Auld Lang Syne
w.180 | Trends 2023, Jealousy List, Email Marketing, Friendship, Cacti
Dear Friends,
Thank you for another great year in the books.
I’ve been incredibly fortunate in 2022. Everything I wanted to do, I got done - sometimes spectacularly, with a little less fanfare in others - but completed nonetheless. Those steps forward have given me back both time and focus on reallocating in 2023, and for that, I’m grateful.
A new friend invited me to their New Year’s Eve party a few weeks back. After I informed them I was out-of-town, I mentioned that “I don’t usually make it to the main event anyway.” They gave me a strange look, so I clarified: Bedtime is around 10 pm, and I’m happy to report that I was early on even that this time around.
What better way to start the year than after a night of good sleep?
Hope you are also on your way to a fantastic 2023!
Today's Contents:
Good Reads: Year End Stuff
Trends 2023
Song of the Week: Auld Lang Syne
Good Reads: Year End Stuff
Year End Letter from Litquity - I appreciate the (seemingly) honest take of the ups and downs of building a one-person media brand, including the betrayals. Plus, some great data, like the screenshot below on email monetization (a space I’m bullish on).
2022 Jealousy List from Bloomberg. One of my favorite annual lists. All the stories they wish they had written this year. The only one on the list I had read before is $100 Million to Cut the Time Tax.
TCG Crypto Year in Review. I thought this was worth the time for those interested in crypto reflections. A lot of ‘crypto’ has become ‘future of consumer’ investing. People are still collecting NFTs and playing web3 games — even if the pace of growth has slowed significantly.
Trends 2023
Before making any predictions, you have to review what you said before. Here is mine. I got many of the big things right. But also, the frame, as I’ve copied below, remains the same.
For New Year's, only three things matter:
The trends that are already happening and have a high likelihood of continuing. As you know, we discuss these every week, and I've written about the ones which I'm particularly fascinated by in Obviously The Future.
The unpredictable, high impact, unlikely events that are out of your control.
What are you going to make happen? What are you going to do? The best way to predict the future is to build it. What will you help will into existence?
For macroeconomics, no one can consistently predict the future. Regardless, here is a summary and links to the macro forecasts from all the banks.
Selfie and Song of the Week: Auld Lang Syne
Here is the best version in minute seven of the last nine minutes of It’s a Wonderful Life.
Auld Lang Syne translates to “old long since” or “times goes by” and was written by Scottish poet Robert Burns in 1788 and based on a Scottish folk song. The full version of the song has much more depth and appreciation for its reflection on friendship and about being outdoors and enjoying nature.
We two have run about the hills,
And picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot
Since auld lang syne.
We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since auld lang syne.
During the clip from It’s a Wonderful Life (above), while the community comes to rally its support of George Bailey, he opens a note from Clarence (his guardian angel) that has inscribed, ‘No man is a failure who has friends.’
Which made me think about the most shared graph of the year, see below, and the declining time of friends.
While listening to that New Year’s classic song, the chart is something to ponder. At least two things matter: First, don’t compromise on your partner because so much of your time will be with that person. Second, this is why I’ll continue to write this newsletter every week, to stay in touch with and make new friends. If nothing else, the contents of this newsletter and your thoughtful reactions will give us plenty to start (or continue) our conversations.
“Auld Lang Syne”
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And the days of auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne
We'll drink a cup of kindness yet
For the sake of auld lang syne
Selfie of the Week:
I’ve been in Saguaro National Park, home of the famous Saguaro Cactus, a symbol of the American West. These cacti are found only in the Sonora desert. You’ll also see them outside of the national park, including on the Sabino Canyon hike to Seven Falls, if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Highly recommended.
Thanks for reading, friends. Please always be in touch.
As always,
Katelyn