Arman's Antics (#097)

Latest from the curious contrarian

Hola partner,

Coming to you live from Austin, Texas.

Here’s your weekly dose of Arman’s Antics — five things I’ve been exploring or pondering that will give you a good think, laugh, cry (or a nasty combination of the three).

Let’s give it up for the 24 new subscribers receiving this for the first time (901 total). I don’t know why you’ve come. But I’m glad you’re here.

I hope no one reads this, but if you do, please keep it to yourself.

---

Essay I reposted this week

It took 5 months and 14 days of sharing weekly essays until I finally hit on a topic that resonated with someone other than my mom and wife.

So I decided to repost it since 90% of you didn’t know I existed back in 2022.

Remember the guy from the Super Size Me documentary who only ate Mcdonalds for a month straight?

That’s how your information diet looks and it’s making you:

---

Book I’m still reading

Hackers and Painters by Paul Graham.

I already knew I would thoroughly enjoy this before starting. And it’s exceeded my expectations.

In it, you’ll find a collection of essays on topics like: How to make wealth, What you can’t say, Revenge of the nerds, and more.

I wish more books were written in this format. Exploring a wide range of ideas instead of dragging on for hundreds of pages on just one.

Don’t read it if you can’t stand exploring counterintuitive ideas.

---

Funny song I’m listening to on repeat

Bo Burnham is a legend.

Musical talent is hard enough on its own. But combining it with humor?

Even more rare (or is it rarer?).

My favorite line — “Everyone’s a feminist until there’s a spider on the ground.”

Enjoy.

---

On birthdays

My 32nd birthday was on Wednesday.

It’s always great to hear from family and friends who I don’t speak to that often.

But want to know what’s even better?

Receiving birthday wishes from every company I’ve ever done business with.

I feel all warm and fuzzy inside when they send me a heartfelt (automated) message year after year while also reminding me I haven’t spent any money with them in far too long…

---

Random thought

I saw this on a t-shirt the other day: I would agree with you but then we’d both be wrong.

---

That’s it for the 97th edition of Arman’s Antics.

I would’ve written less if I had more time.

Now back to your regularly scheduled nonstop scrolling.

Cheers,

Arman