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- If you’re like me, I like you less
People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.
— Dagobert D. Rune
Let’s skip the fluff and dive straight in.
The more someone is like me, the less likely I am to like them. But if they’re half like me and half completely different? There’s a good chance we’ll get along.
I doubt I’m alone in this.
Liking someone isn’t black and white—it’s a spectrum. Actually, I see it as a bell curve.
Here’s how I think it works:
0% common interests? We probably won’t click.
25%? There’s some common ground to start a conversation.
50%? The sweet spot—enough similarities to connect, but plenty of differences to keep it interesting.
75%? It starts feeling repetitive. Where’s the room for individuality?
100%? Now it’s just weird.
Of course, it’s not only about shared interests. Personality, culture, values, and a lot of unconscious factors shape how we connect. But interests still seem to be a pretty good proxy for likeliness.
Why we don’t like people too much like us?
I think there are two big reasons for this:
1/ Boredom
When someone is too much like you, things get dull fast. Sure, you’ll have plenty to talk about, but where’s the novelty? New connections are exciting because they expose you to fresh perspectives.
It’s like traveling—you don’t go to another country to eat the same food, listen to the same music you can get at home. You go to try something different.
2/ Competition
Let’s be honest—there’s a hint of rivalry when someone mirrors you too much. You start comparing everything. It’s hard not to.
And that can lead to jealousy, which isn’t exactly the foundation for a solid relationship.
We all want to feel unique. When someone feels like a carbon copy, it messes with that. And in a world where I’m unique, I always win at being the best of all people like me 😉
What do you think? Am I way off, or does this resonate with you too? Let me know—I’m curious!
— James
Tools & Websites
Tricount is a simple, user-friendly app designed to help groups of people manage and split shared expenses. It's particularly useful in situations like group trips, shared housing, or joint projects where multiple individuals contribute money toward shared costs.
Endel is an app that creates personalized soundscapes for sleep, focus, relaxation, and more. Backed by neuroscience (whatever that means), it’s well-loved by users. The coolest part? It adapts in real-time, using inputs like time, weather, heart rate, and location to match your current state.
Le Fruit Studio is a Parisian design studio specializing in illustration, graphic design, and animation. Their portfolio is packed with beautifully crafted projects—perfect for some creative inspiration.
James’ Library
Book  | This week, I wanted to share two fiction books for a change. Ready Player One was an absolute thrill! Even though it’s steeped in geek culture and video games—a world I know little about—it completely drew me in. The story is gripping, the dystopian world Ernest Cline creates is fascinating, and the characters are incredibly endearing. It’s easily one of the best books I’ve read recently. PS: I didn’t enjoy Ready Player Two as much. Cline dives deep into obscure ’80s references, which left me feeling disconnected at times. Synopsis: In a dystopian future, most of humanity escapes their bleak reality by immersing themselves in the OASIS, a vast virtual world. Wade Watts joins a high-stakes hunt for a hidden fortune left by the game’s eccentric creator, solving 80s-inspired puzzles along the way. But as ruthless corporations and deadly rivals close in, the quest becomes a fight for survival—and the fate of the OASIS itself. |
Book  | Project Hail Mary is Andy Weir’s latest book, following his success with The Martian. Staying true to his style, the story is set in space, features a protagonist in a dire situation, and is packed with sarcastic humor and fascinating scientific puzzles. I enjoyed it so much that it inspired me to finally pick up The Martian, which I had never read before. Safe to say, Weir has a knack for turning science and survival into page-turning adventures. Synopsis: Ryland Grace wakes up alone on a spaceship, with no memory of who he is or how he got there. As he pieces together his mission, he discovers he’s humanity’s last hope to save Earth from an extinction-level threat. Stranded light-years away, his survival depends on solving impossible scientific challenges—and forming an unexpected alliance. |
…Aesthetic Corner…
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Vratislav Pecka, a Czech designer, creates jaw-dropping posters using simple shapes and bold colors. They’re eye-catching, award-winning, and perfect for sprucing up your space—or gifting this holiday season.
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This sleek chord synth from Telepathic Instruments (co-founded by Kevin Parker of Tame Impala) is just a beauty. Compact, stylish, and highly creative, Orchid feels like a synth for the modern era. Their intro video alone is worth checking out.
Sustainable Living
Geoship is a company redefining sustainable housing through bioceramic geodesic domes. These homes are built from bioceramic materials, which are stronger than concrete, non-toxic, and have a lower carbon footprint. The geodesic dome design enhances durability and energy efficiency, making the homes resistant to natural disasters like fires and hurricanes while maintaining optimal indoor temperature with minimal energy use. These domes are not just homes—they promote holistic well-being by creating healthy living spaces and aligning with natural principles.
Beyond individual homes, Geoship’s mission extends to creating regenerative communities. These neighborhoods incorporate shared resources like renewable energy, food gardens, and water recycling systems, fostering self-sustaining lifestyles and ecological harmony. The company envisions these communities as models for resilience against climate challenges while encouraging collaborative and sustainable living.
Deliveries are estimated to start in 2025.
Friends of James
Beehiiv — the powerhouse behind all my newsletters, helping me craft, design, grow my audience, and monetize effortlessly.
Notion — my go-to tool for the last 6+ years, where I store all my notes, manage tasks, and essentially run both my life and businesses.
Webflow — the engine behind all my websites, letting me design, build, and launch seamlessly without code.
Make — the tool that runs my business on autopilot, handling all recurring and time-consuming tasks
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