I wrote a book!

ABC 147: In defense of lukewarm takes (also a cover reveal)

After a year hiatus, I’m excited to dust off the cobwebs on this here newsletter. If you need a refresher, every other week I send out one juicy long read and one groovy song. Thank you for lending me real estate in your inbox. I don’t take the privilege lightly.

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After over two years of writing and reporting, I’m excited to share that I turned in the final draft of my manuscript to my publisher on Friday. The cover is done. The presale link is live. It’s getting real!

I’ve been reflecting on the ways my thinking has evolved since I began the book. One thing that stands out is that my argument has become less extreme. What started as a hot take—work is bad! everyone ought to do it less!—tempered into a more balanced case for diversifying the sources of meaning in our lives.

On the internet, lukewarm takes are not often rewarded. Algorithms love posts that elicit extreme emotions. But after taking the time to think deeply about a topic, after wrestling with the nuance, gradation, and subtlety, I found the sharp edges of many of my opinions have rounded.

I picked this week’s piece for its sobriety. It’s an article about career advice, but it’s more contemplative than prescriptive. As its author, Derek Thompson, writes, “Work is too big a thing to not take seriously. But it is too small a thing to take too seriously.” I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Here’s the piece: Your Career Is Just One-Eighth of Your Life

See you in two weeks.

Warmly,
Simo

P.S. The song of the week—perhaps the best cover of all time—is right for any mood. The full songs of the playlist can be found here.