Arman's Antics (#042)
The latest from curious contrarian Arman Khodadoost
Hey everyone!
Coming to you live from Austin, Texas. Here’s your weekly dose of Arman’s Antics. A choose-your-own-adventure newsletter that aims to make you think, laugh, cry (or a nasty combination of the three).
Welcome to the three new subscribers receiving this for the first time (282 total). I don’t take your time or attention for granted.
Essay I wrote last week
We all know the best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, and the second best time is today. But has it ever struck you that it’s the same for our memories?
The ROI of memories grows exponentially with time, so the earlier we invest in them, the better. Because we get to reap the rewards of:
Compound memory interest
Has it ever occurred to you that memories are a form of currency? As you (hopefully) learned in personal finance 101 — time is your friend. Thanks to compounding. Einstein is often (wrongly) quoted for this famous line, “Compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe.”*
The surprise me method of eating out
If you are lucky enough to afford to eat at restaurants once in a while, then you’ve got to try this next time and let me know how it goes — simply ask the waiter to surprise you with their favorite dish on the menu (don’t even bother opening it).
I can’t tell you the science behind why this improves the dining experience, but I can tell you it does. Plus, who needs scientific evidence for this?
Perhaps it’s because it removes the cognitive drag of feeling like you have to make the “best” decision on what to eat. It might be the removal of FOMO when you start seeing what others ordered. Or it could be the fact that it puts the waiter’s reputation on the line. Above all, it’s just plain fun to see their face light up when you put your trust in them.
Whatever it may be, it works.
I’ve yet to have a bad meal since starting this a couple years ago. In fact, I’ve feasted on some incredible dishes that I never would have tried otherwise (left to my own, I’m a chicken fingers guy).
Try it and thank me later.
No more alarms
Alarm clocks are one of the most unnatural yet common modern afflictions.
One of the unexpected benefits of getting a dog was being able to shut off my alarm clock for good.
Why?
Because, without fail, my furry roommate makes sure I wake up bright and early after a bombardment of paws pounding on my chest like I’m getting CPR and juicy kisses in all the wrong places.
I haven’t found the snooze button yet.
100 posts
Back in May 2022, I made a commitment to publish one piece of writing per week for two years straight without any expectations.
104 posts in total.
I sped up the learning/failing process a bit because I enjoyed it so much. This marks my 104th post (42 newsletters and 62 essays) in 14 months.
This commitment has changed me for the better and I have a feeling it could do the same for you.
You may not consider yourself a writer (I certainly didn’t) but I have experienced firsthand the clarity of thought it provides.
A worthy side benefit has been getting to meet some wonderful humans along the way.
If you’ve ever had the itch to become a clearer thinker, this is your nudge.
Random thought
My only goal in life is to be a good ancestor and that starts with honoring traditions that helped us survive the brutal passage of time.
That’s it for this 42nd edition of Arman’s Antics. Thanks for stopping by while sipping that hot beverage of choice. Now back to your regularly scheduled nonstop scrolling.
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Cheers,
Arman
Likes and comments below.
Oh man, I LOVE the "empower your waiter" idea. I can't wait to try this one. You must get some servers feeling very anxious about making a decision.
Congratulations on reaching this milestone, Armand! And I think this a very worthy goal: to be a good ancestor.