In a newsletter dedicated to finding light in dark times, the most striking moment arrives not with a prediction of technological breakthrough, but with a quiet admission of departure. Packy McCormick's latest edition, "Weekly dose of optimism #165," is framed by the handover of the column from his brother, Dan McCormick, who is stepping away to focus entirely on his hardware company, Create. The piece argues that the global mood has shifted from the despair of 2022 to a tangible, actionable hope, yet it anchors this optimism in the very human act of passing the torch. It is a rare editorial choice to begin a forward-looking forecast with a farewell, suggesting that the future is built by those willing to let go of the present.
The Architecture of Optimism
The column opens with a deeply personal narrative that reframes the entire publication's mission. Dan McCormick recounts a low point in his career in 2022, describing a moment when his startup was "starting to flatline" and he "didn't really know what I wanted to do next." It was in this void that his brother offered a lifeline, not through a formal job description, but through an act of "open and shut case of brotherly love nepotism." The only requirement was to "come learn as much as you can, and then go start something."
This origin story is not merely sentimental; it serves as the foundational thesis for the newsletter's worldview. Packy McCormick writes, "We started writing the Weekly Dose at a decidedly pessimistic time. Summer 2022. Markets were crashing, Wars were raging. And technology seemed a bit stagnant." The argument is that optimism is not a naive denial of reality, but a strategic position taken when the market is fearful. As Dan puts it, "We knew that it was a great buying opportunity for optimism. Be greedy when others are fearful." This framing is effective because it treats hope as an asset class, something to be accumulated and deployed rather than a fleeting emotion. Critics might argue that this investment logic trivializes the genuine suffering caused by the wars and economic instability of that era, but the authors insist that the long-term thesis of human progress remains unbroken regardless of short-term volatility.
"Throughout history, it always has [played out]. Today, we're as optimistic about the future as we ever have been."
A Peace Deal and the Human Cost
The newsletter's first major news item tackles the agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict, a development the author describes with cautious relief. The coverage centers on a US-mediated deal based on a 20-point plan that calls for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and a gradual withdrawal of troops. Packy McCormick highlights the emotional resonance of the moment, noting, "It's incredible to see the joy on both sides after two tragic years." The piece credits the architects of the plan, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, for their persistence, recalling how critics once mocked their approach. "Five years ago, people made fun of his naïveté," McCormick notes, contrasting that skepticism with the current reality of a signed agreement.
However, the commentary must pause here to acknowledge the gravity of the situation. While the text celebrates the diplomatic breakthrough, it briefly mentions the brutal context of the conflict that preceded it. The deal involves the release of approximately 48 Israeli hostages, with about 20 believed to be alive, in exchange for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The human toll of the preceding two years is the silent backdrop to this joy. The newsletter frames this as a victory for negotiation over violence, stating, "The conversation, and this deal, is a reminder that behind everything we read, there are people, and that people can work together to solve practically anything." This is a powerful sentiment, yet it risks oversimplifying the complex geopolitical realities that allowed the war to start and the fragile nature of the ceasefire. A counterargument worth considering is whether the deal addresses the root causes of the conflict or merely pauses the violence, leaving the reconstruction and governance of Gaza as unresolved, contentious issues.
The Uncontactable Laureate and the Power of Disconnection
Shifting from geopolitical tension to personal triumph, the column highlights a whimsical story about the Nobel Prize in Medicine. The winner, Fred Ramsdell, was unreachable because he was "living his best life" on an off-the-grid hiking trip in Montana. Packy McCormick uses this anecdote to critique the modern obsession with constant connectivity. "He was not sitting, and he didn't have his phone," the author writes, contrasting Ramsdell's behavior with the typical anxiety of a prize winner waiting by the phone. Ramsdell's wife eventually found him, shouting, "You just won the Nobel Prize!" to which he replied, "No, I didn't," before realizing the truth.
This story serves as a metaphor for the newsletter's broader theme: that true breakthroughs often happen when we disconnect from the noise. McCormick suggests that Ramsdell was following David Foster Wallace's advice to build an "immune protection" against the addiction to phones. The argument is that by stepping away, Ramsdell was better equipped to handle the magnitude of his achievement. The piece concludes this section with a call to action: "So when you finish reading this, lock up your phone, get outside, and maybe you, too, can win the Nobel Prize." While lighthearted, this advice touches on a serious point about mental clarity and the conditions necessary for deep scientific work. It challenges the reader to consider if their own constant availability is hindering their potential.
Hardware, AI, and the Future of Labor
The final section of the newsletter turns to the tangible tools shaping the future. Packy McCormick covers the release of CellTransformer, an AI tool that maps the mouse brain with unprecedented detail, and the debut of Figure 03, a home robot capable of performing complex domestic tasks. The author expresses a measured enthusiasm, noting that while the technology is "very cool," excitement is tempered by the need for real-world utility. "I won't be overly excited until I have one or two of these guys in my house doing my bidding," McCormick admits. This grounded perspective is crucial in a field often saturated with hype. The piece also highlights Base Power Company's $1 billion Series C funding, framing it as a pivotal moment for energy infrastructure. "The largest and most impactful companies of this generation will be the ones that use intelligence, hardware, and technology to build the new products that replace the old," the author argues, positioning battery technology as the key to securing an electric future.
"The largest and most impactful companies of this generation will be the ones that use intelligence, hardware, and technology to build the new products that replace the old."
The commentary here is optimistic but pragmatic. It acknowledges that while the vision of robots and advanced AI is compelling, the path to widespread adoption is paved with engineering challenges and economic realities. The inclusion of a book recommendation by David Lynch on meditation and creativity ties these technological themes back to the human element, suggesting that the future of innovation requires both advanced tools and a clear, meditative mind.
Bottom Line
Packy McCormick's final column as the sole voice of the "Weekly Dose" succeeds in reframing optimism not as a blind faith in progress, but as a disciplined response to a changing world. The strongest element of the piece is its ability to weave personal narrative with global events, showing how individual choices—like stepping away from a newsletter to build a company or hiking in the mountains while winning a Nobel Prize—mirror the larger shifts in technology and geopolitics. The biggest vulnerability lies in the occasional tendency to gloss over the deep complexities of the conflicts and challenges discussed, favoring a narrative of resolution over the messy reality of ongoing struggles. Readers should watch for how the new editorial direction balances this hopeful tone with the rigorous analysis required to navigate an increasingly volatile future.