Letters by Burk #139: Summer Hole

Also, Substack Mac app, AI replacing jobs, fun facts about summer, and more

Aug 21, 2024

swimming pool with stainless steel ladder — Photo by Etienne Girardet on Unsplash

Hi friends,

the summer hole is coming to an end.

It’s August. And some of you might have been wondering why your views or reads or sales have been on the decline over the past few weeks.

The summer hole…

I first noticed this decline in activity on Medium a few years ago. I was used to a certain amount of reads each week and month back then. And then, they declined heavily.

I was afraid something went wrong. I did something wrong. Or I’d lost my groove.

But no. It was the summer hole. It’s quite logical: During the warm months (for us in the north at least), people spend time outside, on vacation, with their families, travelling, and all that good stuff. They do less on the internet. That’s a good thing!

But we content creators can definitely notice that.

It’s not the only hole during the year. Over Christmas, it’s a similar situation, at least for content. Sales are doing better that time of year.

So, if you've been struggling to get the numbers you're used to. It could be the summer hole.

It’s coming to an end soon. Don’t panic!

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." — Sam Keen

Summer sale → everything 50% OFF

You get everything in my Gumroad store 50% off right now. Head over there and use the code “SUMMER24”!

To the store

#1 Main Story:

Substack App On Mac

I love the Substack app on iOS. It’s a pretty sleek mobile experience that makes reading newsletters and communicating on Substack Notes a breeze.

But I am mainly working and reading on my laptop.

If you’re like me, a Mac user who loves the convenience of web apps but wishes they felt more integrated with your desktop experience, you’re in luck.

It’s pretty easy to get a Substack Mac app.

Substack app

Apple has included a nifty feature in recent versions of macOS (Sonoma) that allows you to transform your favorite websites into standalone Mac apps with just a few clicks.

It’s very simple.

Read the rest

#2 Essay:

5 High-Level Jobs That Will Be Replaced By AI In the Near Future

(You won’t believe a couple)

Over the last few years, artificial intelligence has gone from science fiction to reality.

And it’s only getting started.

AI computer systems can now see, hear, read, and learn in ways that seemed impossible not long ago.

While this new technology opens up amazing possibilities, it also means big changes for certain careers and professions.

Some much sooner than we might have guessed.

Here are five high-level jobs that will be heavily impacted by the rise of AI in the near future:

#1 Radiologists

Read the rest

#3 Fun Facts

Here are 10 fun facts about summer:

The Term “Dog Days” Has an Astronomical Origin: The phrase “Dog Days of Summer” refers to the period in July and August when the star Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, rises and sets with the sun. Ancient Romans believed this period brought the hottest days of the year.
Longest Day in the Northern Hemisphere: The Summer Solstice, around June 21st, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, but it’s not necessarily the hottest day. The lag between the solstice and peak summer heat is due to the time it takes for the Earth’s land and oceans to warm up.
Eiffel Tower Grows Taller: The Eiffel Tower can grow by about 6 inches (15 cm) in summer due to the expansion of the iron in the heat.
Summer Birth Rates Spike: More babies are born in late summer, particularly in August and September, than at any other time of the year. This is often attributed to the increased likelihood of conception during the winter months.
Ancient Greeks Started the Olympics in Summer: The first Olympic Games, held in 776 BC in Ancient Greece, were a summer event. This tradition continues with the modern Summer Olympics, typically held every four years between July and August.
The Tradition of Summer Vacations Originated with Agriculture: The concept of a summer break in schools began because families needed children to help with planting and harvesting crops during the warm months. This is why many schools still have a long summer vacation, even though farming is no longer a common necessity for most families.
Watermelon is Actually a Vegetable: Although it’s typically thought of as a fruit, watermelon is botanically a vegetable. It belongs to the cucumber, pumpkin, and squash family and is one of the most popular summer treats.
Lobsters Shed Their Shells: Summer is when lobsters molt, or shed their shells, to grow. During this time, their shells are softer, and they are referred to as “shedders” by fishermen
The First Modern Bikini Debuted in Summer: The modern bikini was introduced on July 5, 1946, by French designer Louis Réard. It was named after Bikini Atoll, the site of nuclear tests, to signify its “explosive” impact on fashion.
Summer Sizzling Roads: On extremely hot days, roads can become so hot that they can soften and even melt. This can cause problems for vehicles, especially in areas not used to extreme heat.

Something to think about

Best,

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