Weekend Briefing No. 538
How to Do Great Work -- Big Life Decisions -- World’s Largest Botnet Dismantled
Welcome to the weekend.
Prime Numbers
1,300 — BYD, the Chinese automaker backed by Warren Buffett, has unveiled two new plug-in hybrid sedans, the Qin L and Seal 06, that boast an impressive driving range of over 1,300 miles on a single tank of fuel and fully charged battery.
38 — A study released last week estimates that 38% of all web pages from 2013 are inaccessible today.
12 — In a recent survey, respondents were asked which decade had the best and worst music, economy, movies, etc. Most respondents, regardless of when they grew up, said the best economy, movies and television happened when they were around 12 to 15 years old.
How to Do Great Work
To do great work, start by finding something you have a natural aptitude for and a deep interest in, then work on projects related to that field. As you gain knowledge and experience, pay attention to gaps in understanding or areas that others overlook, and boldly explore promising ideas, even if they seem strange or uninteresting to others. Hard work is essential, but it's easier to put in the effort when you're driven by curiosity, delight, and the desire to do something impressive. The ultimate goal is to discover a new "fractal bud" — a crack in the surface of knowledge that, when pried open, reveals a whole new world inside.
Big Life Decisions
We often waffle over big decisions, weighing endless pros and cons. In behavioral economics, this phenomenon is known as status quo bias. People are generally predisposed to favor sticking with their current circumstances, whatever they may be, instead of taking a risk and bushwhacking their way toward a different life. In a new study, economist Steven Levitt found that people who made a significant life change based on the result of a coin toss reported being happier than before, both two and six months later. Levitt suggests that we should fight against this instinct and choose action over inaction when faced with a difficult decision. By embracing change and taking calculated risks, we can reclaim a sense of agency over our lives and potentially discover greater happiness and fulfillment in the process. The study serves as a reminder that the status quo is not always as safe or reliable as it may seem, and that sometimes, the most rewarding path is the one that involves stepping out of our comfort zone. QZ (8 minutes)
Bezos just deployed $53 million here — Join Him
Jeff Bezos’ recent $53 million investment — in a single piece of art — left many analysts scratching their heads. Although when you look at the losses crippling many companies in the S&P 500, it makes sense why billionaires like Bezos, Bill Gates and Steve Cohen are diversifying into alternative assets. These are like blue-chip contemporary art, which has outpaced the S&P 500 by 136% over the last 27 years, with a low correlation to stocks. For non-billionaires, investing in art is still easy, thanks to Masterworks. Their platform enables everyday investors to buy a small slice of $1-$30 multi-million paintings from icons such as Banksy and Basquiat. Masterworks buys the art and stores it, holding it for potential appreciation. When they sell it again, you get a prorated portion of any profits. It’s that simple. Masterworks is offering Weekend Briefing readers free, bespoke recommendations in their newest offerings. Click the link to skip the waitlist. Masterworks (Sponsored)
World’s Largest Botnet Dismantled
The 911 S5 botnet, which infected over 19 million IP addresses across nearly 200 countries, was taken down in a joint operation called "Duck Hunt" involving the DOJ, FBI, and international law enforcement partners. Cybercriminals, led by 35-year-old Chinese national YunHe Wang, used malicious VPN applications to spread malware and gain remote access to infected computers through dedicated servers worldwide. As part of the operation, the FBI gained lawful access to the botnet's infrastructure, identified over 700,000 infected computers, and disrupted the botnet by redirecting its traffic and removing the malware. The operation resulted in the seizure of more than $8.6 million in cryptocurrency as well as luxury cars and watches bought with illicit profits. The Hacker News (7 minutes)
Iron-Air Batteries
Iron-air batteries are an emerging technology that could revolutionize grid-scale energy storage. The batteries will harness the power of reversible rusting and store large amounts of energy over extended periods in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly manner. These batteries consist of an iron anode, a porous cathode, and a water-based electrolyte solution, offering advantages such as high energy density, cost-effectiveness, and lower environmental impact compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. However, iron-air batteries face challenges related to efficiency, size, weight, and slower charge and discharge rates, which may limit their use in certain applications. Despite these challenges, iron-air batteries are particularly promising for grid-scale energy storage, where they can provide reliable and long-term storage solutions to balance the variability of renewable energy sources and enable their integration into the electrical grid. EE Power (5 minutes)
Space Debris
Space debris is a growing problem that threatens the burgeoning space economy and poses risks to satellites, astronauts, and even people on the ground. The amount of space junk orbiting Earth has skyrocketed in recent years, with the U.S. Air Force tracking more than 25,000 pieces larger than 10 centimeters. Collisions between debris and satellites are becoming more common, costing satellite operators millions in losses each year. To address this issue, we need a global agreement that outlines responsibilities, imposes fines on companies whose spacecraft debris causes harm, and sets mandatory standards for designing rockets with their complete life cycle in mind. Scientific American (8 minutes)
Do Nothing
Americans are obsessed with productivity and view laziness as a sin, often associating it with a lack of value or worth. However, taking time to do nothing and allowing our minds to wander can be incredibly beneficial for our health, well-being, and even our productivity. Some of the most successful and creative individuals in history, such as Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin, limited their focused work time to just a few hours a day, spending the rest of their time relaxing and engaging in leisure activities. By embracing moments of idleness and contemplation, we can give our brains the space they need to generate new ideas and insights, ultimately leading to greater success and fulfillment in both our personal and professional lives. CBS (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.
Founder Fridays
Check out my other email Founder Fridays — a Friday morning briefing helping startup founders and operators scale smarter.
Weekend Wisdom
Patience is the companion of wisdom. -St. Augustine
The Do Nothing piece— learning to stay in the nothingness — it’s truly a gift when I allow myself that gift.