Welcome to the weekend.

Prime Numbers

70 — A passing mention in BP’s latest quarter: “Due to GenAI and in-house built developer productivity tools, we have increased the output of our software developers by around 70% year-over-year” and cut external developers by 60%.

29 — On Sunday, Nepali guide Kami Rita Sherpa, 54, set a new record by summiting Mt. Everest for the 29th time. The same day, Kenton Cool, a guide from the U.K., made his 18th ascent, setting the record for the most summits by a non-Nepali climber.

1.1 — From 1960 to 2000, the average number of bedrooms per child in the U.S. rose from 0.7 to 1.1. However, little evidence suggests that having independent rooms or sharing with siblings has significant long-term effects on children.

Meaning > Purpose at Work

For much of my career, I've emphasized the importance of finding purpose at work, even writing a book called Profit & Purpose. While I love my career, I now realize that seeking a single, defined "purpose" isn't right for everyone and can lead to disappointment. Instead, focus on finding meaning by considering what you enjoy doing, what you're good at, and whether a role provides opportunities for growth and learning. Identifying your preferences, skills and areas for improvement is a better starting point for a meaningful career. Research shows that "ability development," or getting better at what you do, brings greater happiness, satisfaction and meaning. Harvard Business Review (9 minutes)

The Land That Doesn’t Need Ozempic

Some 42% of Americans are obese, compared with just 4.5% of Japanese people. Japan, it seems, is the land that doesn’t need Ozempic. This is largely due to Japan's unique food culture, which emphasizes simplicity, small portions and fresh ingredients, as well as its approach to health education in schools and workplaces. The Japanese government has also implemented measures like the "Metabo Law," which requires annual waistline measurements for adults and encourages weight loss through counseling and workplace health plans. While these cultural differences may seem vast, Western countries can learn from Japan's example and make social changes to reduce the forces driving up obesity rates, potentially freeing future generations from the dilemma of choosing between weight gain and the risks associated with weight loss drugs. TIME (14 minutes)

When Numbers Speak Louder Than Words

For most startups, growth means more dollars. But for these startups, it means: 1) clearing the 300-year Indian court backlog, 2) increasing voter turnout in the U.S. by up to 26%, and 3) removing 25 million tons of atmospheric carbon annually. Who’s backing these startups? Companies like Google, BlackRock, HPE and more. They're placing their bets even though the returns aren't financial. They’re more important –– they’re existential. And these startups are built by founders who have lived the problems they’re solving. Like Becca, who needed an abortion in her home state of Texas but had trouble finding one. She built a tool to help anyone access a safe procedure. Or Utkarsh, a lawyer whose heart broke over the 40 million cases pending in India’s outdated court system. Now, he’s deploying artificial intelligence (AI) to meet this problem head on. Meet the CEOs of these radical new startups at Fast Forward's Demo Day. You'll see what all the hype is about and get invigorated by the technologists building products to better humanity. Fast Forward (Sponsored)

The Forgotten War on Beepers

In the late 1980s, pagers became popular among teenagers, but their association with drug dealers led to a moral panic about adolescent drug use. One school district official told The New York Times: "How can we expect students to 'just say no to drugs' when we allow them to wear the most dominant symbol of the drug trade on their belts." Schools, towns, and states passed rules prohibiting pagers for minors, with punishments ranging from fines and community service to jail time and driver's license bans. Thousands of young people were affected by these heavy-handed prohibitions, with some facing arrests, suspensions and criminal charges. Despite the lack of evidence linking pagers to increased drug access, the panic persisted, leading to calls for stricter enforcement and widespread bans. Pessimist Archive (8 minutes)

Transforming Maternal Health

Nurses and midwives in low- and middle-income countries are now using portable, low-cost ultrasound devices to provide potentially lifesaving prenatal care to pregnant women. These devices, which are being developed with input from health care providers and patients, can identify high-risk pregnancies early, allowing for timely interventions and referrals to higher-level care. The introduction of AI-enabled ultrasound devices is expected to further revolutionize maternal health care by making the technology even easier to use and requiring less training. By improving the quality of prenatal care and inspiring pregnant women to seek care earlier, these ultrasound devices are not only saving lives but also fostering a more positive view of the health care system, which can lead to better health outcomes for entire families and communities. Gates Foundation (7 minutes)

SIFT Method

A four-step approach to identifying misinformation can be easily remembered using the acronym SIFT. The S stands for "stop," reminding us to pause before sharing or engaging with a post. The I represents "investigate the source," prompting us to research the creator's background and potential biases. The F means "find better coverage," encouraging us to seek out reputable sources that have verified the claim. Finally, the T signifies "trace the claim to its original context" to ensure the information hasn't been taken out of context or altered. By following these steps, we can help prevent the spread of misinformation and its potentially serious consequences. BBC (7 minutes)

Life Advice

Kevin Kelly released another set of life advice on his 73rd birthday. Here are four of my favorites: 1) The best gardening advice: Find what you can grow well and grow lots and lots of it. 2) Most arguments are not really about the argument, so most arguments can’t be won by arguing. 3) Asking “what if?” about your past is a waste of time; asking “what if?” about your future is tremendously productive. 4) The best way to criticize something is to make something better. @kevin2kelly

Should We Work Together?

Hi! I’m Kyle. This newsletter is my passion project. When I’m not writing, I run a law firm that helps startups move fast without breaking things. Most founders want a trusted legal partner, but they hate surprise legal bills. At Westaway, we take care of your startup’s legal needs for a flat, monthly fee so you can control your costs and focus on scaling your business. If you’re interested, let’s jump on a call to see if you’re a good fit for the firm. Click here to schedule a one-on-one call with me.

Founder Fridays

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Weekend Wisdom

Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it. - Dwight D. Eisenhower