The Propeller – September 03, 2023 – I Time-Traveled Past My Own Birthday!

Not investing is risky

Your money loses value every single day when you don’t invest

While in the short term it can be risky to invest in stocks, it’s risky to not invest in stocks in the long term.

In the short run, stock returns can be very volatile, but they are very robust in the long run.

Over time, stocks always perform better than bonds.

One dollar invested and reinvested in stocks since 1802 would have accumulated to over $20 million today.

Here’s the concept of compounding explained to you:

Let’s say that you invest $10,000 and you are able to compound your money at 7% per year.

In year 1, you’ll make $700 ($10,000 * 7%). As a result, the value of your portfolio is equal to $10,700.

In year 2, you’ll make more than $700. Why? Because you also make money on the $700 you earned the year before. As a result, you’ll make $749 ($10,700 * 7%) in year 2 and the value of your portfolio increases to $11,449.

After 10 years, you’ll even make $1,286.92 that year. This is almost twice as much as in the first year.

When you would invest for very long periods of time (> 20 years), something magical happens.

Remember that you made $700 in year 1 and $1,286.92 in year 10.

Here’s what happens if you keep investing:

– In year 20, your yearly profit will increase to $2,531.57
– In year 30, your yearly profit will increase to $4,979.98
– In year 40, your yearly profit will increase to $9,796.37
– In year 50, your yearly profit will increase to $19,270.95

If you would keep your $10,000 investment for 50 years, your investment would almost be worth $300,000! All from just $10,000. Now imagine if over your lifetime you invested $50,000! Or even $100,000.

Compounding is the eighth wonder of the world. He who understands it, earns it. He who doesn’t, pays it.

The best time to start investing in stocks? Yesterday. The second best time? Today.

What are you waiting for?

Humans get replaced by technology every day, and aviation is no different. Drones eliminate the need for a pilot to sit in the aircraft. But now, they may no longer be needed at all.

And it’s all thanks to engineers and researchers from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science & Technology (KAIST). They’re currently developing “PiBot,” a robot with a memory large enough to memorize complex manuals and all Jeppesen aeronautical navigation charts.

PiBot can control its arms and fingers to operate the flight instruments, and its external cameras even allow it to monitor the state of the aircraft. So there’s no need for a person, and the cockpit doesn’t need to be adjusted either.

In emergencies, PiBot can react quicker than its human counterpart and can even be plugged into the plane to communicate with the aircraft directly. But the bug-eyed bot is designed for dangerous military environments and was developed under a South Korean defense contract.

The robot is still in development but is expected to be completed by 2026. With people-like fingers but better memory than any human, the art of warfare is about to get much more interesting.

What If? by Randall Munroe is an electrifying exploration of absurd hypothetical questions that takes readers on an exhilarating ride through science, humor, and creativity. This book delves into the most outlandish queries with an analytical approach, backed by solid scientific principles, all while maintaining a witty and engaging tone. Here are the top four points that I think make “What If?” an absolute must-read:

1. Curiosity Unleashed: Munroe’s ability to transform seemingly ridiculous questions into captivating scientific inquiries is nothing short of brilliant. With questions like “What would happen if you tried to hit a baseball pitched at 90 percent the speed of light?” and “How fast can you hit a speed bump while driving and live?” he taps into the boundless curiosity that resides within us all. He showcases the power of asking “what if” as a tool to expand our understanding of the world and the universe.

2. Scientific Rigor Meets Playful Imagination: The author’s background as a former NASA roboticist shines through as he rigorously analyzes each absurd question. Munroe’s approach involves utilizing real scientific principles, equations, and data to come up with equally real and thought-provoking answers. He balances this scientific rigor with a delightfully imaginative style, allowing readers to visualize scenarios that might otherwise be beyond comprehension.

3. Accessible Science for Everyone: One of the book’s most impressive feats is its accessibility. Munroe simplifies complex scientific concepts, making them understandable and enjoyable for readers of all backgrounds. He doesn’t shy away from intricate theories, yet he presents them in a way that anyone can grasp. By merging humor and education, he breaks down barriers to scientific understanding, proving that learning can indeed be fun.

4. Hilarity Woven into Every Page: Randall Munroe’s sense of humor is a cornerstone of “What If?” His witty commentary and unexpected twists infuse the book with a lightheartedness that makes even the most intricate scientific explanations entertaining. Whether he’s discussing the implications of having a mole of moles or calculating the energy output of a lightsaber, his writing is consistently humorous and engaging, keeping readers hooked from cover to cover.

In conclusion, What If? is an extraordinary literary journey that celebrates both science and the art of questioning. Munroe’s ability to blend rigorous scientific analysis with his unique brand of humor creates an unforgettable reading experience. This book not only expands our understanding of the world’s mysteries but also reminds us of the joy inherent in exploring the unknown. If you’re ready to embark on a delightful, thought-provoking, and often hilarious adventure, What If? deserves a spot on your must-read list.

Pick up your copy and read along here:  https://amzn.to/3OQ36F9

What I am reading this week:

Based on a recommendation from a wise friend, I am excited to read (actually listen) to this book this week.  From the Amazon description:

“The Simulmatics Corporation, founded in 1959, mined data, targeted voters, accelerated news, manipulated consumers, destabilized politics, and disordered knowledge – decades before Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Cambridge Analytica. Silicon Valley likes to imagine that it has no past, but the scientists of Simulmatics are the long-dead grandfathers of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk. Borrowing from psychological warfare, they used computers to predict and direct human behavior, deploying their “People Machine” from New York, Cambridge, and Saigon for clients that included John Kennedy’s presidential campaign, the New York Times, Young & Rubicam, and, during the Vietnam War, the Department of Defense.

Jill Lepore, distinguished Harvard historian and New Yorker staff writer, unearthed from archives the almost unbelievable story of this long-vanished corporation and of the women hidden behind it. In the 1950s and 1960s, Lepore argues, Simulmatics invented the future by building the machine in which the world now finds itself trapped and tormented, algorithm by algorithm.”

Pick up your copy and read along here:  https://amzn.to/45Q8P4F