Good day valued readers,

We hope this week's carefully curated selection of news finds you well. In this edition, we cover the latest developments across investing, finance, crypto, AI, and other topics to help you stay informed.

As always, our goal is to provide you with a professional, unbiased roundup of noteworthy news to augment your understanding of what's happening in the world. We take pride in hand-selecting articles from trustworthy sources across a diverse range of industries.

Please enjoy this week's newsletter. We're grateful for the opportunity to share these insights with you and look forward to continuing to be a valuable resource.

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Investing and Finance

As we usher in another exciting week in the world of finance and innovation, there's plenty to unpack. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway continues to defy gravity, outpacing the S&P 500 for a record ninth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Jamie Dimon envisions a fascinating future where employees thrive with 3.5-day workweeks and longer lifespans. Curious about inflation? We explore the true cost of a Big Mac and how food companies quietly raise prices amid shortages.

In investing, we highlight our favorite writing of 2024, alongside a reflective "Lament of a Bear" from a top economist. U.S. equities are experiencing a historic rally not seen since the dot-com boom, reinforcing the resilience of American markets. On the horizon, Goldman Sachs forecasts an impressive 11% gain for the S&P 500 in 2025, while European stocks struggle to keep pace.

The energy sector also shines, with solar stocks surging on the back of Tesla's record-breaking energy storage deployments. Finally, don’t miss our deep dive into "The Ignorance of the Crowd" and why collective wisdom isn’t always what it seems. Join us as we break down these key stories shaping the global economy.

1. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway beats S&P 500 in 2024, posts 9th straight up year - Read more

2. Jamie Dimon says the next generation of employees will work 3.5 days a week and live to 100 years old - Read more

3. How Much Should a Big Mac Cost? - Read more

4. The Ignorance of the Crowd - Read more

5. Food Companies Hope You Won’t Notice Shortages Are Raising Prices - Read more

6. My Favorite Investment Writing of 2024 - Read more

7. Memo From the Chief Economist: Lament of a Bear - Read more

8. Stocks are in the midst of their best two years since the dot-com boom - Read more

9. The Miracle of U.S. Equities - Read more

10. Goldman's 2025 equity forecast is out and calls for the S&P 500 to gain 11% from here - Read more

11. European Stocks Are Losing to US by Historic Margins - Read more

12. Solar Stocks Get Boost From Record Tesla Energy Storage Deployments - Read more

Crypto News

This week, we delve deep into the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency, where innovation meets controversy. Headlines buzz with allegations of a "Crypto Plot Against America’s Gold Reserves," while Michael Saylor outlines his ambitious vision of Bitcoin reaching a staggering $280 trillion market value by 2045. Meanwhile, Do Kwon's legal battles over the Terra LUNA crash take another twist as he pleads not guilty to U.S. charges.

The institutional embrace of crypto continues, with Morgan Stanley reportedly eyeing integration into E-Trade and Binance securing a license to expand operations in Brazil. On the regulatory front, Tron’s T3 Financial Crime Unit has frozen $100 million in USDT to combat fraud. For traders, a story of rapid success: a crypto trader turns $17,000 into $1 million in just eight minutes.

Looking ahead, we explore bold predictions for crypto ETFs in 2025 and their potential market-shaping impact. As debates heat up, Robert Kiyosaki challenges the advice of investing legends Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, arguing their views have no place in the crypto revolution. From controversies to breakthroughs, this week captures the highs and lows of a space redefining finance.

1. The Crypto Plot Against America’s Gold Reserves - Read more

2. What is Michael Saylor Doing? - Read more

3. Do Kwon Pleads Not Guilty to US Charges Over Terra LUNA, UST Crash - Read more

4. Morgan Stanley mulls adding crypto to E-Trade: Report - Read more

5. Tron's T3 Financial Crime Fighting Unit Hits $100M in Frozen USDT - Read more

6. Michael Saylor Predicts $280 Trillion Market Value for Bitcoin by 2045 - Read more

7. Smart crypto trader turns $17k into $1 million in just 8 mins - Read more

8. Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger shouldn’t be considered in Bitcoin investments – Robert Kiyosaki - Read more

9. Binance Secures License in Brazil, Expands Services Under New Regulations - Read more

10. Crypto ETF Revolution: 5 Bold Predictions That Could Change 2025 - Read more

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence continues to redefine the fabric of our world, with profound implications for industries, creativity, and daily life. This week, we examine how AI is quietly transforming everything from book publishing—accelerating production while raising questions about value—to grocery shopping with Samsung’s smart fridges now making personalized suggestions via Instacart.

Significant investments in AI are also making waves: OpenAI has secured a $1.5 billion injection from SoftBank, and Amazon is doubling down with another $4 billion in Anthropic, its rival. Meanwhile, Samsung Electronics is set to become the largest shareholder in Rainbow Robotics, signaling a bold move toward advancing robotic technologies.

But not all AI developments are without controversy. New tests reveal AI’s growing capacity for deception, while the technology's ability to create replicas of human personalities raises ethical questions. On a lighter note, a teaching robot in Germany recently engaged students in a surprising way, offering a glimpse of how AI can enhance education.

As we approach the era of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), LessWrong suggests that capital will become even more critical—a timely reminder of the high stakes involved. Whether inspiring, concerning, or revolutionary, these stories highlight the dynamic changes shaping our AI-driven future.

1. By default, capital will matter more than ever after AGI — LessWrong - Read more

2. How AI is quietly changing everyday life - Read more

3. How AI is accelerating—and devaluing—book publishing - Read more

4. New Tests Reveal AI’s Capacity for Deception - Read more

5. OpenAI gets new $1.5 billion investment from SoftBank, allowing employees to sell shares in a tender offer - Read more

6. AI can now create a replica of your personality - Read more

7. Amazon to invest another $4 billion in Anthropic, OpenAI's biggest rival - Read more

8. Samsung Electronics To Become Largest Shareholder in Rainbow Robotics Accelerating Future Robot Development - Read more

9. This robot taught a lesson in Germany. Hear what students thought. - Read more

10. Samsung’s smart fridges will use AI to suggest groceries to buy on Instacart - Read more

Top Article Picks this week

This week’s newsletter dives into the intersections of mind, body, and the future, offering insights to help you navigate an ever-changing world. Did you know your gut has a “second brain”? We explore the fascinating science behind this idea and its implications for your well-being. On the mental health front, discover how to begin meditating with just your mind and uncover the truth about the "big lie" surrounding sleep.

For those feeling overwhelmed by the pace of life, we offer strategies to slow down time in 2025 and a clever hack for reading more books without sacrificing your schedule. If staying informed is a challenge, a futurist shares how you can read less news while becoming more informed.

Looking ahead, we ponder ethical dilemmas like mining on the Moon and make predictions for what 2025 might bring. On the social side, learn how to spot emotional abuse in relationships and master the art of having great conversations. These stories aim to enrich your understanding of yourself, your relationships, and the world at large.

1. Hey, There's a Second Brain in Your Gut (Reading time: 2 min) - Read here

2. How to Read Less News But Be More Informed, According to a Futurist (Reading time: 3 min) - Read here

3. ‘The only thing you need is your own mind’: how to start meditating (Reading time: 4 min) - Read here

4. Humans will soon be able to mine on the Moon. But should we? 4 questions to consider (Reading time: 3 min) - Read here

5. Does life feel like it’s speeding up? How to slow down time in 2025 (Reading time: 8 min) - Read here

6. What will happen in 2025? Predictions and events (Reading time: 5 min) - Read here

7. An Incredibly Clever Hack for People Who Want to Read More Books (Reading time: 2 min) - Read here

8. The big lie about sleep (Reading time: 7 min) - Read here

9. 11 Signs of Emotional Abuse in Relationships That You Should Never Overlook (Reading time: 10 min) - Read here

10. The Science of Having a Great Conversation (Reading time: 14 min) - Read here

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Book of the week

Yuval Noah Harari, renowned author of Sapiens, delivers another thought-provoking exploration in Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks. This sweeping narrative spans millennia, tracing how humans have harnessed information networks to build civilizations, consolidate power, and shape collective destinies. Harari's central thesis—that the flow of information is as critical to human history as any physical resource—feels especially urgent in the AI age.

The book deftly moves between epochs, connecting the Stone Age’s oral traditions to the digital networks of today, revealing a timeless struggle: our ability to wield information for both progress and destruction. Harari’s treatment of historical events, from the codification of religious texts to 20th-century propaganda, showcases his knack for synthesizing complex ideas into compelling insights.

What sets Nexus apart is its unflinching examination of the present. Harari confronts the existential challenges posed by AI and misinformation with clarity, urging readers to rethink how we process and disseminate knowledge. His exploration of AI as a “new information network” is both chilling and provocative, highlighting its potential to both unite and annihilate us.

Yet, the book isn’t purely dystopian. Harari offers glimpses of hope, urging us to rediscover the ethical foundations of truth and wisdom amidst the noise. His analysis of how myths, bureaucracy, and ideologies interplay with information feels relevant in a world grappling with polarized societies.

Critics might argue that Harari’s ambition sometimes sacrifices depth for breadth, but the book’s broad strokes are its strength. Nexus is not just a history lesson; it’s a call to action, challenging readers to consider the moral dimensions of the networks we create. Harari’s voice resonates with urgency, making this book a must-read for anyone concerned about the future of humanity in the age of AI.

Ultimately, Nexus is as much about rediscovering our shared humanity as it is about understanding the networks that bind us. It is an intellectual tour de force, blending history, philosophy, and foresight in a way only Harari can. Whether you’re a historian, technologist, or concerned citizen, this book will leave you questioning not just where we’ve been, but where we’re headed.

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