{"id":4275,"date":"2023-09-24T04:05:09","date_gmt":"2023-09-24T08:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/25-of-my-favorite-books-articles-gadgets-tech-and-more-so-far-in-2023\/"},"modified":"2023-09-24T04:05:09","modified_gmt":"2023-09-24T08:05:09","slug":"25-of-my-favorite-books-articles-gadgets-tech-and-more-so-far-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/25-of-my-favorite-books-articles-gadgets-tech-and-more-so-far-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"25 of My Favorite Books, Articles, Gadgets, Tech, and More (So Far in 2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Profit<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

\n
\"Tim<\/figure>\n

What does my audience care about most? <\/p>\n

Put another way: if nearly two million subscribers to my newsletter voted with their clicks, what most caught their attention thus far in 2023?<\/p>\n

The 25 items below are the most-clicked links from my weekly 5-Bullet Friday<\/em> newsletter so far this year, which I then further curated for this blog post. <\/p>\n

5-Bullet Friday<\/em><\/strong><\/a> is a short email of five bullet points sent out each Friday, and it has become somewhat famous for crashing websites and selling things out (a.k.a. \u201cthe hug of death,\u201d as some readers have put it). Each newsletter describes the five coolest things I\u2019ve found or explored that week, often including books, gadgets, tech workarounds, tricks from experts, strange experiments, and weird stuff from all over the world.\u00a0My subscribers have seen many things before they\u2019ve gone mainstream.<\/p>\n

If you haven\u2019t subscribed, it\u2019s free, and you can click here to sign up in a few seconds<\/a>. <\/strong>It\u2019s easy to unsubscribe anytime.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the below list as much as I did!<\/p>\n

The items were shuffled in no particular order, as more clicks doesn\u2019t automatically mean more valuable, and I didn\u2019t want to bias people towards a few links at the top. <\/p>\n

Here we go\u2026<\/p>\n

#1:<\/strong> Coffee gadgets I\u2019m using daily<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u200bJura ENA 4<\/strong><\/a> (Cost: $999). This was gifted to me by my friend Brad L. He is a die-hard coffee nerd and swore it was the best cup of coffee you could have without a professional barista. Just feed it whole beans, and it handles the rest. This attractive machine also imbues the coffee with a creamy texture that is hard to describe.
\u200b
\u200bAeroPress<\/strong> Original<\/strong><\/a> (Cost: <$40). This is an incredible, and affordable, little gem. As I wrote in The 4-Hour Chef<\/em><\/a>: \u201cThis is now, bar none, my favorite brewing method. Remember the Aerobie, the amazing UFO-like disc that you could throw farther than a football field, 20 times farther than a standard Frisbee? Alan Adler, a mechanical engineer and Stanford University lecturer, created it. After conquering the 1980s toy market, he began to obsess over coffee. The result was the AeroPress, which debuted in 2006. Quickly adopted by the specialty coffee community, it offers a simple way to prepare a small amount of excellent coffee, and it\u2019s great for travel. Armed with an AeroPress and a tiny manual hand grinder like the Hario MSS-1B Mini Mill<\/a> [or the more recently recommended Comandante<\/a>], you can even make world-class coffee on an airplane meal tray! No mess and no fuss.\u201d If you want to use a beefier and automated burr grinder at home, I now use the Baratza Encore<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[Published in the May 12th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#2:<\/strong> List of questions I\u2019m perusing<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>Questions<\/strong><\/a>\u201d <\/strong>by Alexey Guzey<\/a>. The English is a little rough in places, but I found some of these questions to be excellent reminders and many others to be outstanding brain food.<\/p>\n

[Published in the August 4th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#3:<\/strong> New blog post I\u2019m excited to share<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>Revisiting Warren Buffett\u2019s Advice to Me in 2008 (Plus: 7 Lessons for Young Investors)<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d <\/strong>An old video recently resurfaced on social media<\/a>. It\u2019s yours truly asking Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger a question at the 2008 Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting. I was intensely nervous, and the audio makes that clear. This clip went viral, and a number of media outlets (Wall Street Journal<\/em><\/a>, Business Insider<\/em><\/a>, <\/em>etc.) reached out to me for comment, asking me questions like \u201cWhat advice would you give a 30-year-old now who\u2019d just amassed their first million?\u201d I decided to take a few of my longer answers that didn\u2019t make it into the pieces and write a blog post<\/a> with more context.<\/p>\n

[Published in the March 3rd newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#4:<\/strong> Fast and easy game that I\u2019m loving<\/strong> <\/h2>\n

\u200bTaco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>You can learn how to play in less than a minute. The game is fast, fun, addictive, hilarious, and suitable for all ages. It scrambles brains to the delight of all. Hat tip to game Jedi Elan Lee<\/a> (@elanlee<\/a>) for introducing me to this gem!<\/p>\n

[Published in the March 26th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#5: What I\u2019m excited to share with you<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u200bA <\/strong>5-Bullet Friday<\/em><\/strong> exclusive! A short motivational video from Arnold Schwarzenegger, just for you<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> For more motivation and tactical advice from Arnold, click here<\/a> to sign up for his daily newsletter called The Pump Daily.<\/em> On the linked-to page<\/a>, you\u2019ll also get a free ebook describing how Arnold sets and achieves goals, a simple home-based workout, and his hardcore 1970s chest and back workout for anyone who wants to risk a trip to the hospital.<\/p>\n

And by the way\u2026 Arnold handwrites his emails. Check out this gem from earlier this week, shared with permission:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n

[Published in the January 13th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#6:<\/strong> Portable cold plunge I\u2019m enjoying<\/strong> <\/h2>\n

\u200bThe Cold Pod<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>For anti-inflammation and mood elevation, cold is the simplest solution I\u2019ve found. I desperately wanted to cold plunge while at an Airbnb, but what to do that doesn\u2019t leave a chest freezer behind? I found this inflatable Cold Pod<\/a> on Amazon, and it works surprisingly well. Yes, you need to refill with ice, but it\u2019s been a godsend. Pro tip: the less water you use, the less ice you need to lower the temperature.<\/p>\n

[Published in the August 4th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

#7:<\/strong> What I\u2019m rereading<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>100 Tips for a Better Life<\/strong><\/a>\u201d <\/strong>by Conor Barnes<\/a> (@Ideopunk<\/a>). This is a surprisingly good list, despite the generic headline. Thanks to Ryan Holiday<\/a> (@RyanHoliday<\/a>) for the recommendation.<\/p>\n

[Published in the July 21 newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#8:<\/strong> Winter jacket that\u2019s saving my ass<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u200bStio\u2019s Environ XT Jacket<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>I recently replaced my old ski jacket\/shell with this, and I\u2019m thrilled that I did. It\u2019s lightweight, durable, and has made even windy negative temperatures easy to handle with a proper base layer and midlayer. <\/strong>The Stio Environ XT is one of SKI Magazine<\/em>\u2019s \u201cBest Men\u2019s Ski Jackets of 2023,\u201d and I chose Afternoon Azure for color. Here\u2019s the description from the website: \u201cPrimed and ready for sidecountry hits, all-day tours, and storm laps in the resort, this jacket is for the minimalist who never uses his powder skirt and the purist who knows exactly what he needs.\u201d<\/p>\n

[Note:<\/strong> If the Stio jacket is sold out (it\u2019s popular!), this\u00a0Men\u2019s Shralpinist Stretch Recycled Jacket<\/a>\u00a0from Jones Snowboards is a great alternate. Hat tip to Brad for the recommendation.]<\/em><\/p>\n

[Published in the February 3rd newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#9:<\/strong> Article I\u2019m rereading<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>Taming the Mammoth: Why You Should Stop Caring What Other People Think<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d <\/strong>This remains one of the most empowering articles I\u2019ve read in recent years. It\u2019s hilarious and amazing. For double trouble, pair it with my interview with the author<\/a>, Tim Urban (@waitbutwhy<\/a>).<\/p>\n

[Published in the February 3rd newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#10:<\/strong> List I\u2019m studying<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2023<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d <\/strong>I am planning my next adventures, both in the U.S. and abroad, and this list had some unexpected gems.<\/p>\n

[Published in the July 21st newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#11:<\/strong> Device I\u2019m still using weekly to save my back and neck<\/strong> <\/h2>\n

\u200b<\/strong>The Body Back Buddy<\/strong><\/a>, which was originally recommended to me by Dustin Moskovitz<\/a> (@moskov<\/a>), co-founder of Asana and Facebook. Here\u2019s how Dustin answered my \u201cbest purchase for <$100?\u201d question in Tribe of Mentors<\/em><\/a>: \u201cThe Back Buddy<\/a> by the Body Back Company is my favorite purchase from the past five years, bar none. Most basically, it allows you to administer self-massage anywhere on your back with the full leverage of two hands, but I\u2019ve also really gotten to know and appreciate all the little knobs and other features over the years. I\u2019ve even learned how to manipulate parts of my skeletal structure (i.e., self-chiropracty) and incorporate it into my yoga practice.\u201d<\/p>\n

[Published in the August 18th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#12:<\/strong> Science fiction short story I\u2019m reading<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>The Last Question<\/strong><\/a>\u201d <\/strong>by Isaac Asimov<\/a>. This 10\u201315-minute read is really spectacular. DO NOT read anything about this story before digging in, as even a small spoiler can ruin it. Special thanks to Adam Robinson<\/a> (@IAmAdamRobinson<\/a>) for sending it to me.<\/p>\n

[Published in the April 21st newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#13:<\/strong> Book that I couldn\u2019t put down<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u200b<\/em><\/strong>Saga: Compendium One<\/em><\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> This is a raucous masterpiece! After two close friends recommended it within 48 hours, I bit the bullet. I haven\u2019t read graphic novels in ages, but this NSFW gem blew me away. I tore through it in two days. It\u2019s rare that both the writing and artwork grab me, but this did it. Deep bow and \u201cMore please!\u201d to Brian K. Vaughan<\/a> (@briankvaughan<\/a>), Fiona Staples<\/a> (@fionastaples<\/a>), and FONOGRAFIKS<\/a>. Don\u2019t let the page count scare you, as it moves quickly with the artwork. Think of it as a 150\u2013175-page book.<\/p>\n

[Published in the March 31st newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#14:<\/strong> YouTube summary I\u2019m sharing with friends<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>A Massive Upgrade To ChatGPT! (This is Crazy)<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d<\/strong> This short summary of new ChatGPT features really underscores how explosively the scope of AI tools is expanding. It looks like ChatGPT could quickly become WeChat<\/a> on steroids for the English-speaking world. Thanks to NP for sharing this.<\/p>\n

[Published in the March 24th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#15:<\/strong> What I\u2019m reading<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>Why AI Won\u2019t Cause Unemployment<\/strong><\/a>\u201d <\/strong>by Marc Andreessen<\/a> (@pmarca<\/a>). Even if you don\u2019t read this, take a second to look at the primary graph.<\/p>\n

[Published in the April 21st newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#16:<\/strong> Magic trick I\u2019m watching<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u200bInfinite Chocolate Bar Trick<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>Special thanks to Simon Coronel<\/a>, world champion of magic, for making me aware of this.<\/p>\n

[Published in the April 28th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#17:<\/strong> Article I\u2019m reading<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>How My Father and I Drew a New Life<\/strong><\/a>\u201d<\/strong> by Brian Frazer<\/a> for The New York Times<\/em>. This is a truly remarkable essay with lessons for all readers. Short and easy. If you\u2019re having trouble accessing the essay at the above link, try this one<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[Published in the June 23rd newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#18:<\/strong> What I\u2019m watching<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>The drawing advice that changed my life<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d <\/strong>This video has great advice for anyone looking to expand their creativity. It also has pithy and powerful principles (alliteration!) for anyone looking to procrastinate less.<\/p>\n

[Published in the May 26th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#19:<\/strong> What I\u2019m wearing for skiing and touring<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u200bORTOVOX Merino Thermovent Hoody<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>From the description: \u201cThe HOODY is made of 99% fine merino wool. Thanks to the mesh structure in the torso and arm areas, this super-lightweight base layer wicks moisture away perfectly and provides ventilation. And the air pockets in the special structure make it particularly warm. Merino wool is naturally temperature- and moisture-regulating. A small pack size and ideal weight-to-warmth ratio will delight all tourers who value comfort and low weight.\u201d<\/p>\n

[Published in the January 27th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#20:<\/strong> What I\u2019m using for better sleep<\/strong> <\/h2>\n

\u200bNayoya Acupressure Mat<\/strong><\/a>. <\/strong>This was originally introduced to me by acrobat phenom Andrii Bondarenko<\/a>, but <\/strong>I\u2019ve realized that the smaller portion intended for the neck is perfect for helping calm low-back stiffness and muscle spasms. I\u2019ll lie on this for 5\u201310 minutes as I read before bed then ditch and go to sleep. It seems to substantially reduce tightness and discomfort throughout the night, and the neck-roll portion is much easier to pack for travel.
[Note<\/strong>: If the Nayoya mat is sold out (it\u2019s popular!), you can find similar products online, like this mat from Sivan<\/a> with 4.3\/5 stars and 1900+ ratings.]<\/p>\n

[Published in the August 25th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#21:<\/strong> What I\u2019m reading<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>How We Spend Our Days Is How We Spend Our Lives: Annie Dillard on Choosing Presence Over Productivity<\/strong><\/a>\u201d <\/strong>by Maria Popova<\/a> (@brainpicker<\/a>).<\/p>\n

[Published in the May 12th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#22:<\/strong> Comic book series I\u2019m loving<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u200bTokyo Ghost<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, written by Rick Remender<\/a>, drawn by Sean Murphy<\/a>, and colored by Matt Hollingsworth<\/a>. Lazarus #1<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, written by Greg Rucka<\/a>, drawn by Michael Lark<\/a>, and colored by Santi Arcas<\/a>. Reckless<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, <\/em><\/strong>written by Ed Brubaker<\/a>, illustrated by Sean Phillips<\/a>, and colored by Jacob Phillips<\/a>. I posted the covers on Instagram for those who\u2019d like to take a gander<\/a>.<\/p>\n

[Published in the May 12th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#23:<\/strong> What I\u2019m watching<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>Michael Jackson on Fire Diorama<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d<\/strong> This is the best thing I\u2019ve seen on the Internet in a looong time. Keep watching. It just gets weirder. Huge thanks to Oli for sending this to me. I have no idea how he tracked this down on a YouTube channel with five videos, but what a gift! First, you see an amazing craftsman, and then\u2026<\/p>\n

[Published in the April 7th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#24:<\/strong> Short video that\u2019s making me laugh<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>Letterkenny Problems Ep. 1<\/strong><\/a>.\u201d <\/strong>This clip is only 90 seconds long and will offend at least 69% of you. Consider yourselves warned. Description: \u201cTwo good old boys from Letterkenny, Ontario, tell you their problems.\u201d Hat tip to Dr. Montucky for this gem, which I needed in the midst of a serious week.<\/p>\n

[Published in the March 17th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

#25:<\/strong> Article I\u2019m reading<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201c<\/strong>The four-hour workday<\/strong><\/a>\u201d <\/strong>by Oliver Burkeman<\/a>. <\/strong>Hat tip to Cal Newport<\/a> for this one. I love Oliver\u2019s perspective and writing style. From the essay: \u201cSomething I\u2019ve long understood about myself is that whenever I get stressed about the number of things on my plate, or anxious about the challenges of a specific project, it\u2019s an excellent idea to do the opposite of what comes naturally to me<\/strong>.\u201d For a perfect pairing, also take a look at Parkinson\u2019s Law<\/a>, a satirical but practical concept I explored a lot in The 4-Hour Workweek<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

[Published in the August 4th newsletter<\/em>]<\/p>\n

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Want to see more? Take 10 seconds and sign up for 5-Bullet Friday<\/em> here<\/a>.<\/strong> Each Friday, you\u2019ll get a short email of five bullets, sending you off to your weekend with fun and useful things to ponder and try. If you dislike it, it\u2019s easy to unsub. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.<\/p>\n

Related and Recommended<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

The Tim Ferriss Show<\/strong><\/a> <\/em>is one <\/span>of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than 900 million downloads. It has been selected for “Best of Apple Podcasts” three times, it is often the #1 interview podcast across all of Apple Podcasts, and it’s been ranked #1 out of 400,000+ podcasts on many occasions. To listen to any of the past episodes for free, check out this page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n