Espresso Shots 11-30-25

It's that time again for my weekly update, which includes a short collection of noteworthy finds, posts that inspire, as well as a few reflections from the past week or two. I'll aim to land these in your inbox by the weekend, in time to pair with your morning coffee (or your preferred cup of inspiration).

The Latest Drippings ☕️

• This Time It's Not Fatigue, but Disconnection. This week's read of the week is authored by Riccardo Mori, in which he perfectly summed up something that's been subconsciously in the back of my mind for the last few years. 'It's like I’ve been playing this game called Tech for the past 30+ years of my life and I just don't feel engaged anymore, but not because I got bored of the game — like it happens with many regular games. It’s not boredom or fatigue. It’s more because the game has gone through a series of updates that have ultimately made it so much worse.' The real task at hand is now what to do about it? One way I've been rediscovering the game is through exploring childlike curiosity. Bringing that curiosity into my everyday habits is the next big experiment, which I'll unpack in a future post.
• In Favor of Giving Things Up. An interesting read about taking on a challenge of renunciation (noun; an act spoken or written declaring that something is surrendered or disowned). 'It doesn’t have to be a thing you think you should never indulge in. It just needs to be troublesome in some way, a thing you battle or bargain with. You will sacrifice it for a month in the name of growing your inner strength against its influence on you. (If it’s hard to give up, it does have some power over you.)'
• Every Decision Has Three Costs. This one was compelling - on how expensive decisions can be across three essential aspects: Time, Focus, and Optionality.
• Your 80 Year Old Self Would Give Anything to Have the Day You're Having.. One of the books that has stuck in the back of my mind for years, is 'The Top Five Regrets of the Dying' and that one of the number on regrets was 'I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.' I like the spin on this post from Joan that explores about your 80-year old self around: 'What would they give to inhabit your body again, to have your knees that don't ache, your schedule that seems so overwhelmingly full, your problems that feel so urgent?' Also important to remember the 'fading bias effect'.
• The Right Attitude to Gratitude. A lovely post on how 'being thankful is the ultimate win-win.' Additional good tip in there on the power of 'have a running list of things to be thankful for, to rescue myself when I’m feeling especially negative.'
• Dealgorithmed. Very curious to see what Manuel comes up with in his new newsletter, Dealgorithmed. I particularly enjoyed his piece on having an input diet, so I'm happy to subscribe to his latest thoughts on 'providing interesting content gathered from all around the web in a convenient package delivered in your inbox twice a month. Content that you can then use as a starting point for your own internet explorations.' Very similar in thinking to what got me started putting these links out weekly.
• Ahead. Personally, I've always disliked New Year's resolutions, so this was a good post to go through, which not only reaffirmed my thinking that they fail 'because people focus on obvious returns rather than the actual feedback loop that sustains motivation.' (Goals over Systems, frankly). I did appreciate some thoughts on that. 'The key to maintaining long-term projects is identifying and leveraging their unique return on investment (ROI)... The obvious ROI is: exercise is healthy — and it’s that ROI you’re considering after your fourth glass of Pinot on New Year’s. Yes, exercise is healthy, but that’s not the return on investment; that’s not the feedback loop I seek. The loop is a mental space to wander.'
• Complex Systems. TIL about Gall's Law: 'A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked. A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work. You have to start over with a working simple system.'
• The Power of the Marginal. From a 2006 essay, the idea that 'Great new ideas often originate from the margins, from individuals or projects that are not part of the mainstream or established norms.' And that 'Being an outsider offers distinct advantages, including the freedom to take risks, experiment with unconventional approaches, and avoid the pressures and expectations faced by insiders.' Something I need to think more about, but I like it.
• Unexpected Events And Prosocial Behavior: The Batman Effect. There's now evidence that "I'm Batman" has a psychological effect on those around them. 'Prosocial behavior, the act of helping others, is essential to social life, yet spontaneous environmental triggers for such behavior remain underexplored. This study tested whether an unexpected event, such as the presence of a person dressed as Batman, could increase prosocial behavior by disrupting routine and enhancing attention to the present moment.' A captivating read, actually.
• The Rock Star Who Couldn't Sing or Play a Note. I was fascinated when I learned that music producer Rick Rubin can barely play any instruments. 'I have no technical ability; And I know nothing about music. I know what I like and what I don't like, and I'm decisive about what I like and what I don't like." So this post was a fascinating read about Edd Kookie Byrnes - an actor from the 50's who "looked like a music star". Paving the way for 'future semi-spoken novelty songs, from William Shatner's Rocket Man to Walter Brennan's Old Rivers.'
• The Paper Cars. I feel seen: I have tons of domains that I've purchased over the years that I keep registered. In case I need it someday (riiiiiight :)).
• Campbell's Promises Its Soups Are Not Made With 3D Printed Meat. Well, that's awfully nice of them.
• Taco Bell Created A Belt With A Taco Holster. I don't know if this is from the best or worst timeline. But here ya go, something you never knew that existed.

Amor Fati ✌🏻