On Courage
Step in the arena
The secret of happiness is freedom and the secret of freedom is courage.– Thucydides (History of the Peloponnesian War)
The previous week has been one of the most memorable of my life. A former and likely soon to be president was nearly assassinated while speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, Bitcoin is being mentioned as a possible reserve currency for the US, Ethereum has an ETF slated to launch on 7.22.24, and the current president is missing in action because he is dealing with an illness (all the while his party conspires to dethrone him). So much for trying to relax and enjoy the summer with my wife and kids. Now more than ever, I feel like I need to be locked in. It’s make or break.
The moment I heard the news about Trumps attempted assassination will be burned into my memory for rest of my life. I had a similar experience when I walked into my middle school classroom and witnessed the second plane crashing into the world trade center.
While these two events are not mutually identical they will be with me until I die. Both moments incapsulate a time of crisis, a time of uncertainty, and a time of feeling like something must change. Unity is a process, but it is what America does best.
Both moments will be forever etched in the minds of billions of people and both moments will forever change the trajectory of the future. While some like to wax poetically that America is an empire in decline, I think that although, this may be they case, the US is decaying at a slower rate than other countries. A rate that can be slowed and reversed. This is a subtle but very important fact. If the globe is declining as a whole it is important to stay ahead of the trend. The US can still gain share of mind, gain resources and gain power even in a declining environment.
The millennial perspective
Some like to say millennials have had an easy life. Sure, some have thrived in a zero interest rate environment which led to some of the greatest wealth generation in history. I disagree, millennials have lived through attacks on our homeland, forever wars, financial collapse, moral bankruptcy, and political corruption skyrocketing. Is the ability to buy a new 80’’ flatscreen worth losing our grip on being the global load star?
We have seen one of the best countries in the world slide into what seems to be a sclerotic state of incompetence and buffoonery. People fail to realize that millennials are amongst the most strong and capable people the world has ever seen. We are resilient and we are strong. Don’t get lost in the propaganda of fat, lazy, stupid, and drug addicted millennials. While these people exist, they are not the ones to focus on, the people to grasp on to are those that are emerging all across the country in leadership roles. Millennial leaders are emerging online, in corporations and in politics. Leaders that are ready to take the reins from the boomer generation that gen X, in large part, have let slip through their fingers. One thing is for certain, what gen X has failed to stop or remedy wilL be fixed by this millennial cohort.
This is a new multicultural, multi ethnic, multi racial, multi philosophical generation that is willing and able to take America to the next level of excellence. Technology, military and economy are the driving forces of American excellence. Leading the pack are innovations such as AI, crypto, and biology.
One thing I’ve learned during my time as a business operator and trader is that there is always a bottom and what comes after the bottom is very important. Whether it be opening a long position at the bottom of a sell off or positioning your country for a strong recovery after decades of mismanagement the goal is the same - to emerge victorious.
We must give up many things to which we are addicted, considering them to be good. Otherwise, courage will vanish, which should continually test itself. Greatness of soul will be lost, which can’t stand out, unless it disdains as petty what the mob regards as most desirable.- Seneca.
I would be remiss to say that I have not been inspired by the likes of Vivek Ramaswamy and JD Vance in recent months. Two very intelligent people emerging as strong leaders within the millennial generation. It shows that there is hope for things to come with our great country. They both also seem willing to work with the other side of the aisle on things that are mutually beneficial to those that live in America. It’s easy to get blinded by chaos and fervor, but what the country really needs our leaders that are willing to do what it takes to ensure the prosperity of America.
As a millennial myself, I too want to see this great nation of ours prosper, I have two young children and a beautiful wife that I want to have everything that this world has to offer. The only ways that can happen is through my hard work and my dedication to myself, my family and my country. But if we have corrupt negligent leaders in place all of those things become more difficult. It is only through great leadership that all can thrive.
Future generations need to have the feeling that they can succeed no matter the circumstances. That can really only be developed through seeing it done by others. it is unfortunate that people do not read about the past as much as they used to look for guidance, with the advance of the technologies that we hold in our hands one can see greatness done by anybody in the world. But where it should start is in the home and those lead at a national level. With the advancement of these two individuals amongst many others that we will probably see in short time , it is laying a groundwork for others to follow.
The difference between talents and character is adroitness to keep the old and trodden round, and power and courage to make a new road to new and better goals. Character makes an overpowering present, a cheerful, determined hour, which fortifies all the company by making them see that much is possible and excellent that was not thought of. Character dulls the impression of particular events. When we see the conqueror we do not think much of any one battle or success. We see that we had exaggerated the difficulty. It was easy to him. The great man is not convulsible or tormentable. He is so much that events pass over him without much impression. Emerson
Hormesis
Two principles outlined by Nassim Taleb - anti-fragility, and the risk of ruin elucidate the vigor of the millennial generation. Anti-fragility is easily understood for those that are used to exercise. When one lift weights you turn down muscle it hurts. It’s not fun. It takes time. But after you recover, you were now stronger better equipped to do better than next time. risk of ruin might be more familiar to those, what knows it is not necessarily how many trades that you win but it’s how much you can stay in the market how much you can win. Overtime is very important. Must manage their downside, also known as risk management, it is very important to stay in the game longer than you stay in the game the more opportunities you have to win.
Well, it is evident that America is declining in several ways, it’s not necessarily something that is systemic or evenly distributed. America still has the most dominant culture in the world, turn on any stream of music, media, art, American influence runs through it simply the global culture is American culture.
America has the strongest and most advanced military in the world. America is the financial Mecca of the world. America has the best athletes in the world. America has the best companies in the world. America has the best universities in the world. America has some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. Innovation emanates from coast to coast. And America exports the best things the world has ever seen.
People clamor at its borders and want to become Americans. People die everyday to get to America. America is still the land of the free and the home of opportunity. Although many feel America is declining they do have to realize that compared to the rest of the world America is still by far the best place be. There is no argument for the best of the best the world has to offer, America is the place to be. Simply put, America is the best place to be if you are one of the best in the world. If you are not, don’t fret as there is always a way to get there. Whether that be through hard work, education or luck, America does not get in the way of the ambitious rising to the top.
America now
America is changing and evolving and with it so are it citizens. What comes next as a story of such a person that no matter the situation that they were born into or the color of their skin succeeded this is what America now is this is what we need to continually lead the world.
In a bustling city in the heart of America, during a time of social uneasiness and economic uncertainty, a young boy named Teddy was born. His mother, Maria, was a passionate artist of Hispanic descent, and his father, John, was a dedicated community leader of German decent. Despite the challenges of their era, their home was filled with love, warmth, and a deep commitment to their family's well-being.
From an early age, Teddy was acutely aware of the world's complexities. He saw the ills on television, heard the debates about justice and equality at the dinner table, and felt the pulse of a nation grappling with its identity. Yet, amid the chaos, his family remained his anchor. Maria and John instilled in Teddy a strong sense of pride in his heritage and a belief in the power of unity and perseverance.
Teddy’s neighborhood was a microcosm of America’s diversity. His best friends included Jamal, whose parents had immigrated from Nigeria, and Sarah, whose grandparents had fled Europe during the war. This melting pot of cultures and backgrounds became a fertile ground for Teddy’s curiosity and empathy. His parents encouraged him to embrace these differences, teaching him that strength lay in understanding and respecting others.
As Teddy grew, the country underwent significant changes. The political landscape was tumultuous, with heated debates and shifting policies. However, amidst the political noise, a few competent leaders emerged, championing progress and advocating for the common good. These politicians worked tirelessly to bridge divides, foster economic growth, and ensure that every citizen had the opportunity to succeed.
One such politician was Senator Hank Thompson, a visionary leader who believed in the potential of the younger generation. He spearheaded educational reforms that provided better resources and opportunities for underprivileged communities. Teddy's school, once struggling, now flourished with new books, state-of-the-art technology, and passionate teachers who inspired their students to dream big.
The economy, too, began to show signs of revival. Innovative policies encouraged entrepreneurship, and job opportunities flourished. John, Teddy’s father, started a small business aimed at providing affordable housing solutions, which not only uplifted their community but also provided a stable income for their family. Maria continued her art, now with a renewed sense of hope, working alongside leaders who genuinely sought to make a difference.
In high school, Teddy excelled academically and was a star athlete on the track team. His parents' unwavering support and the encouragement from his teachers fueled his determination. He often reflected on the lessons from his father about resilience and his mother's teachings about justice and compassion. These values became the foundation of his character.
Upon graduating, Teddy earned a scholarship to a prestigious university. There, he studied political science and economics, driven by a desire to understand the systems that governed his country and to contribute to its betterment. He interned with Senator Thompson, whose mentorship was invaluable, and he became involved in various community projects that aimed to uplift the American people.
Years later, Teddy stood at a podium, addressing a crowd as the newly elected mayor of his city. His journey from a young boy in a tumultuous era to a leader in a thriving community was a testament to the power of a strong family, competent politicians, and a successful economy. Teddy's story was not just his own; it was a reflection of the collective efforts of those who believed in a brighter future.
As he looked out at the diverse faces in the crowd, Teddy felt a profound sense of gratitude. He knew that his success was rooted in the love of his parents, the support of his friends, and the guidance of leaders who had paved the way. With a heart full of hope and determination, Teddy vowed to continue the work of those who had come before him, ensuring that the next generation would also have the opportunity to thrive, no matter the challenges they faced.
In sum
America has always been an ideal, an inspiration, a way of life. We are on the precipice of reigniting this amazing vision of what it means to be an American and what American is to the rest of the world. America’s influence and leadership will reemerge because that is what we do. America is the soaring eagle, the bastion of hope for the rest of the world. How America goes so does the rest of the free world. Now for the first time in a long time America is poised to soar to new heights and bring the rest of the world along with it. Long America!