#ThoughtsFromTerry Dispatch w.10.2018
Dispatch w.10.2018
The new Netflix Original, “The Push” is an intense show. If you are not aware of the premise, the "illusionist" Derren Brown constructs an elaborate psychological scenario involving 70 actors that he hopes will compel an unwitting subject to commit murder. Yes...murder.
“Can we be manipulated through social pressure to commit murder?”
The show is kinda like watching a train wreck. You don’t want to watch, but you keep watching, fascinated by the decisions being made. Many times watching the show I found myself cringing wondering what I would do in the same situation. Honestly praying my decisions would be different; I have to believe they would be. Yes, they would be different - now I feel better. :)
I won’t spoil the show, so I won't tell you if the murder was committed, but I will share the ending of the show had a final redeeming element. Derren closes with this - This experiment wasn’t about who pushed and who didn’t. We are all profoundly susceptible to these pressures. Understanding how we can be manipulated we can be stronger - we can say no. We can push back!
It’s intense, but worth the watch.
MYFITNESS PAL
I am fairly confident I would be obese if I didn’t workout 5-6 days a week. It’s true, my food and diet are just awful and only because of my commitment to the gym am I able to maintain decent fitness. It has basically been this way most of my life...I was not born or blessed with a high metabolism and slim build. I did not grow up with holistic health in mind, I just got by because I have always been super active.
My problem is developing a healthy and balanced approach to food. It’s really a key area I do not have a lot of discipline. Maybe it’s more accurate to say I have not chosen to develop consistent discipline. So, I am back using MyFitnessPal daily, logging all my food and bringing more awareness to my daily actions around food.
It’s a great reminder to us all that we have a choice in this area, as well as so many areas in our lives. We can have a victim mentality and just let “life” happen to us...or, we can lean in, and take concerted efforts and move toward living an empowered life.
YOUR NEXT CAR MIGHT BE A SUBSCRIPTION
I have said for years the car industry will be radically different for the coming generations. So much so, Robin will often roll her eyes at me, or even argue a little bit which is rare for her. But I stand firm in my belief that self-driving cars will be the standard one day, as well as flying transportation, etc. It will happen! I also believe how we think about cars from a purchasing perspective will also change, and agree with the concept of a subscription model could make a lot of sense. Those that I know who already own a Tesla interact with them more like a “device” instead of a car. It’s possible that our cars will be just like our mobile devices in the future...software updates, apps, and a hardware upgrade every 2 to 3 years. - FAST COMPANY
Similar but not the same...Uber’s self-driving trucks are now delivering freight in Arizona. - The Verge
Delighting in Sacrifice
“The act of sacrifice, of foregoing one thing in our journey toward another one, one more generous, virtuous and useful, is actually a little piece of the satisfaction of the goal itself.” - SETH GODIN
Later this year, Apple could become the first trillion-dollar company in the United States. Analysts predict the company is on track to hit the milestone thanks in part to its slew of iPhones and other new products. The company's current market value stands at $910 billion, meaning it only needs to increase another 10 percent for to hit $1 trillion. Apple wouldn't be alone too long, as analysts predict Alphabet (Google) isn't far behind with a current market value of $800 billion. Amazon and Microsoft also are approaching the $1T mark; each is worth more than $730 billion. — BLOOMBERG
BITCOIN TIDBITS
Cryptocurrency is terrible as money, but crypto-assets are for real—at least according to Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England, who took on blockchain technology and its implications in a speech last Friday.
Cryptocurrencies are not “true currencies,” and should instead be thought of as “crypto-assets,” Carney said, adding that they could have valuable future applications—for instance as part of “more innovative, efficient, and reliable payment systems.” -MIT Tech Review
Coinbase launched the Coinbase Index Fund.
Coinbase Index Fund will give investors exposure to all digital assets listed on Coinbase’s exchange, GDAX, weighted by market capitalization. If a new asset is listed on the exchange, it will be automatically added to the fund.
Right now, it's pretty limited, open to accredited investors in the US and restricted Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and Litecoin. They tweeted out their future plans:
Our plan for Asset Management:
Step 1: offer Coinbase Index Fund to US-resident, accredited investors
Step 2: make available to all investors
We’re working on launching more funds which cover a broader range of digital assets. Stay tuned.— Coinbase (@coinbase) March 6, 2018