Sandbox Thoughts

A Semi-Technical Primer on LLMs: Pt. 4 Where We Stand Today and the Path Beyond

Progress levers, blockers, frontiers, and questions that are shaping the path forward.

Aug 12 • 

Ian D'Silva

1

A Semi-Technical Primer on LLMs: Pt. 3 Modern Improvements & Extending Beyond Text

How transformer-based LLMs evolved from next-word predictors into modular, reasoning-oriented, multimodal systems.

Aug 4 • 

Ian D'Silva

July 2025

A Semi-Technical Primer on LLMs: Pt. 2 From Model to Chatbot

Understanding how applications like ChatGPT are structured, trained, and made useful.

Jul 28 • 

Ian D'Silva

A Semi-Technical Primer on LLMs: Pt. 1 How Machines Learn

Understanding fundamental Machine Learning concepts to use as building blocks in future parts.

Jul 28 • 

Ian D'Silva

1

A Semi-Technical Primer on LLMs

A conceptual dive into the technical mechanics of LLMs, going from a single neuron to ChatGPT.

Jul 22 • 

Ian D'Silva

June 2021

Stitch Fix: A Strategy Fit for the Occasion

Stitch Fix is in the pole position to disrupt retail e-commerce but must continue to push forward in bold new ways. In this piece, I identify and…

Jun 6, 2021 • 

Ian D'Silva

3

February 2021

Why Hardware + Software Combinations Create Great Businesses

How hardware + software results in valuable & differentiated products, sticky customers, and attractive margins, building off of a post by Marco…

Feb 7, 2021 • 

Ian D'Silva

2

1

January 2021

Peloton Interactive Strategy - Part 2

A relook at my Peloton strategy recommendations after considering feedback of "Why are these the strategies that will be most effective in catalyzing…

Jan 3, 2021 • 

Ian D'Silva

3

1

October 2020

Peloton Interactive: An Ecosystem Strategy to Top The Leaderboard

Peloton's moat is deep, but not impenetrable. Three big bold bets could help keep Peloton atop the leaderboard for the long run.

Oct 24, 2020 • 

Ian D'Silva

3

July 2020

Ian’s Fantasy VC Portfolio

Inspired by Turner Novak’s fantasy venture capital portfolios, I am putting together a fantasy VC portfolio.

Jul 29, 2020

1

June 2020

The Future of Storytelling Media: What is it, Who Will Deliver It, and The Implications

Media experiences have always been standardized and passive ones. The future of media is making the experience personalized and active.

Jun 29, 2020

December 2019