$27,000
That’s the exact amount of money FedEx founder Fred Smith won at a blackjack table in Las Vegas in 1973. The company was down to its last $5,000 - not enough to fuel their planes - so he took the entire treasury to a casino, gambled it on cards, and won enough to keep the business alive for one more week.
Netflix wins: They are acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery for $72B, beating out Paramount.
Rich but lonely: New data suggests wealthier countries (and people) report higher levels of loneliness.
Sleep smart: It’s not just about how long you sleep, but how consistent you are.
1. Netflix Eats the World
It’s official. Netflix just won the war for Hollywood.
They agreed to buy Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) in a massive deal valued at $72 billion. This is a huge win for WBD shareholders, who are getting a payout that is 180% higher than the stock price was just a few months ago.
Why this matters: This isn't just about streaming movies. Netflix now owns some of the biggest names in pop culture history. We’re talking Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, and The Lord of the Rings.
The Plan: Netflix keeps the studios and the big franchises.
The Split: The "linear" TV channels (like CNN, TNT, and HGTV) will likely be spun off into their own separate business by late 2026.
The downside? While this is great for Netflix’s wallet, it might be tough for everyone else. With one company controlling so much entertainment, we could see fewer choices, higher subscription prices, and lower pay for the writers and actors who make the shows we love.
2. Trend Watch: Does Money Make You Lonely?
Here is a weird paradox: The countries with the most money (highest GDP) are reporting the highest levels of loneliness.
Researchers are trying to figure out if getting rich actually isolates you.
The data: Higher earners tend to spend less time socializing. When they do hang out with people, it’s usually friends, not family.
The reason: Money buys "agency" - the freedom to do what you want. But that often means buying your way out of needing a community.
The takeaway: Wealth gives you independence, but independence can quickly turn into isolation. As AI friends and digital chatbots get better, the gap between "connections we have" and "connections we need" might get even wider.
