Lately, I’ve been making it a daily goal to "plant seeds." Tiny actions that seem insignificant, yet add a little sparkle to the day. That might mean complimenting a stranger’s shirt, asking about their unique tattoo, or simply acknowledging that they seem to be enjoying themselves. 

For the sake of not making this seem like some Dale Carnegie positivity hack, I have one rule: it has to be genuine. I'm not just going to compliment a bland t-shirt so I can check it off my to-do list. It has to feel like an impulse; one of those quiet observations you’d usually keep to yourself because saying it out loud might feel strange. But I say it anyway. I force myself to break the pattern. (That’s how I met my wife, by the way.)

Writer David Perell calls this adding texture to life. Making coffee at home is smooth and efficient. But sometimes, you just need to be in the presence of a few people at a coffee shop to remember you’re part of a larger ecosystem. Vonnegut similarly quipped on the austerity of buying envelopes. “We’re here on Earth to fart around.”

What I've come to realize is that these impromptu actions are like seeds. We walk around with an infinite supply to scatter around. Most will never sprout. But every now and then, one bounces back with something surprising: a smile, a laugh, a moment you’ll remember weeks later for no good reason. Every moment suddenly becomes rich with potential.

So plant these seeds liberally, then forget about it — a text, a kind word, a random act of support. Don’t care about how, when, or even if they’ll sprout. Just enjoy the process of circulating those waves of energy into your surroundings. Talk to someone for the sake of talking to them. The world is rich with pleasantly unexpected surprises.

h/t @thedulab

I'd been wanting to dive into C.S. Lewis for some time now. It wasn't until my buddy Pat recommended The Screwtape Letters to me that I finally had a reason to. I didn't particularly enjoy this book, but am glad that I read it. It takes great talent to mix satire with religious philosophy.

The Screwtape Letters is a purported collection of 31 letters written by a senior demon, Screwtape, to his nephew and young demon protége, Wormwood. The letters were written to help instruct the young demon on the finer points of how to corrupt the human soul. Each demon is assigned a "patient" who they must lure with temptation in a battle against the "Enemy," a.k.a. God. 

What is truly unique about the book, though, is that the demon's cunning temptations aren't centered around obvious sins, but rather they focus on much more subtle forms of seduction - vanity, pride, distraction, insincerity, etc. to achieve the same effect as more obvious sins... to lead us away from God. Ultimately, the demons don't care what sins are committed by their subjects, so long as they accomplish their goal of separating people from God and leading them to lives of ego and distraction. 

Lewis masterfully uses a unique and amusing style of writing to present many of mankind’s greatest weaknesses that we often fall prey to.

In last week’s newsletter, I discussed some of the various ways I’ve been applying AI in my life. For those of you who may be late adopters or don’t know where to start, I think this is the best article for laying out the basics — how to get started, where to go, and what you can do to start using AI as a tool in your own life.

Prime Day now spans four days — July 8th to 11th. As someone who spends way too much of my money on books, clothes, workout gear, and random gadgets, I consider myself an Amazon elite. I even have my own Amazon storefront for cryin’ out loud. So with that expertise, I’ve curated some of my favorite purchases of late, broken out by category. Not all of these have Prime Day deals, but hopefully, some do.

For more product recommendations, check out my personal Amazon Favorites page!

Between ages 9-11, I was obsessed with skateboarding. I could barely land an ollie, but I was enthralled by the culture, the personalities, and the lifestyle that skateboarding portrayed. It was anti-authority, meritocratic, and a true expression of creativity.

This new documentary explores the rise of skateboarding in New York City, particularly during the 1990s, and its influence on the global brand Supreme. Most of you might recognize the infamous red and white logo that’s now a staple of high-end fashion and “hypebeast” culture. But few know the origin of the brand as a skate shop in New York’s West Village. Empire Skate delves into the convergence of hip-hop, street art, and skateboarding in New York City, highlighting the skaters who transformed the city into their own skate park and ultimately shaped a cultural movement. It features intimate portraits of these individuals and examines the highs and lows of their journey, including the rise of Supreme and the loss of close friends. 

Midnight in Harlem by Tedeschi Trucks Band. Such a beautiful song through and through. The first time I heard it, I was over at a friend’s house drinking, hanging out when I interrupted the conversation. Even though the music was barely audible, I couldn’t help but get lured in by the harmony and slide guitar. “Hold up… Who is this??”

If you’re not familiar, Tedeschi Trucks Band is a bit of an anomaly in today’s music industry. Backed by two of American blues music’s finest practitioners - singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi and her slide-guitar legend husband Derek Trucks - they bring down the house every night, with a horn section and backup singers to add tons of volume and texture to their rhythm section. Midnight in Harlem is the perfect encapsulation of the band’s sound. Skip to 3:45 for the most soulful slide guitar solo you’ll ever hear.

Keith and Kyle sit down to discuss Jake Tapper's new book, Original Sin, the novel cultural issue showcasing the lack of transparency between our institutions and the general public, New York City flirting with Socialism, and why Kyle has recently been choosing to read fiction over non-fiction books.

📚 Books discussed in this episode:

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