神译局是36氪旗下编译团队，关注科技、商业、职场、生活等领域，重点介绍国外的新技术、新观点、新风向。 编者按：感觉良好、追求地位的学习，往往是无效的。真正的成长，始于直面"我很愚蠢"的痛苦。文章来自编译。 心态 学习 vs. 假装学习 工具 心态 学习 vs. 假装学习 如果我们总是放任自己，就会永远等到这样或那样的干扰结束，然后才能真正开始干活。唯一能取得巨大成就的，是那些对知识极度渴望，以至 于在条件依然不好的时候仍不懈追求的人。因为你永远也等不到条件好的时候。——C.S. 刘易斯 学习大量真正有用的信息极其重要。这也许是利用时间可做的最重要的一件事，它能改善生活，让你更有能力在世界上有所作为。哪怕你就读于顶尖学府或 从事对认知能力要求很高的工作，也很容易在不知不觉中让大量时间流逝，却没有真正学到很多东西。真正持续的学习需要高度的警觉、自我反省、坚韧的 心态、有效的策略和工具，以及问责体系。 根据我的经验，无论在哪里，人们都非常乐于见到那些真正花了很多时间和心思去学习某件事并进行深入思考的人，而不是那些只学习表面知识、懂得在适 当的时候说出正确"暗号"的人。我感觉有些人身上散发着一种独特的、充满活力的温暖 ...

Core Insights - Obsidian, led by CEO Steph Ango, has emerged as a unique note-taking application that prioritizes user data ownership and a minimalist philosophy over traditional growth strategies like heavy financing and user retention metrics [1][2][3] - The application allows users to create a personal knowledge graph by linking notes, which Ango describes as a "superpower" that enhances complex thinking [1][3] - Obsidian's business model is distinct, relying on services like synchronization and publishing, along with voluntary donations, achieving profitability since its inception [2][28] Group 1 - Obsidian operates without user registration, data tracking, or a focus on retention rates, instead using Markdown for data storage, ensuring users retain ownership of their notes [2][21] - The application has a small team of seven full-time employees, which fosters a flat organizational structure and self-driven work culture, allowing for agile decision-making and development [25][29] - Ango emphasizes that the company does not aim to become another Notion or a large empire, but rather to maintain a small team dedicated to refining a tool they personally enjoy using [2][23] Group 2 - The application has not integrated AI features, as Ango expresses concern that AI could replace users' thought processes, although the community has developed numerous AI-based plugins [3][31] - Obsidian's plugin ecosystem is a key growth driver, allowing users to customize their experience without the application becoming bloated with unnecessary features [13][17] - The company is currently developing a feature called Bases, which will allow users to visualize metadata in their notes, enhancing the application's functionality for project management and tracking [35]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for the quarter was $809 million, including partial contributions from Grover and record revenue at iGaming, offset by modest declines at gaming and SciPlay [22] - Net income increased 16% to $95 million, driven by lower cost of revenue and operating expenses [22] - Consolidated AEBITDA for the quarter was $352 million, an increase of 7% year over year, with a margin of 44%, a 400 basis point increase compared to the prior year [23] - Adjusted NPATA per share increased 11% to $1.58 compared to $1.42 in the prior year period [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gaming revenue was $528 million, with partial contributions of $21 million from Grover, and AEBITDA was $280 million, an increase of 3% with a margin of 53% [25] - SciPlay revenue was $200 million, with AEBITDA of $74 million, a 6% increase year over year, representing a margin of 37% [28] - iGaming delivered record revenue of $81 million, a 9% increase over the prior year, with AEBITDA increasing 17% to $28 million [31] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global game sales in the quarter were $191 million, primarily due to macroeconomic uncertainty impacting the timing of game sales [26] - North American unit sales were down moderately year over year, with operator apprehension affecting swap purchases early in the quarter [11] - iGaming in the U.S. and Canada continued its strong growth trajectory with over 25% growth in GGR year over year [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a transition to a sole ASX listing by November 2025, aiming to consolidate liquidity and maximize shareholder value [7][41] - Continued investments in R&D and expansion plans into Indiana, with expectations to deploy first units in the state this fall [7][12] - Focus on enhancing recurring revenue streams and operational efficiency across all business segments [24][33] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to execute with discipline and deliver a stronger growth trajectory in the second half of the year [12] - Positive feedback from operator partners indicates strong performance and value of Light and Wonder games amidst a competitive landscape [11] - The company expects third quarter year-over-year consolidated EBITDA growth to be in the low double digits, with momentum building into the fourth quarter [36] Other Important Information - The company has repurchased approximately $100 million of shares during the quarter, with a total of $1.3 billion returned to shareholders since the program's inception [35] - The Grover acquisition is performing ahead of expectations, contributing positively to the company's growth [62] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the investor engagement process regarding the sole ASX listing? - The decision followed extensive consultation with investors, with strong feedback received, and aims to optimize shareholder value by consolidating liquidity in a deep market [41][42] Question: Can you provide updates on the litigation? - Both Nevada and Australian Federal Court cases are expected to head to trial in 2026, with recent rulings moving in the company's favor [46][47] Question: Can you explain the new guidance range and its components? - The guidance includes $65 million from Grover, with the base business still targeting $1.4 billion, and investments planned for the second half to support long-term growth [50][52] Question: How is the integration with Grover progressing? - Integration is off to a fantastic start, with the business performing well and cultural alignment noted as a positive factor [62][63] Question: How does the company plan to address the impact of sweepstakes gaming on SciPlay? - The company is focusing on internal initiatives to stabilize and grow its social casino business, while also monitoring external market dynamics [80][82] Question: What are the expectations for free cash flow improvement? - Normalized free cash flow saw a considerable year-over-year increase, and the company remains focused on improving cash conversion moving forward [88][90]

Core Insights - The article discusses the paradox of modern knowledge management, highlighting that excessive information capture can stifle creativity and thinking [1][4][7] - The author emphasizes a shift from a cluttered digital archive to a more mindful approach to knowledge, advocating for the importance of selective memory and active engagement with ideas [14][15][16] Group 1: Knowledge Management Tools - The modern personal knowledge management (PKM) movement is rooted in the obsession with systems like Luhmann's Zettelkasten and the myth of productivity equating to life [7] - Tools like Obsidian promise clarity but often lead to abstract chaos, where the more information is stored, the less meaningful it becomes [8][10] - The metaphor of a "second brain" is critiqued for being biologically inaccurate, as human memory is associative and contextual rather than a mere archive [9] Group 2: The Impact of Information Overload - The accumulation of notes and ideas can create a sense of anxiety and procrastination, as individuals feel compelled to manage an ever-growing database of information [11][12] - The act of deleting unnecessary information is framed as a form of agency and refinement, contrasting with the tendency to hoard knowledge [13][14] - The article suggests that true productivity lies in the ability to forget and prioritize, rather than in the mere accumulation of data [14][15] Group 3: A New Approach to Knowledge - The author proposes a new system that emphasizes living within knowledge rather than managing it, advocating for a more organic and less structured approach [15][16] - The focus shifts to writing down thoughts and ideas as they come, rather than trying to capture everything, allowing for a more fluid engagement with knowledge [14][15] - The excitement of starting anew with a more intentional use of tools like Obsidian is highlighted, suggesting a return to a more authentic interaction with information [16]

Core Viewpoint - Joplin is a free, open-source, cross-platform note-taking application that supports various operating systems and offers a wide range of features for users to manage their notes effectively [2][3]. Features Overview - Joplin supports multiple platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, providing a comprehensive solution for note-taking across devices [3][9]. - The application features a professional Markdown editor with real-time preview, LaTeX support for mathematical formulas, Mermaid diagrams, code highlighting, and table support [9]. - Users can choose from various synchronization options such as WebDAV, Dropbox, OneDrive, Nextcloud, Joplin Cloud, or self-hosted servers [9]. - Joplin emphasizes security with end-to-end encryption, private cloud options, password protection for notes, and encrypted exports [9]. - The application is designed for offline use, allowing users to edit without an internet connection, with automatic background synchronization when online [9]. - Joplin includes advanced knowledge management features such as multi-level notebooks, tagging systems, global search (including regex support), note linking, and template functionality [9]. - The application has a rich ecosystem of extensions, including themes, PDF export, OCR recognition, calendar integration, and over 100 plugins available for various functionalities [9][10]. - Joplin allows for seamless data migration, including perfect import from Evernote (attachments and metadata included) and bulk import/export of Markdown files [9]. - Users can customize the application extensively, including shortcut settings, editor themes, interface layout, and synchronization frequency [9]. - Joplin is open-source under the MIT license, with an active community and transparent code, avoiding subscription traps [9]. - The application serves as a productivity tool with features like to-do lists, task reminders, note history versions, and collaborative editing (supported by plugins) [9]. - Advanced search capabilities allow users to filter notes by notebook, tag, date, and geographical location, with the ability to save search results [9]. - Joplin supports attachment management, allowing previews of PDFs, Word documents, Excel files, images, and organizing resource folders [9].

Core Insights - The article discusses the rise of the AI note-taking tool Granola, which has differentiated itself in a crowded market by focusing on user control and personalization [2][3][7] - Granola has achieved significant user growth and a valuation of $250 million after raising $43 million in Series B funding [2][3] - The founder emphasizes that Granola aims to be more than just a note-taking tool; it seeks to enhance human capabilities and integrate deeply into users' workflows [3][12][14] Group 1: Granola's Unique Positioning - Granola is not just a meeting transcription tool; it is designed to be a "thinking space" that empowers users with control over their notes and workflows [2][3][14] - The tool allows users to focus on key insights during meetings while AI handles the transcription, thus changing the way users interact with their notes [7][11] - Granola's user base includes many leaders from unicorn companies, indicating its appeal among high-level professionals [2][3] Group 2: Product Philosophy and User Experience - The core philosophy of Granola is to give users control, allowing them to drive the tool's functionality and decisions [15][16] - The design of Granola is centered around user emotions and experiences, ensuring that it feels intuitive and not overwhelming [15][16] - Users have reported a shift in their note-taking behavior, focusing on personal insights rather than transcribing entire conversations [11][30] Group 3: Future Aspirations and Challenges - Granola aims to evolve into a tool that can assist users in completing a wide range of tasks, not just note-taking [12][13][14] - The founder acknowledges the challenges of predicting the future of AI tools but believes that the next generation of thinking tools will significantly enhance human capabilities [41][43] - The company is aware of the need to balance the utility of AI tools with privacy concerns, especially in social settings [21][24] Group 4: Market Dynamics and Competition - Granola's early decision to be a Mac application has contributed to its user intimacy and ease of access [18][19] - The competitive landscape is rapidly evolving, with both startups and tech giants vying for dominance in the AI tool space [37][39] - The company recognizes the importance of continuous improvement and rapid iteration to maintain its competitive edge [33][34]