The Case for Buying Antiques Instead of New Stuff
New collectibles are manufactured scarcity. Antiques are real scarcity. Here's why the smart money—and the smarter hobbyist—goes old.
Collecting & Antiques
The Leisure Journal
Hobbies and their cognitive benefits.
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Collecting & Antiques
Stop Calling Yourself a Collector: Why Accumulating Beats Curating
The collecting world worships curation, but the evidence says accumulation—buying what you love without a master plan—is the smarter path to joy and a...
Collecting & Antiques
Collecting & Antiques: What You Actually Need to Know Before You Buy
You've got questions about starting a collection. I've got blunt answers. Here's how to avoid the rookie mistakes and build something that lasts.
Outdoor Adventures
How to Start Birdwatching in Santa Clara: Your Next Outdoor Hobby
Birdwatching is a top American hobby, and Santa Clara's Ulistac Natural Area is the perfect spot to start. Here's your blunt field guide.
Collecting & Antiques
Collecting Is Dead: Why We Must Trade Trinkets for Tango
The data is clear: active hobbies like tango trump collecting for brain health. I argue for ditching the dust collectors and embracing movement.
Creative Crafts
A Hobby of Your Own: Crafting with Purpose in Santa Clara
Crafting is a powerful hobby for brain health. Here’s how to start, what to avoid, and why you should make time for it—even in tech-centric Santa Clar...
Indoor Activities
Indoor Hobbies Actually Slow Brain Aging? Here's the Truth
Science says active hobbies like tango and even StarCraft II training can make your brain look years younger. I break down what actually works and wha...
Creative Crafts
Which Creative Craft Keeps Your Brain Young? Painting vs. Music vs. Strategy Gaming
You want a hobby that's fun and fights brain aging. We compare painting, music, and strategy gaming on brain age, cost, and time to start. Find your w...
Indoor Activities
Indoor Hobbies Are the Real Brain Boosters—But Not the Ones You Think
Tango dancing, not chess, is the top indoor hobby for your brain. A 2025 study shows dancers' brains look 7 years younger. Here's what to pick up indo...
Outdoor Adventures
Outdoor Adventures Aren't a Hobby—They're a Brain Prescription
Walking, birdwatching, and pickleball aren't just fun; they're the best anti-aging medicine. Santa Clara's 450 acres of parks make it easy to start.
Indoor Activities
Is Birdwatching a Real Hobby? Yes—And It Can Make Your Brain Younger
Birdwatching is a legitimate hobby with real brain benefits. Even beginners can slow brain aging. Here's how to start and why it beats doomscrolling.
Collecting & Antiques
Why Your Next Collectible Isn't an Antique—It's a Parking Lot
Forget dusty heirlooms. The real collector's market is in Silicon Valley: tech campuses, stadiums, and theme parks. Here's how to build a hobby portfo...
Creative Crafts
Crafting Your Brain's Age: Why Creative Crafts Beat Passive Hobbies
Creative crafts aren't just fun; they may keep your brain younger. Here's why hands-on hobbies beat passive ones and how to start today.