I just read about Jeff Bezos pivoting The Washington Post’s editorial section to focus on only two things: personal liberties and free markets. This is quite the shift for a publication with a notoriously left-leaning reputation. What really stood out to me was the note Bezos sent to the Post team explaining this decision.
I should add that, as an investor, this is a massive new direction in the media, news, and vibe that is sweeping America. For markets, this is something to take note of. More personal and economic freedom means companies can move, build, and adapt faster without endless legal and PR hurdles.
I do believe free markets are essential to our future. As are personal liberties. It’s possible we are just climbing out of a bubble of endless entitlement movements that were largely propagated and pushed through viral narratives on social media. No matter how you look at it, claiming you deserve something purely based on how you look or feel is, at its core, a request for entitlement—not on merit, but simply on existence. People could tweet at editors and writers endlessly on social media to get this into their lexicon. Slowly, it took over. However, now we are breaking out of this malaise, and the future could look a little more alpha: free-thinking, fearless, and confident in one’s own abilities.
Here’s the note Bezos sent to the editors that really drives this home:
“We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views.
Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical — it minimizes coercion — and practical — it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t “hell yes,” then it had to be “no.” After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment — I respect his decision.
We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction. I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.
Jeff”
I just read about Jeff Bezos pivoting The Washington Post’s editorial section to focus on only two things: personal liberties and free markets. This is quite the shift for a publication with a notoriously left-leaning reputation. What really stood out to me was the note Bezos sent to the Post team explaining this decision.
I have to say, I do believe free markets are essential. As are personal liberties. It’s possible we are just climbing out of a bubble of endless entitlement movements. No matter how you look at it, claiming you deserve something purely based on how you look or feel is, at its core, a request for entitlement—not on merit, but simply on existence. If we truly are breaking out of this malaise, the future could look a little more alpha: free-thinking, fearless, and confident in one’s own abilities.
The note Bezos sent to the editors really drives this home:
“We are going to be writing every day in support and defense of two pillars: personal liberties and free markets. We’ll cover other topics too, of course, but viewpoints opposing those pillars will be left to be published by others.
There was a time when a newspaper, especially one that was a local monopoly, might have seen it as a service to bring to the reader’s doorstep every morning a broad-based opinion section that sought to cover all views. Today, the internet does that job.
I am of America and for America, and proud to be so. Our country did not get here by being typical. And a big part of America’s success has been freedom in the economic realm and everywhere else. Freedom is ethical—it minimizes coercion—and practical—it drives creativity, invention, and prosperity.
I offered David Shipley, whom I greatly admire, the opportunity to lead this new chapter. I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t ‘hell yes,’ then it had to be ‘no.’ After careful consideration, David decided to step away. This is a significant shift, it won’t be easy, and it will require 100% commitment—I respect his decision.
We’ll be searching for a new Opinion Editor to own this new direction. I’m confident that free markets and personal liberties are right for America. I also believe these viewpoints are underserved in the current market of ideas and news opinion. I’m excited for us together to fill that void.“
— Jeff Bezos
What really stands out to me in this announcement, and why I’m writing about it, is this part: “I suggested to him that if the answer wasn’t ‘hell yes,’ then it had to be ‘no.’”
This “hell yes or no” approach is something that could take off across industries. It’s a masterclass in ensuring that driven people work on things they truly believe in. It cuts through hesitation and half-hearted commitment, forcing clarity in decision-making.
Hell yes or no.
It’s a movement.
Let’s build and rebuild with that in mind.
Strive to find something that you work on everyday that makes you say “hell yes.” If you’re not saying hell yes, go find it! It’s out there.