Weekend Briefing No. 579
The Asexual Revolution -- Gen Z Is Not Moving Out -- Boundaries For People Pleasers
Welcome to the weekend.
Prime Numbers
42 — The Dune Express, a $400 million, 42-mile conveyor belt in the Permian Basin, has begun operations to transport sand for fracking wells between New Mexico and Texas, reducing truck traffic and increasing efficiency with a 13-ton freight capacity.
30 — Electric vehicle sales continue strong global growth with 30% increase worldwide and 28% in the United States, with particularly strong performance in Germany and the United Kingdom (40% increases) and China (35%).
3 — Florida has surpassed California in new utility-scale solar capacity with 3 gigawatts added in 2024, driven by residents seeking resilient power after numerous weather disasters and aided by permissive state regulations.
The Asexual Revolution
Young men have lost interest in having sex. Over 60% of young men today have little to no interest in sex. Think about that for a second… More than half of young men don’t want to have sex. There’s no clear cause, but it’s this dramatic shift likely stems from multiple factors including: 1) Widespread pornography consumption that normalizes unrealistic behaviors, making real-life encounters seem boring by comparison, and contributing to a 26% erectile dysfunction rate among men under 40. 2) Dating apps, rather than increasing connections, have created overwhelming environments where the good looking people are inundated with opportunity and the rest of men see little opportunity. 3) The prevalence of young adults living with parents further complicates intimate relationships. The concerning statistics show sexual activity at a 30-year low, with 28% of adults aged 18-30 reporting no sexual activity in the prior year, suggesting profound societal implications that warrant serious attention. Wit & Wisdom (10 minutes)
Gen Z Is Not Moving Out
Contrary to the generational expectation that young adults should launch into independence after education, nearly half of all twentysomethings now live with their parents—a significant increase from just 30 years ago when only a third remained in their childhood homes. This shift stems from a perfect storm of economic impossibility: housing costs have skyrocketed from $163,000 to $700,000 over 25 years while median household incomes have barely increased by $15,000, forcing even young professionals with solid careers to choose between spending up to 63% of their earnings on housing or moving back home. Modern intensive parenting practices have also blurred traditional parent-child boundaries, creating closer-knit family units that don't easily disentangle at age 18, while growing appreciation for multigenerational living arrangements (especially among immigrant communities) has reduced the stigma around adult children staying home. The consequences extend beyond delayed independence—parents must reimagine their retirement plans and living arrangements while young adults navigate the challenges of building social lives, finding partners, and developing full autonomy under their parents' roofs—yet many families find unexpected benefits in their extended time together, sharing financial burdens and combating loneliness in an increasingly isolated world. Maclean’s (12 minutes)
What is Tax Loss Harvesting?
Strategic tax planning through loss harvesting requires careful navigation of the wash sale rule that prevents investors from creating artificial losses through quick repurchases. Research by ProPublica reveals that thoughtful timing of trades can substantially impact tax outcomes, with short-term capital losses being utilized more effectively across various investor segments. TaxFrame helps people at every stage of wealth develop a comprehensive tax strategy that identifies timing opportunities within compliance parameters and aligns with your specific financial goals. Schedule a consultation today to bring systematic tax planning to your investment approach and develop a framework that works intelligently with market fluctuations. Tax Frame (Sponsored)
Boundaries For People Pleasers
Setting boundaries isn't selfish—it's survival for chronic people-pleasers who habitually prioritize everyone else's needs at the expense of their own wellbeing. The first step is recognizing that effective boundaries start small, with prepared phrases like "I'd love to help, but I can't commit right now" or "Thanks for thinking of me, but I need to focus on [priority]" delivered politely but firmly, without rambling explanations or apologies. Practice setting these limits in low-stakes situations to build your confidence before tackling more challenging scenarios with demanding colleagues or family members. Protect your calendar by blocking out genuine non-negotiables first—including sleep, family commitments, exercise, and meal times—which creates a visual reminder of your actual availability and prevents overcommitment. When you inevitably face pushback from those accustomed to your endless availability, stay calmly resolute with responses like "I understand this is a change, but it's what I need right now," remembering that while establishing boundaries initially feels uncomfortable, those who truly value you will adapt to your new limits. Cara Chase (4 minutes)
Redirect Curiosity
Ever mindlessly fallen down an internet rabbit hole only to resurface an hour later wondering where your time went? Neuroscience reveals that curiosity and impulsivity share common neural pathways in our brain's reward system, making the urge to know something feel as compelling as a craving for food. Rather than fighting this impulse, we can strategically redirect it by designing our environment with "curiosity snacks" - intentional nudges that channel our natural desire for information toward meaningful learning rather than junk content. Simple tweaks like curating your digital landscape with learning apps, making books more visible, using browser extensions that limit distractions, following mind-nourishing accounts, and setting up curiosity triggers can transform impulsive browsing into productive exploration without relying on willpower. Ness Labs (4 minutes)
Civil War at the Cul-de-Sac
One seemingly minor dispute over backyard swimming lessons transformed a peaceful Texas gated community into a battleground of accusations, surveillance, and legal warfare. What began as the Inglish family's noise complaint against Shanda DeLeon's swim classes escalated into detailed documentation of visitors, social media battles, competing election campaigns, and eventually a lawsuit that involved the neighborhood's homeowners association leadership. The conflict even transcended local boundaries when DeLeon, after winning a school board seat but losing an HOA election, collaborated with a state representative to introduce legislation that would prevent HOAs from banning backyard swim lessons—revealing how modern neighborhood disputes can mirror our polarized national politics. Texas Monthly (12 minutes)
National Park Spring Break
While winter's grip lingers across much of America, this article highlights seven sun-drenched national parks that beckon spring breakers with warm temperatures and uncrowded natural wonders. Here are 3: 1) Big Bend National Park delivers the quintessential Western landscape where visitors can hike towering mountains, paddle through narrow canyons, and soak in hot springs along the Rio Grande. 2) Death Valley transforms into a perfect spring destination with comfortable temperatures and spectacular wildflower blooms across its otherworldly salt flats and sand dunes. 3) Gulf Islands National Seashore entices with pristine white-sand beaches and aqua-blue waters perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and spotting some of the 300 bird species that migrate through each spring. Whether seeking multi-sport adventures, otherworldly landscapes, or coastal paradise, these national parks promise the perfect spring escape without the overwhelming crowds. Outside (10 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
Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others. - Brené Brown
Another great edition of Weekend Briefing! The mix of insights and timely topics always makes for an engaging and thought-provoking read. Looking forward to the next one!
Always a pleasure, thank you!