Good Morning! 🌞 

In today’s newsletter we feature an article about how to minimize your spending on streaming services in 2024 (we did quite a bit of research), a rediscovered ancient Egyptian site and a life changing Biohack!

Also make sure to check out today’s mind-stretcher. It’s a tricky one!

Economy

The Future of Streaming

As we step into 2024, the world of streaming is set to undergo a significant transformation with the introduction of various planned service bundles. This comes in the wake of many streaming services adding advertisements to their bottom tiers in an attempt to stay, or even become, profitable. These include Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Prime Video.

Very few streaming services made a profit this year. Netflix, Apple TV+, and HBO’s rebranded Max being among the few to make profits.

The increase in bundles seems like a decent strategy to get more subscribers onto their respective platforms. Let's take a closer look at some of the streaming service bundles of 2024.

1. Disney+ and Hulu
   This bundle, which launched at the beginning of 2024 will be an alternative bundle to the current Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu trio. This partnership will bring together two popular streaming services, offering a vast collection of movies, TV shows, and original content.

2. Verizon, Max and Netflix
   Verizon is offering a $10/month bundle with Max and Netflix. This is available to Verizon customers and is for the ads versions of Max and Netflix.

3. Apple TV+ and Paramount+
   There are also talks about a partnership between Paramount Global and Apple. These two companies are reportedly considering a bundle that combines the best of Apple TV+ and Paramount+, giving subscribers access to a vast library of sports and news content.

If you already have have some of these streaming services. Changing to a bundle could save you some decent money.

Entertainment

Country Singer 'Retired' From Alcohol

In recent news, country singer Jon Pardi has made headlines for his decision to "retire" from alcohol. The 38-year-old musician, known for hits like "Head Over Boots" and "Dirt on My Boots," recently revealed that he has been sober for 130 days and has no plans to return to drinking in the near future.

Pardi's decision to quit drinking alcohol came after he was diagnosed as pre-diabetic and realized he needed to make a change for his health. In an podcast interview, he mentioned that he was unhappy with his physical appearance and felt like he needed to take a break from drinking to improve his overall well-being.

Since giving up alcohol, Pardi has lost a significant amount of weight and is feeling much better about himself. He even joked about his newfound confidence, saying, "I just did a photo shoot and I was like... 'Damn, I look good.'"

Despite his success with sobriety, Pardi admits definitely still has a sweet tooth and occasionally indulges in ice cream. He also acknowledges that he may not stay retired from alcohol forever, but for now, he is enjoying the benefits of a sober lifestyle.

I am glad it is working out for him.

World News

High Priest Ptahshepses Rediscovered After 160 Years

In an astonishing archaeological breakthrough, the long-lost tomb of Ptahshepses, an ancient Egyptian high priest, has been rediscovered in Egypt after being lost for nearly 160 years. The Czech Institute of Egyptology at Charles University in Prague announced the discovery, which has captivated the world with its historical significance and the potential for new insights into the life of Ptahshepses.

Ptahshepses, who lived around 4,400 years ago during the 24th and 25th centuries BCE, was a high priest in the Old Kingdom of Egypt. His tomb was first discovered in the 19th century by French scholar Auguste Mariette, who partially excavated the site and removed some of the outer components, such as the intricate false door. The false door contains an extensive biography of Ptahshepses’ life. Through it we learn many details about his life and the period, including that he married the daughter of Pharaoh Userkaf. He is the first known non-royal official to be given permission to marry a royal daughter. After Mariette's excavation, the tomb disappeared under the sand, and its location remained a mystery for over a century.

The rediscovery of the tomb occurred in the zone between the pyramid fields of Abusir and Saqqara, Egypt. Miroslav Barta, head of research at Abusir, described the challenging search that spanned several years. He explained that meticulous examination of old maps and detailed satellite imagery of the area played a crucial role in the discovery.

When the archaeologists entered the actual burial chamber, it’s massive limestone blocking stone was still in place. Although the chamber had been robbed in antiquity, it retained some original burial equipment, including votive offerings and pottery.

The most significant revelation came when the archaeologists opened the partially accessible sarcophagus, finding the mummified remains of Ptahshepses himself. Examination of these remains has offered new insights into the mummification techniques used during the Old Kingdom.

Here is an interesting video showing some of the inside of the tomb.

Sports

NFL Shake-Up

As the NFL regular season comes to a close, the power rankings have seen a significant shake-up in Week 18. The Baltimore Ravens have overtaken the top spot after a convincing win against the San Francisco 49ers, while the Kansas City Chiefs have dropped a few spots following a disappointing loss. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins have slipped down the rankings as the playoffs approach.

The Dallas Cowboys have replaced the Philadelphia Eagles in the top five, with both teams looking to secure their playoff spots in the final week of the regular season. The Denver Broncos have also made a strong push, climbing to the 14th spot after a string of impressive performances.

The New England Patriots, on the other hand, have fallen out of the top 10 after a tough loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Seattle Seahawks and the Denver Broncos have also experienced a drop in the rankings, with both teams struggling to find their form in recent weeks.

As we enter the final week of the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape. The top contenders are jockeying for position, while the teams on the bubble are fighting for their postseason lives. The next few days will be crucial for many teams as they look to secure their spot in the NFL playoffs.

Mind Stretchers
❔

I make two people out of one. What am I?

Yesterday’s Answer:
A Secret.

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.