ZD 24.16: Becoming Zynternet Famous
The street interview to fame pipeline is real.
In this issue: electoral blowback in the UK in pretty graphs; how life in 2024 is actually pretty good; thoughts about Haight; maximizing 10x work; and Hwak Tuah and Zynternet fame.
The Distilled Spirit
🗳 UK Stagnation and Political Blowback 4 Charts (Chartr)
Fourteen years of uninterrupted conservative rule are coming to an end in the UK. We will soon find out if the Tories will end up in 3rd place in the coming election. Economic stagnation and a string of scandals have finally brought things to a head. Services like the NHS are collapsing leading to more blowback.
💹 Life in 2024 Might be Pretty Good (ACOUP Blog)
A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry is a history geek’s paradise. Professor Bret Deveraux brings ancient military history to life and weaves in analysis of popular fantasy entertainment properties at times. I would strongly recommend the free subscription. This post dives into how life actually has dramatically improved since the 1990s. AIDS is not a death sentence, crime is way down. The world is not falling apart, and is in fact becoming more pleasant, ongoing polycrisis aside. As someone who grew up in similar times I agree with this argument.
📵 Are Cell Phones Really Making Kids Sick? ()
Author Jonathan Haidt’s Anxious Generation has made waves. The work has captured popular imagination. The core concept — that phones are the root of the youth crisis in America — has been shaping policy in Los Angeles and conversation across the US. The approach feels a bit too simple to me — it creates one hell of a boogeyman. Professor Peter Gray agrees and peeks behind the curtain to ask some interesting questions about the book’s thesis.
💰 Maximize Your Work ()
Today’s hustle culture emphasizes routine and discipline. A16z partner Andrew Chen suggests the opposite. He suggests the way to excel is to find and focus on the high multiplier work. To embrace serendipity. To focus on 10x work — work that pays off exponentially — and avoid 1x work that just checks boxes rather than making sure all the boxes get checked. For an example of someone who takes ideas like this to heart is NVIDIA CEO Jensen Hwang. Peter Yang shares 15 of his tips on life and work from over on the
The Weekly Zeitgeist
🌟 Becoming Zynternet Famous (Read Max)
Are you wondering why “Hawk Tuah” seems to be the catch phrase at your 4th of July festivities? It is today’s ultrameme. There is more than a fun video clip moving the crowd here. Max Read explains the who the Zynternet is and how they are behind the phenomenon. It is a culture that follows college sports and Dave Portnoy. It loves LIV golf and engages in sports betting. It is also nice to know that Haley is doing fine — she is on stage with country music stars and enjoying her newfound fame.
Have a great fourth of July. Happy birthday America! 🔥🍔🌭