For the love of God, stop writing that op-ed!
Most people don't really know why their op-eds fail.
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Heds. Here, you’ll find insights on op-ed writing and hypothetical headlines for op-eds I’d love to read. You can read more about the me and the newsletter here.
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I’m kicking off with a warning:
Step away from the computer!
Yes, I’m talking to you!
I know who you are. You’ve decided that it’s time. You’re accomplished in your field. People respect you. So you feel ready to share your knowledge outside of your narrow space.
It’s time, you believe, to write an op-ed.
If this describes you, I’m begging you to hear me out—before you start writing.
Since starting my business, Opinioned, I’ve had countless people tell me how hard it is to land an op-ed in top media. They’re right. But they often lack understanding of why that is.
Most people aren’t getting op-eds right because they’re focused on the wrong villains.
It’s easy to think cranky opinion editors with unreasonably high standards are the cause. They’re not.
The real problem with op-ed placement is that authors just start writing them with little forethought. They never really consider whether anyone will care what they have to say.
To be successful, op-ed writers need to focus on original ideas.
What does that mean, in practice?
Don’t just start writing. Consider whether you can tell your audience something they haven’t already heard. Ask others whether they find your idea interesting. See what’s already been written on the topic.
These suggestions might sound obvious. Yet in my experience, few op-ed writers actually do them. They get tunnel vision, determined to publish their piece despite forceful headwinds.
If more writers took a pause, we’d see way fewer op-eds. And along with that, way fewer people would form a negative association with op-ed writing.
Now, for the headlines…
Before continuing, please see my note on how to read these headlines.
Where is tech on Israel-Palestine?
Silicon Valley has long prided itself on solving some of the world’s biggest problems, from poverty to climate change.
Why, then, has it been almost entirely absent on providing solutions to this intractable conflict?
Here are some ways tech companies large and small might help engender peace.
Bereavement policies aren’t ready for trauma from the Israel-Hamas war
Modern bereavement policies only grant time off for someone mourning the loss of a loved one.
But what about tragedies like the one unfolding in Gaza and Israel? Should companies shut down entirely? How should they determine who gets time off and how much?
There are many questions to answer, but one thing is certain: Conventional bereavement leave is ill-suited to handle the increased trauma so many feel about tragedies around the world.
Israel and Gaza need a DMZ like Korea’s
No matter the outcome of the Israel-Hamas war, it’s clear that no peace will exist between these two entities for a long time.
Israeli cities and communities being located close to Gaza creates too high a likelihood of conflict.
While it hasn’t resolved their war, the Korean DMZ has been in place for 70 years and helped maintain stability on the subcontinent. Perhaps it could work in the Middle East as well.
How to spot fake content on X (Twitter) during the Israel-Hamas war
We all know X and other social media platforms are especially prone to misinformation during active conflicts.
But it’s difficult to know how to detect this content, especially with the increasingly heightened capabilities of modern AI.
Here are some tips for navigating social media at a fraught time.
What should Biden do about Hamas’ American hostages?
The situation looks dire for hostages taken from Israel into Gaza.
This piece could draw on the experience of someone who’s negotiated hostage scenarios in the past to offer potential solutions.
Alternatively, the article could offer an inside look at what happens within government when major hostage scenarios arise, drawing analogies to past situations.
Why is it okay to leave banned food additives on shelves for 4 years?
California just banned four additives linked to cancer, but the ban won’t be implemented until 2027.
How does it make any sense to let companies continue selling potentially harmful products for that long? Is it because of a fear they’ll take a large financial hit? What kind of pressure has been applied by industry groups to achieve this outcome? Does this delay have precedent?
Will California’s VC diversity law work?
California just passed legislation requiring VC firms to report on their annual diversity stats.
Initial analyses indicate the measure may be more symbolic than materially effective. Firms have many ways to manipulate stats to look like they’re prioritizing DEI.
Is this the right approach to tackling the lack of diversity in the startup world? Should Sacramento have focused on other, better solutions?
Bringing back ‘Seinfeld’ would be a historic mistake
Jerry Seinfeld recently told a standup audience “something is going to happen” related to the ‘Seinfeld’ finale.
He shouldn’t fall for the trap so many others have, assuming that since audiences want a throwback show, they should get it.
Sure, the finale was underwhelming, but a failed reboot could have an even worse impact on the show’s legacy.
Leave passwords alone!
Over the years, I can’t count the number of times I’ve been told traditional passwords are on their way out, to be replaced by newer and much more secure technology.
Well, why hasn’t it happened yet?
Digital security experts have a choice: Either figure out a way to implement an easy-to-use new system, or give up on the effort altogether.
The Big Three shouldn’t blame the UAW for layoffs—they should blame themselves
Ford, GM and Stellantis are laying off workers and laying blame at the feet of striking auto workers.
This is straight out of the union-busting playbook: corporations playing victims of labor actions. In reality, poor decisions, mismanagement and various other factors have led to the automakers’ predicaments.
This is an analysis of the Big Three’s mistakes over the years and explanation of why in fact they are at fault for their layoffs.
Someone finally won the $1.73 billion Powerball jackpot. But why are states running lotteries at all?
States that operate lotteries also run problem gambling departments. Isn’t that odd?
Sure, lotteries are an important source of income for states. But at what larger cost? Aren’t they creating and combating the problem at the same time?
States should get out of lotteries entirely and find more societally beneficial ways of raising money.