Kayal Rajendran

Passionate about building meaningful experiences for people.

[Ashley Mayer @ashleymayer]

The most visible tech companies are increasingly casting themselves as the hero in their own story, and in doing so, risk becoming the villain in everyone else’s.

Apple was never the hero - the creative misfit was.
Nike was never the hero - the everyday athlete was.
Youtube was never the hero - the creator was.
Airbnb was never the hero - the host was.
Stripe was never the hero - the developer was.
Figma was never the hero - the designer was.

The best brands make someone else the protagonist.

When you cast yourself as the hero, you turn your users into NPCs. The relationship becomes transactional, or worse: predatory (we’ll replace you, just give us time).

This is why we (individual companies, and the tech industry at large) need better stories about the future. Stories that aren’t centered on ARR, record-breaking valuations, circular dealmaking. Stories that are anchored in people, potential and a vision for the future that goes beyond numbers.

Right now tech is mostly talking to tech, so we’re getting away with a lot. But that’s not sustainable. It’s time to think a few steps ahead.

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

@RepBrandonGill This is beyond terrifying to hear. We cannot normalize this shit. This is not normal.

[Mehdi Hasan @mehdirhasan]

JD Vance hasn’t tweeted for three days

[Ryan Holiday @RyanHoliday]

https://t.co/NLznlOypmv

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

My toxic trait is thinking I’m the only Taylor Swift fan on earth hahah. In reality, we’re all trying to get through this messy life and she’s that one person validating feelings you can’t express to anyone else.

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

New Taylor is for caffeinated readers who enjoy long runs or walks. I love it here. #ttpd

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

I don’t understand Succession without subtitles so honestly thank god for that text. 🙏🏽

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

@anjulaacharia Love someone with your influence sharing opinions (that I agree w) about this! 👏🏽

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

I’m glad I’ll never get used to the faces of strangers being plastered on my phone at any given moment.

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

I’m so afraid that our brains are being rewired to expect mass shootings as a part of life. We’re sad, feel outrage, maybe post a few Stories, donate $, vote, and then go about our lives…until the next one. 😔

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

Queen of editing texts and Slack messages 5 seconds after it’s sent like your average proofreader

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

@apatel2210 @AmazonFreevee Ronald is my hero

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

Losing the blue check mark for verified accounts is going to destroy this app

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

I’m begging someone to revolutionize submitting corporate expense reports…I’m begging

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

@SahilBloom Is that what they mean?? Well, this makes a lot more sense 😅

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

This Monday finds me unshakably between Ke Huy Quan energy and Hugh Grant energy. More ☕️ please to reach the former

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

A documentary on Gen Zers who only use flip phones. When?

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

Watching Vogue’s in the bag (and similar purse-related content) is better than reading Instagram #nichethings

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

I love all of us going through an unforeseen pandemic a few years ago & watching the last of us

[Kayal Rajendran @KRaj]

Okay for real, the backlash against @mindykaling is cruel and dumb. If you aren’t happy, don’t watch or go throw yourself into the arena. Another thing while I’m here, I see you young TikTok gals expecting one person to represent every South Asian lived experience. Stop it.