Hello there, oh glorious you!

As 2024 draws to a close, one can't help looking back and the bucking bronto of a year that it was!

That's why we have a few whimsical listicles in the weekend reads below, and our very own podcast with Dan Ariely, but first, we just wanted to check - have you heard about this cool new thing called AI? 😉

It's no big deal, really, but we did release a course on it this year, and our dear friend Benedict Evans gave a smashing presentation, sharing his thoughts on the topic. We hope you enjoy it!

Big love,
Chris & the 42courses team x 

• Randomness, risk, and making your own luck: In our latest podcast with none other than Dan Ariely himself, he shares profound insights into how embracing randomness, taking risks, and making mistakes can lead to growth, discovery, and even a touch of luck.
   
• What happens when you leave the rat race: Have you ever wondered what would happen if you just ran away from it all? Here are 5 life lessons from a man who decided to quit his corporate life to go build a cabin in the woods.
   
• 52 fun facts from 2024: These facts are seriously fun. For eg, did you know that Crayola crayons are one of the 16 trademarked scents in America?
   
• 15 things WE learned this year: Yes, our very own wrap up of thrilling things we discovered this year, including stories, guides and the funnest of facts.
   
• 16 PR stunts more wholesome than Elon Musk: If you're wondering which famous founder is the king of PR, smile and remember all the wacky, wonderful, and relatively wholesome things Sir Richard Branson has done.

• 537 - The Hagia Sophia is inaugurated, becoming one of the most famous architectural wonders in the world. 🏛️
   
• 1831 - HMS Beagle departs, with Charles Darwin unknowingly embarking on a voyage that would revolutionize modern science. ⛵
   
• 1845 - Ether is used for the first time as pain relief during childbirth in the United States, marking a major medical advancement. 🩺
   
• 1903 - The barbershop classic "Sweet Adeline" is first sung, destined to become a staple in harmonies. 🎶
   
• 1932 - Radio City Music Hall opens in Manhattan, becoming an iconic symbol of entertainment. 🎭
   
• 1945 - The International Monetary Fund is formally established by 29 member countries, based on ideas from Harry Dexter White and John Maynard Keynes. 💰
   
• 1945 - The World Bank is created, serving as another cornerstone of international finance. 🌍
   
• 2004 - A magnetar explosion is detected, marking the brightest extrasolar event ever observed and showcasing cosmic wonders. ✨
   
• 1995 - French-American actor Timothée Chalamet is born in New York City, later rising to international fame. 🎥