-time ZD favorite Amazing Ribs updated their grill buying guide. You really cannot go wrong with their picks in any given category. Go here if you just need to buy a grill today.
🥩 New Techniques to Try
Chef John’s Food Wishes are a long-time favorite in this house. He has been focusing on grilling over the summer — specifically a whiskey-infused triple-searing technique that is intriguing and has lead to good results in this household. Check out how he applies that to japanese-style steak and whiskey burgers. Could work with other things with adjustments for time and temperature. If that is too fancy, you could be like Ike and cook your steaks ‘dirty’ on the coals.
Stay safe out there! Grill with your neighbors, it will make the country better!
The Graphic
The things smartphones are distracting teens from doing in 2024 . . . .
Via @ryanbruge.