Been my VPN of choice for a long time. Simple, easy, cross-device. Just ticks all the boxes and works

History and culture are vastly undervalued. Most obviously among the general masses, who are far more interested in whatever the Kardashians or the Biebers are up to or whatever the viral TikTok theme is. But also among the so-called elite: people working in tech, finance or entrepreneurs. I often hear people in these fields touting how important the Greeks and the Renaissance were for Western society and how great we are in the West. They have little to no awareness of the fact how greatly influenced Ancient Greece was by Persia, or how when Europe descended into the Dark Ages, it was the Islamic World that rediscovered and cultivated the Greek wisdom – and on the side catapulting mathematics and medicine into a new era (just think algebra). History gives us appreciation of all cultures. It helps us see humanity as a whole. And it provides a very powerful context for the present: a lot of current events are iterations and rehashings of what people did in the past. Aeropagus is a phenomenal newsletter that sheds light on history beyond what is taught in the standard, subpar and narrow-viewed school textbooks. It teaches us about the macro, like why the Babylonian Empire fell, and super interesting trivia, like how the modern tie emerged from the preference of Croatian mercenaries ("Hvar" --> "Croat" --> "Kravat") who inspired the French king who was largely responsible for why France has a luxury and fashion industry now. I highly recommend this newsletter. A little side effect is that you'll enhance your standing towards The Most Interesting Person in the Room award.

The Ever-Changing "You" read and listen on sahilbloom.com​ ​read time 6 minutes Welcome to The Curiosity Chronicle, a weekly newsletter where I provide actionable ideas to help you build a high-performing, healthy, wealthy life. Today at a Glance: The Ship of Theseus is a thought experiment proposed by the Greek philosopher Plutarch in relation to a story about the Greek hero Theseus. If every single piece of Theseus' ship has been replaced gradually over time, is it still the original ship? You are your own Ship of Theseus, constantly replacing your parts over the years (metaphorically and literally). But concerning yourself with the question of "who you are" at any point in time is inviting an identity struggle that is unnecessary. The reality: There is no original version. You simply exist. You never become, you are in a constant state of becoming. This means that you simply need to embrace all change and not worry about clinging to some old version that may have existed. How to Discover a More Impactful Career Path​ ​ Transform your career into a force for good. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but have you considered if your job feels meaningful? 80,000 Hours can help you find a fulfilling path that makes a difference. You don’t have to be a doctor or charity worker to make an impact; there are many other high-impact routes you might not know about. Rooted in research with Oxford University academics, this nonprofit offers a free career guide to challenge conventional choices and open your eyes to new possibilities. The guide is full of practical, research-driven advice to help you build a career plan that excites and motivates you. Beyond the guide, explore deep-dive interviews on their podcast and impactful opportunities on their job board. Everything 80,000 Hours offers is completely free — because they believe in empowering you to make a difference through your career. Dive into the free guide and start planning a career that’s fulfilling and contributes to the greater good. Get the free guide ​ The Ever-Changing "You" In Ancient Greek lore, Theseus was a legendary hero known for his strength, courage, and intelligence. In perhaps his most famous adventure, Theseus traveled to the island of Crete to battle the evil Minotaur. After defeating the mythical creature, he sails home to Athens on his ship, which he leaves in the care of the people of Athens. As the story goes, the Athenians honored Theseus by maintaining his ship in the harbor and using it for an annual reenactment of his incredible voyage. For 1,000 years, this tradition was upheld. As pieces of the ship gradually decayed, they were replaced with new pieces of identical materials. Eventually, every single piece of the ship had been individually replaced, part of a methodical, steady renewal that took many centuries. The Greek philosopher Plutarch would later offer that the story of the Ship of Theseus raises an interesting question (and philosophical paradox): If every single piece of the ship was replaced, was it still the original ship? Further, if all of the old, decayed pieces were collected, and used to build a new ship, would that be the true original ship? Plutarch's question is fundamentally about the nature of identity—who you are at different points, the persistence of that identity over time, and how to wrestle with the inevitable tension of change. In today's piece, I'd like to offer my own interpretation on the matter of identity and change—and leave you with a specific call to action that will unlock you to embrace whatever lies ahead. Your Own Ship of Theseus Let's start with a simple fact: You are your own Ship of Theseus—metaphorically, yes, as you learn and grow, but also literally. Every day, your body literally replaces billions of cells. While the time horizon of the replacement and regeneration varies, it is often said that the human body replaces all of its cells every 7-10 years. You are, in some sense, an organic manifestation of the Ship of Theseus—in a constant state of change. But this is where I break rank from Plutarch's brain-bending discussion and venture off on my own, simple path: Identity is the real thing everyone is searching for, the common thread that connects all of us. Many of the greatest struggles in life are the result of identity dislocation: A desire to cling to an old identity that no longer serves or applies. A gap between who you think you are and who the world thinks you are. A misalignment between a present identity and a desired identity. I would argue that concerning yourself with the question of "who you are" at any one point in time—the original ship vs. the new ship—is unnecessary at best, and dangerous at worst. It invites an identity struggle based upon a flawed idea that there is a before and after in your journey. My own interpretation is that there is no beginning, middle, and end to your change. There is no before or after, no v1 or v2, no old or new. Infinite versions of who you are, who you will become, and who you could have been. The roads not taken and the roads traveled. There is no original version. You simply exist. You never become, you are in a constant state of becoming. There is just the ship—there is just you—the Ever-Changing You. The Paradox of Change "When you are finished changing, you are finished." — Benjamin Franklin So, what does all of this mean? How can you navigate the endless complexity of life with a bit more confidence and clarity? Simple: Embrace the Paradox of Change. This paradox says that the only constant in life is change. The failure to embrace that change—to cling to the past, to fear the fluidity, to hold onto something—is the source of endless turmoil. Trying to remain as the old original ship, when what is needed is removal, newness, growth, progress, and change. The acceptance of that constant change is the source of peace. It is the acceptance that there is no original version of you that needs to be preserved or maintained for posterity or continuity: You don't need to cling to old beliefs, mindsets, ideas, and pursuits. You don't need to cling to old people who no longer serve you. You don't need to cling to the old way things were done. If you are in a constant state of change, you are free to embrace that in all its varied forms. Add to, subtract from, edit, mold, and morph your being. Charles Darwin said it best: "It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change." Embrace your state of constant change—be dynamic, be adaptable. There is no Past You to cling to, there is no Future You to worry about. There is just the Present You to take action: To embrace change, to enjoy the calm waters and endure the storms on your lifelong adventure. Share to Twitter! Preorder My First Book: The 5 Types of Wealth offers a new way to measure what matters, make better decisions, and design your life around the pillars that truly create lasting joy and fulfillment. No matter who you are, or where you are on your journey, this book is for you. If you’ve enjoyed any of my work, you’re going to find immense value in this book. I guarantee it. P.S. You get access to special bonuses (a video series, live AMA/office hours, and a book club appearance) if you preorder today. More info at the link below.

Transform your career into a force for good. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but have you considered if your job feels meaningful? 80,000 Hours can help you find a fulfilling path that makes a difference. You don’t have to be a doctor or charity worker to make an impact; there are many other high-impact routes you might not know about. Rooted in research with Oxford University academics, this nonprofit offers a free career guide to challenge conventional choices and open your eyes to new possibilities. The guide is full of practical, research-driven advice to help you build a career plan that excites and motivates you. Beyond the guide, explore deep-dive interviews on their podcast and impactful opportunities on their job board. Everything 80,000 Hours offers is completely free — because they believe in empowering you to make a difference through your career. Dive into the free guide and start planning a career that’s fulfilling and contributes to the greater good.

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s name is synonymous with fitness and transformation. I first met him through the podcast, and I got to see his systems and thinking firsthand. He does nothing half-assed. So when the man who popularized the phrase “progressive resistance training” launched his first app, I had to take a look. ​ ​The Pump isn’t overloaded with features. It’s training, habit tracking, and a positive community. We’ll come back to that last part, as I think it’s a big piece of the secret sauce and the results they’ve seen. ​The Pump has more than 20,000 success stories. There are stories from beginner users who’ve lost 50+ pounds and had their doctors give them a clean bill of health for the first time, and there are stories from advanced users who have deadlifted 500 pounds for the first time. How is this possible? ​ Arnold doesn’t let you try a new workout every day. A lot of apps choose to give their members what they want—Arnold gives them what they need. Instead of making it easy to hop around, which would probably get him more users, Arnold insists on the power of sticking to a single well-designed routine. He offers options for all fitness levels and goals, whether you want fat loss or muscle gain, or whether you have access to a gym or only your living room. But once you’ve chosen your options, he asks you to focus on your customized program for the next 90 days and train with intensity and focus. Trust me. If “Arnold Schwarzenegger will be your coach” doesn’t sell you, the results will. The community of The Pump is one of the most positive corners of the Internet I’ve ever seen. The world needs more of that. ​If you want to finally lose fat, build muscle, and create healthier habits, you can access The Pump app for just $6.42 per month with a yearly subscription. And if you buy a yearly membership, you’ll also receive a $100 gift card to Momentous and a $20 Pump Diet guide.

Join over 3.5 million Americans (including yours truly!) who start their day with ​1440​ – your daily digest for unbiased, fact-centric news. From politics to sports, they cover it all by analyzing over 100 sources. Their concise, 5-minute read lands in your inbox each morning at no cost. Experience news without the noise; let 1440 help you make up your own mind. Sign up now and invite your friends and family to be part of the informed! Sign Up for Free!

I tried HumanN SuperBeets Beetroot Powder in Black Cherry Flavor from Muzshaltd and love it! The taste is great, and it mixes easily into water. I've felt more energetic and noticed better blood circulation. It's a simple way to support heart health. Highly recommend!

A modern day philosopher, Eckhart Tolle, manages to extract a meaning of religion, of the word "God", in a truly profound way. I've always been turned off by the dogmatism, the shallowness and the hypocrisy of so many religions and their practitioners, that I labelled myself an atheist. The Power of Now is finally a set of practical instructions and simple insights into existence, that unlocks spirituality. Also because it refers so accurately to how the unconscious mind work, how we're basically monkeys driven by our genetic programming, and how slowly, as our intelligence evolves, we go to a stage beyond – which is consciousness.

This edition of 5 Bullet Friday is brought to you by Harbor, a next-generation baby-monitor company and one of my larger new investments. Be sure to see their offer in the P.S.

This was introduced to me by one of the most thoughtful, present, and playful couples I know. They have also infused the raising of their daughters with a similar ethos. From the book description: “The Well of Being, from Jean-Pierre Weill, is an illustrated inquiry into the art of happiness and what it means to be radically alive in our daily moments. Images and a graceful philosophic text invite us to awaken from our constructed stories that we may return to this world and live in the present. The book opens with a perennial account of life’s ultimate purpose and concludes with a unique retelling of the puzzle we call ‘growing up.’ Through art, philosophy, and poetry, we are offered a refreshing and empowering way to rethink ourselves.”

It just digests all your scattered research and organizes them into graphs, tables for impeccable presentation. The new way to create articles, research papers or just general content. Phenomenal.

If you're in ecommerce, then this is the that one tool you need. An operating system for ecommerce. No more bullshit of trying to tie together data, make sense of insights unsure about the fidelity etc. Just smooth.

If you extensively use Notion anyways, then this tools helps you to just turn it into a beautifully-looking, smoothly running FAQ and helpdesk website. The founder is super responsive and helpful. Love it.

This is so useful: hire and pay people from ANYWHERE in the world, without a need for a local entity: taxes, contracts, benefits all according to local regulations handled by them. So easy!

You can see my screen in the photo and the message I had for myself when I was working on Tools of Titans back in 2016. Momentum Dash is outstanding, but you’ll likely end up paying for it. My close friend found a free alternative with basic functionality, and it gets the bare-bones job done: New Tab Random Quote.

New AI tools I’ve been playing with nonstop: Udlo and Suno. Here’s one of many prompts from Suno: “Heavy metal song about panicked polar bears that eat too much edible cannabis on New Year’s Eve.” It produced two song variations about 90 seconds later, and the quality was unbelievable. This AI-music arms race is heating up fast, and it’s also straining under the explosive demand. When I tried to use Suno for this bullet, it was freezing and producing errors, so I tried a competitor named Udio for the first time. I was up and running in seconds. From coverage in Tom’s Guide: “The brainchild of former Google DeepMind engineers, the [Udio] platform has already drawn both investment and attention from parts of the music community, including [will.i.am](http://will.i.am/) and Common.” I used this prompt: “an upbeat reggaeton song about a newsletter named 5-Bullet Friday that brings joy like a bathtub full of puppies” Click here for the song it created in about 90 seconds, which I then extended. https://www.udio.com/songs/bhmhExfKbjrhnBZYW1gSLi It’s unreal. I suspect some of you will also get a laugh out of the cover art, which I generated on the platform with “Tim Ferriss in a bathtub full of puppies.” Click the heart, and perhaps it’ll trend. :) You could throw a lot of these AI songs on a sound system at a party tonight, and no one would raise an eyebrow. My song is in Spanish, but the English lyrics via Google Translate are below. It sounds a lot better in Spanish! The “extend” function could use some work blending the segments, but it is already a mind-blowing experience: The newsletter that lights up the week, joy Five bullets that wake me up every day, every day Like puppies playing, they make me smile, smile Bathtub full of joy, there is no better breeze, that breeze Their stories carry us, every Friday is a party 5-Bullet Friday, the joy it injects you Fresh news arrives, Friday is ready, oh yes With each bullet, my heart bursts, bursts Rhythm in words, like a complete, complete party 5-Bullet Friday, is the spark that resonates and connects Under the Friday sun, the vibration does not stop Five pure moments, drive away sadness Once again, here’s the link to listen. And if the links are down for some reason, I downloaded my creation, so here’s a backup version. Mere moments after making the above, I got the warning “Due to heavy load, generations are much slower than usual. We’re working hard to improve performance.” The race goes to the swift!

Every once in a while, innovations come around that solve problems with a “Why didn’t someone think of this earlier?” effect. Luggage on wheels is one example. For me, this Braun trimmer is another. I have TONS of clippers. Why? Because I lose the plastic attachments for different lengths, then I’m screwed and need a new set. This superior Braun design is an all-in-one solution that uses a radial dial allowing 40 length settings in 0.02″ steps. I love it.

“Autofocus” for your voice! Check out this cool demo on YouTube from the link below. If it delivers even 50% of the features, it’ll be one to watch. The description: “RAY is the first microphone with our new sensor-based AURA technology to dynamically adapt your levels and tone according to your distance to the microphone. It’s like autofocus but for your voice. Instead of making perfectly sharp pictures, you’re getting perfectly balanced recordings.” Has anyone used this? If so, what are the pros and cons? Please let me know at @tferriss on Twitter with #RAY. I’m considering sending this to remote podcast guests going forward, as it will save us all tons of fussing with levels, gain, “could you get a little closer to the mic,” etc. https://www.amazon.com/Lewitt-RAY-Large-Diaphragm-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B0D1GWSKJX/

I must confess with great shame that I have never finished The Power Broker, the legendary Pulitzer Prize winner by Robert Caro. Dozens of my most brilliant friends have recommended it, and I’ve tried valiantly, but I somehow fall short. The book chronicles the life of Robert Moses, a city planner who became the most powerful man in New York, shaping the city’s politics and infrastructure. ​ A three-part podcast (99% Invisible, hosted by Roman Mars and Elliott Kalan) allowed me to salvage my self-respect and dive back into what I knew to be an incredible story worth exploring. It also reignited my desire to finish the book.

Dr. Stuart McGill is one of the great Jedis of spine mechanics. Long-term readers might recognize Stuart’s name, as I featured the following exercises from him in a previous 5BF: “Enhancing low back health through stabilization exercise.” From extreme pain six months ago, these exercises helped me to aggressively ski half-day sessions 4–5x/week all of January and February.

A few weeks ago, I met a fellow baldy while skiing. My pate was growing out and beginning to look a little bedraggled, and I complimented him on his clean shave. To that, I added my usual comment: “I just can’t use a blade on my head. Cut it once and it bled everywhere. Too much hassle.” He responded with “Oh, I don’t use a blade” and sent me the Pitbull Head and Face Shaver as a gift. I’ve only used it for a few weeks, but it’s been absolutely fantastic. I suggest using it at least every other day or every few days, since it can’t chomp well on longer hair. I have the platinum model, but it seems like people equally love the less expensive gold version. Bonus: a single charge seems to last a few weeks of usage. Thanks, Craig!

This book was mentioned quite a few times by podcast guests before I picked it up as an audiobook, in part because I learned so much from Sebastian’s earlier book, More Money Than God. I expected to know most of the venture history, but there were a ton of behind-the-scenes stories and details that I hadn’t heard before. It was also fun to get more background on at least a dozen game-changers who have been on the podcast (Bill Gurley, Patrick Collison, Roelof Botha, etc.). Even if you don’t have time for the entire book, I strongly recommend everyone listen to the concluding chapter portions on how countries can foster innovation and the geopolitical implications of tech investing, which are vast. The next few years will see a lot of this come to the forefront.

Hard speculative scifi at it's finest. What a series. Not literature in any ways, but a pure delight in terms of crafting a world based on current technological directions. The best and most realistic take I've seen on the concepts of digitally immortalizing humans, VR and terraforming.

At first I thought: okay another one of the Hunger Games / Jupiter Ascending chewed-over boring fantasy/scifi ripoff. But the writing just pulls you in so you bear with that initial prejudice. Fast forward three months and I savagely consumed all six books of the Red Rising saga. It's phenomenal. Military scifi at it's finest, with more out-of-the-blue betrayals and plot twists than Game of Thrones. Action-packed and full of technology delights you expect from good scifi. Splashed with philosophical wisdom that changes your mindset more than most self-help books. One of my favorite reads of 2024. I bet you they will make a movie series out of this. It reads just like a blockbuster.

Many of you asked about the shoes I’m wearing in this instagram photo. In the colder months, I wear Glerups indoors effectively 100% of the time. I love them.