Weekend Briefing No. 581
What Is the Middle Class? -- How We Age -- Grinding Versus Energizing
Welcome to the weekend.
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Prime Numbers
1,330,000,000 — According to a new estimate, Coca-Cola products alone will generate an alarming 1.33 billion pounds of plastic waste annually by 2030, as the beverage giant retreats from previous commitments to improve recycling and reduce plastic usage, with much of this waste projected to contaminate aquatic ecosystems.
70 — Nike plans to drastically reduce production of its iconic Dunk sneakers by up to 70%, despite the shoe line currently generating an impressive $5.85 billion in sales, representing 18% of Nike's entire footwear business.
28 — According to a new global survey from Pew Research Center, 28% of Americans have left their childhood religions, placing the U.S. in the middle range internationally, while South Korea leads with a remarkable 50% of its population changing religious affiliation, with most people becoming "religiously unaffiliated."
What Is the Middle Class?
Six-figure household incomes no longer guarantee prosperity in America as inflation has dramatically eroded purchasing power, making what was once considered wealthy merely middle class in many states. This article lists the salary you need to be considered middle class in every U.S. state. Massachusetts tops the list with the middle class ranging from $66,565 to $199,716, followed closely by New Jersey at $66,514 to $199,562. Mississippi has the lowest middle-class threshold at just $36,132 to $108,406. The financial squeeze continues for middle-class Americans as housing prices have jumped 52% and food costs 30% more since 2020, leaving two-thirds of middle-class households struggling despite earning what were once considered comfortable salaries. NBC News (5 minutes)
How We Age
New research suggests that aging may not be the steady march we've long assumed, but rather a process characterized by dramatic "bursts" of change at specific points in our lives. Counterintuitively, studies indicate that despite feeling like you're aging smoothly throughout adulthood, your body may undergo significant molecular changes clustered around specific ages — particularly 44 and 60 — with relatively stable periods in between these dramatic shifts. This challenges our perception that deterioration occurs gradually and explains why some people wake up one day feeling suddenly "old" despite no obvious external triggers. Scientists are now planning longitudinal studies to better understand these aging patterns, hoping that targeting interventions to specific aging phases could help people maintain health longer and potentially delay age-related decline by several years. New York Times (7 minutes)
Entity Choice and Taxation
The tax structure you choose can make or break your business's financial future. Selecting the right entity isn't just a legal formality — it's a strategic decision impacting tax liability, financial flexibility and personal protection. Sole proprietorships offer simplicity but expose you to full liability. Partnerships and multi-member LLCs provide "pass-through" taxation benefits when properly structured. S corporations deliver similar pass-through advantages plus exclusive tax-saving opportunities for qualifying businesses. C corporations enable investor-friendly strategies and greater scalability despite potential double taxation concerns. TaxFrame doesn't merely explain options — they help leverage them strategically. Their tax experts custom-tailor solutions that protect wealth and fuel growth for both startups and established businesses alike. Don't leave money on the table. Schedule a consultation today, and secure the most profitable tax structure for your business's long-term success. TaxFrame (Sponsored)
Grinding Versus Energizing
The "grind harder" mentality dominates our culture — from social media influencers preaching struggle as a virtue to workplace expectations that assume misery is necessary for achievement. This toxic mindset creates unnecessary suffering by convincing people that if they aren't exhausted and struggling, they must be doing something wrong. The alternative isn't laziness but finding fulfilling work that energizes rather than depletes — where challenges feel like engaging puzzles rather than painful obstacles. When we follow genuine interests, we often discover that dedication and perseverance flow naturally from enjoyment rather than forced discipline. The real discomfort worth facing isn't brutal work schedules but confronting uncomfortable emotions typically masked by constant achievement-seeking. We face no shortage of people grinding themselves into burnout but desperately lack optimism, curiosity, delight and exuberance — qualities that paradoxically might lead to more meaningful contributions than glorified suffering ever could. Pathless (7 minutes)
Education Revolution is Possible
Do you ever wonder what would happen if students spent only two hours a day on academics yet dramatically outperformed their peers? Alpha School has reimagined education by implementing mastery learning principles where students don't advance until they've truly mastered content, combined with personalized learning plans that keep each child in their optimal challenge zone. Their revolutionary model transforms teachers from lecturers into coaches while using technology to deliver customized content, resulting in students who consistently rank in the top 1% nationally while spending a fraction of the time on academics that traditional schools require. This approach, based on Bloom's Two-Sigma research showing that mastery learning paired with personalized attention produces extraordinary results, demonstrates that our education system could be dramatically more effective if we were willing to completely reimagine it rather than continuing with a 200-year-old model. David Perell (7 minutes)
Red Wolf Revival
The South's only wolf species teeters on extinction's edge with just 17 individuals remaining in Eastern North Carolina's swampy wilderness. Wildlife biologist Joe Madison tracks each animal's journey through a complex tapestry of federal land, working farms and hostile private property — all while balancing conservation science with human politics. Despite devastating setbacks, including vehicle collisions and illegal shootings, glimmers of hope emerge as breeding pairs form, acclimation pens rise and highway underpasses receive funding to reduce fatalities. These intelligent, family-oriented predators once shaped Southern landscapes from Texas to Virginia, their howls echoing as nature's sacred voice before misunderstanding and bounties nearly silenced them forever. Garden & Gun (7 minutes)
Money Mindset
Your mindset matters more than your income — there's a crucial difference between being "broke" (no money) and "poor" (limiting beliefs). Financial psychologist Brad Klontz reveals that wealth creation starts with developing an internal locus of control — recognizing your agency to impact circumstances rather than feeling helpless by external forces. Breaking free from learned helplessness requires finding role models who overcame similar circumstances and taking small steps toward financial independence. Contrary to popular advice, Klontz recommends investing immediately (even 1%) alongside debt repayment, choosing boring index funds over exciting day-trading schemes, and cultivating relationships with people who share wealth-building mindsets rather than those who'll unconsciously sabotage your progress. The ultra-wealthy consistently live below their means, save automatically, invest regularly and aren't afraid to ask for professional help. Art of Manliness (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.
Founder Fridays
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Weekend Wisdom
Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver. - Ayn Rand