Welcome to the sneak peek of the newsletter. As announced in the final part ( 4) of the Social Media series, this site is for people dedicated to best using their time; the larger posts focused more on timeless methods of living a fulfilling life – this newsletter providing thoughts and reference for that I personally find “worth the time.”
I’m still deciding on the name of this newsletter, but it will be less formal: have recommendations on music, podcasts, books, media, activities, people worth following, and of course ephemeral items like the news ( and quick thoughts on what’s happening). You may see product recommendations here. IF I’m getting paid or have any investment in ANY product that is mentioned, I will disclose it.
With all of that said…Let’s roll:
Music – What I’ve found myself listening to.
Sometimes ( but certainly not always) the algorithm really DOES work. On a lengthy drive back home from seeing Futurebirds, Spotify chose some songs for me, and came across a band named Ona. Their first album, American Fiction, from 2016 hit me with just about everything I love – amazing Americana songwriting with disguised lyrics about what makes human interactions amazing & miserable at the same time. After digging deeper on the band, I found out they’re from West Virginia, making it impossible for me to be objective about them ( since I love that place so damn much), but even without heavy bias, I can say if I ever have a band again it’s likely to sound a lot like Ona.
Podcast –
Bari Weiss’ Honestly – Outside of being an exceptional Journalist, Bari’s podcast “Honestly” has willingly had some of the uncomfortable conversations that America needs. (most people that know me personally, know I don’t take the word “need” lightly. So when I use that word, I mean it).
This podcast episode discusses the physical health of America. Spoiler alert – it’s horrendous. With 74% of the US population being overweight or obese, and 90% of our Healthcare expenditures coming from lifestyle diseases ( and choice), the time to act on this was decades ago.
But the hard truth, is that we have to meet people where they’re at. Is Social Media Culture partly to blame for our 12+ hours in front of screens, calorie dense food glorification, our addictions to sugary drinks that we post and say “don’t judge”? How about things like “fat acceptance” or our being uncomfortable calling out the influencers that have shifted America into thinking that obesity can be “healthy”, despite it increasing the risk of all cause mortality by and early death by 94% in higher BMIs.
Books & Articles –
After taking a break from Social Media for a while, the world I saw around me seemed infected by constant mimicry ( some good, but a whole lotta bad). When doing research for the Social Media series, I came across Luke Burgis’ book “Wanting.” In the book, he discusses Rene Girard’s theories on mimesis. Throughout the text Luke makes more accessible, Girard’s ideas on our unconcious imitative actions on war, who/what we find attractive, morals, to nearly everything we engage in on a minute by minute basis. IF you’re OK with finding out your thoughts and actions are not your own, while also getting some solid advice on how to detect your less shallow desires, I can’t recommend this book any more highly.
Person Worth Your Attention –
https://peterattiamd.com/. Peter is one of those humans where you ask, “how”? How can a person be so smart, accomplished, and continually put out relevant and in-depth content? Peter now focuses on lifespan and healthspan (meaning, not just living long, but living well into those later years). His podcasts can be on the technical side, depending on the guest. He’s been at it for quite a long time, so there’s a ton of content to sift through, but if I were to make a recommendation, – go to his site, look through his “start here” section, and do a search for any health topic that interests you as you’ll likely find articles and podcasts on it – then GO.
Giving –
Pretty much every study, religion, and older human will tell you that a meaningful life is centered on giving to others. To that end, here’s a recommendation on a place that would be worth your time to research and see if their mission is right for you: Team Gleason helps those living with ALS, an insidious and terminal neuromuscular disease. I’ll do a longer write-up on why Team Gleason is one of my main charitable areas, but for now, know that their work is very important in combatting one of the worst maladies a brain could conjure in ALS. If this organization isn’t the “one” for you, please find one whose mission can also be your own – your life will be better for it. Promise.
Solid Thought –
“Most people are too fretful, they worry too much. Success means being very patient, but aggressive when it’s time. “ – Charlie Munger
Hope you enjoyed this edition! More to come!
Until next time, remember, time is all you have; use it wisely!
Andrew L Hamilton 