THE MUSTS

Billionaires are getting deep into politics

Evidencing the growing power and influence of the super-rich, a study showed that more than 11% of the world's billionaires have run for election or become politicians. The study concluded that in various ways, "multimillionaires tend to play significant roles in the political systems of their countries, included but not limited to the presidency".

• In the US: In addition to Donald Trump in 2020, Michael Bloomberg and Tom Steyer tried for the Democratic nomination. Last year, Rick Caruso lost an election for mayor of LA by spending $104 million on his campaign.

• Global movement: Terry Gou - founder of Foxconn - is running for president of Taiwan. There's also the late Silvio Berlusconi in Italy and other big names in Thailand, Chile, Lebanon, Czech Republic and the new president of Equador discussed two editions ago.

Personal opinion - Let’s put everything into context: We are living a period where the European Union is constantly fighting with Meta over the protection of citizens' data. Alphabet (the company that owns Google) is currently in one of the biggest anti trust trials in modern history. NASA and the Pentagon are heavily dependent on Musk-owned SpaceX for US national security. Although it might seem a bit obvious, the main shareholders of these companies are already infinitely more powerful and influential than many world leaders. With actual seats in the administration and increasing power, who is going to ensure that our governments are defending the interests of its citizens and not the interests of private companies and a select group of individuals?

Fun fact: With 116 billionaires in government, China has the highest proportion of the super-rich in politics at 36%.

More about them:

• Pack your bags. A group of Silicon Valley tycoons just finished buying all the land needed to build the “perfect city”. The project, called “California Forever”, will focus on sustainable homes, prosperous jobs and high education.

• Huge Buffet for Mr. Buffett. Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett's company, recorded the highest operating profit in its history: 10.7 billion dollars, driven by the impact of high interest rates, fixed income strategies and gains in the insurance business.

• We lost one of the good ones. Charles Feeney, the billionaire co-founder of Duty Free Shoppers, died at 92 last month. I wanted to take a moment here to give my respects since he was one of my personal favorite billionares 💔 .

  • Feeney rented a two-bedroom apartment, took public transit, and flew economy until he was 75 (a bit of a stretch this last one), donating almost all his fortune to various causes like death penalty abolition and peace efforts to end sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.

  • Unlike most billionaire philanthropists… Feeney made many of his contributions anonymously, often using cashier’s checks to hide their origin.

How big are your testicules?

That's the first question Matt Walker uses to set the stage for his TED. We all know sleeping is important. But how much?

Those who don't get adequate sleep retain 40% less information than their well-rested peers. This translates to a 40% reduction not only in learning but also in the capacity to recall day-to-day experiences. It's as though you're 40% less engaged with life itself. And it's worth noting that as a society, our sleep habits are deteriorating over time. Kind of a concerning trend, isn't it?

I could delve into more captivating facts, but I wouldn't want to spoil the incentive for you to watch it yourself. (Rating: 9,5/10)

• Dream trip: A list of the 30 coolest destinations and experiences to explore in 2024.

• Art lovers. For those who want to have fun and become more cultured, the game "Can you guess the Artwork?" might be the right choice.

• It’s the genes baby. How your genetics determine what your face looks like? Researchers find new ways to explain our unique facial features.

• The end of an era. The mainstream narrative has declared Tumblr dead for years. But is it though?

• Nostalgic enough. The Beatles release a new song, with a little help from AI. Check it out.

• My heart will go on. With oysters, lamb and duck, a copy of the menu served to the Titanic's first-class passengers was auctioned this week.

• A home for your books. The LibraryThing website organizes your "bedside books" and introduces you to a community of 3 million passionate readers.

This is the my most personal text I've written here so far. I've just finished the fourth and final season of "Sex Education". And I can't help but share how this season left me in tears in nearly every episode. The show isn't overly dramatic though - It has a light-hearted vibe while addressing some significant issues - I’m just a big crier.

This season hit me hard, but not because of the characters or the show itself. But because every episode felt like a flashback to my younger self. Back then I was struggling with so many internal demons about my identity and sexuality - while dealing with the external demons of a very homophobic family and a conservative mother. I didn't like myself for a long time because of them. I felt wrong. And the world can be a painfully lonely place when you feel like you are flawed.

Whether at school, at church or at home, there wasn’t a safe place. And even being young, we learned to pretend that we don’t hear. That we don’t care. The whispers at Christmas lunch, the unsteady looks of our parents’ friends, the gossips in the corridor. All the anger and resentment toward us.

Here’s a thing no one knows: When I was a little kid - and didn't even know what sexuality was - I used to fall asleep on my knees while praying. After saying goodnight to my mother, I prayed fervently to God, until I fall asleep. I remember pouring all my heart and soul into a thought, believing that if I wished hard enough, it might reach God's ears:

I felt utterly alone back then, desperate to change who I was.

In fact, one of the biggest challenges I faced afterwards was learning who I am beneath all the layers I used to built up. How do I speak when I am not forcing a more masculine tone? How would I like to dress if I wasn't trying to dress like everyone else? It was a daily exercise to search the answers and start the process of allowing myself to just be.

Fast forward a few years and now I'm finally getting to know myself, a bit more everyday, and I ultimately understand why you guys like me so much: I really am an incredible person. Some might say almost an utopic state of mind. 🤭 

 It is heartwarming to think that countless pre-teens will watch this show and recognize themselves in the character's struggles. I adore the fact that kids today won't spend hours praying to be someone they're not. And I truly wish the next generation of parents teach them about self-love and acceptance from day one, as they were supposed to. 

Micael. 

ps: Despite coming from a conservative family, I do need to point out how lucky I was to have an amazing father who ignited the spark of self-esteem that I have today (some might say in excess...). And a special shoutout to Rodrigo, my guiding star through the labyrinth of understanding my sexuality, self-discovery, and self-love. I love you both.

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