⚽️ Legendary soccer player Pelé has passed away at 82

Plus: The tech industry had a rough year, The vibes are off at Tesla, and more…

Today’s pick

• Legendary soccer player Pelé has passed away at 82 due to multiple organ failure resulting from colon cancer. Pelé was known for his unparalleled talent, affable personality, and the belief that soccer has the power to bring people together regardless of race, class, and nationality. (Lawrie Mifflin / The New York Times)

The New York Times @nytimes

“Pelé is one of the few who contradicted my theory,” Andy Warhol once said. “Instead of 15 minutes of fame, he will have 15 centuries.”

nyti.msPelé, the Global Face of Soccer, Dies at 82Pelé, who was declared a national treasure in his native Brazil, achieved worldwide celebrity and helped popularize the sport in the United States.

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• The tech industry had a rough year, with major companies such as Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, Meta, and Apple experiencing valuation drops and workforce cuts. The myth of the infallible tech founder was also debunked, leading to a reckoning for the tech giants that have shaped the 21st century. (Brian Merchant / The Atlantic)

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant

Between plummeting valuations, mass layoffs and the Twitter saga, last year was a disastrous one for big tech—but that disaster was entirely predictable, and a long time coming. 2023 wasn't a bump in the road, it was a reckoning

theatlantic.comThe End of the Silicon Valley MythThe companies that define our digital lives have hit a wall.

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• Tesla has had a tumultuous year, including layoffs, a slowdown in the Chinese market, regulatory issues with its Autopilot software, and delays on highly-anticipated products like the Cybertruck and Roadster. CEO Elon Musk also faced backlash for his actions on social media. (Patrick George / The Verge)

Patrick George @bypatrickgeorge

New from me @verge: Tesla has faced down countless problems over the past 10+ years, but this moment feels different—thanks in large part to unforced errors by its CEO:

theverge.comThe vibes are off at Tesla“It’s losers across the board,” one analyst said.

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• Investing in friendships and hobbies outside of work is just as important as contributing to a 401(k) for a fulfilling retirement. It's crucial to start cultivating these things before retiring to ensure a well-rounded and enjoyable postwork life. (Anne Tergesen / Wall Street Journal)

anne tergesen @annetergesen

I really enjoyed reporting this: Why we don't invest in friendships the way we should & why relationships are key to health and longevity. wsj.com/articles/your-… via @WSJ

wsj.comYour 401(k) Isn’t Enough: To Invest for Retirement, Build Friendships and HobbiesWhen investing for retirement, it’s just as important to cultivate the interests, relationships and activities that eventually will fill our days.

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• Actress Allison Williams delves into the complexities of building authentic connections during press commitments and the use of audience manipulation in her craft. (Jordan Crucchiola / WIRED)

WIRED @WIRED

Girls. Get Out. Now M3GAN. In just a handful of performances, Allison Williams has redefined authenticity—and achieved a new kind of artificial reality. Read the WIRED profile of the actress here: wired.trib.al/v0riGjO

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