hey folks,

doesn’t it feel like the news feed is a constant flow of feces that we tap into every day, trying to make sense of this world? at some point i realized that behind all the facts, quotes and cheap clickbaits i don’t see what’s really happening around, and most importantly, why. i wish there were somebody who’d explain what the fuck is going on instead of just reporting who said what and who did who…

couldn’t find such a feed, and my therapist suggested i’d be that person to explain what’s up to myself. turns out, looking at the news from a rather distant and empathetic perspective helps with the anxiety. it starts to makes sense now (just a bit, but still better than zero!)

so

i’ve been chewing over some stuff that’s been going down lately, and i wanted to share my two cents. there’s a lot happening with the economy showing signs of cooling off, bitcoin doing its unpredictable dance, and news outlets gearing up to combat the flood of misinformation as we head into election season again. here are 3 things i’ve noted

1/3 inflation’s finally taking a chill pill

so, for the first time in what feels like forever, inflation in the u.s. is starting to pump the brakes. the bureau of economic analysis just dropped the latest deets: the personal consumption expenditures (pce) price index—the fed’s fave inflation gauge—dipped to 2.1% annually in september from 2.3% in august. i know, numbers can be snooze-worthy, but this one’s a biggie because it hints that maybe the economic madness is easing up a bit.

back around 2021, everything was bonkers—prices were sky-high, and it felt like our wallets were on a permanent diet. i remember chatting with friends about how even a trip to the grocery store felt like a splurge. so seeing this slight drop is like finally catching a breather.

but let’s not get it twisted—jerome powell and the federal reserve aren’t throwing a party just yet. they’re being super cautious because they don’t want to tank the economy while trying to tame inflation. hiking up interest rates is their go-to move, but that also means loans get pricier, which can cramp everyone’s style when it comes to buying houses or investing in businesses.

and honestly, a lot of people aren’t feeling the love from these numbers. food’s still expensive, energy bills are all over the place, and paychecks aren’t exactly blowing up. it’s like we’re stuck in the same grind, and a tiny percentage drop isn’t changing the game for most folks.

2/3 coinbase and bitcoin: when your bff acts up

meanwhile, over in cryptoland, things are as wild as ever. bitcoin’s been on a tear, nearing a crazy $73,500. you’d think coinbase would be riding that wave, but nope—their shares took a hit after missing earnings expectations.

they reported a 78% jump in revenue to $1.21 billion, which sounds dope until you realize analysts were expecting $1.26 billion. their earnings per share came in at 28 cents instead of the anticipated 45 cents. boom—stock drops 15%. it’s kinda like when you’re at a party, and everyone else is vibing, but you’re stuck in the corner.

i got into crypto a while back, more out of fomo than anything else. it’s always been a rollercoaster, but this situation with coinbase is a head-scratcher. they’re pouring money into expanding services and keeping regulators happy—which is adulting 101—but investors aren’t thrilled because it’s eating into profits.

on the flip side, bitcoin’s getting a boost because big shots like blackrock and fidelity are eyeing bitcoin etfs. that’s like the varsity team inviting you to play; it’s a big deal. plus, with inflation cooling, some see bitcoin as a solid place to park their money.

but let’s be real—the crypto scene is moodier than a teenager. one day it’s all moonshots, the next it’s crash and burn. coinbase’s struggle despite bitcoin’s high just shows how unpredictable this space can be.

3/3 election season: gearing up for the info wars

as if things weren’t spicy enough, we’re gearing up for another election. major news outlets like the associated press, fox news, cnn, and abc are rolling out the big guns to fight misinformation. after the 2020 drama, where fake news was spreading like wildfire, they’re not taking any chances.

they’re beefing up fact-checking squads, teaming up with tech companies for real-time verification, and locking down their cybersecurity. the associated press has some slick tools now to spot sketchy social media trends before they blow up.

i remember during the last election, my feeds were a hot mess—everyone was sharing articles that seemed sus, and it was hard to tell what’s legit. it’s kinda exhausting trying to sift through all that noise. knowing that these outlets are stepping up is a bit of a relief.

but trust is still a big issue. a lot of people side-eye the media, and i can’t blame them entirely. biases are real, and sometimes it feels like we’re getting spun. these news orgs have a tough job not just delivering facts but also rebuilding that trust.

4/3 bonus track

what ties all this together is that we’re all trying to make sense of a world that’s throwing curveballs left and right. the economy’s showing some positive signs, but not everyone feels it. crypto markets are doing their unpredictable thing, leaving even the pros scratching their heads. and with the election looming, we’re bracing for another wave of info overload.

it’s kinda like we’re all trying to juggle while riding a unicycle—it ain’t easy. but maybe that’s just the new normal. we’re bombarded with info 24/7, and it can be a lot to handle.

i guess what i’m getting at is it’s okay to feel a bit lost. i’m right there with you. but staying curious, questioning what we hear, and looking out for each other can help us navigate this craziness. whether it’s figuring out how inflation affects our daily hustle, being smart about where we put our money, or finding reliable news sources, we gotta keep our wits about us.

thanks for sticking around while i spill my thoughts. i’d love to hear what you think about all this. we’re all in the same boat, trying to figure it out as we go.

take care of yourselves, and don’t let the chaos get you down.