Good morning. We’re 1% Better. Unbiased, quick daily news and life advice that makes you a little smarter, healthier, and happier everyday.

Today we're covering the Claude chatbot ruling, why Venetians want Jeff Bezos to pay higher taxes, and how the secret to better mobility might come from weighted ropes.

Forwarded this email? Click here to join.

A federal judge ruled Monday that AI company Anthropic didn't violate copyright law by training its Claude chatbot on millions of copyrighted books, calling the process "quintessentially transformative" fair use. U.S. District Judge William Alsup said the AI system's distilling from written works to create new text was like "any reader aspiring to be a writer.”

However, Anthropic must face trial in December over allegedly acquiring those books from online "shadow libraries" of pirated copies. Three authors sued the San Francisco-based company last year, claiming "large-scale theft" of their works. Court documents showed internal employee concerns about using pirate sites before the company shifted to buying books legitimately (how Claude can be used in your workday).

The mixed ruling could set precedent for similar lawsuits against OpenAI, Meta, and other AI companies using copyrighted material for training. Judge Alsup noted that buying books later "will not absolve" Anthropic of earlier piracy liability, though it may reduce damages. The company welcomed the fair use ruling but didn't address piracy claims. This AI copyright win is more complicated than it looks.

Tech billionaire Jeff Bezos and journalist Lauren Sánchez are set to marry in Venice, Italy in late June, according to Italian media reports. The Amazon founder, worth $231 billion, and his fiancée since 2023 face growing protests from environmental activists who hung banners in St. Mark's Square Monday reading "If you can rent Venice for your wedding you can pay more tax."

The three-day celebration is expected to cost $23-34 million and host 200 guests, officials said. Wedding organizers denied rumors of "taking over" the city, stating they booked proportionate transportation and prioritized minimizing disruption. Venice already struggles with overtourism and requires day-trippers to pay entrance fees to visit the sinking historic center (is over-tourism killing Venice?).

Protesters under the "No Space for Bezos" movement plan to block canals and streets, opposing what they call privatization of their city. Regional governor Luca Zaia said the event will boost the local economy, though activists argue residents won't benefit from the influx of wealth. A look at Jeff Bezos’ expansive wealth here.

Cable companies and mobile carriers are battling fiercely for home internet customers, driving prices down significantly. Major providers including Verizon, Comcast, and T-Mobile launched price-lock guarantees this spring, promising steady rates for up to five years. Home internet service prices fell 3.1% in May compared to last year, officials said.

Fixed wireless service from mobile carriers costs roughly half as much as cable internet plans, attracting millions of subscribers. T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T added 3.7 million fixed-wireless customers in 2024, while Comcast and Charter lost over 900,000 subscribers. Cable companies previously enjoyed monopolies in many markets before 5G fixed-wireless launched in 2018.

Wireless networks will eventually hit capacity limits, supporting only 19 million total subscribers within five years, analysts predict. When that happens, cable companies may regain advantages through fiber expansion. Meanwhile, wireless carriers are investing in fiber networks to prepare for future growth beyond their current capacity constraints. What does home internet cost per month, per provider?

Nsima Inyang's framework: Use your spine as the main mover, not your hands.

Nsima Inyang, a former power lifter, discovered that traditional strength training guarantees stiffness, where rope flow guarantees athletic movement. After feeling "very stiff and unathletic" from years of lifting, he stopped obsessing over weights and started swinging ropes through space. His movement philosophy demanded learning rotational power from the ground up while ignoring conventional gym-based training entirely.

The breakthrough: symmetrical practice fixes asymmetrical bodies. Inyang transformed his jiu-jitsu by focusing on spinal rotation rather than hand-dominant movements. Flow state beats forced repetitions. His students improve because he perfected daily movement practice while competitors chase workout intensity.

Why this matters: Most athletes fail because they train in single planes instead of developing rotational power that transfers to real sports. "You learn to navigate that rope, move it through space while using your spine as the main mover." Interview here (11:30 mark). 6-minute video here.

Marketing research that revolutionized sales: customers need 7 exposures before buying. Studies found that salespeople obsessing over closing miss the relationship-building phase: consistent, valuable touchpoints that build trust over time. The data shows most sales happen after the 7th interaction, yet most salespeople give up after 2-3 attempts. This isn't about being pushy, but understanding the psychology of decision-making. The 7-touch rule explains why patient marketers dominate while aggressive competitors burn through leads. The rule of 7. How this creates leads.

> Trump claims US strikes set back Iran's nuclear plans "decades" despite reports suggesting limited impact (More).

> Powell won't cut rates until Fed assesses tariff impact on inflation, defying Trump's mounting pressure (More).

> Car carrier sinks in Pacific after EV deck fire, leaving 3,000 vehicles underwater (More).

> FedEx shares slide 6% as trade turbulence hits demand, CEO cites volatile global environment (More).

> Airlines face GPS spoofing over warzones as global conflicts surge 65%, forcing costly route diversions (More).

Over 100 conversation starters.

What to wear in a heat wave.

The cost for the IRS to collect taxes.

Morning stretches you can do in bed.

12 things people regret getting rid of.