Dispatches from The Arena

The Valley of Disappointment

Every meaningful transformation follows this pattern.

Sep 20 • 

Ismail Elshareef

August 2025

Maybe So, Maybe Not

There's an ancient parable that might change how you see your worst day—and your best one.

Aug 30 • 

Ismail Elshareef

1

Entropy Always wins

Disorder is the natural state of everything.

Aug 23 • 

Ismail Elshareef

1

May 2025

Shy Bats Don’t Hit Homers

I watched a startup flounder severals months back.

May 13 • 

Ismail Elshareef

Courage is The Way

"He needs to develop thicker skin."

May 4 • 

Ismail Elshareef

2

2

March 2025

On AI Tools

Last week, I built a full-stack application in an hour using Lovable.dev and Cursor.

Mar 20 • 

Ismail Elshareef

2

February 2025

Are You Playing to Win or Not to Lose?

Why conviction, not caution, separates the standouts from the forgotten.

Feb 28 • 

Ismail Elshareef

When "Enough" is All You Need

Last year, I watched a startup burn through tens of millions of dollars to reach the brink of demise.

Feb 26 • 

Ismail Elshareef

1

The Price of Hubris (part II)

The Emma Caldwell Chronicles

Feb 1 • 

Ismail Elshareef

January 2025

Open AI’s Operator and The Hard Tasks

How did an AI Agent find the “best deal” for me

Jan 26 • 

Ismail Elshareef

The Price of Hubris

The Emma Caldwell Chronicles

Jan 21 • 

Ismail Elshareef

Ventures Torn Asunder

A poem

Jan 18 • 

Ismail Elshareef