Getting Your Just Dessertnyjs |
As we all know, Dessertnyj Belyj is a soft cheese produced in Russia with a 40% fat content. Meanwhile to "get your just deserts" (not a typo!) is a phrase that originated in the late 1200s from the old French verb "deserver" which means "to deserve." When you get your just deserts, it's spelled like the arid land but pronounced like the sweet treat, in which case it's confusing, just like the modern moral landscape—and, occasionally, this newsletter. Add in the Russian cheese element, and you've got more than a cheese pun, you've got the basis for a Dostoyevsky novel. Which brings us to the cheddlines in which everybody is getting exactly what they deserve, particularly if you've read Crime and Punishment, but also, perhaps, not? Dostoyevsky! —Matt Davis, Need2Know Chedditor |
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1. Why Is Bitcoin Surpassing Everyone's Expectations? Let's... Speculate! |
Bitcoin's recent surge past the $100,000 mark has left many wondering how the cryptocurrency has managed to defy expectations. Bitcoin's success can be attributed in part to its growing acceptance among institutional investors and its increasing recognition as a legitimate asset class, said Matt Hougan of Bitwise Asset Management.
"You have giant firms like BlackRock building huge businesses in this space," he said. "You have politicians talking about the importance of crypto to driving the American economy forward."
The regulatory landscape for cryptocurrencies has also shifted dramatically, with a new administration taking a more favorable stance toward Bitcoin. "A year ago, we had JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon testifying before Congress that the government should shut down crypto," Hougan said. "And now we have a new incoming chair of the SEC that is strongly pro-crypto."
Hougan also addressed the persistent criticism that Bitcoin lacks a clear use case. "I think it's pretty easy to see the use case of Bitcoin," he said. "It's a non-government store of value akin to a digital version of gold."
Hougan expressed optimism about Bitcoin's continued growth and adoption, using a complicated Latin phrase that means "on an equal footing."
"Until Bitcoin is more or less pari passu with gold, you're still early," he said.
How "ostentationem," Matt. One might even say "nativus," if one were a Latin teacher or, say, living in the Roman Empire circa 400 C.E. Read More |
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2. How a Kiwi Dropout Launched a $12B Rocket Company |
With no college degree or connections in the space industry, Sir Peter Beck is a testament to the power of execution and a relentless focus on market opportunities.
"What really matters at the end of the day is just the execution," he said (presumably of Marie Antoinette). Rocket Lab's consistent launch record, being the third most frequently launched rocket globally, underscores this commitment. Beck's passion for engineering and space was ignited at a young age. "I remember standing outside with my father, and he was pointing to the sky... that kind of scale of the vastness and the unknown is really, really what captivated me," he said. ☝️
Rocket Lab's success stems from its unique approach to the space industry. As Beck explained, "We're an end-to-end space company." This means they handle everything from satellite design and manufacturing to launch and operation, streamlining the process for customers and offering a competitive advantage.
Beck highlighted the growing trend of non-traditional space companies entering the market, citing examples like Amazon and Apple. "Ultimately what we're trying to do is position ourselves to provide those services," Beck said.
In an industry where the margin for error is, shall we say, slim, Beck's "healthy paranoia" guides his approach. He emphasized the importance of meticulousness and respect for the complexities of space technology, stating, "If you take a 'she'll be right' kind of attitude to the space industry, you end up on the wrong side of history."
Beck offered simple yet crucial advice for aspiring entrepreneurs: "Make sure that the product you want to build is the product people want," he said, stressing the importance of identifying market opportunities and solving real problems, rather than getting caught up in technology for its own sake. Read More |
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| What's next, Elon? 🤔
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has shared a new video showing the company's Optimus humanoid robot walking up and down a hill.
"Optimus can now walk on highly variable ground using neural nets to control its electric limbs," Musk wrote on X. |
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3. 'Eatertainment': How Chuck E. Cheese Pairs Dining With Experience |
"We look and act like a restaurant, but the reality is we are all about the experience and people are coming here to have these great moments to celebrate the birthday, celebrate a special event," said David MckPhillips, president and CEO of Chuck E. Cheese. The company has recently remodeled and rebranded to focus on cleanliness, active play, and updated technology.
"We've embraced all kinds of different active play," he said. "I talked about trampolines. We are testing right now a brand-new obstacle course in 50 stores, which has been a home run already."
Personally, I like nothing more than to jump on a trampoline after eating an entire Spicy BBQ Piggy Pizza.
For the EATERTAINMENT.
Addressing the challenges of food inflation, MckPhillips explained the company's approach to providing value through passes and memberships: "We just didn't drop prices. We're very selective in terms of who we are awarding that discount to, so the more you visit, the more of a discount you're able to get," he said.
MckPhillips expressed optimism about the future of the business he runs, highlighting the company's international expansion plans and the positive response to recent changes: "We've got our target on Southeast Asia, China, Europe. There are some great markets that would really embrace that concept like a Chuck E. Cheese," he said.
I honestly would be fascinated to see Chuck E. Cheese open in Europe. Wouldn't you? Read More |
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4. Will the Healthcare Industry Change After the UnitedHealthcare CEO Killing? |
The death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has sent shockwaves through the industry, prompting a period of introspection and potential change. Lila MacLellan, a senior writer at Fortune, noted a lack of sympathy for Thompson online, saying: "You know, I think it reveals that there has been for years a lot of discontent with the health insurance companies."
The discontent stems from frustrations with claim denials, delays, and high costs. The incident has forced health insurance companies to re-evaluate their public image and security measures, she said. The words "Delay, Deny, Depose" found on the shooter's bullets have also drawn significant attention.
"Those three words very closely resemble a book title by a law school professor that was called Delay, Deny, Defend. And it looked at all of the practices that health insurance companies use to deny claims," she said.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of healthcare executives and the potential impact on attracting future leaders. "There was a trend that Fortune had already reported on that showed more executives are less interested in becoming CEO, and this could accelerate that trend," she said.
The killing has also amplified calls for reform within the industry. MacLellan believes that the scrutiny on industry practices will intensify, stating, "They're just going to get a lot more attention and we will see more of a push from those people who want to see better customer care and even perhaps universal care."
I repeat: Murder is wrong. But that Luigi Mangione kid is hot. So. Maybe it's okay? Read More |
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5. YouTube TV Just Got More Expensive, Again |
I have a theory about streaming subscriptions: I pay for as many as possible without complaining. Like, I have Hulu. But I also have FX, even though it's the same thing. I have Paramount+ and MAX and the NBA app. And Disney+. I have PBS. I have MHz for European dramas. I have Netflix. I have YouTube TV. I also have YouTube Pro so I can watch my favorite cabin renovation show. I have Prime. I think I have BBC Select and AMC.
If I had to guess, I would say I'm paying, like, all of the money I do not have in monthly subscriptions. But I would never cancel one because I like to be generous and I figure these media companies need the extra cash. They want me to enjoy life. I just hope they're not spending the money on avocado toast and matcha lattes.
I also partly adopt this attitude because it irritates the living bejeesus out of my father-in-law. Like, I cannot tell you how furious he gets when I tell him I've got subscriptions I haven't used in years. It's worth the expense alone just for his reaction. But one thing you won't see me doing is yelling "I'm mad as hell and I'm not going to take it anymore" like that guy in Network.
In a related move that reflects the ongoing challenges within the streaming market, YouTube TV has once again "adjusted" its pricing. The cost of the streaming service is set to rise by $10, representing a 14 percent hike, bringing the monthly charge to an…impressive… $82.99. This change is effective immediately for new subscribers, while those who currently have subscriptions will see no change... until January 13, 2025. Lucky me!
YouTube TV conveyed a deep and meaningful sense of reluctance in making the decision, emphasizing that it was not "taken lightly." YouTube TV's journey since its inception in 2017 has been marked by gradual price increases, from an initial $35 to the current $82.99—approximately double the overall rate of inflation. Despite these changes, YouTube TV has reported a substantial subscriber base, with 8 million paying customers as of February. Read More |
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