https://deanlyoung.com/ Short-form product writing from Dean L. Young. Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2026-08-10/no-near-term-on-ramp-for-us-high-tech-manufacturing/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2026-08-10/no-near-term-on-ramp-for-us-high-tech-manufacturing/index.html Mon, 10 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT It takes decades. Multiple. We are approaching 20 years of iPhones with a plethora of incentives, learnings, and talent + supplier competitive edges distributed globally. Apple manufacturing a major product line entirely in the US is as layered as the world's largest rubber band ball. And let's... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2026-07-31/apple-upgrade-and-asset-value/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2026-07-31/apple-upgrade-and-asset-value/index.html Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT LOOKING FOR THE CATCH IN APPLE UPGRADE More than anything, the Apple products hold value in the long term. As an example, I recently recycled a 13 year old MacBook Pro. I probably could have held onto it and kept using it for verrry basic things. It was definitely showing its years though and I'd... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2016-04-28/the-abundance-of-the-colloquial-was/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2016-04-28/the-abundance-of-the-colloquial-was/index.html Thu, 28 Apr 2016 00:00:00 GMT Believe it or not, "I wish I were...", "If I were...", and "She would, if she were..." all use the correct form of the verb "to be". Subjunctive. Although grammatical purists, like myself (but hey, I can be wrong, too), would never dream of using anything other than the subjunctive, a quick... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2016-03-31/ignorance-is-bliss-in-apple-fbi-case/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2016-03-31/ignorance-is-bliss-in-apple-fbi-case/index.html Thu, 31 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT You know that old adage: Ignorance is bliss. Ahhh... wouldn't that be nice? My two stances: 1. We should assume our data is never safe. 2. Hack away as long as I don't know about it. Stance 1 If you don't assume, or haven't planned for what would happen if you were hacked, then you won't have a... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2016-03-22/the-real-magic-here/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2016-03-22/the-real-magic-here/index.html Tue, 22 Mar 2016 00:00:00 GMT Today, I came across this article on Wired: I Want to Believe This Surprised Baboon Gets What Magic Is. Watch the video below and take note of your reaction. Now continue reading... Just like Caitlin from Wired, I wanted to believe the baboon knows what magic is. Actually, at first, I was beside... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2014-10-17/a-simple-mans-observations/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2014-10-17/a-simple-mans-observations/index.html Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:00:00 GMT I am a simple person. I do, on occasion, enjoy an expensive treat, and I do appreciate quality and will often pay for it, even if it's not a "simple" price. But I am simple. It's not a bad thing. It grants me comfort. Familiarity. I buy new clothes when my old ones have holes, and in some cases... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-05-12/why-ask-why/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-05-12/why-ask-why/index.html Sun, 12 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT In an effort to "never lose perspective," and in essence, realize that I am always in fact out of perspective, I thought I would share why it is important to ask the question: "why?" Spoiler: It's intelligence, stupid. David Foster Wallace is one of personal heros, and also a reminder that even... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-30/entitlement-to-perks/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-30/entitlement-to-perks/index.html Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT In an earlier post, I talked about the Pillars of the Employee Motivation Model. An important part of the Three Pillars is the fourth "ghost pillar," which isn't a true Pillar for many reasons. Namely, perks are an artificial method of attracting and retaining talent. They likely aren't keeping... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-29/experiential-marketing/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-29/experiential-marketing/index.html Mon, 29 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT The first time I used the term "Experiential Marketing" I didn't know it was already term, but it seemed to fit what I was trying to sum up into one concept: "A way for customers to engage and interact with brands, products, and services in sensory ways." That is now the site description of the... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-28/the-generalist/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-28/the-generalist/index.html Sun, 28 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT A generalist is a great asset to have at a company. It's a person with many diverse talents that can easily put out all of those fires that seem to spring up all. of. the. time. It doesn't matter how big or small the fire is, the generalist is always there to save the day. It's like having a... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-27/life-of-phi/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-27/life-of-phi/index.html Sat, 27 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT When I was given a copy of Life of Pi at my high school graduation (my high school was an Episcopal boarding school), I read the first five pages. Then, I put the book down, and I think I said a very audible "No." out loud to no one in particular, but mostly myself. No, I would not read the book... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-25/time-travel-dilemma/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-25/time-travel-dilemma/index.html Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Let's suggest for a moment that you go out into space. Now, let time move on Earth faster than what you're experiencing because of relativity (I'm no physicist, so just imagine that's the scenario for now). What happens when you get back and you've barely aged, but Earth has moved forward 100... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-24/its-just-a-website/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-24/its-just-a-website/index.html Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT That phrase couldn't be further from the truth. It's never "just" a website. A website is so much more... If you're a company, your website tells your story. If you're an individual, your website tells your story. Every nook and cranny of a website should have a meaning, or else it's a waste of... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-23/dont-feed-the-trolls/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-23/dont-feed-the-trolls/index.html Tue, 23 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT "Whatever you do, don't feed the trolls." I'm constantly reminded of this at work, which isn't a bad thing. I'm really talking about dealing with people on the internetz (although you should probably heed that advice offline as well). Have you ever noticed how people mainly go on the internet to... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-22/are-cats-or-dogs-funnier/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-22/are-cats-or-dogs-funnier/index.html Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I'll let you be the judge, but first let me explain why I bring this up now. Personally, I think that cats are funnier. They tend to be more stubborn, they don't really care what you're up to, and they basically just do whatever they want. In other words, they aren't doing something to make you... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-20/metaphors/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-20/metaphors/index.html Sat, 20 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I got the idea for this blog post a long time ago, but wasn't passionate about writing it until today as I was listening to Daft Punk's new song "Get Lucky". The metaphor I hear in their song is about "Getting Lucky," but is it about them as a band, or something else? Metaphors make everything... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-18/how-did-i-not-die/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-18/how-did-i-not-die/index.html Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT My dad and I were on a float trip down the Bitterroot River between (I think) Hannah Memorial and Hamilton. There was a nice long quite part of the river, and one of us had a tangle in the fly line (probably me). My dad's the best at removing knots, so he took over. He recommended that I get some... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-17/never-hire-the-best/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-17/never-hire-the-best/index.html Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Well, that may be a bit too extreme, but let me explain... When you hire the best of the best to get the job done (manager, consultant, intern, etc.), you may be making it hard on yourself as a manager in the long run. It's really a balance between hiring the person with the right amount of... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-16/whatever-you-want/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-16/whatever-you-want/index.html Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT While I admire the sentiment behind the phrase: "you can do whatever you want," I don't think it makes us happy in the long run. I get it. We want our children, students, spouses, friends, etc. to know that we support them no matter what decision they make. We want them to be happy. If your child... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-15/practical-self-appreciation-advice/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-15/practical-self-appreciation-advice/index.html Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT You should always be asking yourself: "What can I do to improve myself?" One way is through more self-appreciation.[^1] That's all well and good, but how do you go from being hyper-critical of yourself, or even ignoring yourself entirely, to all gushy for yourself? Realization First, we have to... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-14/teleportation-dilemma/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-14/teleportation-dilemma/index.html Sun, 14 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Would you rather... Go from point A to point B by any normal means (plane, train, automobile, etc.), if it takes "t" time? Or go from point A to point B with no effort, but get there in the same amount of "t" time? It begs the question: What happens to your body and mind in that time, if you... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-13/coo/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-13/coo/index.html Sat, 13 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT > From my archives. It's no secret that I aspire to be a Chief Operations Officer (COO) one day. Many people think I'm crazy, and ask why I wouldn't aspire to be a CEO instead. Fair point, but I don't think it's in my nature. I'll get into what makes a great COO, but first, here's an example of a... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-11/leadership-and-ego/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-11/leadership-and-ego/index.html Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT "Check your ego at the door." I'm too lazy to look up whether anyone has said that before, but I'll assume it's been said. It also applies to being a leader. I watched through every episode of Scrubs last year, and I enjoyed every minute of it, but this one line from Dr. Kelso really stood out: >... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-10/the-psychology-of-batteries/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-10/the-psychology-of-batteries/index.html Wed, 10 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I was the co-founder of a start-up not too long ago. As with anyone who is very serious about starting a company, I wanted to change the world. At first it was wind energy, but it turns out that infrastructure projects take quite a bit of capital and influence. Then it was mobile power... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-09/never-lose-perspective/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-09/never-lose-perspective/index.html Tue, 09 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT My philosophy is to "never lose perspective," but frankly, in the process of upholding that, I always do (lose perspective). We all do. As my favorite author, David Foster Wallace, once said: > There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-08/treating-bad-news-as-a-negotiation/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-08/treating-bad-news-as-a-negotiation/index.html Mon, 08 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT > Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Don't do it! I almost had to learn this the hard way. Whether you're breaking up with someone, quitting a job, or letting someone down easy, make sure you go in... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-07/sometimes-im-just-a-jerk/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-07/sometimes-im-just-a-jerk/index.html Sun, 07 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT I can't help but notice these things... I'll wait 'til you get it.... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-06/puntastic/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-06/puntastic/index.html Sat, 06 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT You're welcome world. It's the...  ...of technology. This one is deep on multiple levels.... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-04/no-offense-but/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-04/no-offense-but/index.html Thu, 04 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Is it possible to insult an American? We definitely fling insults around at each other all of the time, but that's different. Those are hurtful attacks, and yet, when it comes from someone else... it just slides off our backs. I took to the streets of Quora to see what I could find, and I came... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-02/getting-to-yes-analytical-table-of-contents/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-02/getting-to-yes-analytical-table-of-contents/index.html Tue, 02 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT > Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I took two negotiation classes in college, and they were both my favorite of the dozens that I took while at Stanford. While two classes do not make me an expert in... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-01/end-unproductive-social-encounters/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2013-04-01/end-unproductive-social-encounters/index.html Mon, 01 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT Do you ever feel like you go to clubs, hangouts, cocktail parties, dinners, or any other social engagement with high expectations of having a good time, and being sorely disappointed afterwards, or the next day? Are you an over-achiever, someone who likes to turn anything into a game, or simply... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2012-10-20/lemons/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2012-10-20/lemons/index.html Sat, 20 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT What did that title make you think or wonder? How about this one: "When life gives you lemons, ..." Many people will read that and either finish it quickly or come up with a funny pun instantly. How many people would relate lemons to this phrase? Maybe fewer people. You can test that by thinking... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2012-10-05/political-logic/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2012-10-05/political-logic/index.html Fri, 05 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT We listen to politicians babble all the time. If we agree with them, they're doing something right, but it may not be the logic behind their arguments. It could just be them babbling... I would argue we don't really listen or follow politicians because of their aptitude for innovative ideas, or... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2012-07-31/why-ill-never-trust-recommendation-services/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2012-07-31/why-ill-never-trust-recommendation-services/index.html Tue, 31 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT Do you use Facebook? I know you must use Google. How about Netflix? Yelp? Oink made an appearance on the market for a little while. I've even seen the likes of Sösh out there most recently. You're probably wondering, "why is he going on and on about all of these services?" Fair enough, so what do... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2012-03-20/employee-motivation-model/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2012-03-20/employee-motivation-model/index.html Tue, 20 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT This model of what motivates employees (idea people, founders, early employees, career employees, etc.) can be a powerful tool to communicate with those employees about how they get fulfillment from their work. There are many models out there, and this one may have similarities to other ways of... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2011-08-17/my-musings-on-crowdfunding/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/2011-08-17/my-musings-on-crowdfunding/index.html Wed, 17 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT The crowd is an interesting thing. This summer I started working at a company that organizes and manages crowdsourced work. But hold on, let me go back a step and think about my first interaction with the crowd. If I had to point to one instance, I might incorrectly jump to the time when I... https://deanlyoung.com/blog/1970-01-01/test-post/index.html https://deanlyoung.com/blog/1970-01-01/test-post/index.html Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 GMT Heading Level 1 Heading Level 2 Heading Level 3 Heading Level 4 Heading Level 5 Heading Level 6 This is a paragraph with **bold text**, *italic text*, and ***both bold and italic***. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore...