5-Bullet Friday

Hi All!

Here is your weekly dose of 5-Bullet Friday, a list of what I’m pondering and exploring. I added another bullet for extra spice.

This edition is brought to you by AG1 Next Gen, my daily nutritional insurance. I’ve been using AG1 since 2009. Be sure to see their offer in the P.S.

What I’m reading

“Everything Is Television” by Derek Thompson. This is a superb piece. If you are online, you should read it. If you create online, you should read it twice. If you’re in a rush, just read the Meta anti-monopoly comments and look at the graphs. Derek’s observations and citations largely explain my deliberate down-scaling of video over the last few years, in addition to concerns around audience capture and privacy. Last, it’s always bothered me when techno-optimists insist AI will make the masses all a leisure class with more time than ever before for learning, knitting, or whatever. Putting aside the fact that most of them are big investors in AI, nothing has ever delivered on that promise and prediction (cue: Industrial Revolution). This piece makes a compelling case that AI will make time feel scarcer, not more abundant. In a future 5BF or blog post, I might describe how I’m setting up personal safeguards against this.

Gadget I’m using

Glass and Metal AeroPress. I wrote a lot about the amazing AeroPress in The 4-Hour Chef, but I always had reservations about putting hot water into a plastic container. I’ve increasingly tried to avoid plastics, especially in combination with heat (see this Dr. Rhonda Patrick podcast for more). This new and premium version of the AeroPress avoids the plastic problem altogether. If you want to go the extra mile, pair it with their reusable titanium-coated stainless steel filter. It ain’t cheap, but if you’re a coffee snob, it might be worth the ride.

Documentary I’m watching

John Candy: I Like Me. As someone whose childhood was saturated with love for John Candy, this doc hit the mark. The first ~15 minutes start slow, and then it quickly ramps up. From the description: “From director Colin Hanks and producer Ryan Reynolds comes John Candy: I Like Me. Those who knew John best [e.g., Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Catherine O’Hara] share his story, in their own words, through never-before-seen archival footage, imagery, and interviews. It’s a documentary of the life, career, and loss of one of the most beloved actors of all time.” You can watch the trailer here.

Halloween giveaway I’m excited about

Friends in Austin! I am giving away 200 copies of my card game Coyote! This giveaway is limited to parents. Just bring your kid or kids—at least one age 9 and older—to Dragon’s Lair today or over the weekend and ask for Coyote. Costumes are not required but encouraged :) Limited to one game per family while supplies last, and please tag me on Instagram (@timferriss) with a fun photo if you end up getting one. First come, first served. Enjoy!​
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Location: Dragon’s Lair is an institution in Austin (35+ years in the business) and offers the best in tabletop gaming, comics, board games, RPGs, CCGs, miniatures, and more. The address is 2438 W. Anderson Ln., Ste. B1, Austin, TX 78757.

Book highlight I’m pondering

“As part of my interview process, I enlist each of my client’s coworkers to help me out. I want them to assist, not sabotage the change process. I let the coworker know how my process works by saying, ‘I’m going to be working with my client for the next year or so. I don’t get paid if he doesn’t get better. ‘Better’ is not defined by me. It’s not defined by my client. ‘Better’ is defined by you and the other coworkers who will be involved in this process.’ The raters usually respond well to that.”
​— What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith​
(Also see: 360-degree feedback)

Quote I’m pondering

“Propaganda seeks to destroy art in order to sanitize culture.”​
— Mary Karr in The Art of Memoir
​(Click here to share on X.)

You can complement this edition of 5-Bullet Friday with my “4-Minute Cup of Coffee” clip from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the top coffee gear from The 4-Hour Chef, and this morning tea video, for those of you who might prefer a coffee alternative.
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And, as always, please give me feedback on X. Which bullet above is your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Other suggestions? Please let me know. Just send a tweet to @tferriss and put #5BulletFriday at the end so I can find it.
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Have a wonderful weekend, all.
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Much love to you and yours,
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Tim

P.S. Deal of the Week — AG1 all-in-one daily supplement

I get asked all the time, “If you could use only one supplement, what would it be?” My answer is usually AG1, my all-in-one nutritional insurance. I recommended it in The 4-Hour Body in 2010 and didn’t get paid to do so. I focus on nutrient-dense meals, of course, but AG1 further covers the nutritional gaps in my diet for less than $3.00 per day. I have always admired AG1’s commitment to improving one product over many years, which is why I am excited about their latest upgrade: AG1 Next Gen. It’s the same—but improved—single-scoop, once-a-day product to support your mental clarity, immune health, and energy. AG1 is NSF Certified for Sport, one of the most rigorous independent quality and safety certification programs. After consuming this product for 12 years, I chose to invest in AG1 in 2021, as I trust their no-compromise approach to ingredient sourcing and appreciate their focus on continuously improving one formula.
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