SDC Weekly 57; Dior Exploits People; Tom Wolfe on Status; Dickens' Great Expectations

Rolex's Dial Mastery, Max at MB&F Milks M.A.D.1, F1 Sponsorship, Secondary watch market woes, Lange CEO Interview, Fried Chicken Wars, Jay Leno, Conversational Narcissism, Happiness and much more.

🚨 Welcome to another edition of SDC Weekly. Estimated reading time: ~40 mins

Note: This edition was sent to paid subscribers three weeks ago. A preview of today’s edition can be accessed here.

This week, we touch on Rolex’s dial creation process, potential shifts in Formula 1 sponsorship, and the controversial manufacturing practices at Dior. We also draw parallels between the world of horology and the insights of literary giants Tom Wolfe and Charles Dickens.

If you’re new here, welcome! Feel free to catch up on the older editions of SDC Weekly here. As always, free subscribers receive the full newsletter (and other ad-hoc posts) via email - 3 weeks after publication - so if you’re have not subscribed already, that’s a good reason to do so.

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Small stuff

Interview With a Dial Expert at Rolex

What an interesting read this was. A recent interview with David Riboli, head of watch prototypes at Rolex, offers a fascinating glimpse into the Rolex’s process of dial creation.

Riboli, who began his career as a 15-year-old apprentice in precision mechanics, now leads a team that bridges the gap between artistic vision and technical execution. “The fact that a single idea can lead to four or five different dials based on various techniques and approaches means our role is unique and infinitely rich — combining imagination with technical expertise,” Riboli explains.

The journey from concept to finished product is an arduous one. For every dial that makes it into the Rolex catalogue, 10-15 prototypes are created and discarded. Rolex’s approach to dial creation is a study in contrasts. Age-old techniques like grand feu enameling coexist with cutting-edge technologies such as femtosecond laser engraving.

The 2021 Rolex Datejust 36's unique dial pattern is etched into the surface using femtosecond laser technology. WIRED

Despite the advanced technology at their disposal, including spectrocolorimeters for colour assessment, Riboli insists that the human eye remains irreplaceable in the quality control process. “There is no substitute for a well-trained human eye,” he states, in an attempt not to downplay the human touch underpinning Rolex’s technological prowess.

The goal of all this effort? To create a dial that, in Riboli’s words, “has to make a natural statement through its beauty and harmony, captivating and impressing by virtue of the perfection of its design, its colour or colours, as well as its decorative elements."

For what many perceive to be a ‘mass manufacturer’, this inside take reveals a different perspective - even if it reads like a marketing exercise.

Edit, 19 July 2024: According to

Chris Hall

in this edition of his newsletter, this whole section was a marketing piece lifted from the Rolex Magazine… i.e. it WAS a marketing exercise after all 😂 🤦‍♂️

Rolex to Cede Formula 1 Sponsorship to LVMH

A surprising turn of events, but according to this fellow’s sources, this is actually happening; Rolex may be ending its long-standing partnership with Formula 1 racing, potentially paving the way for an LVMH-company to take over as the official F1 timekeeper.

Rolex has been F1’s global timekeeper since 2013, reportedly paying around $50 million annually for the privilege. During this 11-year partnership, Rolex has maintained a consistent brand presence across all F1 racetracks without sponsoring any specific team. This arrangement has allowed other watch brands to associate with individual teams and drivers.

If the reports are accurate, LVMH could be set to take over the sponsorship starting in January 2025, with a rumored annual contract worth $150 million - that’s triple Rolex’s current investment.

The potential sponsorship change raises questions about which LVMH watch brands might feature prominently in F1. TAG Heuer, with its strong motorsport heritage dating back to 1969, is considered the prime candidate to take a leading role, though other LVMH brands like Hublot could also be involved.

It is worth remembering, even if Rolex steps away from this global partnership, the Rolex Group can still maintain a connection to F1 through Tudor’s existing sponsorship of the Visa Cash App RB team.

As of now, neither Rolex nor LVMH have officially commented on these reports, and further developments are inevitable as the story unfolds.

Max Milking the M.A.D.1

In their July Newsletter, MB&F teased yet another version of their cash cow. In December I wrote about the green clover edition, and my words back then ring as true now as they did when I first wrote them:

Saying all that, my prediction is there will be countless people who will be 3 grand poorer, experiencing post-purchase dissonance, and who will also never admit this publicly. Buying this watch is like farting… brief relief, and then intense embarrassment about the decision to do so.

Don’t fall for it!

Enough small talk… Let’s dig in.

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ScrewDownCrown is a reader-supported guide to the world of watch collecting, behavioural psychology, & other first world problems.

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👜 Dior’s Manufacturing Controversy

You’ve probably seen this news already, and a quick search will pull up hundreds of articles about it. I hadn’t planned on covering it, but a couple of readers asked, so I thought I’d chime in briefly.

Esentially, the luxury fashion industry is facing a crisis of reputation and ethics. At the center of this particular storm is Christian Dior, owned by our pals at LVMH. Recent investigations have exposed a stark reality: Dior handbags, retailing for thousands of dollars, are produced at a fraction of their sale price - this seems to have ignited debates about the true value and ethics of luxury fashion.

I suppose people were always aware of the disparity between production costs and retail prices, but it seems the sheer magnitude is what has set everyone off. A Milan court investigation revealed Dior paid suppliers approximately €53 (about $57) to assemble a handbag sold for €2,600 (around $2,816). This markup is apparently not unique to Dior; Other prestigious brands like Giorgio Armani have been implicated in similar practices by the same court. These revelations seem to have shocked consumers and industry observers, and seems to be prompting a re-evaluation of the luxury fashion model.

The controversy extends beyond pricing too. The court found some of Dior’s production was contracted out directly to a Chinese-run factory in Italy, where illegal workers assembled bags in unsafe conditions. In other instances, Dior’s suppliers subcontracted work to low-cost factories that also used irregular labour. This raises serious ethical concerns about the human cost involved in the creation of luxury goods and draws uncomfortable parallels between luxury brands and fast fashion in terms of production methods and ethics. Side note: Hermès would never be caught doing such stupid things.

Financial analysis provides further insight into the industry’s practices. Bernstein analyst Luca Solca estimates that a luxury fashion label of Dior’s size may spend just 23% of its sales on raw materials and labour. For a €2,600 Dior purse, this translates to a production cost of about €598 ($647), leaving an operating profit of €1,300 per bag - a 50% margin. Solca notes, “The retail price for the goods of major luxury brands is typically between eight and 12 times the cost of making the product.”

Adding to consumer frustration are recent significant price increases. A mini Lady Dior bag that cost $3,500 in 2019 now retails for $5,500 - a 57% increase. This price hike, coupled with revelations about low production costs, has led to a public relations crisis, with luxury influencers on social media questioning the value proposition of these high-end goods.

The role of large conglomerates like LVMH cannot be overlooked. These corporate structures often prioritise profit margins over traditional luxury values, pushing brands to cut corners in production while maintaining high prices. This shift represents a fundamental change in the luxury fashion business model, moving away from the craftsmanship-focused approach of independent fashion houses like Hermès.

The industry now faces a critical juncture. To address these issues, brands like Dior may need to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in new facilities to bring more manufacturing in-house or pay suppliers more while increasing oversight. Either solution would likely result in lower profit margins than shareholders have grown accustomed to.

I suppose this type of controversy challenges consumers to reconsider their perceptions of value and at the same time, prompts luxury brands to reassess their tradeoffs in pursuit of profit.

The future of luxury fashion may well depend on how brands like Dior respond to these challenges. They could return to the roots of true luxury, emphasising quality, craftsmanship, and ethical production… Or they could just continue down the path of prioritising profits over principles. The answers to these questions will likely be a function of how consumers react to the news.

Of course Arnault and his shareholders would prefer to carry on exploiting people, but if consumers stop supporting brands with a murky supply chain, they will have no choice but to invest in ethical facilities and promote transparency. The next question will be whether brands eat the losses from increased ‘ethical’ costs, or raise prices to pass the cost on to the consumer. Again, consumers would prefer not to pay more for the ‘same’ goods - which leads me to conclude people would rather bury their heads in the sand than stage protests in support of improved labour practices. Maybe I am too cynical.

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😎 Tom Wolfe: Chronicler of Culture and Status

In the tumultuous landscape of 1960s America, a new voice emerged that would forever change the way we view our society and ourselves. Tom Wolfe¹, with his keen eye for social observation and his flamboyant prose, became not just a writer, but a cultural phenomenon.

Setting the Scene

The 1960s were a time of profound change in America. The civil rights movement was in full swing, the Vietnam War was escalating, and a counterculture that challenged traditional values was emerging.

It was in this context that Tom Wolfe began to make his mark.

Born in Richmond, Virginia in 1931, Wolfe came of age in a rapidly changing world. He attended Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he graduated in 1951 with a B.A. in English. He later received his Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale in 1957, after which he began his career as a newspaper reporter. It was his move to New York City in 1962 that set the stage for his transformation into a literary icon.

The Birth of New Journalism

Wolfe became a pioneer of what came to be known as New Journalism². This revolutionary style blended traditional reporting with literary techniques typically reserved for fiction. As Wolfe himself explained:

“The idea was to give the full objective description, plus something that readers had always had to go to novels and short stories for: namely, the subjective or emotional life of the characters.”

His 1965 collection of essays, “The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby”, showcased this new style and catapulted Wolfe to fame³. The title essay, about custom car culture in California, demonstrated Wolfe’s ability to dive deep into subcultures and emerge with insights about American society as a whole.

Key Works and Themes

• Throughout his career, Wolfe’s work consistently focused on status, culture, and the American experience:

• “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test” (1968) chronicled Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, offering a vivid portrayal of the 1960s counterculture.

• “The Right Stuff” (1979) explored the lives of test pilots and astronauts, examining the concept of heroism in American culture.

• “The Bonfire of the Vanities” (1987), Wolfe’s first novel, satirised the excesses and racial tensions of 1980s New York City.

Wolfe’s Theories and Ideas

Central to Wolfe’s work was his fascination with status. He believed status concerns drove much of human behaviour, often in ways that people were reluctant to admit. As he famously stated:

“I think every living moment of a human being’s life, unless the person is starving or in immediate danger of death in some other way, is controlled by a concern for status.”

Wolfe developed several key ideas throughout his career:

1. Status-Sphere Theory: Wolfe proposed that society was divided into numerous "status spheres," each with its own hierarchy and rules. People might occupy different positions in different spheres.

2. Social X-Ray Vision: Wolfe prided himself on his ability to see through social pretensions and understand the underlying status motivations of human behaviour.

3. Radical Chic: In his essay “Radical Chic: That Party at Lenny’s”, Wolfe coined this term to describe the adoption of radical political causes by fashionable celebrities and socialites.

4. The New York Accent: Wolfe argued that the distinctive New York accent was disappearing among the upper classes as a way of distancing themselves from lower-status New Yorkers.

Application in Real Life

Wolfe’s ideas have had a significant impact on how we understand modern society. His “Radical Chic” concept continues to be referenced when discussing celebrity activism. His observations about status have influenced fields ranging from marketing to sociology.

In the world of fashion, Wolfe’s detailed descriptions of clothing as markers of social position have turned his work into required reading for many designers and fashion historians. His own trademark white suit became a statement about the role of the writer as a dandyish outsider.

Wolfe’s influence can also be seen in modern journalism. The techniques of New Journalism that he helped pioneer are now commonplace in long-form reporting and creative non-fiction.

Wolfe and Watch Collecting

While Wolfe didn't write about watches, his insights on status and material culture apply directly to the world of watch collecting.

Modern watch collecting embodies many of Wolfe’s observations:

• Status Symbols: Luxury watches serve as visible markers of wealth and taste, much like the custom cars Wolfe wrote about in his early work.

• Tribal Affiliations: Different watch brands attract distinct groups of enthusiasts, creating the kind of status spheres Wolfe identified in society at large.

• Cultural Capital: Knowledge of watchmaking history and mechanics usually confers status within collecting circles; This demonstrates Wolfe’s idea that status is about more than just wealth.

• Conspicuous Consumption: The pursuit of rare watches or limited editions mirrors the status-seeking behaviour Wolfe often described in his work.

The watch world’s obsession with provenance and heritage also aligns with Wolfe’s interest in how people construct and project their identities through material possessions.

Concluding thoughts

Wolfe’s penchant for seeing through social dynamics and status concerns provides a useful lens for understanding not just watch collecting, but many aspects of modern consumer culture. His work reminds us how our choices regarding fashion, hobbies, and material possessions are, more often than not, driven by deeper social and psychological needs.

In a passing comment on last week’s SDC, Tom Wolfe came up. This inspired the creation of this post, with the lofty goal of portraying watch collecting from Wolfe’s perspective. Here’s what I think Wolfe would have written.

The Great Horological Status Game

Ladies and gentlemen, gather around! Let me paint you a picture of the wild, whacky world of wrist-worn wonders, where ticking clocks keep track of their wearers’ vanity.

Oh, how far we’ve come from the days when a watch was merely a tool for telling time! Now, in the year of our Lord 2024, these miniature marvels have morphed into something far more titillating: totems of taste, tribalism, and cold, hard cash.

Picture, if you will, the watch aficionado of yesteryear. A simple soul, content to walk into a boutique and walk out with the object of his desire. But how times have changed! The last decade saw the rise of the hype watch, that most curious of creatures. Suddenly, the masses were clamouring, begging, pleading for the privilege of spending their hard-earned cheddar on watches which, just a few years prior, they could have acquired with all the effort of ordering a burger at Ronald McDonald’s place.

And what of the Rolex Daytona? Once, it sat behind glass, patiently waiting for a suitor. Now, it plays the coy mistress, hard to get, driving men to madness with its unattainability. The waiting lists! My God, the waiting lists! They’ve become longer than the lines for Studio 54 in its heyday, and twice as exclusive.

For some, even this was not enough. Enter the likes of Frank Muller, Jacob and Richard Mille; purveyors of watches so ostentatious, so unapologetically loud in their proclamation of wealth, that they make a diamond encrusted necklace look positively demure. These are not watches, dear reader, but wearable bank statements, mechanical manifestos of money.

Yet, as in all great tales of social climbing, there must be a counterpoint. The ‘enlightened’ collector, nose firmly in the air, began to seek out the complications from Patek Philippe and other bastions of Haute Horlogerie. “Meh!” they seemed to say, “Your gaudy displays of wealth are so terribly gauche. Observe my minute repeating perpetual calendar… a true connoisseur’s choice.”

And then, oh then! The ultimate flex - the independent watchmaker. Picture, if you will, the great Michael Jordan, he of basketball fame, adorning his wrist not with a common luxury brand, but with the otherworldly creations of Urwerk or Greubel Forsey. It’s as if he has declared, “I am so wealthy, so, enlightened, so secure in my status, that I can wear a watch most people have never even heard of!”

But wait! There’s more! In a twist that would make even Madoff’s head spin, watches transformed from mere accessories into assets. Yes, you heard right. People began buying these ticking trinkets not to wear, not to admire, but as investments. The horror! The humanity!

And then, as if orchestrated by God himself, a pandemic struck. The world locked down, but the watch market shot up faster than a rocket at Cape Canaveral. Prices inflated like a hot air balloon at a billionaire’s birthday party. It was madness, I tell you, madness!

Yet, all bubbles must burst, and burst it did. As the world emerged, blinking, into the post-pandemic light, the great watch crash, hit. Some called it a correction, others a catastrophe. The investors fled like rats off a sinking ship, leaving behind only the true believers, the horological zealots.

Yet, in this brave new world, the status game persists. Now, the ultimate power move is to buy a watch that will depreciate, and wear it anyway. “Look at me,” they seem to crow, “I am so wealthy, so secure, so true in my horological pusuit, that I am prepared to, and can afford to, lose money on my watches! I’m not some misguided ‘investor’, I’m a real one!”

And so, dear reader, the great horological hamster wheel keeps spinning. The faces change, the watches change, but the game remains the same. In the end, it is all about status, all about belonging, all about that most human of desires - to be seen as special.

As I sit here, observing this curious spectacle, I can’t help but marvel. For in these tiny mechanical wonders, we see reflected the grand comedy of human nature - our vanity, our tribalism, and our endless striving for status. It’s enough to make a man check his watch and wonder - where does the time go?

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🔮 Great Expectations for Watch Collectors

I had included this post in last week’s SDC, but an eleventh-hour addition meant I had to cut this out! In light of the Tom Wolfe post, this almost seems like I planned it. Nevertheless, the inspiration for this post came from a book I bought for my son (8) last weekend:

This is a simplified version for children to take in the story and lessons from this classic, and I found myself discussing this book with my son in more detail than I anticipated. True to form, I felt compelled to view it all with a ‘watch collecting lens’, so here we are.

Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations” is a bildungsroman⁴ that follows the life of Pip, an orphan boy in Victorian England. The story unfolds in three stages of Pip’s life which we will cover briefly.

Childhood

The novel opens with young Pip, living with his harsh older sister and her kind-hearted blacksmith husband, Joe Gargery. A pivotal moment occurs when Pip encounters an escaped convict, Magwitch, in a cemetery. Pip, out of fear and compassion, steals food and a file to help the convict, who is soon recaptured.

See more page examples from the book here. What a fantastic idea!

Pip is then invited to the home of the wealthy and eccentric Miss Havisham, supposedly to play with her adopted daughter, Estella. Miss Havisham, jilted on her wedding day, has raised Estella to break men’s hearts. Pip falls in love with Estella despite her coldness, and begins to feel ashamed of his humble background.

Youth

Pip's life changes dramatically when he is informed by lawyer Mr Jaggers that he has “great expectations” - an anonymous benefactor has provided for him to be educated as a gentleman in London. Pip assumes Miss Havisham is his benefactor and that she intends him to marry Estella.

In London, Pip befriends Herbert Pocket and adopts a lavish lifestyle, growing distant from Joe and his humble roots. He pursues Estella, who remains aloof, and becomes increasingly snobbish and in debt.

Adulthood

Pip’s world is then shaken when he discovers his true benefactor is Magwitch (the convict he helped as a child) who has made a fortune in Australia. Pip is initially repulsed but grows to care for Magwitch as he attempts to help him escape England.

Magwitch makes himself known to Pip

The escape fails, and Magwitch is arrested and dies in prison. Pip loses his fortune and falls ill. Joe nurses him back to health, leading Pip to reconcile with his past and realise the true nature of gentility.

The novel concludes with Pip, humbled and wiser, working as a clerk abroad. Years later, he returns to find Estella widowed and softened by her experiences. The ending suggests a possibility of reconciliation between them.

Estella and Pip In Miss Havisham's Garden by F. A. Fraser.

Lessons for Watch Collectors

The Illusion of Status

In Great Expectations, Pip becomes obsessed with becoming a gentleman, believing it will bring him happiness and win Estella’s affection. This pursuit of status at the expense of genuine relationships and personal growth ultimately leads to his disappointment.

Lesson for Watch Collectors: The pursuit of watches solely for status or prestige is usually hollow and short-lived.

A collector might fixate on acquiring a widely-coveted watch, believing it will elevate their social standing. In reality, they will likely find owning these pieces to be rather underwhelming, and that it doesn’t bring the expected satisfaction or respect from peers.

Instead, your focus should be placed on collecting watches that genuinely resonate with you, regardless of their perceived status-value.

Appreciating Intrinsic Value

Pip eventually learns to value people for their character rather than their social standing. This shines through in Pip’s renewed appreciation for Joe Gargery.

Lesson for Watch Collectors: Appreciate watches for their craftsmanship, history, and personal significance, rather than just their brand name or price tag.

A collector might overlook a hand made watch in favour of a more expensive and perfectly-finished but largely machine-made piece, and in doing so, miss out on the romance of handcrafting and the beauty in imperfection.

Take time to learn about and appreciate the technical innovations, historical significance, and artisanal craftsmanship that go into watches across various price points, but realise that dissection of a watch into its components of ‘value’ is a fool’s errand. Value is found in what you feel, not a price tag or a spec sheet.

The Danger of Unrealistic Expectations

Pip’s “great expectations” lead to disappointment when reality doesn’t match his fantasies. This is particularly evident in his relationship with Estella and his assumptions about his benefactor.

Lesson for Watch Collectors: Be wary of building up unrealistic expectations about a particular watch or future acquisition.

A collector might spend years hunting a specific rare watch, only to find it doesn’t bring the expected joy or wears uncomfortably when finally acquired.

Before making a significant purchase, try on the watch if possible, read diverse reviews, and consider how it will fit into your lifestyle and existing collection. Remember that no single watch will likely transform your life or collection completely.

The Importance of Knowledge and Education

Pip’s journey involves learning about the world and himself, ultimately leading to personal growth and a more grounded perspective on life.

Lesson for Watch Collectors: Value the knowledge and understanding behind watchmaking as much as the watches themselves.

A novice collector might purchase a watch without understanding how to use all its functions or appreciate the complexity of its movement. Other may find themselves buying into popular narratives such as “everyone needs a Speedmaster” or “in-house movements are better.” We’ve all been there.

Invest time in learning more about horology. Study the history of watchmaking, understand different movement types, and learn about the innovations various watchmakers have contributed to the field. This knowledge will not only enhance your appreciation of your collection but also guide you towards more informed purchases.

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📌 Links of interest

📉 Industry commentator and investor Danny Younis insists the secondary market for luxury watches is set to soften further in the short term - with Rolex models most impacted.

👑 Custom G-Shock, Omega, & Tudor - Watches Fit To Guard A King.

🗣 A. Lange & Söhne CEO Wilhelm Schmid: What’s next for Germany’s fine watchmaking flag carrier?

🏎 Rolex rumoured to cede F1 sponsorship to LVMH.

🔥 The hottest watches of 2024, according to numbers from Chrono24.

💎 Time+Tide founder Andrew McUtchen celebrates the creativity and speed to market of today's microbrands.

😲 What the internet looked like in 1994, according to 15 webpages born that year.

🌲 How the Dutch became the tallest nation on Earth.

❄ How to Get Rich From Peeping Inside People’s Fridges.

🐔🍗 The Fried Chicken Sandwich Wars: More Cutthroat Than Ever Before.

⭐ This website lays out the daily routines of writers, artists, and big thinkers when you need inspiration.

💊 When did humans start experimenting with alcohol and drugs?

😵 Your Life is Driven by Network Effects. (⚠ Long read)

😎 Jay Leno Explores The Beast: Inside the US Presidential Limousine with Secret Service Agents (26 min video)

🤖 Whatsapp appears to be working on a new generative AI feature that should allow users to make personalised avatars of themselves.

🔫 Everything You Need to Know About Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. A bit of nostalgia :)

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End note

In case you missed it… here’s a fun post from last week:

A Watch Collector's Ramblings

I really enjoyed the comments section too, and appreciate all the additional insights and stories shared by other readers.

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Have you ever had an encounter with someone where you posed question after question about them, yet they never enquired a single thing about you? What was meant to be a collaborative, give-and-take exchange became a one-sided soliloquy. They did all the talking; you did all the listening.

There’s actually a term for this: conversational narcissism.

Conversational narcissists attempt to dominate the dialogue as much as possible; Not typically in blatant ways, such as talking incessantly, but through more nuanced tactics. They don’t always ask people questions, and if they do, they find a way to steer the conversation back to themselves (“Oh, you’re buying a Daytona? I adore Daytonas! I have 20 of them, including a few rare ones and one unique piece…”).

Conversational narcissists usually don’t harbour ill intentions. They’re perhaps starved for attention and will seize an opportunity to garner it for all it’s worth.

I find it astonishing to consider that, having spent day and night with their own thoughts and experiences, the thing people most want to discuss with others is … their own thoughts and experiences! Having already been saturated 24/7 with themselves, their sole appetite is for more of the same?

The remedy for conversational narcissism is cultivating a more outward-facing curiosity - developing a genuine interest in the backgrounds and ideas of others. Every individual is a world unto themselves, with landscapes of the heart and mind worth exploring.

Once you grasp the treasures that lie within other people, and how much coming to understand someone else’s hopes, dreams, and perspectives can enrich your life, using an interaction merely to rehash your own thoughts starts to seem like a true waste of time.

In our watch hobby, it is too easy to fall into the trap of talking too much about ourselves. We might feel the need to show off our knowledge or our latest watch, especially when we’re trying to impress others or feel unsure about our place in the community. This way of talking can actually make our conversations less interesting and fun. Instead of just trying to prove how much we know or how great our collection is, we should try to learn from other collectors too.

Everyone has their own story about how they got into watches, what they love about them, and what they hope to add to their collection someday. By asking questions and truly listening to others, we can make new friends, learn new things, and enjoy our hobby even more.

The most enriching conversations I’ve had in the hobby over the years are those where I sought to understand, not to impress. Ultimately, it is through genuine curiosity that we truly grow and authentically connect with others.

Until next time,

F

What The Duck – Narcissism – By Aaron Johnson

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😊 Bonus link: Making the World Sparkle Again

Across every domain of our lives, our minds have a tendency to get accustomed to things. In fact, the brain seems evolutionarily designed to focus on the new and unexpected, on novel threats and opportunities. In our daily lives, this means we take wonderful things for granted. We cease to appreciate amazing people, or the good fortune of being healthy. In this 50 minute podcast, neuroscientist Tali Sharot explains why we get used to things, and how to see with fresh eyes.

Nothing mentioned here is ‘new’ knowledge for any regular reader of SDC - here are a few older posts on the subject if you have time to kill:

Watch collecting and happiness

Subtract negatives

Pleasure vs. Happiness

Happiness versus Relief

Happiness revisited

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1. Wiki: Thomas Kennerly Wolfe Jr. (March 2, 1930 – May 14, 2018) was an American author and journalist widely known for his association with New Journalism, a style of news writing and journalism developed in the 1960s and 1970s that incorporated literary techniques.

2. Not the same as Gonzo Journalism: Another form of journalistic writing that also goes against tradition journalism is that of Gonzo writing. All credit for the creation of the genre of Gonzo journalism can be attributed to Hunter Stockton Thompson. Gonzo journalism can be described as a highly personal style of reporting. Because of Hunter S. Thompsons unique personal subjectivity in his reportings, he was labelled as a countercultural icon in the 1970’s. This was because he went against the traditional norm of journalism.  Thompson first introduced his subjective style of reporting in 1970 with an article titled “The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved.”

3. The parameters of “New Journalism” were used before by the likes of Joseph Mitchell and A.J. Liebling. Wolfe didn’t give them enough credit, according to this article.

4. In literary criticism, a Bildungsroman is a literary genre that focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from childhood to adulthood, in which character change is important. The term comes from the German words Bildung (“education”, or “forming”) and Roman (“novel”).