Welcome to the weekend.

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Prime Numbers 

18 — Amtrak is on pace for an annual ridership record, with the national passenger railroad seeing 24.1 million riders since the start of its fiscal year in October, up 18% percent compared to the same period a year prior.

$0.00038 — Songwriters earn approximately $0.00038 per song streamed. So, a song that reaches 10 million streams (a significant milestone) would generate $3,800 for the songwriter. Given that hit songs often have three to 12 writers sharing this meager amount, the financial reality for songwriters in the streaming era is particularly challenging.

0 — Among 75 clinical trials with over 30,000 babies participating from 1980 to 2022, zero indicated that sleep training caused harm. So, all you new parents out there, it’s OK to let your baby cry it out. 

Do Cash Transfers Work? 

A study by Open Research examined the effects of a $1,000 monthly cash transfer on low-income adults in the United States over three years. Here are some key findings:  1) Spending. Recipients primarily used the cash to meet basic needs, increasing their monthly spending by an average of $310. Specifically, they spent $67 more on food, $52 more on rent, and $50 more on transportation. The largest relative increase was in financial support to others, which rose by $22 per month, a 26% increase compared to the control group. The impact on spending was most pronounced for recipients from lower-income households, who increased their monthly spending by $294 on average. 2) Health. The cash transfer resulted in short-term improvements in stress and food security, increased use of hospital and emergency department care, and higher medical spending of about $20 per month in the treatment group. However, the study found no significant impact on physical health as measured by multiple survey measures and biomarkers, and mental health improvements did not persist beyond the first year. 3) Employment. The study found that the cash transfer caused a 2.0 percentage point decrease in labor market participation and a 1.3-1.4 hour per week reduction in labor hours for participants. This was particularly pronounced for single parents, suggesting that recipients may reduce their workload in order to care for their children. Open Research (20 minutes)

The Matrix at 25

Neo, the hero of “The Matrix,” is sure he lives in 1999. He has a green-hued cathode-ray-tube computer screen and a dot-matrix printer. His city has working phone booths. But he’s wrong: He lives in the future (2199, to be exact). Neo’s world is a simulation — a fake-out version of the late 20th century, created by 21st-century artificial intelligence (AI) to enslave humanity. It’s been 25 years since the movie launched. The idea of AI feeding on human brains and bodies seemed like a thought experiment. But the movie’s warnings about AI — and everything else — have sharpened over time, which explains why it’s been harnessed by all kinds of people in the years since: philosophers, pastors, techno-boosters and techno-doomers, the alt-right. Judged solely on cultural relevance, “The Matrix” might be the most consequential release of 1999. Here’s why “The Matrix is more relevant than ever. New York Times (9 minutes)

83% of Young, Wealthy Investors Want This Asset

A new Bank of America survey found that 83% of high-net-worth respondents 43 and younger currently own fine art, or would like to. Why? After weathering multiple recessions, newer generations want to expand beyond just stocks and bonds, believing fine art can add unique diversification to a portfolio, particularly over the long-term. Luckily, Masterworks’ art investing platform is already catering to 60,000+ shrewd investors, making it easy to diversify with blue-chip contemporary art. The sector is currently in a softer cycle, but regardless, investors in the 23 offerings that Masterworks has sold so far have realized net annualized returns like +17.6%, +17.8%, and +21.5%, among many others. Those investors don’t need millions of dollars, or art expertise, for their portfolios to benefit when Masterworks sells an $8 million Basquiat piece, or reveals a new offering from Banksy on the platform. Weekend Briefing readers can even skip Masterworks’ waitlist today. Masterworks (Sponsored)

New Test for Alzhiemer’s

Scientists have made a significant breakthrough in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease with a simple blood test, achieving about 90% accuracy in identifying the condition. This new method outperforms traditional diagnostic approaches used by both dementia specialists and primary care doctors, which rely on cognitive tests and CT scans. The blood test's high accuracy could revolutionize Alzheimer's diagnosis, making it more accessible and potentially leading to earlier interventions. This advancement represents a major shift in our ability to measure brain pathology in living patients, opening new possibilities for research and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. STAT (5 minutes) 

Punching Your Own Ticket

Many people focus on what they "should" do based on expectations or past investments, leading to feelings of obligation and constraint rather than what they “can” do. Instead, think about “punching your own ticket.” The "ticket" represents the sum of your experiences, skills, connections and resources accumulated over time. All work earns you a ticket — which is to say that you earn the freedom to pursue new opportunities that align with your current interests and goals rather than following a predetermined path. While the "should" mindset often narrows your options, punching your own ticket opens up novel paths that excite you. One Thing Better (6 minutes)

The 8th Wonder of the World

Imagine turning every dollar you've ever earned into nearly $4 of wealth —that's the magic of compound interest at work. This financial phenomenon, often called the eighth wonder of the world, can transform modest savings into substantial wealth over time. For example, consistently investing a portion of one's income and earning even modest returns over three or four decades can yield mind-boggling results. The power of compounding is so potent that it can enable individuals with solid but unspectacular incomes to achieve financial independence, provided they start early, save consistently and invest wisely over their working lives. The Rational Walk (6 minutes)

The Power of ‘No’

Imagine your life as a garden, where every plant represents a commitment, possession or activity. Just as a gardener must prune and weed to allow the best plants to flourish, we must learn to say "no" to the unnecessary in our lives to make room for what truly matters. This practice of intentional refusal isn't selfish or limiting; rather, it's a powerful tool for creating space for meaningful pursuits, reducing stress and increasing fulfillment. By embracing this minimalist approach and being selective about our commitments, we can align our daily lives more closely with our values and deepest desires, ultimately leading to a more purposeful and satisfying existence. Becoming Minimalist (6 minutes)

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.

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Weekend Wisdom

When you say “yes” to others, make sure you are not saying “no" to yourself. - Paulo Coelho