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Today we're covering the McDonalds-Krispy Kreme breakup, the benefits of a commonplace book, and how to become a true expert in anything.

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Americans celebrate the Fourth of July today, marking the 249th anniversary of the Continental Congress adopting the Declaration of Independence in 1776. The federal holiday commemorates the historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by delegates from the 13 colonies on July 4, 1776, two days after voting for independence from Great Britain (More).

The celebration tradition began immediately in 1777 with Philadelphia's first organized Independence Day festivities, featuring cannon salutes and fireworks displays. George Washington issued double rum rations to soldiers in 1778, while Massachusetts became the first state to declare July 4th an official holiday in 1781. Congress designated it a federal holiday in 1870.

Modern celebrations continue nationwide with fireworks, parades, barbecues and family gatherings. The holiday serves as a symbol of American patriotism and unity, though its political significance has diminished over time. Cities across the country host festivities ranging from concerts to community events celebrating national independence (the history of fireworks).

McDonald's and Krispy Kreme ended their three-year partnership this week, removing doughnuts from McDonald's menus nationwide. The collaboration began in October 2022 with nine Louisville locations and expanded to 2,500 restaurants by February 2025. Companies announced plans in March 2024 to reach all 13,500 U.S. McDonald's locations by 2026, potentially adding $340-430 million in annual revenue.

Operational challenges plagued the expansion as Krispy Kreme struggled with distribution costs and irregular deliveries across McDonald's network. Some franchisees reported inconsistent supply, with doughnuts arriving cold or poorly decorated. Quality issues and pricing ($2.19-$2.59 per doughnut) contributed to weak sales, with one employee claiming only 10 doughnuts sold in three months (see ad).

Krispy Kreme's stock fell 23 percent after pausing expansion in May, citing demand below expectations. The company reported a $33 million net loss and 15 percent revenue drop for the quarter ending March 30. McDonald's now focuses on other breakfast options, including bagel sandwiches and the upcoming Spicy Egg McMuffin launching July 8. Since the split, Krispy Kreme picked new CFO.

A new LendingTree study found that 51 percent of remote workers earn additional income while on the clock at their primary job. Male remote workers were significantly more likely to work side hustles during company time, at 58 percent versus 42 percent for women. The survey included 2,000 Americans with 450 remote workers.

Remote work has surged since the pandemic, with 95 percent of professionals wanting some remote work options and 63 percent considering it more important than salary, according to FlexJobs research. However, 70 percent of remote workers reported better sleep, 66 percent felt more productive, and 90 percent experienced improved work-life balance. Despite benefits, 47 percent feared layoffs since remote workers face 35 percent higher termination rates.

Financial experts warn that splitting focus between multiple jobs creates productivity risks during economic uncertainty. LendingTree's Matt Schulz cautioned that keeping secrets from employers could backfire. Previous research shows 33 percent of remote employees work multiple jobs due to rising living costs and manageable remote role demands. 30 side hustle ideas here.

Richard Feynman's framework: True understanding only exists when you can explain complex concepts in simple terms that a child could grasp.

Nobel physicist Richard Feynman struggled early in his Princeton career, memorizing equations without truly comprehending underlying principles. Most students and professionals mistake information retention for genuine understanding, creating fragile knowledge that crumbles under pressure.

The breakthrough: Feynman developed a four-step teaching protocol that exposes knowledge gaps with surgical precision. His method involves the following:

Feynman famously tested this on quantum electrodynamics, teaching graduate-level physics to undergraduates using only basic analogies. This revealed that traditional academic explanations often mask incomplete understanding behind jargon and complexity.

Why this matters: Feynman discovered that teaching forces active reconstruction of ideas, revealing gaps that rereading never catches. "If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough," he insisted.

Watch the Feynman documentary, The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, right here.

Fill one notebook with everything that sparks curiosity. When you encounter an intriguing idea, sketch, quote, or observation, immediately capture it in your personal commonplace book regardless of topic or relevance. Leonardo da Vinci filled over 13,000 pages with random thoughts, mixing anatomical studies with engineering designs and philosophical musings. Instead of compartmentalizing knowledge, you create unexpected collisions between ideas that generate breakthrough innovations. Your flying machine concept starts with today's bird observation. Here’s step-by-step instructions on keeping a commonplace book from author Ryan Holiday.

> Trump signs "big, beautiful bill" making 2017 tax cuts permanent while adding new breaks for tips and seniors (More). | See how this affects you (More).

> Foreign phone sales in China drop 9.7% in May as Apple and other makers faces domestic competition (More).

> Tesla sales plummet 13.5% in second quarter as Musk shifts company focus from cars to autonomous robotaxis and robots (More). | Elon lost to Trump (More).

> Airbnb switches all host cancellation policies from "strict" to "firm" October 1 citing guest demand (More).

> UPS offers buyouts to drivers for first time in 117-year history amid flat volumes and rising labor costs (More).

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