Key metrics of mortality—homicides, traffic fatalities, suicides, drug overdoses, and obesity—are all declining simultaneously for the first time on record. This marks a 'golden age of living' that is completely overshadowed by the constant negativity of the political news cycle.
In a consumer-driven economy, withdrawing participation by unsubscribing from services sends a powerful market signal. This financial pressure can influence corporate behavior and government policy more effectively than traditional protests or heckling from the sidelines.
In a newborn's first few weeks, a father isn't biologically essential for survival, especially if the baby is breastfed. The primary role is to support the mother, making the father a critical deputy whose necessity is to enable the mother and child to thrive.
While ideological slants exist, the fundamental driver of modern media is negativity. Catastrophic framing and outrage-inducing content are proven to boost virality and engagement, creating a 'stew of negativity' that is more about business models than political affiliation.
Ideas are developed systematically. Podcasts explore nascent questions (rehearsals). A developed idea becomes a Substack column to test a thesis (preview). A collection of successful theses forms a book, which in turn becomes the primary currency for lucrative speaking engagements.
GLP-1s are more than weight-loss aids; they are powerful anti-inflammatory agents affecting cardiovascular and neurological health. They even reduce cravings for things like gambling and cigarettes, acting as systemic moderators for entire biological systems, not just appetite.
Successful journalists combine platforms. They use legacy media for brand credibility, editing, and infrastructure, while direct-to-consumer platforms like Substack allow for faster publishing and capturing a much larger share (70-90%) of the economic value they create.
Given high rates of social media addiction (24%) versus alcohol addiction (6%), the dangers of loneliness are arguably greater than those of moderate social drinking. Facilitating in-person bonding via alcohol could be a net positive for young people's well-being.
The wage gap often stems from a 'motherhood penalty,' where women's careers stall during childbearing years. Paternity leave helps by normalizing career breaks for men, leveling the playing field and preventing men from 'racing ahead' professionally while women are on leave.
AI is driving a K-shaped economy. At the macro level, the AI sector booms while others decline. At the corporate level, AI stocks soar past others. At the individual level, a skills gap is widening between those who can leverage AI and those who can't.
Excel didn't replace spreadsheet workers; it turned almost every office role into a spreadsheet job. Similarly, AI tools won't just automate tasks but will become integral to most knowledge work, making AI proficiency a universal and required competency.