Weekend Briefing No. 574
The Vatican on AI -- Reclaiming Focus at School -- Truth and Trust
Welcome to the weekend.
Prime Numbers
1,417,000,000,000 — Climate change is projected to cause a $1.47 trillion drop in U.S. home values by 2055, primarily due to increasing insurance costs and buyer avoidance of high-risk areas.
73 — American dating patterns show that while 89% of adults have dating experience, with 62% having gone on anywhere from one to 15 first dates while 14% have been on more than 15 first dates, current dating activity is quite low — 39% of all adults and 69% of single people rarely or never date. Among married couples, 64% date monthly or less even though 73% want more frequent dates.
4.15 — With commercial eggs costing $4.15 per dozen, Americans are considering backyard chicken farming despite significant startup costs.
The Vatican on AI
Your smartphone can process billions of calculations per second, yet it will never feel the warmth of a newborn child on its chest. The Vatican argues that human intelligence uniquely combines embodied intuition with rational thought, encompassing not just analysis but also willing, loving, choosing and desiring. This integration of body and soul allows humans to intuitively grasp truth and find meaning through relationships, dialogue and physical experiences in ways that artificial intelligence (AI) fundamentally cannot. Even as AI capabilities expand rapidly, this fundamental difference between computational inference and embodied human intelligence remains at the core of what makes us uniquely human. Every (7 minutes)
Reclaiming Focus at School
A growing body of research reveals the stark benefits of phone-free learning environments. Beyond Canada's data showing a 77% drop in classroom disruptions, teachers report that students are rediscovering the "art of conversation" and showing improved concentration during lessons. Without constant notifications and social media distractions, students can better engage in deep learning and meaningful peer interactions. While skeptics worry about limiting digital skills development, experts argue that less screen time during school hours actually fosters healthier relationships with technology. Project Liberty (7 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)
Truth and Trust
Contrary to popular belief, misinformation isn't the root cause of society's trust issues — it's a symptom. Research shows that most people consume very little misinformation, and those who do actively seek it out because they already distrust institutions. The real challenge isn't controlling information flow but addressing why people lose faith in democratic institutions in the first place. Meta's move away from fact-checking acknowledges this reality: you can't restore trust by restricting speech. Rob Henderson (5 minutes)
U.S.’s Failed AI Policy
U.S. policymakers attempted to contain AI development through chip export restrictions and safety mandates, while backing tech giants like OpenAI with massive infrastructure investments. China's DeepSeek breakthrough — achieving comparable AI capabilities at a fraction of the cost despite trade barriers — exposes the futility of this approach. When technology can be endlessly replicated, optimized and built upon by anyone with sufficient computing power, traditional containment strategies become obsolete. The focus must shift from control to preparing society for AI's inevitable proliferation. New York Times (7 minutes)
Hello Fellow Kids
Having trouble keeping up with Gen Z and Gen Alpha slang. This article has a pretty comprehensive list. Here are four standouts: 1) "Brain-rot" — The mental deterioration from excessive social media use and online content consumption. 2) "Delulu" — Short for delusional, capturing the self-aware embrace of unrealistic hopes and dreams. 3) "Mewing" — A facial exercise trend aimed at reshaping one's jawline through tongue positioning, showing the generation's appearance fixation. 4) "Sigma male" — Originally a serious term for a powerful loner archetype, it is now used ironically to mock social hierarchy labels. Lifehacker (5 minutes)
Beyond The Ego
The wisest minds throughout history share a counterintuitive truth: to truly understand yourself, you must first forget yourself. When we release our ego's grip — our accomplishments, beliefs and biases — we open ourselves to deeper wisdom and clearer perception. The path to enlightenment paradoxically requires emptying ourselves of self-importance, allowing us to see reality without the distorting lens of ego. By practicing this "forgetting," whether through nature immersion or conscious self-reflection, we can access a more expansive consciousness beyond our limited self-identity. Postantly (5 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
A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just. -Pope Francis
FYI ... Your hyper link to the article in NY Times on U.S.’s Failed AI Policy is missing.