I just read that they sell more adult diapers than baby diapers in Japan.
Getting old is tough ... and it gets tougher the older you get. As a result, finding your 'reasons for being' and joy in life become increasingly important.
The past couple of years have been a period of massive upheaval for many. Reasons for this include stress, change, pandemics, quarantine, new jobs, new goals ... or, at the other end of the spectrum, lack of change, lack of a job, or lack of purpose.
Most people know that life is much better than the alternative (and that life becomes even better when you learn to enjoy living and let go of what isn't serving you). Consequently, it makes sense to understand and search for the things that bring you pleasure or fulfillment.
A Japanese concept called "Ikigai" may help better define your motivating force and the things that give you a sense of purpose or a reason for living.
Ikigai centers around finding purpose as you grow older. Paradoxically, it makes sense to start the process as early as possible.
Here is an infographic that lays out some "Reasons for Being."
Finding your "reason to be" and living with purpose are keys to making the most of your time.
The beauty of 2022 being a fresh start is that you can also change your approach and your vision.
The graphic highlights something interesting (yet almost counter-intuitive) ... When two areas intersect, it creates something positive (e.g., a passion or a mission). However, where three areas intersect, it creates a pain point (for example, it could be what you're good at, you love doing it, the world needs it ... but it doesn't make you any money – so now you're struggling).
Worth examining and thinking about for a bit.
On a related note, this TEDx talks about the nine common diet and lifestyle habits that help people live past 100.
TED-ED via YouTube
And here is a link to Dan Sullivan's free e-book on his plan to live to 156.
Live long and prosper!
The New Era of Energy
A couple of weeks ago, I talked about oil production. This week, I want to look at the current energy landscape.
Over the past several decades, there has been a massive shift in how we produce and consume energy. This has been driven by the tech boom - as well as by climate awareness.
The practical realities of widespread tech adoption directly impact energy consumption. For example, there are now over 7 billion people with smartphones. As the population (and the number of gadgets and tech we use) grows, logically, so does our energy consumption.
Luckily, we're also getting better at powering them.
On a different front, oil is still a meaningful and vital part of the energy ecosystem … but, now, it's being supplemented by multiple renewables.
Over the last decade, investment in green technologies has helped the cost of renewable energies drop precipitously.
That spurred a different set of products and use cases. For example, we've seen the number of electric cars grow exponentially. In 2011, there were approximately 70,000 EV units in the world. Now there are around 16.5 million.
This isn't a commentary on the environmental benefit of renewables; it is an observation about the direction energy is heading.
And, just like with AI, despite being a space that's existed for a long time, it is still in the "early adoption" phase.
Based on estimations, the IEA projects an 8x growth in EV by 2050. This also means that we will use an increasing amount of batteries and rare metals. Currently, China controls the supply chains and critical resource constraints.
If our goal is to be energy independent, we have a long way to go ... Nonetheless, recognize that this creates massive business and investment opportunities.
Onwards!
Posted at 08:34 PM in Business, Current Affairs, Gadgets, Healthy Lifestyle, Ideas, Market Commentary, Science, Trading, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)
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