The US Is a Weird Place

Happy New Year.

I just published an in-depth article: The 5 Stages of a Quarter-Life Crisis

Go peep that joint if you are mid-crisis 🫡

The US is weird man. Truly an anomaly.

Anytime I spend extended time outside of it, the first things I notice upon reentering are:

• We are large

• We like to buy shit

Keeping Busy

This visit, I saw how much time I have undistracted and focused when I’m gone.

There ain’t no way anyone’s accomplishing shit here. Constantly running around, distracted by tech, or ordering some shit on Amazon.

No Amazon?!

In Colombia, there is no Amazon (unless we are talking rainforests, my g). There are no Costcos or Walmart Supercenters.

If there’s no decent supermarket nearby, you may have to go to separate specialty stores. A different spot for meats, fruits, clothes, supplements, and electronics.

What may initially seem like a deal-breaking inconvenience, I view as a benefit.

The increased effort makes you question the need for new shit. Compare that to a click of a button and a brand new shit box magically appears at your door the next day.

On top of that, you’ll be walking to go get your shit.

You ain’t ordering stuff online while taking your third Chipotle-hangover shit.

Unless you want to use Mercado Libre (an online marketplace surely to be crushed by Amazon) and have your items never show up. I think I’ll walk.

If there were an convenience-to-effort ratio, Colombia is ranking mad low. US: #1.

Plunging Further Down Rabbit Hole Of This Post

Walkable cities facilitate a baseline of fitness for society.

Plus free outdoor gyms, excellent public transport, lovely weather, and actual community.

[I won’t mention which beautiful-and-sketchy South American city I’m referring to.]

Why did Houston, Texas barely slip out of the top 25 fattest cities in the world’s fattest country? We go from our couches to our cars to our offices to our beds. Plus it’s hot as fuck and I ain’t going out in that heat, dawg. Blast the AC and let’s get food.

Solitude

Talking focus, holy shit, I get a lot done when I’m off in some foreign country. Take away my iPhone and #cheeks, and I’m at God-like output. #NoCheeksTil10k #Dialed

In one week abroad, I accomplish more than I would in two months in a familiar place. Take out the convenience, distraction, and social obligations—it’s just me.

The USA

How does the fucking economy function, let alone grow, in the US?

I then recall that it’s more of a 90/10—the majority are kinda just there working in the system. A small subset is leading and innovating.

“America is a loving, generous place if you have money; it’s a violent, rapacious place if you don’t,” says Scott Galloway.

For that reason, I won’t be living in the US until I’m rich enough for it to be all warm and fuzzy. #NoUSTil10k

Thanks for bearing with me as I ranted, swore, and meandered through this thing.

#LetsArgue in the comments about why the US is the best or worst country.

Thanks for reading,

Desde el avión | December 2024