Permission is overrated
Hey, it’s Matt.
Ever notice how real change makers never wait for permission?
The best founders don’t ask—they act.
Whether it’s fixing a broken process or redefining their product, they solve first and explain later.
This week, we’re diving into how a bias for action separates thinkers from doers.
If you’re waiting for a green light, consider this your sign to just go.
Also in this edition of Digital Native:
- Unstructured hangouts are the new recharge. Turns out experts now say your social circle is the ultimate burnout shield.
- YouTube’s twist on their iconic red promises a modern vibe while squashing tech glitches.
- Even from beyond the grave, Steve Jobs’ legacy continues to invisibly dictate your daily tech.
- And more…
Enjoy issue #94—see you next week!
— Matt (@mattdowney)
P.S. If this was forwarded to you, you can sign up here.
Most interesting
The secret to happiness? do nothing with your besties.
According to experts Sanam Hafeez and Kasley Killam, unstructured hangs with loved ones is the ultimate recharge. Fight loneliness and burnout—ditch the schedule and just vibe. (Self)
Youtube’s color shake-up
YouTube’s rebranding subtly shifted its iconic red, tackling technical glitches while modernizing its feel. (Google Design)
True problem solvers don’t ask permission
Nikunj Kothari thinks the real change-makers sidestep management’s red tape by owning problems and just fixing them. This is a must-read if you’re making your first hire or two. (Nikunj Kothari)
Steve jobs would have been 70. and he still rules your tech life.
Steve Jobs didn’t just give us sleek gadgets; he redefined how we relate to technology. His relentless quest for sleek design and user-friendly tech pushed boundaries and changed our everyday lives. This enduring impact reminds us that innovation is about vision as much as it is about invention. (IEEE Spectrum)
Top resources
Duolingo’s playbook: how nerds above a bar bUIlt a juggernaut
Once a scrappy gang of dreamers near a Pittsburgh sports bar, Duolingo’s now a $16B titan with 800+ employees. They share their quirky culture’s secrets in a handbook packed with hits, misses, and laughs. (Duolingo)
Prioritize your chaos
Lunatask helps declutter your life with features like urgency-based task bubbling, weather updates, and ADHD-friendly tools for founders juggling a ton of priorities. (Lunatask)
BUIld your own AI on a budget (with some elbow grease)
Forget splurging on cutting-edge tech—this guy went retro to build an AI powerhouse under €1700. (EWINTR)
What’s trending
Inside AI’s real workforce impact
Anthropic’s new Economic Index offers unprecedented insight into AI’s role in modern work, analyzing millions of interactions on tasks like software debugging and technical writing. (Anthropic)
Chat interfaces: the latest shiny distraction or the future of UX?
Everyone’s tossing chat boxes into their apps like they’re magical fix-alls. Turns out, this reliance on natural language might be more about hype than helpfulness. (Zeh Fernandes)
Nostalgia edges out flat minimalism in software design
Designers are ditching minimalist flatness for retro flair and 3D aesthetics, spicing up screens with nostalgic quirks and digital skeuomorphisms. The 2010s are back! (Design Lobster)
Why “idea guys” might dominate the future
AI is set to replace much of the manual coding work, turning junior and mid-level software jobs obsolete by 2026. Founders need to embrace AI, refocus on idea generation, and accelerate their teams’ adaptation to a world where creativity matters more than coding. (Geoffrey Huntley)
My stack
These are the tools that help me run my business every day. I happily pay for each of them—they’re worth every penny. I hope you find them useful, too.
- Beehiiv → How I send this newsletter every week. 10/10 would recommend.
- Brain.fm → How I kickstart my productivity and find flow-state.
- Figma → How I quickly go from idea to design to product.
- Mercury → The best business banking I’ve ever used.
- Screen Studio → How I record engaging videos.
- Typefully → How I post content to my socials.
- Kick → My bookkeeping on auto-pilot.
And that’s a wrap!
Thanks for reading today’s issue. If you have any ideas for what you’d like me to cover in future issues, just hit reply and let me know.
And if you found today’s newsletter useful, please share it with your friends!
Matt Downey
Founder, Digital Native
@mattdowney