Weekend Briefing No. 572
Silicon Valley's Great Realignment -- The New Zuck -- Bridge Building Through Curiosity
Welcome to the weekend.
Prime Numbers
18.5 — Religious book sales saw significant growth in 2024, with Bible sales and related study materials driving an 18.5% year-over-year increase through October, outperforming other publishing segments.
38 — According to a 2024 survey, while 38% of American adults read no books, the remaining reading habits varied dramatically: 28% read one to four books, 14% read five to nine books, 10% read 10 to 19 books, 7% read 20 to 49 books, and a dedicated 4% read 50+ books. Most notably, just 20% of adults accounted for three-quarters of all books read.
3.9 — Store-brand groceries outperformed national brands in 2024, with sales growing 3.9% versus 1%, driven by refrigerated items (+7.5%); private labels have seen a 25% sales increase since 2020.
Silicon Valley's Great Realignment
What began as a quiet shift has erupted into a seismic transformation of Silicon Valley's political landscape. Marc Andreessen, once a stalwart Democrat who religiously watched MSNBC, now sees the Biden administration's approach to regulating emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and crypto as an existential threat to innovation. The dramatic pivot of tech leaders toward Trump stems from a perceived weaponization of regulatory power against their industry, with Andreessen claiming direct threats and bullying from senior officials. His account reveals how Silicon Valley's alliance with Democrats, which seemed unshakeable just years ago, crumbled under the weight of internal activist pressure and external government control. New York Times (61 minutes)
The New Zuck
What’s going on with Mark Zuckerberg? He recently conspicuously pivoted toward MAGA, meeting quietly with incoming Trump officials, and complaining about the Biden administration on Joe Rogan’s podcast. This week, we trace the story of the Meta CEO and investigate what his new persona means for the 4 billion people who use his products. Search Engine (77 minutes)
Try Distraction-Free Reading
Sol Reader is the world's first wearable e-reader. Designed for immersive reading and maximum comfort, Sol Reader helps you form a new reading habit or return to an old one. It's lightweight and built to be 100% distraction-free so you can escape pings and doomscrolling on your phone. Adjust the focus, lean back and easily turn the page with the handheld remote. Buy books or upload your own using the Sol app, and deepen your reading comprehension with features like chapter summaries and Sol AutoPilot for speed reading. When was the last time you got lost in a good book? Try Sol Reader today. Sol Reader (Sponsored)
Bridge Building Through Curiosity
A radical shift in perspective transforms the way we engage across political divides. Rather than viewing misinformation as a weed to be eliminated, journalist Mónica Guzmán frames it as a symptom of our inability to truly hear and understand those with opposing views. Through her own experience navigating complex political differences within her immigrant family, she demonstrates how curiosity and human connection can transcend seemingly insurmountable ideological barriers. The solution lies not in fact-checking or debunking, but in creating safe spaces for genuine dialogue where people can share their deeper fears, hopes and motivations without judgment. Beyond partisan rhetoric is the universal human need to be understood. Reasons to be Cheerful (7 minutes)
Stranded in Paradise
What began as a simple tour delay spiraled into an extraordinary odyssey across West Africa. When nine cruise passengers were abandoned in São Tomé — including a disoriented elderly woman showing signs of stroke — they navigated through broken-down cars, multi-country flights and a harrowing 15-hour safari-turned-survival drive through hyena territory. Their unlikely band of strangers pooled dwindling resources and medical expertise while desperately trying to rejoin their ship, all while Norwegian Cruise Line remained mysteriously silent to their pleas. The camaraderie forged through shared adversity proved crucial for survival as they traversed four countries with nothing but the clothes on their backs and one working credit card. New York Magazine (37 minutes)
To Drink or Not to Drink
The latest research challenges long-held beliefs about alcohol's health effects. While conventional wisdom once suggested moderate drinking could protect heart health, growing evidence links even low alcohol consumption to increased cancer risks. The scientific contradiction stems from complex study methodologies, with most research relying on self-reported data and struggling to account for countless lifestyle variables. Yet one clear consensus emerges: if alcohol offers any health benefits, they're modest at best, while the risks — from addiction to cancer — are scientifically proven and potentially severe. The safest approach remains avoiding alcohol altogether or limiting consumption to absolute minimums. Popular Science (7 minutes)
Winter's Wisdom
Counterintuitively, the darkest season holds the greatest potential for personal transformation. Ancient civilizations recognized fire's dual power to both illuminate darkness and unlock deeper consciousness, explaining why candlelight still captivates our modern minds. Like dormant trees conserving energy beneath snow-laden branches, humans can harness winter's stillness to rest, reflect and cultivate resilience. Just as nature emerges stronger after winter's fallow period, our challenging seasons aren't meant to be merely endured but embraced as catalysts for profound growth. Wit & Wisdom (12 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
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Weekend Wisdom
In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy. - William Blake