https://fountain.fm/episode/wd2r7zQSpz6VQ0cHigJ8 @Peter McCormack perhaps an alternative perspective from a Minnesotan on the struggles of the UK's towns. The statement that shocked me was Manchester's dynamism is due to them strip mining the youth from the rest of the UK's communities and that it isn't replicable. #StrongTowns

Fed Chair Powell ~ "I won't see you next time."

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) cost approximately $3 billion over its nine-year run from 1933 to 1942. That's roughly $65–70 billion in today's dollars, depending on the inflation measure used. For that money, the CCC employed about 3 million young men, who planted an estimated 3 billion trees, built trails and infrastructure in hundreds of state and national parks, and fought fires and erosion across the country. Enrollees earned $30 a month, $25 of which was sent home to their families. Just saying, we could have done a new era of century lasting projects at home for our grandchildren to enjoy.

Saw this on Reddit and you realize that the math really is that simple. Yes, they just made the game twice as difficult and that has social implications.

Building a main street is local focused and a better choice for the community. They are more often to be locally owned and reinvest back into the business ecosystem in addition to just bringing more value and charm.

For the amount of money the US has spent on this war (~$39B), we could have paid in cash for 130,000 new construction single family homes instead. Wild.

Iran War Cost Tracker

Iran War Cost Tracker — First Week Cost $11.3 Billion

The Pentagon told Congress the first week of the Iran war cost $11.3 billion. Track the running total in real time.

@Laan Tungir Found something good for you for a future live session.

West Major

Railroad Stripe Flannel - Clay

Red clay brushed flannel with off-white vertical stripes sewn into it. It's subtle, soft and easy - with just enough texture.  Fabric: 100% Cotton...

Mine just arrived and my wife has complimented it multiple times and all I can think about is how comfortably it fits and how soft the fabric is. @West Major team was fantastic solving a shipping issue too. Buy something quality, build the community.

If you make it to Townsend, TN to visit the Smokies, treat yourself to a stop at Company Distillery, you won't be disappointed.

The powers that be really underestimated how easy it was to cancel the chatgpt subscription , delete the account/app from all devices and sign up with @Maple Shoulda done it earlier.

"Furthermore, the incentive for these hardware companies to prioritize the average consumer is also dwindling. According to Western Digital, thanks to a surge in demand from its enterprise customers, the consumer market now accounts for just 5 percent of the company's revenue."

Mashable

Thanks a lot, AI: Hard drives are already sold out for the entire year, says Western Digital

AI companies have bought out Western Digital's storage capacity for 2026. It's only February.

Uh oh..... Do we have one of you guys building open source hard drives yet?

"Strong Towns has always started from a different premise. Durable affordability doesn’t come from crashing markets or imposing uniform outcomes. It comes from places that can respond to stress without breaking; from systems that can adjust incrementally without needing to override the people who live there. And it comes from building up more communities that can offer real opportunity and prosperity, so demand naturally spreads across many places, instead of being forced into a handful of superstar metros that buckle under the pressure."

The Housing Debate Is Finally Catching Up to Reality | Strong Towns

Arguments that ignore finance, power, and legitimacy are breaking down.

While this article is about housing affordability, this paragraph made me think of the people here who each day are doing some small incremental thing to make this and their community better, whether cutting soap, making shirts, incrementally creating technology to provide a freer and fairer world or posting memes to keep the vibes up. GM all, have a good weekend.

You have to have a certain level of crazy and cold tolerance to be biking in Chicago in January.

https://fountain.fm/episode/GS2C4d7SKBMkt14DPnG5?t=1042 @Jeff Booth The small real estate investor world is talking about your book!

The smallest government you can have is determined by the largest business you're willing to tolerate.

When you are in need of a boating accident, rural Wisconsin has you covered.

Christmas Cookie Inflation Index, 2025 Update | Strong Towns

This year’s cookie prices fell, but the story behind them is heavier than ever.

Thought folks might appreciate this article. It's the unintended consequences of the system that slowly erodes a community, demonstrated through Christmas cookies.

Thought this was an interesting chart showing the investor share. Peak in 2022 at 20%, right when interest rates were about to ramp up. I'm surprised by the recent Small Investor share, big things bought too much and puked out deals that with only enough meat/risk profile for small investors?

Good night from up north. Hope you are all warm with family as we end the year!

One day I'll start hunting for more old books. But I like the ones I do have.