Arman's Antics (#045)
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 get you thinking, laughing, crying (or a nasty combination of the three).
Welcome to the one new subscriber this week (285 total). I don’t take your time or attention lightly.
Essay I wrote last week
“What makes us happy?” (is a stupid question). It’s like asking what’s the meaning of life?
Such a broad question invites too many platitudes. I’d rather know, “what makes us unhappy?”
If we avoid all the causes of unhappiness, then we should be happy by default, right?
Well I don’t have that full list just yet. But I do know one guaranteed cause of unhappiness and why you might need a pet parakeet:
It won't make you happy
Smoke started trickling from the hood of my white ‘03 Cadillac CTS like a teenage boy trying to hide his Juul puffs in a movie theater. I did my best to ignore it (like most of my problems). Until the trickle became a geyser. It got to the point where I looked more like a train conductor than a Cadillac driver.
Brits on Youtube
The first time I walked in on my brother watching a video of a guy watching a video game, I didn’t get it.
In fact, I thought it was the stupidest thing a human could do with their precious time.
Yet somehow the Youtube algorithm knew I was missing out.
So I started watching a video of a two chaps watching American college football highlights.
Now I get it.
Their reactions to the colossal size of college football stadiums alone brought a tear to my eye.
I always thought English football stadiums and their fans were next level, but watching these guys be blown away by the pageantry of college football made me grateful to be a fan of this game.
I feel like sports, along with food, are the best ways for people from different cultures to connect.
Enjoy.
The most influential podcast I’ve ever listened to
Is not a single episode. It’s the entire catalog of past episodes from The Tim Ferriss Show.
Tim’s been cranking out episodes with some of the world’s highest performers for nearly ten years. Amassing almost 700 episodes in that time, and I’ve listened to 500 of them.
Podcasts are a strange medium because you have someone’s voice playing inside your head for hours at a time. Making it feel like you know them on an intimate level.
The sweet, soothing voice of Tim Ferriss had played in my headphones for over 1000 hours. Kinda creepy? Sure.
But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
He’s introduced me to some of my now favorite thinkers and doers from all walks of life.
So I’ve been going back and listening to some of my all time favorites and thought I’d share a handful with you:
There’s 10+ hours of pure gold for your ears and mind. Thank me later.
Golden birthday
I turned 31 on July 31 which made yesterday my golden birthday — whatever that means.
Last year, I shared 30 pieces of life advice that have served me well.
This year, I’m thinking about compiling a list of 31 pieces of anti-life advice.
Because I’m starting to put a higher value on learning what not to do instead of filling my head with contradictory tips on what to do.
Just tell me what doesn’t work so I can avoid that.
Let me know if that sounds intriguing to you and I’ll put it together. If not, I’ll still put it together but just hoard it for myself.
Random thought
The most important button on the keyboard is the delete button.
That’s it for the 45th edition of Arman’s Antics. Did you think, laugh, or cry?
Now back to your regularly scheduled nonstop scrolling.
Have a terrific Tuesday!
Cheers,
Arman
Dude, I had never heard of the Golden birthday thing until I met my wife. I thought it was just some goofy family tradition they had. We’ve debated this for years. She is always claiming it’s a thing and I’m always saying they made it up. Now I have to tell her she was right and it’s not just her family. 🙄
Always an enjoyable read, Arman. And happy (belated) birthday!