The Paleolithic, the "Stone Age," is the period when H. habilis, "Handyman," first started using stone tools (~3 million years ago) until the Neolithic, which marks the advent of agriculture about 10,000 years ago.

 

But the "Paleo Diet" changed dramatically in the 1st million years, from H. habilis to H. erectus. Handyman habilis started using tools to butcher animals to incorporate more meat into the diet with a spreading savannah.

 

H. erectus didn't have the same food options. 
 

 

The physical differences between H. habilis and H. erectus are mirrored by the differences in their diets.

 

H. habilis started the most important tradeoff: 

 

 

H. erectus furthered the transition to the "Paleo Diet" and subsequent brain growth, catapulting us to the top of the food chain.

 

As the brain expanded we got too smart for our own good. We learned how to cultivate crops and transitioned into an Agricultural Revolution.

 

The transition halted / reversed brain growth and is associated with: 
 

•Tooth decay / impaction / malocclusion

•Bone defects (arthritic degeneration / porotic hyperostosis)

•Increased bacterial infections (periosteal lesions)

•Increased child mortality

•Reduced stature

•Decline in health

 

 

While the transition to an agricultural-based food supply was a failed health experiment, we decided to double-down on it during the Industrial and Technologic Revolutions.

 

Over the last 50+ years we've conducted an uncontrolled dietary experiment. We've replaced animal fats with vegetable oils, and we've dramatically increased our linoleic acid (LA) consumption, which is proportionally stored in fat.

 

What happens when we 3-4X the LA in our body fat?

 

The Standard American Diet (SAD) heavy in vegetable oils is our latest dietary experiment which is, like the agricultural experiment, failing. 
 

• 30% Vegetable oils

• 20% Refined Wheat

• 20% Sugar

 

~2/3 of the SAD is ultra-processed food.

 

But yes. We probably need to cut back on the meat (~15%).

 

 

Jennifer sent me this super nice email in response to last weekend's newsletter.

 

I'm rarely asked about how I write this newsletter, thus, I haven't written about it lol.

 

About 3 years ago I started this newsletter as a way to prevent the "real world" from extinguishing my insatiable appetite to learn. I knew that if I committed to writing a weekly newsletter, even if "life tried to get in the way," it would force me to continue to dive into the things I'm interested in (so that I'd have something to share in the newsletter).

 

Writing this last paragraph it strikes me how strange it is to have to "force yourself to do the things you know you want to."

 

I can tell you with 100% certainty, without this commitment life would 100% get in the way. Not a month goes by that I don't think about quitting. But the commitment to this newsletter forces me to do the things I know I want to do (learn / write / share) even though it takes a lot of time and there are other "pressing / urgent / important" things I "need" to be doing.

 

As far as the technical details:

 

I am planning on writing up a more formal 2021 Challenge Review, but have been putting it off because: ONE I failed (not even close) and TWO I'm busy getting after the 2022 Challenge (and rectifying the failings of last year)!

 

While I failed the 2021 Challenge of hitting an arbitrary revenue goal for 2 businesses, it feels like a learning experience and a semi-success.

 

 

It clarified what I admitted at the beginning of the challenge: setting an arbitrary goal without a system is a bad idea.

 

A goal without a system is wishful thinking. Attaching a 4% System to an inspiring vision is how dreams turn to reality. 

 

 

While the revenue targets were missed (by A LOT) the effort was still there which resulted in NED (anti-snore device) getting better and better, and Meat Health building a brand new program (launching next week...)

 

A 2021 Takeaway:
Courage to dive in, patience to keep going...kind of like this dog and cat.

 

 

 

– Aung San Suu Kyi, Noble Peace Price Recipient

 

 

 

Last week I mentioned how consensus if forming in the markets around the Fed tightening, growth/risk stocks selling off, and what may follow. 

 

I got some feedback from an actual financial advisor, my brother:

 

The Fed will tighten but rates are still historically low even if they do tighten.  Higher multiple stocks that have stock valuations based on future growth will compress (see Peleton, Teledoc, Rivian, etc.) because their profits are worth less with higher interest rates and stronger dollar.  Will the Fed get spooked?  I say no this time.  They have to fight the inflation narrative.

 

We do have a growing GDP to debt ratio and since a bunch of that is shorter term paper it could hurt the economy by rolling that to a higher interest rate.  Portfolio shouldn't just be risk assets though!  If the Fed raises rates, buy high quality, low PE, low debt, high earnings companies.  Sounds like those don't exist?  Look at the financials and energy sectors!  I am ok with risk assets too if they have been over sold but you need to be selective on those choices and not keep buying companies that are speculative.

 

Other than that, I need to stretch because I sit for 8 hours a day.

 

Joe and I are going to do a podcast, I'm going to advise him on not sitting for 8 hours/day, he's going to advise me on how to prepare during these crazy times. If you have any questions you'd like us to cover, shoot them over!

 

🤥 What after-dinner-game I'm playing:

 

A Saturday morning roundup on health and wealth, art and science, creativity and innovation, laughs and life by Kevin Stock.