📚 Not Important #2

Welcome back to "Not Important"! Everybody's getting this second edition because it turns out our audience segmentation functionality isn't quite there yet. That should be live next week, so from now on, these will be exclusive to Members and readers with 3+ referrals.

You can become a Member here, and/or use the tool at the bottom of this email to share our work with some friends.

It's been a brutal week, so I hope these recommendations help turn your brain off over the remainder of the holiday weekend. As always this weekend, a huge, endless thanks to those who serve, including my buddy Drew.

-- Quinn

2 books

My book recommendations are provided via Bookshop (print) and Libro (audio), but you should also check out Libby, too. Libby is a free way to check out digital e-reader and audiobooks from your US public library. All you need is a dope library card and to download the app here. Enjoy books without 1) Printing new ones or 2) Supporting Amazon. I can't share Libby links to specific book links, but you get the point.

1.  The Order of Time, Carlo Rovelli (print, audio) Last week I hinted at this book, and now it's time to set you on your way. WARNING: Before you read it, I really need you to understand that once you do, there's no going back. Few people on Earth know more about space-time than Carlo, and what he explains to you here will forever change how you think about our place in the universe. Also, the audiobook is narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, so, you know, you're welcome.

2. Cloud Cuckoo Land, Anthony Doerr (print, audio) I am increasingly, purposefully, going into fiction having no idea what it's going to be about, and this complex, futuristic, thoughtful novel is a perfect example of that method paying off. It's beautiful.

You can find all the rest of my all-time books at Bookshop here.

2 articles

1. "Why Is Inflammation A Dangerous Necessity?" As someone who's spent most of their life nursing a growing variety of sports-related maladies, I found this deep dive into how inflammation works (and can work against us) fascinating.

2. "The Collison Brothers Built Stripe Into A $95 Billion Unicorn With Eye-Popping Financials. Inside Their Plan To Stay On Top" You may not be aware of the payments infrastructure that powers almost everything online. It's called Stripe, and this profile of the two Irish brothers who started it is a great look into a fundamental layer of the internet.

2 tweets

(click through the first one, the Savannah Bananas are the best thing about baseball right now)

Follow me here for more.

2 tools

1. Libib. To say I spent hours and hours trying to pick an app to use to finally categorize my family's book collection would be a generous understatement. Libib isn't perfect, but it's fast as hell and makes cataloguing our books easy and fun-ish.

2. Overcast (iOS only). Still the best podcast player, hands down.

2 mistakes

1. With a few big projects spinning around and our team on the mend a bit, I've been staying up later trying to get "just a little more work done" and let me tell you, it's not worth it. The work I do get done after dark isn't good work, so I have to re-do it the next day, when I wake up totally beat.

2. My wife and I are trying to be better about getting away more frequently, so we're better partners and parents. Planning the get-aways is usually on me, which I love. Except I haven't done it, and that's showing, because I'm been a bit of a dick lately.

2 things I'm grateful for

1. I have annoyingly wide feet and after fighting a list of running-related ailments last year, I finally buckled, did a ton of research, ordered 10-12 pairs of running shoes, and tried them all. I landed on two great pairs, and donated the rest. I'm privileged to be able to do it, but staying on the road (or trail) is what keeps me sane, and helps me be (thematic lesson here) a better partner and dad. So I'm glad I took the time to do it, and I'm so thankful every time I finish a run.

2. Big questions. My kids are in that moment where everything from the ocean to the big bang to the body is fascinating, something to be prodded and explored, and so I'm under a delightful daily assault of questions like "What came before the big bang?" and "Are we small or big?". It's easy to get caught up in the daily bullshit and I'm so glad to have to stop and engage with these (my favorite answer is "What do you think?")

That's it. What a week. I'm sending love to all of you. Take care of yourselves, and don't forget to ask "What's it all for?"

Best,

Quinn

PS: Don't forget, the next one of these is only going to Members and readers with 3+ referrals. Join here or refer some friends below!