The Outliers Inn | Where Do we go from here…
The Outliers Inn: “Where Do We Go From Here?” A Summary for People Who Were There and Still Aren’t Sure What Happened
The Gang Attempts Slam Poetry (With Mixed Results)
JP and Mule kicked things off by doing what any serious business podcast does: planning to perform slam poetry inspired by WKRP in Cincinnati and The Partridge Family. JP fresh off delivering a keynote (and surviving the pregame), proposed dividing the poetry into paragraphs for maximum efficiency — because if you’re going to be absurd, you might as well be organized about it.
Zoom Does What Zoom Does
Technical difficulties ensued, as is tradition. Cameras were adjusted, recording settings were interrogated, and Stephane eventually materialized on screen like a man who had fought through the digital ether to be there. Mule lightened the mood with a song reference from The Dukes of Hazzard, which is exactly the kind of pivot that makes this podcast what it is.
AI: Everyone’s Doing It, Nobody Knows Why
The group turned to the pressing matter of artificial intelligence, where JP delivered the earth-shattering observation that companies are throwing AI at problems like confetti without any idea what parade they’re throwing it for. Mule, ever the pragmatist, shared actual real-world wins — using ChatGPT for inventory control and routing — proving that some people have it figured out. Stephane’s sensible suggestion: just give everyone access to the tools and let productivity sort itself out. Revolutionary.
The Lights Are On (But For How Long?)
The conversation took an existential turn when JP raised the uncomfortable question of where all the electricity for our AI-powered future is actually going to come from. The group surveyed the landscape — nuclear, wind, fusion, batteries — with the energy of people who absolutely cannot solve this problem but feel strongly that someone should.
Life Updates Nobody Asked For (But Everyone Appreciated)
Don “The Beer Man” revealed his end-of-year plans involving “marketing meetings” (wink-wink, nudge, nudge) and possibly a new role. Stephane has a performance review coming up, which feels brave to mention on a recorded podcast. Steve had just returned from Santa Barbara, where the weather was apparently not cooperating. Relatable content all around.
Until Next Time
The recording probably worked. Holiday wishes were exchanged. Travel logistics were debated. Past interactions were fondly referenced. The future remains uncertain, but The Outliers Inn will be there to discuss it — possibly in slam poetry form.
