The Flyby #9
Market corrections, age-old debates, and the Goshawk is (not) back
1. Money and Markets: Bob, the world's worst market timer
These last couple weeks have been nothing short of a shock to most people’s investment portfolios.
I recently came across this article from 2014, detailing the investing life of “Bob”, the world’s worst market timer. It walks through what would happen if you lump-sum invested your savings into the market at the worst possible times over the course of around 40 years.
It turns out, even if you were as bad as Bob at investing and went all-in right before massive draw downs like 2000, 2008, etc., you’d still make it out on top over a long enough timeframe. Interesting read and very relevant to today’s climate.
2. Strength and Stamina: Chicken or the egg?
In the age-old debate of “which came first: the chicken or the egg?”—we might finally have our answer.
Over the past few months, an egg shortage has driven prices to a historic high of $8.17 per dozen. Fortunately, costs have dropped 40% in just two weeks, returning to October 2024 levels.
But don’t let this distract you—Big Poultry certainly doesn’t want you thinking about what comes next. With fewer eggs, a chicken shortage is likely on the horizon. And if that happens, one thing becomes clear: the egg came first.
3. Future and Tech: Astronauts heading home
An update on the astronauts from last week’s flyby: they’re finally going home.
On March 18th, the astronauts originally ferried to the ISS via Boeing’s Starliner will be returned to Earth thanks to SpaceX early Tuesday morning are expected to splash down off the coast of Florida shortly after.
The video of the stranded astronauts being greeted by their rescue crew was pretty awesome. I usually get belligerently hangry if I’m standing duty and my relief is ten minutes late. Nine months? I can’t imagine how much ready room popcorn I would eat.
4. Military and Aviation: The Goshawk Strikes Back
Nothing beats that feeling when the universe seems perfectly in sync—hitting every green light on the way to work, waking up a minute before your alarm, the T-45 Goshawk being down again.
Wait, the T-45 is down again?!?
Yes, after a fantastic run of nearly seven months, it’s been reported that a T-45 belonging to TW-2 in Kingsville has experienced another engine issue, grounding the fleet out of an abundance of caution. A tale as old as time.
Thankfully no one was hurt. But, with the frequency of what’s supposed to be a black swan event (engine’s are supposed to last thousands of hours—not hundreds), I can’t help but feel for all the students and IP’s seemingly risking their lives due to a can that’s been kicked down the road so far it would finally convince the flat earthers otherwise.
Maybe this will be the final wakeup call needed to replace the aging fleet. Kidding, it’s probably got twenty more years left.
5. X-Factor: Lax superstar turned NBA pro
Pat Spencer was the star of the lacrosse world back in 2019. Known for insane vision and passing skills, Spencer won the Tewaarton (player of the year) in his senior year at Loyola.
He wasn’t the first lacrosse player to go on to become a pro in another sport (see NFL WR Chris Hogan) but he is, as far as I can tell, the first to make it in the NBA.
In a league full of first-round draft picks, it’s unbelievable to see Spencer, with relatively limited basketball focus/experience, make it to the sport’s highest level.
