Amit @NextFive

Basically what I’m focused on at this point in my life.
Inspired by https://nownownow.com/about

Last updated: June 2026

How have I been?

Midyear. Things have moved faster than I expected at the start of Q2. Two projects that were ideas in Q1 now have working prototypes, public pages, and some real conversations happening around them. The work feels more directional than it did a few months ago. Happy that it’s more in “testing specific hypotheses” phase than “thinking of this idea” phase.

Still juggling 3-4 things. But related. Still in Bangalore. Still finding it generative.

The big three:

1. CareerMap + Orbit

   CareerMap is about surfacing non-traditional careers and paths to them. V1 is live now and a bunch of new updates planned soon.

   Orbit is the companion experiment: network capital has no redistribution infrastructure. Financial capital has microfinance, skills have vocational training, but access to the right people remains deeply unequal. Testing whether that can change, starting small in Bangalore. More at nextfive.xyz/orbit.

2. Writing is quieter in general over last 2 months

   EarlyNotes on Substack is quiet. The book is formally shelved for now. Not abandoned entirely - just being honest with myself that it’s not where I’m finding the energy.

   But planning more essays as proof-of-work for the ideas: “You Can’t Want What You Can’t See” was one such piece, written alongside building CareerMap.

3. Finding the right next thing

   The sabbatical is producing ideas, tools, and conversations. Learning more and more about AI Safety and AI agents. Good momentum.

Running, Kannada, and the rest

Trying to get started with running after a 2 months break.

Kannada is actually starting to click in real conversation. But progress and practice has stalled. Need to resume.

Photography intermittently. Always. Did a photo-walk this month after what seems like years!

Recently read:

April and May were light on reading.

1. Currently enjoying Asterix - the complete collection. Somehow never got to it so far. Catching up on lost time and loving every bit of it :)

2. Influence by Robert B. Cialdini: This I got to right after the “Thank you for arguing” to compare this classic while the earlier one was fresh in mind. Most of it was in the realm of “good reminder” than new insight - which is not a bad thing. A fair bunch of my notes were from the point of defence - how to prevent myself from getting unduly influenced - instead of the other way around. Also, the context is predictably US-centric and dated, even if the deeper principles are more universal.

3. How did you get this number by Sloane Crosley. This completes my current collection of Sloane and loved this one as well - another collection of brilliantly delightful collection of essays.

(Here’s some other stuff I have read )

And watched:

1. Disclosure Day: First movie at the theatre after years! And thoroughly enjoyable, even if predictable. Far too many reviews online and I agree that it’s not quite there with Arrival for the concept novelty or in league with District-9 for the social commentary. But regardless, very entertaining.

2. [Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Are_You_There_God%3F_It%27s_Me,Margaret.(film)): A beautiful, endearing short tale of Margaret’s growing up years in her new suburban town and her relationship with religion as she navigates entering early teenage years. Fantastic acting by the lead actor playing Margaret. Also, totally lovable family.

Also, Bhoot Bangla (what can I say), Remarkably Bright Creature (5), In the grey (3), Ladies First (3), Thamma (3) and a bunch more.

(Here’s some other stuff I have watched )