Coffee With Tanya - Vol. 18
Talking about: Amazon story, Blue Supermoon, Inspiration summer picks, Webcomic, Fearlessness Ted Talk
Talking about: Amazon story, Blue Supermoon, Inspiration summer picks, Webcomic, Fearlessness Ted Talk
Here is what's on the menu for today:
- Tech - Amazon's story in Slides 📖
- Space - Blue Supermoon 🌚
- Summer Picks - Books, podcasts and music 📚🎧🎵
- Webcomic - Romance, sarcasm, math, and language 🖍️
- Personal Growth - Vigilance, grit, resilience 💪
- Word bites - Dynasia 🔡
In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on // Robert Frost - an American poet renowned for his depictions of rural New England life and profound reflections on nature and human experience.
From Jeff Bezos’ Garage to a $2 Trillion Market Cap
Still not bored with Amazon stories? This 14-slide short presentation briefly shows the Amazon journey, highlighting key milestones along the way. I summarized some for you:
- 1994: Amazon was founded by Jeff Bezos in his garage in Washington state on July 5, 1994, under the name "Cadabra". The company launched its website one year later, becoming an online bookstore that delivered to 45 countries.
- 1997: Amazon goes public - On May 15, the company listed 3 million shares on the Nasdaq at $18 per share. Although it has not yet turned a profit, analysts expected multimillion-dollar revenue within a few years.
- 2005: Prime is launched - An express shipping service for $79 per year. Bezos described it as 'all-you-can-eat' express shipping. It gained over 100 million subscribers by 2018.
- 2018: Amazon (briefly) reaches a $1 trillion valuation - In September, Amazon briefly joined Apple in the $1 trillion market cap club before falling back to $990 billion.
- 2024: Amazon’s big investment, big fines, and record market cap - Amazon completed its $4 billion investment in the AI startup Anthropic, crossing the $2 trillion market cap threshold for the first time. The company is developing an AI chatbot named “Metis” to rival OpenAI’s ChatGPT. This aligns with Google-parent Alphabet, which reached a $2 trillion valuation in April. At the same time, Amazon was fined nearly $6 million for 59,000 violations of California labor laws.
What’s All the Noise Around the Blue Supermoon?
On August 19th a rare Blue Supermoon lighted up the skies globally. A Supermoon occurs when a full moon is at the closest point to Earth, making it appear 14% larger and 13% brighter than when it's at its farthest distance. In addition, this was also a Blue moon which appears to happen every 2-3 years.
For those of you who watched it, it was a mesmerizing sight! I tried to watch it from my rooftop, but unfortunately, I didn't catch it in time. But photographers and enthusiasts alike captured stunning images of this celestial phenomenon you can see here. Did you watch it? If so, reply with your photos, I'd love to see it! Did I mention I love space? 🌌🤓
Creativity and Inspiration - The Aesthetes’ pick of the best books, podcasts, and music for summer
Do you find yourself reaching for the perfect book, podcast, or music playlist to complement your day? If not, it's about time!
As summer draws to a close, there's still time to dive into some of the season's best cultural treats. Check some of The Aesthetes’ picks to keep the spirit alive (yes alive!):
- Book: “Young Mungo” by Douglas Stuart - A poignant love story set against the backdrop of hardship. It's a beautiful, moving tale that resonates deeply.
- Music: “I Want You Forever” by Jeymes Samuel feat. D’Angelo and Jay-Z - This track from the soundtrack of The Book of Clarence is an incredible blend of instruments and emotion, offering a profound listening experience.
- Podcast: 99% Invisible - A fascinating dive into the architecture and design that shapes our world. Perfect for those curious about the stories hidden in everyday life. A gem from Death, Sex & Money, an NPR production on subjects ranging from facing your fears to infidelity to celebrity interviews.
The full list can be found here. Feel free to share your jams as well!
A Comic Universe Where Math Meets Romance
Comic lovers in the crowd? Intrigued by a blend of humor and intellect? Meet XKCD, the brainchild of Randall Munroe. From programming quirks to cosmic mysteries, this webcomic captivates with its fresh perspective, appealing to geeks and comedy enthusiasts alike, and it's all done with a romantic twist ❤️
And with the upcoming release of the special 10th-anniversary edition of What If?, there's never been a better time to dive into this quirky comic universe.
Vigilance, Grit, and Resilience: Overcoming Fear, Standing Up for What's Right, and Creating Opportunities
If you're looking for an inspiring and impactful TED Talk, Valerie Montgomery Rice's "How to Break Through Fear and Become a Leader" is a must-watch!! In just 13 minutes, the president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine shares her powerful journey from a little pink house in Georgia to the heights of academic and professional success. With stories of resilience, grit, and fearlessness, Rice offers three invaluable lessons for anyone striving to overcome fear, stand up for what’s right, and create opportunities for themselves and others:
- Embrace resilience: Learn to accept loss without letting it defeat you. Use setbacks as opportunities to grow and move forward, drawing on past experiences and lessons learned.
- Turn fear into a superpower: Understand that fear is a natural emotion (one of many others) but doesn’t have to paralyze you. Instead, use it as motivation to take action and persist through challenges. Yes, it's hard, but just give it a try.
- Give back and pay it forward: Share your experiences and knowledge to help others. Advocating for diversity, equity, and community support enriches both your journey and those of others around you.
Her message is clear: great leadership is born not from titles or degrees, but from life experiences and the courage to persevere. This talk is a reminder that you are enough, and that fear can be transformed into a force for success. And how do you cope with fear?
Word Bites! 📚🌟
Today we have a fascinating new word... Dysania 🛏️ Love this one as it also rhymes with my name 😄
Imagine waking up and feeling like your bed has turned into a giant magnet, pulling you back in every time you try to get up. That's dysania! It's like your body and brain are throwing a mini-protest against starting the day. People with dysania find it super tough to leave their cozy cocoon, even if they've had plenty of sleep. It's not just being lazy or sleepy - it's a real struggle that can mess with daily life. So next time you're battling your blankets, remember: you might just have a case of the dysanias.
August in History
- August 4 - National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day 🍪 This day honors the beloved chocolate chip cookie, invented by Ruth Graves Wakefield in 1938. It's a perfect occasion to indulge in homemade cookies or support local bakeries.
- August 15, 1947 - Indian Independence Day 🇮🇳 India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947. This day is celebrated with flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, and cultural events throughout India, marking the end of nearly 200 years of colonial rule.
- August 17, 1982 - First Mixed-Gender Crew in Space 🚀 On August 17, 1982, the Soviet Union launched the first mixed-gender crew to the Salyut 7 space station. This milestone demonstrated progress in gender equality in space exploration.
- August 26 - International Dog Day 🐶 Celebrated on August 26, International Dog Day recognizes the importance of dogs in our lives. It promotes adoption and raises awareness about the plight of dogs in shelters, celebrating all breeds and their contributions to society.
- August 26, 1920 - Women's Equality Day 👩🎤 Women's Equality Day, observed on August 26, commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment in 1920, granting women the right to vote in the United States. This day celebrates the progress made in gender equality and highlights the ongoing struggle for women's rights.
Stay tuned for our next coffee hangout and maybe add some new drinks to the menu 🍸
You're part of a curious crew of 90 who, like you, enjoy diving into interesting discoveries from the web.
If you have any topics you want me to explore further, please send them to me.
Feel free to reply with your thoughts and insights! Ciao!