Happy Labor Day weekend. I hope you’re taking some time to rest and relax with friends and family.

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Prime Numbers

51,744 — The FTC finalized the nature of its crackdown on fake online reviews and will put a maximum civil penalty of up to $51,744 per violation on fake reviews.

11 — Police departments across the nation are rapidly adopting electric vehicles, particularly Tesla Model Ys, due to their superior acceleration and performance (as well as low maintenance costs), with tests showing electric vehicles (EVs) like the Chevy Blazer EV and Ford Mustang Mach-E reaching 100 mph in just 11 seconds — twice as fast as their gas-powered counterparts.

2.2 — The average age gap between American husbands and wives is down to 2.2 years apart, down from men being on average 2.4 years older than their spouse in 2000 and down from an average of 4.9 years in 1880.

Costco in Cancun

Would you book a vacation to Cancun at Costco? In this witty exploration of a warehouse-booked tropical getaway, the author delves into the bizarre fusion of bulk shopping mentality and beachside luxury. Through the lens of his family's experience at the Paradisus La Perla, he examines how the Costco ethos of value and abundance translates to an all-inclusive resort, creating a unique blend of cost-consciousness and indulgence. The narrative humorously highlights the contradictions and surprises that arise when the familiar Costco shopping experience extends to international travel, from room upgrades to timeshare pitches. Ultimately, the author finds an unexpected appreciation for the middlebrow vacation, reconciling his initial skepticism with genuine moments of family connection and relaxation. Paris Review (8 minutes)

Mosquitos v. Scientists

In a world where mosquitoes adapt faster than smartphone models change, the global fight against malaria has seen both triumphs and setbacks. Dr. Corine Ngufor, a Cameroonian scientist, played a crucial role in developing a groundbreaking innovation: dual-insecticide bed nets combining pyrethroid with chlorfenapyr, known as Interceptor® G2 (IG2). These nets have shown remarkable efficacy, reducing malaria cases among children by almost half in clinical trials and preventing an estimated 13 million cases between 2019 and 2022. While this innovation represents a major step forward, continued research and development of new tools remain essential in the ongoing battle against malaria, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supporting various initiatives to advance malaria eradication efforts. Gates Foundation (6 minutes)

Labor Day and Delivery

Labor Day is on Monday, but there's another kind of labor that needs our attention. Every day, 800 women die from childbirth-related issues. In Africa, 1 million newborns die annually. The good news? These deaths are largely preventable. Community Health Workers are crucial in reducing mortality and ensuring safe deliveries. Research shows that a licensed Community Health Worker in your village can cut child mortality by 27-30%. The Adventure Project leads in supporting Community Health Workers in Kenya, Togo, and Uganda. This Labor Day, they’re launching the #LaborDayandDelivery campaign, featuring a special quiz. For each person who completes the quick 5-question 'Women’s Quiz,' a generous donor will contribute $5 in their honor—enough to fund a prenatal visit for a mom in Africa. Please take a minute to test your knowledge. I’ve heard it’s 1,000 times easier than childbirth. The Adventure Project.

A Critique of Progressive Economics

Progressive economics is a modern approach that emphasizes job creation, demand stimulation and government intervention to address economic inequalities. This paradigm draws inspiration from New Deal policies and aims to replace neoliberal economic thinking. However, it may be ill-suited for the current economic landscape, which is characterized by supply constraints rather than demand deficiencies. The focus on job provision and demand stimulus in this environment could potentially lead to increased inflation without solving underlying economic challenges. Noahpinion (10 minutes)

Good Health is Boring

The modern obsession with health and longevity has reached fever pitch, fueled by social media influencers promoting everything from exotic supplements to extreme cold plunges. Despite the allure of these trendy "biohacks," scientific research consistently points to simpler, more boring fundamental lifestyle behaviors as the true keys to a long and healthy life. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, avoiding smoking, moderate alcohol consumption and nurturing meaningful relationships remain the most effective ways to extend both lifespan and healthspan. While cold plunges and other novel interventions may offer some benefits, they pale in comparison to the robust, time-tested impact of these core health practices. New York Times (7 minutes)

Elusive

Have you ever noticed that the things you desperately want seem to elude you while what you're indifferent to comes easily? This paradox suggests that to truly attain something, you must be capable of living contentedly without it. An intense, desperate desire — be it for a romantic partner, success or friendship — can actually repel that very thing or lead to self-defeating behaviors. The key is to want something strongly enough to pursue it, but not so much that you feel incomplete without it. This balance allows you to approach goals with confidence and authenticity, making you more likely to achieve and fully appreciate them. Art of Manliness (5 minutes)

Why? 

Building lasting habits requires more than just discipline and willpower. The key to success is understanding your intrinsic motivation — the deep, personal "why" behind adopting a new habit. Before starting any new routine, it's crucial to clearly define your reasons and motivations. This internal drive provides the necessary push to maintain the habit when willpower inevitably falters, making it much more likely that the habit will stick long-term. Hurley (5 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.

Founder Fridays

Check out my other email Founder Fridays — a Friday morning briefing helping startup founders and operators scale smarter.

Weekend Wisdom

All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity. - Martin Luther King Jr.