The Daily Valet. - 4/27/21, Tuesday
✔️ Slowing Down
Tuesday, April 27th Edition
Definitely having wine with lunch.
Cory Ohlendorf, Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Today’s Big Story
U.S. Population Growth Slows
And the population shifts will affect several seats in Congress
The United States’ population growth slowed in the past 10 years to its lowest rate since the 1930s, according to data released Monday by the Census Bureau.
The first numbers to come out of the 2020 Census show the U.S. population on April 1, 2020—Census Day—was 331.5 million people, an increase of just 7.4% between 2010 and 2020. It’s the slowest rate of expansion since the Great Depression, when the rate was just 7.3%.
Unlike the slowdown in the 1930s, which was a blip followed by a boom, experts say this current pace reflects the combination of an aging population, slowing immigration and the scars of the ‘08 downturn, which led many young adults to delay marriage and families.
According to the Washington Post, some regions in America are booming. “The South and West grew the fastest in the past decade. Growth in D.C. mushroomed, possibly predicting trends in other cities once more detailed census data is released later this year.”
The new allocation of congressional seats comes from last year’s headcount as well. The numbers generally chart familiar migration patterns: Texas and Florida, two Republican Sunbelt giants, added enough population to gain congressional seats. So did Colorado, North Carolina and Oregon.
For the first time in 170 years of statehood, California is losing a congressional seat, reports CNN. Illinois, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia will also lose congressional seats ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.
↦ FYI: Even with 52 seats, California will have more congressional seats than any other state by far, and remains the nation’s most populous state, with nearly 40 million people compared with Texas’ almost 30 million.
The iOS Update Has People Talking
It could change online privacy for the better
On Monday, Apple began rolling out iOS 14.5, which features App Tracking Transparency (ATT), a feature designed to give users more control over how their data is shared.
According to Recode, the update will allow iPhone and iPad users to easily opt out of tracking in apps that monitor their behavior and share that data with third parties. A pop-up will now appear whenever apps are designed to share your activity in this way.
And perhaps more important to day-to-day iPhone usage, the update includes a timely new trick: if you own an Apple Watch, you can set your phone to automatically unlock without requiring a Face ID or passcode as long as the watch is on your wrist.
According to The Verge, Siri will no longer default to a female-sounding voice either. Instead, you'll be prompted to choose your preferred voice during device setup. (Personally, I just find the British accent more reassuring and trustworthy.) Apple has a post up with all of the miscellaneous improvements and additions.
↦ FYI: Twitter users pulled together simple tips on how to get browsers and websites to stop sending you notifications.
Wood Is Suddenly Very Expensive
Demand is sky-high. Supply is worryingly low.
The demand for wood has skyrocketed since the world went into lockdown. Consider this stat: Lumber prices have risen by 130% since before the pandemic. That makes for an estimated $24,000 difference in the cost of a newly constructed single-family home, per data from the National Association of Home Builders.
Lumber futures have also increased—an astounding 375 percent between April 2020 and April 2021. According to Forbes, this means investors have sunk almost four times as much money into the same exact amount of wood compared to a year ago, because the spike shows no signs of stopping.
How'd this happen? Popular Mechanics says we can blame a few factors. For starters, construction of new homes has been rising for the last few years. But also, think about your own pandemic behavior. Chances are you spent the last year around the house tackling home improvement projects. Then there are the restaurants that had to build outdoor seating spaces to comply with COVID-19 regulations.
According to Bloomberg, a labor shortage has also added to the logjam, so to speak. The number of loggers in the U.S. has dropped almost 40% in less than two decades. This means producers can't create as much timber as the market wants, which also bumps up prices.
↦ What? In what may be a first, lumber prices have inspired a TikTok video.
Fitness and Booze Can Co-Exist
Sensible advice from a 14-time Ironman
Today in good news (to me, at least): You don't have to be as extreme as Tom Brady to stay in shape.
InsideHook spoke with Tom Lutz, who's participated in 14 Ironman triathlons (with two more on the way this year). In an average week, he works out for 10-15 hours while balancing life and work. “Wine helps me relax,” he says. “And it helps me recharge—these workouts take a lot of mental energy, too.”
According to Nerd Fitness, there are also physical benefits to moderate alcohol consumption as well. Red wine especially has quite a few healthy antioxidants in it. Plus, alcohol as a blood thinner “enhances vascular health, and lowers the incidence of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and chance of stroke.”
On the flip side, if you're going to drink, it makes sense to work out. Studies have found regular exercise may counteract some of alcohol's long-term health risks. So, if you worked out this morning, join me for a glass of wine with lunch.
↦ FYI: The world's oldest bottle of whiskey, estimated to be over 250 years old, is heading to auction.
In Other News
Other Things We’re Talking About Today
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The Unofficial Shirt of Good Times
The camp collar shirts to wear right now
Slightly boxy and a little slouchy, the open-neck silhouette of a camp collar shirt feels right at home as the weather warms up.
Despite becoming something of a summertime uniform for stylish dudes over the past few years, these shirts still have a rebel air to them. And while the breezy tropical prints of the classic Hawaiian shirt have reigned supreme for the last few seasons—and they're not really going anywhere—the latest batch offers a new take.
They're a touch wilder and more graphic, but still inherently nonchalant with that louche retro appeal. The best news is that brands of all stripes (and price points) are making them. We rounded up our current favorites, so take your pick.
↦ Get It: The best camp collar shirts for your buck.
What We’re Buying
Todd Snyder's ongoing Timex partnership has produced some lust-worthy timepieces that are as ruggedly handsome as they are affordable. And now the vintage-inspired watches are part of his Spring sale. Including this one, that pays homage to iconic styles from the past with a fresh look that's equally at home on the boat or in the city.
↦ Get It: $159 / $99 by Timex + Todd Snyder
Today’s Deals
Expires 4/27
Expires 5/2
Expires 5/2
↦ Want More? See all 38 sales
Morning Motto
Resilience is key ...
↦ Follow: @coachjoshevans
That’s all for today...
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