Weekend Briefing No. 534
The New Ivies -- Medicine 3.0 -- Getting Off the Treadmill
Welcome to the weekend.
May the fourth be with you.
Prime Numbers
600,000 —The original watercolor illustration of the book cover for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is up for auction at Sotheby’s, and is projected to sell for $400,000 to $600,000.
9 — Just 9% of men and a somewhat shocking 19% of women said they used sunscreen at least once per day.
1,500,000 — Domino’s sells about 1.5 million pizzas every day.
The New Ivies
The Ivy League universities have long been regarded as the pinnacle of American higher education, producing many of the nation's top leaders and thinkers. However, in recent years, there has been a growing sense that the quality and value of an Ivy League education has declined. As a result, employers are losing faith in the Ivy League brand, with a recent Forbes survey indicating that 33% of hiring managers are now less likely to hire Ivy League graduates compared to five years ago, while 42% are more likely to hire public university graduates. These trends suggest that the once-unassailable prestige of an Ivy League degree may be diminishing in the eyes of some employers. In their place, Forbes is suggesting a list of “New Ivies.” Forbes (7 minutes)
Medicine 3.0
Medicine 3.0, as advocated by Peter Attia, is a proactive approach to health care that aims to prevent illness and injury before they occur rather than merely treating them after the fact. This approach involves intensive testing, including full-body MRIs, body-fat-composition scans and DNA analyses, to create personalized risk assessments for each patient. Based on these assessments, Attia and his team develop tailored lifestyle interventions, such as exercise protocols, dietary recommendations and supplement regimens, to mitigate the identified risks. The goal of Medicine 3.0 is to extend not only the lifespan but also the "healthspan," the period of life during which an individual remains healthy and free from age-related decline. Attia argues that traditional medicine, which he calls "Medicine 2.0," is too passive and reactive, often acting only after the onset of damage or disease. While critics argue that Medicine 3.0 is not firmly grounded in evidence and may lead to extreme or unnecessary interventions, Attia maintains that individual choices matter and that medicine should be more proactive in preventing age-related decline. Ultimately, Medicine 3.0 represents a shift in thinking about health care, from a focus on treatment to a focus on prevention, and from a one-size-fits-all approach to a personalized, data-driven approach. New Yorker (32 minutes)
How Masterworks Aims to Beat the Art Market
It's no secret that contemporary art prices have outpaced the S&P 500 by 64% over the last 28 years, appreciating at a compound rate of 12.6% per year. But for Masterworks, an investment platform focused solely on contemporary art, keeping pace with the market isn’t enough. Beating it is. How? By buying works of art at a discount in markets with favorable economics. Its Value Investing 101. Our team is world-class, with decades of experience in the art and financial markets, powered by a one-of-a-kind database that tracks artist market appreciation. So far, the Masterworks team has been successful. With over 400 paintings, Masterworks has completed 22 exits all with profitable net returns. For a limited time, Weekend Briefing readers get their first five shares (as $100) for free when they get started. Get five free shares. Masterworks (Sponsored)
Getting Off the Treadmill
Goal-setting is important for motivation and performance, but not all goals are equally beneficial, according to Tal Ben-Shahar, a professor at Centenary University. Instead of focusing on accumulating possessions, we should set goals that promote personal growth and align with our values, which requires introspection to determine what we truly want out of life. To get off the hedonic treadmill, we need to shift our mindset away from feeling like we are at a deficit and express gratitude for what we already have, which helps us appreciate our current situation and prevents habituation to new acquisitions. Experts suggest that finding a balance between appreciation and aspiration is key to feeling satisfied and recognizing that "good enough" is indeed good enough. Vox (6 minutes)
AI + Mammograms
Clinics are now offering patients the option to have their mammograms analyzed by both a radiologist and an artificial intelligence (AI) model, with the goal of improving cancer detection rates and efficiency. AI models can highlight suspicious areas and prioritize scans for radiologists to review, and some studies have shown that AI can improve breast cancer detection by 20% and reduce false positives. However, it is unclear if AI analysis will actually reduce breast cancer deaths or simply find more cancers earlier, and there are concerns about the effectiveness of these tools across diverse patient populations. Experts also caution that AI is just a tool and cannot replace the expertise of trained radiologists, particularly in distinguishing between surgical scars and tumors. New York Times (8 minutes)
Asking the Right Questions
In the pursuit of personal growth, asking the right questions can be a powerful tool. Here are three questions to consider: 1) "If someone observed my actions for a week, what would they say my priorities are?" This prompts us to examine the alignment between our stated intentions and our actual behaviors, revealing any discrepancies and areas where we may be cutting corners. 2) "What lie have I repeated to myself so many times that it feels like the truth?" Our internal dialogue has a profound influence on our actions and beliefs, and identifying the self-limiting lies we tell ourselves can help us break free from their hold and embrace our true potential. 3) "If I knew I would die in 10 years, what would I do today?" This question encourages us to consider the changes we would make if faced with a limited time horizon, such as pursuing long-held dreams, facing fears and investing in the relationships that matter most. Sahil Bloom (6 minutes)
Playfulness
Adults are too serious. The seriousness that often accompanies adulthood can stifle the childlike sense of wonder and joy that makes life more enjoyable. While acknowledging the responsibilities of adulthood, it is possible to maintain a balance between meeting obligations and preserving a sense of playfulness and presence. Cultivating a childlike curiosity, even if only occasionally, can enhance nearly every aspect of life. Remaining open to the novelty and beauty of the world rather than becoming too caught up in plans, goals and ambitions can lead to a more fulfilling existence. Resisting the pull toward excessive seriousness and maintaining a sense of wonder and appreciation for the small pleasures in life can have a positive impact on one's overall well-being. Calvin Rosser (6 minutes)
Should We Work Together?
Hi! I’m Kyle. This newsletter is my passion project. When I’m not writing, I run a law firm that helps startups move fast without breaking things. Most founders want a trusted legal partner, but they hate surprise legal bills. At Westaway, we take care of your startup’s legal needs for a flat, monthly fee so you can control your costs and focus on scaling your business. If you’re interested, let’s jump on a call to see if you’re a good fit for the firm. Click here to schedule a one-on-one call with me.
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Weekend Wisdom
We keep moving forward, opening new doors and doing new things because we're curious, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. -Walt Disney
534 is a super good briefing...on your game!