Major changes at Meta. Wildfires tearing through LA. Canada’s PM says he’s done. Markets in the red.

2025 is already off to a crazy start.

Key links from today’s letter:

Zuck uncensors Meta
North Korea banned hotdogs
Invest in space exploration with ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF

Markets

Source: CoinGecko.com As of 7:38AM January 13, 2025

World news

Top news stories of the past week

1) Zuckerberg is going uncensored: Mark Zuckerberg has said that Meta will stop using third party fact-checkers on Facebook and Instagram, instead relying on “community notes” or user-reported censoring. Zuckerberg said that the incoming Republican government and greater focus on free speech are the key reasons for this change. This community notes structure is similar to what Twitter/X uses, and if you’ve seen the “For You” page there, you know this will likely be a wild change.

2) LA on fire: Tens of thousands of acres are on fire in LA. Drought and high winds have stoked major wildfires, displacing 100,000+ people, destroying 10,000+ homes, and causing $20B+ in insurable damage. This may be the most costly wildfire in US history.

3) Canada’s PM calls it quits: After nine years as Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said he will step down as PM and Liberal party leader. Once hailed globally as “Canada’s Golden Boy”, Trudeau leaves with approval ratings at just 22%. Parliament is suspended until March 24th, to give the Liberal party time to elect a new leader.

Top WEIRD stories of the past week

1) Kim Jong-un has banned hotdogs in North Korea, declaring their cooking or selling an act of treason punishable by hard labor. What did hotdogs ever do to him?

2) Florida residents have been warned to watch for falling iguanas, as dropping temperatures can make them pass out and fall from trees. Classic Florida weather report.

3) Yesterday was the “no-trousers tube ride” (or no pants subway ride if you speak AMERICAN) in London. This is my nightmare.

Technology

On the edge

Decentralized Science

Decentralized science, or DeSci, is a new way to do science using tools like blockchain technology. It allows scientists from all over the world to share their research, data, and ideas without needing big companies or universities to control everything. Instead of hiding results behind paywalls, DeSci makes knowledge open and easy for anyone to access. Here’s a more detailed explainer.

Think of it like a giant library where everyone can read, learn, and even help with the research.

Why is it Important?

DeSci is exciting because it helps speed up discoveries and makes science fairer. By sharing information openly, scientists can work together more easily, solve problems faster, and make sure everyone benefits from new knowledge. It also gives small teams and individual researchers a chance to get funding and recognition, even if they don’t have big sponsors. DeSci helps make science something everyone can be a part of, and that can lead to breakthroughs that help the whole world.

It’s also a whole new category of crypto! So of course people are gambling on it.

Chart

You like charts? Graphs? Ya you do

Forest loss generally is ticking up, but forest fires seem to really be accelerating.

Investment idea

What are we investing in?

Space Exploration

Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ rocket company, is imminently launching their New Glenn rocket. Similar to the SpaceX rockets we’ve come to know, this reusable rocket is designed to carry satellites and cargo into space.

Space missions are becoming more affordable and frequent. The success of such projects is paving the way for advancements like space tourism, asteroid mining, and better satellite internet services. With companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX leading the way, investing in space exploration could bring great opportunities in the years ahead.

Governments and private companies are spending more on space than ever before, fueling innovation. As demand for things like satellite internet and Earth imaging grows, space exploration is becoming a key part of the global economy. The impending New Glenn launch is proof that we are entering a new age of exciting possibilities in space.

3 Ways to Invest in Space Exploration

1. Buy Space ETFs: An easy way to invest in space is through funds like the ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX) or the Procure Space ETF (UFO). These ETFs include companies involved in rockets, satellites, and related technologies, offering a diversified way to invest in the space sector.

2. Invest in Space Companies: Look for publicly traded companies like Rocket Lab USA (RKLB), which specializes in small satellite launches, or Iridium Communications (IRDM), which provides satellite-based communications services. These companies are at the forefront of the space economy.

3. Support Space Startups: For those with higher risk tolerance, investing in private companies like SpaceX or Relativity Space through venture capital platforms like Hiive offers a chance to get in early on the next big thing in space technology.

History

On this day…

…in 1989, A Bit of Fry and Laurie debuted on BBC in 1989. If you want to understand why they’re doing that no-pants subway ride, this might help understand British comedy.

Music

Banger of the week

Most important thing

Meme? Nah. Art.