Weekend Briefing No. 556

Ta-Nehisi Coates on Palestine -- Radical Belonging -- Three Mile Island Reboot

Welcome to the weekend.

I've just returned from a trip to France, which included a wedding in the countryside and a few days in Paris. I'm convinced that Paris might be the world's best city for strolling (and, of course, eating and drinking). Here are some of my favorite spots in Paris: 

Best Fancy Restaurant: Table by Bruno Verjus. This two-Michelin-starred restaurant is ranked the third best in the world, and I have to agree it was one of the finest dining experiences I've ever had. The 10-course tasting menu was inventive and perfectly executed. The wine pairing was excellent. With only about 20 seats, all diners have a full view of the kitchen, allowing you to witness a team performing at the top of their game.

Best Casual Restaurant: Recoin. This simple, shabby-chic spot offers a seasonal menu that's seafood-forward, with a choice of two or three courses. It provides great taste and excellent value.

Best Wine Bar: Folderol. A unique combination of natural wine bar and a homemade ice cream parlor, Folderol is a cool, intimate gathering spot for hip Parisian creatives. I visited twice and can't wait to return.

Best Cocktail Bar: SAKA. This Japanese-style cocktail bar takes its drinks seriously, and it shows in the final product. The founder's dedication is evident, and the atmosphere is remarkably peaceful.

Lastly, here’s my Paris-themed October playlist. 

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Prime Numbers

400,000,000 — Pink Floyd is selling its recorded music, name and likeness rights to Sony Music for $400 million, one of the largest deals for an artist’s library and one that comes after several decades of infighting among the band.

84 — Over the past two decades, the number of Northeastern students attending Southern public universities has surged by 84%, with a 30% increase from 2018 to 2022 alone, driven by factors such as the rise of college football, lower tuition costs and strong academic reputations.

7,000 — The U.S. has more tigers living in private facilities (7,000) than exist in the wild globally (5,000), with these captive tigers found in various settings, including roadside zoos, ranches and private residences.

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Ta-Nehisi Coates on Palestine

Ta-Nehisi Coates' new book "The Message" ignites a heated debate with CBS host Tony Dokoupil over its portrayal of Israel-Palestine. Coates draws parallels between the situation in occupied territories and apartheid, citing his experiences as a child of the Jim Crow era. He passionately argues against any state discriminating based on ethnicity. Dokoupil challenges this perspective, questioning why Coates' book seems to delegitimize Israel's right to exist and omits mentions of threats to Israel from surrounding countries and terror groups. He also criticizes the portrayal of Palestinians solely as victims, arguing it denies them agency in the conflict. Despite the contentious nature of the topic, the exchange remains civil throughout, demonstrating how complex, hot-button issues can be discussed passionately yet respectfully without devolving into ad hominem attacks as is so commonly done. CBS (7 minutes) 

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Radical Belonging

What if the cure for loneliness isn't more connection but a deeper sense of belonging? Radical belonging, a concept that transcends mere "fitting in," emerges as a powerful antidote to our epidemic of isolation. It's where dignity, the sacred, and redemption intersect, allowing individuals to be wholly themselves while in relationship with those vastly different. This idea challenges the pandemic of "othering" that plagues our society. Grateful living offers a path to cultivate this radical belonging by recognizing life as a gift and acknowledging the inherent worth in all beings. By seeing the sacred in others, even when it's not immediately apparent, we can foster a world where everyone's uniqueness is celebrated rather than excluded. Grateful.org (5 minutes)

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Three Mile Island Reboot

The notorious Three Mile Island nuclear plant is set for an unexpected resurrection, driven by the tech industry's insatiable appetite for artificial intelligence (AI)-powering energy. Microsoft's 20-year deal to purchase energy from the reactivated plant symbolizes a broader trend in nuclear energy's resurgence. This move is rooted in the growing electricity demands of AI development, with tech giants seeking low-carbon sources to power their massive data centers while meeting climate commitments. Microsoft, aiming to be carbon negative by 2030, views nuclear energy as a solution that aligns with both its power needs and environmental goals. The choice of Three Mile Island is significant for its existing infrastructure and symbolic value, showcasing Microsoft's commitment to innovation and sustainability. This unprecedented revival, along with plans to restart Michigan's Palisades Nuclear Plant, marks a shift in the industry. The restart process presents unique challenges, requiring extensive safety checks, infrastructure inspections and regulatory navigation. While not all shuttered plants are candidates for revival, this trend could spark interest in building advanced reactors on former nuclear sites. As demand for clean energy grows, particularly from AI-driven data centers, the nuclear industry finds itself at a crossroads between its controversial past and a potential AI-powered future. Nature (8 minutes)

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AI’s White Collar Takeover

White-collar workers, prepare for a two-stage revolution. AI copilots will first augment professional roles across industries, enhancing productivity and streamlining tasks. This initial wave will then evolve into fully autonomous AI agents, capable of independently handling entire workflows. Studies suggest a staggering 47%-56% of tasks could be impacted, with startups finding opportunities in upstream data collection, workflow optimization and creating new multimodal systems of record. This progression from copilot to agent promises to fundamentally reshape the nature of white-collar work, potentially redefining entire professions and organizational structures. a16z (5 minutes)

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Immigration and Small Towns

Immigration in small towns has been in the news lately, and it reminded me of this beautiful story from the podcast “This American Life.” In the wake of a sudden immigration raid, a small Tennessee town grapples with the harsh realities of federal policy and its impact on their tight-knit community. As families are torn apart and children left bewildered, an unlikely alliance forms among residents from diverse political backgrounds. The raid forces many to confront their preconceptions about immigration, leading to surprising acts of compassion and solidarity. This story explores how a community responds when abstract politics becomes devastatingly personal, challenging assumptions and revealing the complex human dimensions behind headline-making events. This American Life (20 minutes)

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Why Stoicism Matters

Ancient Stoic wisdom offers a surprising salve for our modern malaise. In an era of relentless pursuit of happiness, rampant materialism and social media-fueled anxiety, Stoicism provides a refreshing counterpoint. This philosophy teaches us to focus on what we can control — our thoughts and actions — rather than futilely grappling with external circumstances. By reframing our personal narratives and limiting our desires, Stoicism cultivates resilience in the face of life's inevitable challenges. It encourages us to find meaning in our connections with others and to view life's transience as a source of value rather than despair. Stoicism's emphasis on self-reflection and ethical living offers a path to genuine contentment that stands in stark contrast to the shallow promises of positive thinking and consumerism. In our age of distraction and instant gratification, Stoic principles provide a timeless toolkit for navigating complexity, fostering inner peace and living a life of purpose. Quillette (12 minutes)

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The Humble Yellow Pencil

The humble yellow pencil, now a classroom staple, was once a symbol of opulence and innovation. In the late 19th century, German pencil maker Faber revolutionized the industry by using high-quality Siberian graphite, offering unprecedented precision with 16 degrees of hardness. Competing manufacturer Franz von Hardtmuth responded with the Koh-I-Noor 1500, a luxurious yellow pencil boasting 17 grades of hardness. The choice of yellow was a calculated marketing decision. It was known as the Chinese color of health and good fortune, subtly alluding to the highly prized Asian graphite. Combined with the black tip, it also displayed the colors of the Austro-Hungarian flag, appealing to national pride. This bright, eye-catching hue distinguished these pencils from cheaper alternatives, transforming yellow from a sign of low quality to a symbol of luxury. This marketing masterstroke eventually led to the yellow pencil's widespread adoption and iconic status in modern stationery. History Facts (5 minutes)

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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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Founder Fridays

Check out my other email Founder Fridays — a Friday morning briefing helping startup founders and operators scale smarter.

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Weekend Wisdom

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. - Aristotle