Olivia's Links - July 2021 - Bitcoin, Insulin, and Friendship

It’s hard to keep up with current events in this day and age, but with so many topics rich for discussion out there, I’m turning to the writing that’s hit my radar to do the work for me. Here are three links that caught my attention this week.

1. Cryptocurrency:  The Top Ten Credible Cryptocurrencies to Invest In for July

At this time last year I was not thinking about Bitcoin. I had never heard of Ethereum (still not sure I’m pronouncing it right) not to mention any of these ten currencies. However, recently, I’m fascinated by Bitcoin. Block chain. The concept of a decentralized cash system that is recorded and stored everywhere. Anonymously. Hard wallet. Cold wallet. 

Inspired by learning about Bitcoin from my boyfriend -- who is quite experienced -- and by feeling inflation more intensely this year (unexpected diabetes costs, travel/hotel rates surging for trips I need to attend, house maintenance costs increasing, etc.), I started paying attention to the topic of inflation.

Such as the $10 million house in the not-so-distant future. Stats like 20%+ of US dollars were printed in 2020 alone. 

I haven’t invested in Bitcoin yet. Or Ethereum. But I’m tracking them closely. I’m checking daily. I’m learning about this anonymous currency. It’s important to know about block chain technology and the reason it was created. It’s here and it’s not going away.

2. Bitcoin for Insulin?  Walmart’s New Insulin Still Too Expensive Advocates Say 

On the topic of diabetes costs, Walmart released a new private insulin this month. $86 for a package of insulin pens ($73 for a vial). According to the American Diabetes Association, the average person with diabetes spends ten grand annually on healthcare. While $86 insulin is far less than current competing brands double and triple that price, insulin is essentially a protein that should cost a few dollars like it does in other countries with pharmacy price controls. 

If you unravel the web of healthcare, pharmaceuticals, insurance, and many other interwoven industries, the common theme is: profit. The fee for service model. Why would we take preventative measures or sell you a single solution when we can have you subscribing for life? Why would we heal anything at the root cause when that would wipe out huge amounts of pharmaceutical & healthcare business?

Other value based incentive models are out there, but nothing will change with the dominant model being what it is in the U.S. Inflation of healthcare costs is inevitable.

What I like about this article is, JDRF and BeyondTypeOne -- two organizations I started following when diagnosed in 2019 -- both share these perspectives: Walmart’s insulin is a step closer, and there’s still a long way to go. I hope they’re not too close to Walmart, that’s all.

Solution: Start a Bitcoin account to hedge against pharmaceutical companies? 

3. Adult Friendships: Every 2 Years Expect a Relationship Termination 

I’ve been following this writer Ted Bauer for a few weeks and relate to what he writes about friendships. He got divorced in his early 30’s and talks about feeling alone for various reasons and being disappointed by long term friendships over time.  

That period in his life sparked tons of reading and writing about relationships (ditto), and while he writes mostly about male relationships and their “emotional ceiling”, I can understand him and his fascination in the breakdown of friendships and relationships. Anticipated or unanticipated. 

The deterioration of friendships (every 2.3 years apparently) as they get married, move away, have a kid, divorce, change jobs, move again, have another kid. The erosion of empathy, intimacy, connection, reciprocity. The rise in Bridezilla’s expectations (ok he doesn’t write about that). 

The way you connect best with people who have shared experiences -- even a total stranger -- because they can cultivate the most important thing you need to heal: empathy. A relational home for what happened.

There’s a lot I could say about friendships and relationships. I used to have a relationship blog and sadly got rid of it. But needless to say, these are rich topics for discussion and I always love a good relationship blogger! 

What do you think about Bitcoin, Walmart’s insulin, and friendships?