Sleep aids in abstract reasoning as well. During sleep, especially slow-wave sleep (deep sleep) and REM sleep, the brain processes and consolidates information from the day. This consolidation helps move short-term memories into long-term storage and reorganize them in more abstract forms, making it easier to identify patterns and connections between ideas.
Lems for the gym and general lifestyle…wide toe box and zero heel to toe slope. Flux for running also wide box no slope
What are we holding? Want to make sure I’m not missing something. To me, I am mostly holding hope.
The temporary decoupling is something that should not be ignored. It is a strong signal. It won’t matter to most of the people on earth, but for those who already have conviction it reinforces that conviction. Keep stacking and stay humble.
How Sleeping on the Ground Reshaped the Human Mind
One of the most remarkable, yet often overlooked, shifts in our evolutionary history was not what happened when we were awake—but when we were asleep.
For millions of years, our primate ancestors slept high in the trees, perched precariously on branches or nestled in rudimentary nests. This arboreal lifestyle came with a cost: lighter, more fragmented sleep, often disrupted by the ever-present risk of falling or attack. In such an environment, entering the deep neurophysiological vulnerability of REM sleep—when muscle tone disappears and the body is effectively paralyzed—was an evolutionary liability. In short, it wasn’t safe to surrender fully to REM in the trees.
But somewhere along our evolutionary path, early humans did something extraordinary: we came down from the trees, not just by day, but by night. By sleeping on the ground—often in groups around fire—we gained something precious: safety. And with safety came the possibility for deeper, richer, and longer REM sleep.
REM sleep is not just a curious biological state; it is a source of our creativity, our emotional intelligence, and our capacity to imagine futures that do not yet exist. It is the nightly theater where the brain integrates memories, solves problems, and rehearses social scenarios. The amplification of REM sleep in humans—proportionally greater than in almost any other species—is likely no coincidence. It may have been catalyzed by that very transition to ground sleeping.
When our ancestors no longer had to remain in a constant state of vigilance during sleep, REM could flourish. And with it, so did the cognitive complexity that defines us as a species. In other words, the ground didn’t just give us rest—it gave us mind.
So the next time you lie down at night, remember: you are participating in a deeply human act, one shaped by firelight, safety, and the strange miracle of REM.
Sleep well.
Appeal to the nobler motives
Student loans should face the scrutiny of opportunity costs. Are institutions of higher learning providing a product that outweighs the cost (inclusive of the interest)? This should be done on a major by major basis.
Understanding the Eurodollar System: A Key Insight from Nik Bhatia
Nik Bhatia, provides a clear and insightful explanation of the Eurodollar system, which plays a central role in the global financial landscape. In essence, the Eurodollar system refers to U.S. dollars that are held in banks outside the United States, primarily in Europe. However, the term has expanded over time to describe any U.S. dollar-denominated deposits or financial instruments held globally, not just in Europe.
Here's why the Eurodollar system is so important:
1. Global Money Creation: The Eurodollar market allows for the creation of U.S. dollar liquidity beyond the control of the Federal Reserve. Banks outside the U.S. lend these dollars to borrowers worldwide, creating a massive pool of dollars that circulates internationally.
2. Impact on Global Finance: The Eurodollar system has been a key driver of international trade and finance, as most global transactions are conducted in U.S. dollars. This system provides liquidity to markets, facilitating international business, investments, and lending without relying solely on the U.S. banking system.
3. Decentralized Control: Unlike the U.S. money supply, which is directly managed by the Federal Reserve, the Eurodollar system operates largely outside of U.S. regulatory oversight. This gives rise to complexities in understanding how dollars are created, borrowed, and moved globally.
4. Risks and Implications: Bhatia emphasizes how this system can introduce significant risks, particularly during periods of financial stress. As the global reliance on Eurodollars grows, disruptions—like a liquidity crisis—can have wide-reaching effects, impacting everything from interest rates to international trade.
In his work, Bhatia highlights the importance of understanding the Eurodollar system to fully grasp the dynamics of global finance and the interconnections between money creation, banking, and the broader economy.
The Eurodollar system is crucial to modern economic life, but it’s also a complex and somewhat opaque framework that can influence everything from the price of goods to geopolitical stability. If you want to dive deeper into global finance, Nik Bhatia’s work is an excellent resource to begin unpacking this intricate system. #NikBhatia
I find it pretty wild that some animals, like dolphins and certain whales, sleep with only half of their brain at a time! This fascinating ability is called unihemispheric slow-wave sleep. While one half of the brain rests, the other half stays alert to control breathing and stay aware of potential dangers. It's especially important for aquatic mammals, who need to surface for air even while they're asleep. Wow!
Be sympathetic with the other person’s ideas and desires. #DaleCarnegie
What Is Moral Hazard?
"Moral hazard" is an economics and finance term that describes a situation where one party takes on risk because they don't have to bear the full consequences of that risk. It often arises when individuals or institutions are protected in some way—such as through insurance, bailouts, or guarantees—and therefore act less cautiously than they otherwise would.
For example, if a bank knows it will be bailed out by the government if it fails, it might engage in riskier lending practices, assuming taxpayers will pick up the tab if things go wrong. Similarly, someone with comprehensive car insurance might drive more recklessly, knowing that any damages will be covered.
Moral hazard doesn't imply bad morals—it’s more about incentives and how they change when people or companies don’t feel the full impact of their decisions.
It's a critical concept in understanding financial systems, public policy, and even everyday contracts. Whether in health care, banking, or corporate governance, recognizing and managing moral hazard helps create more stable and fair systems.
Try to see things from the other persons point of view. Empathy is key to understanding and influencing others. Get in their shoes, understand their feelings, and consider the context that shapes their behavior and decisions.
Understanding REM vs. NREM Sleep—and Why Your Late-Night Sleep Matters Most
Sleep isn’t just “rest”—it’s a complex, structured process your body moves through in cycles, each made up of two key types of sleep: REM (Rapid Eye Movement) and NREM (Non-Rapid Eye Movement) sleep. These stages serve different purposes, and the balance between them shifts throughout the night in a way that’s crucial for your health.
NREM Sleep: The Body's Deep Recovery Zone
NREM sleep makes up about 75–80% of your total sleep and includes three stages. The deepest stage (often called slow-wave sleep) is where your body does much of its physical repair: muscle growth, immune system strengthening, and energy restoration. This stage dominates the first half of the night, which is why your body prioritizes NREM early on.
REM Sleep: Where the Brain Reboots
REM sleep is lighter and more mentally active. It’s where most vivid dreams occur, and it plays a vital role in emotional regulation, memory consolidation, and cognitive processing. REM becomes longer and more frequent in the second half of the night, especially in the final few cycles before waking.
Why Timing Matters: Sleep Cycles Aren’t Equal
Sleep cycles (which last about 90 minutes) repeat through the night—but early cycles are NREM-heavy, while later ones shift toward REM. If you cut your sleep short—say, by waking up early or staying up too late—you’re likely missing out on those later REM-rich cycles.
Skipping REM? Here's What Can Go Wrong
Missing REM sleep doesn’t just leave you feeling groggy—it’s been linked to issues like:
- Impaired memory and concentration
- Increased stress and emotional instability
- Higher risk of anxiety and depression
- Weakened immune function
- Long-term risks for metabolic and cardiovascular health
The Takeaway
To feel mentally sharp, emotionally balanced, and physically restored, you need full sleep cycles—especially those REM-heavy cycles later in the night. That means getting enough total sleep time, not just “some sleep.” Skipping the last few hours can cost you more than just a few dreams. #WhyWeSleep 
Let the other person feel that the idea is theirs. People are more committed to ideas they believe they’ve come up with, even if you’ve guided them towards it. #HowToWinFriendsAndInfluencePeople
What Is a Speculative Attack on the Dollar—And How Bitcoin Fits In
A speculative attack on a currency happens when investors bet en masse that the value of that currency will fall—so they take actions that can accelerate or even help cause the collapse. Historically, these attacks have targeted currencies pegged to others or under pressure due to poor economic policy (like the Thai baht in 1997 or the British pound in 1992). But today, some believe we’re seeing the early stages of a speculative attack on the U.S. dollar—and Bitcoin is playing a key role.
What Does a Speculative Attack Look Like?
It starts with a loss of confidence. Investors begin to suspect that a currency—like the dollar—won’t hold its value due to things like:
- High national debt and persistent deficits
- Excessive money printing (monetary easing)
- Political dysfunction or unsustainable spending
In response, they begin moving their wealth into assets they believe can’t be devalued or seized. That could be gold, foreign currencies, real estate—or, increasingly, Bitcoin.
Bitcoin as a Weapon of Speculation
Here’s how people are using Bitcoin to mount a kind of slow-burn speculative attack:
1. Exiting fiat: They sell dollars for Bitcoin, reducing demand for the currency and opting out of traditional banking rails.
2. Front-running inflation: They expect that the U.S. will eventually have to inflate its debt away, making hard assets like Bitcoin more attractive.
3. Decentralized escape hatch: Bitcoin can’t be easily confiscated or frozen, making it a hedge against financial repression (capital controls, bank account freezes, etc.).
4. Network effect: The more capital flows into Bitcoin, the more it gains legitimacy and liquidity—feeding the cycle.
This isn’t a coordinated “attack” in the military sense. It’s decentralized, ideological, and market-driven. But the effect is similar: it pressures the dollar system by draining confidence and capital.
What This Means Going Forward
If this trend continues, the U.S. might face increasing difficulty financing its debt or defending the dollar’s global reserve status. The Fed could be forced to raise interest rates or impose controls to prevent capital flight. Meanwhile, Bitcoin continues to grow as a parallel financial system, outside the reach of governments.
We may be watching the beginnings of a new kind of currency war—one not fought with tanks or tariffs, but with code and confidence. #Bitcoin 
Adenosine, Sleep Pressure & Caffeine: How It All Works
Ever wonder why you feel tired the longer you’re awake? That’s mostly due to a chemical called adenosine.
As you go about your day, adenosine gradually builds up in your brain as a byproduct of energy use. The more it accumulates, the more it signals your brain that it’s time to rest—this is known as sleep pressure. The longer you're awake, the stronger the pressure.
Enter caffeine.
Caffeine doesn’t “give” you energy—it blocks adenosine from binding to its receptors, essentially muting your brain’s sleep signals. That’s why you feel alert after coffee, even if your body is tired. But once the caffeine wears off, that backed-up adenosine hits all at once—hello, crash.
Adenosine also works in sync with your circadian rhythm (your body’s internal clock). While the circadian rhythm helps determine when you should be awake or asleep based on light and dark, adenosine helps determine how much you need sleep based on how long you’ve been awake.
Together, they’re the twin engines of your sleep-wake cycle—one driven by time, the other by use.
#WhyWeSleep 
The Real Rate of Inflation? Follow the M2 Money Supply
Most people look to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for inflation data—but that doesn't always tell the whole story. The real rate of inflation may be better reflected in the growth of the M2 money supply.
M2 includes cash, checking deposits, and easily convertible near money. When the government and Federal Reserve inject large amounts of money into the economy (as we saw in 2020–2021), the supply of dollars increases—but the amount of goods and services doesn’t rise as fast. That’s basic supply and demand: more dollars chasing the same amount of goods means prices go up.
So while CPI might show "moderate" inflation, if M2 is expanding rapidly, the true decline in your dollar’s purchasing power is likely much higher.
Watch the money supply—not just the price index—if you want the real picture. #Bitcoin 
Get That “Yes, Yes” Flowing
One of the simplest, most effective ways to influence someone is to begin by focusing on areas of agreement. Start your conversation where you both see eye to eye—on facts, values, or shared goals. When the other person starts nodding and saying “yes,” they’re not just agreeing with you—they’re building momentum in their own mind toward cooperation.
As Dale Carnegie said, “When a person says ‘no,’ all their pride demands that they remain consistent with themselves.” But when they say “yes,” they’re setting a positive pattern—one that leads to harmony, not resistance.
So next time you want to persuade, don’t dive into conflict. Begin in agreement. Get them saying “yes, yes” from the very start.
Understanding Your Circadian Rhythm and Jet Lag
Your circadian rhythm is your body’s internal clock, guiding your sleep-wake cycle, energy levels, and even digestion. When you travel across time zones, this rhythm gets thrown off, causing jet lag—fatigue, trouble sleeping, and feeling “off.”
The key to adjusting? Take it slow. Your body typically adjusts by only about one hour per day, so if you jump ahead or fall behind several time zones, give yourself time to acclimate. Light exposure in the morning or evening (depending on the direction you're traveling), staying hydrated, and sticking to local meal times can help reset your rhythm gradually and reduce jet lag symptoms. #WhyWeSleep