Welcome to the weekend. 

If you’ve been a reader for a while you may know how important ‘Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less’ by Greg McKeown has been to me.

It’s the first book I read every year. This annual ritual has become my compass, steering me away from the common pitfall of overcommitment in my business and my life. Essentialism isn’t about cramming more into less time. It’s about getting only the right things done.

This philosophy challenges us to be more selective with our precious time and energy. It empowers us to take the reins of our choices, rather than passively allowing others to decide for us.

An Essentialist is a master of the strategic ‘no’, declining good opportunities to create space for the truly great ones. I’ve tried to bring an Essentialist mindset into my friendships, family life, and business, with transformative results. Any success I’ve achieved likely sprouts from these Essentialist roots.

Greg McKeown recently unveiled the 10th anniversary edition of ‘Essentialism’. Imagine my thrill to find myself mentioned in the introduction! Check out more on my instagram.

If you haven’t explored this book yet, I can’t recommend it enough. It has the power to reshape your life as it has mine.

On an unrelated note: here’s my September playlist. Enjoy!

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Prime Numbers

20 — The Nobel Prize committees now typically wait about 20 years between a scientific work's publication and awarding the prize, reflecting the time needed to assess its long-term impact and significance.

12.5 — Hollywood is facing a severe crisis, with unemployment at 12.5% and filming days down by a third, pushing many workers to financial hardship amid a significant production slowdown.

67 — Music festivals are increasingly switching from diesel generators to battery power. This year, Lollapalooza 2024's main stage made the switch and reduced fuel use by 67% while avoiding 3,000 gallons of diesel consumption.

Exploding Pagers and the Future of War

What if your everyday devices could turn against you in an instant? The recent Hezbollah pager explosions in Lebanon offer a chilling glimpse into the future of warfare, where seemingly innocuous technology becomes a lethal weapon. This unprecedented attack, resulting in at least 11 deaths and nearly 2,800 injuries, demonstrates the evolution of conflict beyond traditional battlefields. By compromising the supply chain of mundane communication devices, the perpetrators showcased a new frontier in asymmetric warfare, blurring the lines between civilian infrastructure and military targets. As technology becomes increasingly integrated into our lives, this incident serves as a stark warning of the potential vulnerabilities we may face in future conflicts. WIRED (7 minutes)

Utopia On the Blockchain

Is the internet ushering in a new era of sovereignty and statehood? Silicon Valley visionaries are pioneering "network states" and startup societies, aiming to liberate themselves from traditional nation-states. From seasteading experiments off Thailand to planned cities in Honduras and California, these tech elites envision decentralized, borderless communities united by shared online interests rather than geography. Balaji Srinivasan's concept of the "network state" proposes a "cloud first, land last" approach to building new countries. However, these utopian dreams face significant challenges, including legal battles, environmental concerns and accusations of neocolonialism. As these projects blur the lines between digital and physical realms, they raise profound questions about the future of governance, community and national identity in our increasingly interconnected world. Neoma (35 minutes)

Maximizing Communication with BcD

Imagine if every message you crafted was like a key, effortlessly unlocking doors to action and engagement. Brain-centric Design (BcD) connects the intricate ways your brain processes information, encouraging authentic, human-driven communication that resonates deeply. This approach, proven by industry leaders like Nike and CVS Health, demonstrates its power by slashing costs by $5.9 million with just one course. Here's the deal: Your brain thrives on solving puzzles. Instead of jamming pieces where they don't belong, BcD aligns perfectly with the brain's natural problem-solving tendencies, facilitating profound understanding and prompting swift action. Consider your daily communications (emails, calls, presentations, reports, casual conversations). BcD connects effortlessly, saving time and inspiring movement. Envision your messages opening minds and actively moving them toward desired outcomes. By tapping into the brain's innate patterns, BcD transforms how information is structured, received and acted upon, making every word count in driving meaningful change. What was surprising? Brain-centric (Sponsored)

Ending Tuberculosis

Could tuberculosis, the world's deadliest infectious disease, finally be on the brink of defeat? New advances in screening, prevention and treatment are offering unprecedented hope in the fight against tuberculosis (TB). Despite progress in wealthy nations, TB remains a major threat in lower-income countries, claiming over 1 million lives annually. However, innovations like portable artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted X-ray equipment, faster molecular tests, and shorter drug regimens are dramatically improving detection and treatment rates. Countries like India are showing promising results by increasing funding and implementing these new tools. To eradicate TB globally, sustained investment from high-income countries, lower costs from manufacturers, and commitment from governments and organizations in high-burden areas are crucial. With continued support and deployment of these innovations, we may have a real chance to stop this centuries-old scourge. New York Times (8 minutes)

Flying Cars

We were promised flying cars, but with all the innovation happening around us, why hasn't that promise become a reality? The answer may lie in a subtle yet crucial difference in regulatory approaches. While the general aviation industry once thrived, it saw a dramatic decline in the 1980s due to increased tort liability and stricter Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations. Unlike the automotive industry, where safety standards are enforced after market release, aircraft manufacturers must obtain FAA approval before even starting design work. This ex-ante regulatory model has stifled innovation for decades, making the development of personal flying vehicles prohibitively slow and expensive. By shifting to an ex-post enforcement model like that used for cars, we could potentially reignite the personal aviation industry. This small but significant change might finally put us back on track to realizing the long-held dream of flying cars, returning the industry to the exponential growth it lost half a century ago. Marginal Revolution (3 minutes)

Being a Billionaire’s Assistant

What's it really like to work for the ultra-wealthy? Brian Daniel, a veteran personal assistant to billionaires and celebrities, pulls back the curtain on this secretive world. From last-minute restaurant reservations to managing entire fleets of luxury vehicles, the job demands far more than running errands. Top-tier personal assistants (PAs) can command salaries of $250,000 or more, reflecting their crucial role in managing their employers' complex lives. However, the position comes with unique challenges: maintaining boundaries with lonely clients, navigating eccentric demands and sometimes even coordinating discreet "recoveries" for wayward trust fund kids. Daniel emphasizes the importance of discretion, adaptability and thick skin in a job where saying "no" is rarely an option. Despite the glamorous perception, the reality often involves long hours, intense pressure and the need to maintain composure in the face of outrageous requests. Ultimately, Daniel reveals, working closely with the ultra-rich can quickly dispel any starstruck notions, offering a sobering glimpse into a world of extreme wealth and privilege. The Cut (8 minutes)

A Math Exam

This humorous McSweeny’s piece presents a series of math problems that quickly spiral into a window of the instructor's recent divorce, jealousy and desperate attempts to win back his ex-wife. From train crashes to height-increasing surgeries, each question becomes more absurd as the teacher's emotional turmoil takes center stage. The "exam" cleverly uses mathematical scenarios to paint a portrait of heartbreak and misguided romantic schemes, showcasing how personal crises can hilariously bleed into professional duties. McSweeney’s (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

We wanted flying cars, instead we got 140 characters. -Peter Thiel