I want to be generous

+ my favorite things of 2023

My brain is already on vacation (especially after two months of Andreessen research and writing), and I suspect yours is, too. So I’m sending this a little early before logging off for the rest of the year.

This issue has an ask, my favorite things of 2023, and some thoughts on generosity and burnout.

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“…it’s easy to feel useless, and from there it’s a short leap to despair. But I don’t believe we can afford to despair, nor do I think despair is ethical.” - British-Palestinian novelist Isabelle Hammad, in conversation with Irish novelist Sally Rooney about the role of artists in the face of the Israel’s ongoing, indiscriminate massacre of Palestinians.¹ Many of you, like me, are in the U.S. and while Congress is about to go home for the holidays, you can still call and email and strike to demand that the U.S. supports a ceasefire.

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🏡 Housekeeping

Think Piece will resume in January. If you can’t get enough of me, browse the Archive. I wish you a safe and resourced end of the year.

For our paid subscribers, it’s time to submit for the Brain Trust coaching and advice column! You can ask anything from the practical to the philosophical about business, life, the universe…I’m all yours. So far we’ve tackled whether online business is over and what happens when you’re sick of marketing (and maybe sick of business).

Read all the details and submit your question here.

🤝 The Ask

Not a paid subscriber yet? I know I know, you mean to but it’s easy to forget. Today is the day! Sneak this in as a business expense for 2023! Submit to Brain Trust to get personal feedback from yours truly! Help me help you!

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If you read Think Piece most weeks, if you listen to the podcast, or if you use my thoughts to help you think about your work or business, upgrade today.

🎁 Generosity Stems From Wellbeing

Talking to Khe Hy on The Think Piece Podcast last week, I was struck by his commitment to responding to emails from newsletter subscribers. Khe has over 45,000 people on his mailing list, and he shared in the episode that he will often record a quick Loom video to reply to reader emails.

I love this.

And I can’t imagine doing it.