Why Am I Writing a Newsletter?
Since I started this newsletter, I’ve had several people ask why I’m doing it and what my goals are with it. These are fair questions. Today I will briefly try to answer them.
Oftentimes I think that I understand something (an idea, concept, event, etc.) only to be asked about it, or try to write about it and find that I do not truly understand it. This is not a concept I came up with myself and it may not be true for everyone but it is certainly true for me. Writing (and talking to other people) is the means by which I figure things out, expose blind spots, refine thoughts and ideas, and expand upon them. These are all reasons I have for starting this newsletter.
I’ve been an avid reader since at least twelve years old. I am a lifelong learner and I have finally reached the point where I am ready to share my knowledge with the world. It may not be useful to all, but I am confident there are some out there who will find my ideas and learnings valuable. I want to meet these people and form real, lasting relationships. There is a quote, I believe it is a Chinese proverb,
the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is today.
I had this quote in mind when I decided to start this newsletter.
I do not ever plan to charge money for this newsletter. I do not plan to run ads anytime soon and perhaps not ever. It may sound unrealistic and selfish to some, but one of my main goals in life is to accumulate capital and become a sovereign individual; to become financially independent. The main tactic I have been using to achieve this goal is investing, a topic I will cover here at some point. I do not know how this newsletter fits into the equation of financial independence, but I believe that it is one piece. If it proves to be of no use toward this goal, that does not mean it has been a failure. If not financial, I believe it will provide me with opportunities that I am at least interested in.
In short, my goals with this newsletter are to share and document my ideas, to create opportunities, form friendships, become smarter, and help others become smarter (hopefully at least not dumber):
What I’m Up To
I’m currently working on a longer form article on folk singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt. He was a cult hero, and an alcoholic drug addict who died at age fifty two, but he left us with some of the greatest songs ever written. Some of his more well known tunes are, “Pancho and Lefty,” “If I needed you,” and “Waitin’ Around to Die.” Below is a powerful video of Townes from the excellent documentary “Heartworn Highways.” It’s seven minutes long. At the end, he plays “Waitin’ Around to Die” and brings an old blacksmith to tears with his playing.
Recommendations
I’m currently listening to the audiobook, Napoleon: A Life by Andrew Roberts, based on a recommendation from an essay on audiobooks by Simon Sarris called “Audiobooks are Books and They’re Also Practice.” I have loved audiobooks since they were called books on tape, and I’ve been thinking recently that I do not know nearly enough about Napoleon Bonaparte, so this was a no brainer for me.
I am finally very close to finishing “Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harrari, a book I have been meaning to read for years. I had high expectations for this book and it did not disappoint. If you are at all interested in the history of human beings it is a must read.
One of my favorite podcasts on health and wellness, Andrew Huberman’s - Huberman Lab, released an episode this week on “How to Improve Oral Health & Its Critical Role in Brain & Body Health.” I think oral health is an under-appreciated aspect of overall health, and I will be changing some of my routines based on this episode.
Might have to make a "why am I doing a newsletter" type edition for myself as well, I get asked that constantly these days. Great stuff as always!