Happy New Year!!! 🌞  

I hope everyone had a fantastic New Year's celebration! As we step into 2024, there's a sense of optimism that it will be a brighter year compared to the last few. With the pandemic now in our rearview mirror and the Covid era having passed, we're witnessing a positive shift. People are increasingly moving away from divisive sentiments, recognizing that, despite our differences in opinions, much more unites us than divides us as Americans. Whether we identify as left or right, Democrat or Republican, it's important to remember that we share more common ground than often perceived.

For today's newsletter, we're taking a look back with a compilation of our most-read articles from 2023.

Economy

Bitcoin's Upcoming ETF and Halving: A New Era for Finance

Bitcoin, the world's first and most popular cryptocurrency, has been making headlines in recent years as its adoption and value have grown. As we look to 2024, the crypto world is buzzing with anticipation for two major events: the approval of a Bitcoin ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) and the next Bitcoin halving. In this article, we will explore what these events mean for the future of finance and how they may impact the world of digital currencies.

Bitcoin ETF: A Game Changer for Mainstream Adoption

An ETF is a type of investment fund that tracks the price of an underlying asset, such as gold or a stock index. A Bitcoin ETF would allow investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin without actually owning the digital currency itself. This would make it much easier for traditional investors to enter the crypto market, as they would not need to navigate the complexities of buying and storing Bitcoin.

The approval of a Bitcoin ETF by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has been a long-awaited event in the crypto community. Many believe that the introduction of a Bitcoin ETF will lead to increased institutional investment, as it would provide a regulated and easily accessible way for large investors to enter the market. This influx of capital could drive up the price of Bitcoin and further legitimize the digital currency in the eyes of the financial world.

The Bitcoin Halving: A Pre-Programmed Supply Shock

The Bitcoin halving is an event that occurs roughly every four years and is part of Bitcoin's pre-programmed monetary policy. During the halving, the block reward for miners is cut in half, effectively reducing the rate at which new Bitcoin is created. This reduction in supply is designed to control inflation and maintain the scarcity of Bitcoin.

Historically, Bitcoin halvings have been followed by significant price increases. This is due to the reduced supply of new Bitcoin entering the market, which can lead to increased demand and higher prices. The next Bitcoin halving is set to occur in 2024, and many in the crypto community are anticipating another surge in price.

Implications for the Future of Finance

The combination of the Bitcoin ETF and the upcoming halving has the potential to significantly impact the future of finance. If the ETF is approved and the halving results in a price increase, it could lead to a surge of institutional investment in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. This would further legitimize digital currencies and potentially pave the way for their widespread adoption.

As the world becomes increasingly digital, the need for a secure and efficient means of transferring value is more important than ever. Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies offer a decentralized and borderless alternative to traditional financial systems. The events of 2024 could be a turning point for the world of finance, as they may lead to the widespread adoption of digital currencies and the transformation of the global financial landscape.

This, of course reflects our own opinion and research and is by no means financial advice.

Innovation

These 1920 Inventions Will Shock You!

It amazes me to no end what we humans can come up with. There are many amazing inventions happening right now, but I think some of the most fascinating come to us out of the early to mid-20th century.

Some of these are seriously ingenious! Let us know if you got a favorite one, just shoot us an email at [email protected] and we’ll take a tally. I think my favorite is the helicopter boat thing. That looks so fun to do.

Check these out!

Science

The Sun: NASA's Gateway to Distant Worlds

Last week, we discussed the stunning images from the James Webb Space Telescope, including its discovery of a potential life-building block on Jupiter's icy moon, Europa. However, to truly uncover distant life or delve deeper into the wonders of our universe we need to see much farther.

Slava Turyshev, a scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, is working on using the sun as a lens in a telescope. This concept is based on an effect known as Gravitational Lensing.

Gravitational Lensing happens when a massive object, such as a galaxy cluster, is positioned between an observer and a distant object, bending the latter's light into an Einstein ring. This effect is caused by the object's gravity, which warps and magnifies the images behind it.

Using the sun for this, which is called Solar Gravitational Lensing (SGL), could theoretically increase a background image by a factor of 100 billion. This would increase our ability to see distant planets and starts far beyond what we could conceivably do otherwise.

If this is not sci-fi enough for you already, SGL could potentially be used for interstellar communication. Signals sent through the gravitational field could much more easily reach nearby stars without degrading.

Here is a excellent video diving into the subject with much greater detail.

Entertainment

Elvis’ Last Performance

Have you ever seen Elvis’ last performance? It’s one of my favorite live performances of all time, even though he is already clearly struggling with drugs & alcohol at this point. Despite his battles, his sheer love for music shines through, offering a glimpse of his true brilliance. Elvis' journey, though brief and challenging, inspires me deeply. Few ever feel such raw passion. Check out the video:

Culture

$3.99 Vase Sells for $100,000 in an Auction!

Jessica Vincent, a thrifting enthusiast from Richmond, Virginia, hit the jackpot when a $3.99 glass vase she bought at Goodwill turned out to be worth over $107,000. Vincent, a regular at the store, spotted the high-quality Murano glass vase with a distinctive swirling design. Recognizing it was rare she went to several glassware Facebook groups to see if anyone could identify its value. One of the members discovered it was from the rare "Pennellate" series designed by architect Carlo Scarpa for Venini in 1942.

The experts at the auction house Wright verified its authenticity, and the vase, initially valued between $30,000 and $50,000, eventually sold for more than double the top estimate.

“I love that I can say that I owned a ‘Pennellate,’” Vincent said. “But I really felt like the right thing, for me, was to send it off into the art world where it can be fully appreciated.” “I needed the money more than I need the vase,” she added, calling the windfall “a blessing.”

Despite the significant payout, Vincent remains committed to her thrifting hobby, always on the lookout for the next exciting find.

Sports

McLaren Sign F1 Academy’s First Female Member

Bianca Bustamante, an 18-year-old F1 Academy racer, has made history by becoming the first female driver to join the McLaren Driver Development program. Born in the Philippines, she entered the scene in 2022, securing top rookie honors in the W Series. This year, she notched up two wins and two podiums with PREMA Racing in the F1 Academy.

As part of the McLaren program, Bustamante will race for the team on the 2024 F1 Academy grid, partnering with ART Grand Prix. The McLaren Driver Development initiative aims to nurture talent towards Formula 1, IndyCar, and Formula E.

Expressing her excitement, Bustamante said, "Signing with McLaren and ART Grand Prix is beyond anything I could've imagined. I'm grateful for this opportunity and believe I have the best structure for my career development. In 2024, my focus is on consistency and mental strength to challenge for the F1 Academy title."

Emanuele Pirro, Director of McLaren Racing Driver Development, praised Bustamante's work ethic and alignment with the team's values. He looks forward to her representing the team in the F1 Academy series in 2024.

Environment

Ozone Layer to Recover Within Decades

The ozone layer, a vital shield that protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation, is on track to be fully restored within the next few decades. This remarkable recovery is likely the result of decisive action taken around world to phase out ozone-depleting substances, such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), following the 1989 Montreal Protocol.

Scientists and researchers have been closely monitoring the ozone layer since the 1980s, when alarming reports of its depletion first surfaced. In the years since the Montreal Protocol was signed, the ozone layer has shown steady improvement.

According to the latest UN assessment, the ozone layer is expected to be completely recovered by 2040 across most of the world, with the polar regions taking a bit longer – 2045 for the Arctic and 2066 for the Antarctic.

Mind Stretchers 

⁉️ 

Two in a corner, one in a room, zero in a house, but one in a shelter. What am I?

Chris Hostetler was the first to send us the correct answer for yesterday’s Mind Stretcher.
The answer was: 26 squares 🔳 
Nice Job Chris!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected]

If you have any uplifting stories and experience you might want to share, send those over to [email protected] for the chance to be featured.