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What is The Brief?

The Brief is a Substack publication by Steve Newcomb ( aka SNUK3M ) that explores the impact of progress—especially emerging technologies like AI—on humanity, culture, and our purpose as a species. Each essay distills complex shifts into sharp, thought-provoking insights.

In a world increasingly shaped by rapid technological change, The Brief offers a space to pause, reflect, and question not just what’s happening—but what it means. From artificial intelligence and biotech to economics, politics, and philosophy, the essays unpack how innovation is reshaping everything from identity and work to belief systems and global power structures.

Rather than getting lost in hype or fear, The Brief aims to strike a thoughtful balance—connecting the dots between past revolutions and today’s transformation, while asking bold questions about the future we’re building. Whether you’re a technologist, policymaker, artist, or curious thinker, The Brief invites you into a deeper conversation about where we’re headed—and what role we still have to play.

Who am I?

I'm Steve Newcomb, perhaps most recognized for founding Powerset, which was later acquired by Microsoft and transformed into Microsoft Bing. I had the privilege of being on the pioneering team that witnessed the inaugural email sent via a mobile device. My journey also led me to SRI (Stanford Research Institute), where we laid the groundwork for contemporary speech recognition technology. Additionally, I was a co-founder of the debut company to introduce a 3D physics engine in Javascript. I've held positions on the board of directors and contributed funding to massive open source initiatives like NodeJS and even the largest such project, jQuery. My experience extends to academia, having been a senior fellow at the University of California, Berkeley's engineering and business faculties. Recently, I ventured into Layer 2 internet protocols and assisted a company named Matter Labs in securing $440 million in funding to bolster their endeavors.

5 Things you’ll get out of the brief

• Clarity on Complex Topics
  Get clear, accessible insights into how AI, biotech, and other emerging technologies are reshaping humanity—without the hype or jargon.

• Big-Picture Perspective
  Understand the broader historical, cultural, and philosophical forces driving today’s technological revolutions and what they mean for our future.

• Bold, Thought-Provoking Ideas
  Explore essays that challenge assumptions, ask hard questions, and offer new ways of thinking about progress, purpose, and power.

• Curated for Busy Minds
  Each post is distilled and sharply written—designed to respect your time while expanding your understanding of the world.

• A Community of the Curious
  Join a growing network of thinkers, builders, and creators who are actively exploring the future and our place in it.