What Could Go Wrong? A 50% Tariff on Copper, and the High Cost of Performing Strength

A 50% copper tariff sounds tough on paper.

But the quiet cost? It’s wired into our homes, cars, data centers—our entire economy.

This isn’t strength. It’s a slow bleed.

I dug into what it means, who gets hurt, and why it matters now more than ever.

Enten: "You don't have to be a mathematical genius to know that these are horrible, horrible, horrible numbers. Washington Post, -19 points, Fox News -21 points...to quote Sir Charles Barkley, 'terrible terrible terrible'...it's one of the most unpopular pieces of legislation that I have ever seen"

I Used to Be a Patriot What It Feels Like to Turn 50 in a Country That’s Forgotten Its People

I believed in this country.
I raised a son who served it.
I pay taxes. I worship weekly.

I stood silent during the anthem today. Because this doesn’t feel like America anymore.

I wrote about it.

Sir, I Swear I’m Just Caffeinated A solo road trip that went from zero to felony vibes real quick.

I didn’t know how strange I looked.

Until someone in authority asked if I had something to confess.

I hear you! Got laid off at 49 from a good job of 10 years with no degree. Took the only offer I had after 3 months, and I’m trying so hard to frame it as an opportunity for growth. I just might crash and burn if things get too bleak—I’ve been there before—but for now, the fear keeps me moving.

The Gift of Dread What if anxiety isn’t a flaw, but a signal that you’re ready to grow?

A 1 minute read to start your week:

The silhouette of a troubled looking man standing at the edge of a cliff, staring into a dark tunnel, abyss, or the unknown, which is represented by a large black circle against a dark orange background

Sharing a brief thought to start the week.
Subscribe to be notified when it drops:
chapternotes.substack.com

Believing in Matt Foley and Other Questionable Career Moves Finding motion when standing still felt safer

I’ve posted my latest story to Medium.

It’s free to view.

Give it a read, and if you find any value in it, hit the clap button. It a small thing that really makes my day.

‘A slippery slope to eugenics’: advocates reject RFK Jr’s national autism database US health secretary claims data will be used for research but has not addressed privacy concerns and potential misuse

Wild to see my name in @theguardian.com this morning.

I started a petition to stop the creation of an autism registry. 50,000 people joined me.

We changed the conversation.
#autism

Believing in Matt Foley and Other Questionable Career Moves Finding motion when standing still felt safer

It’s live: Believing in Matt Foley and Other Questionable Career Moves

A story about finding motion when standing still felt safer.

If it hits, I’d love a repost or a comment. Let’s keep talking about what survival actually looks like.
#autism

Read it here:

Ryan Smith | Substack Lover of great books and compelling stories. A storyteller sharing my passion for the written word. On Chapter Notes, I dive into thought-provoking book reviews, writing strategies, & the magic of cra...

Some stories you only figure out once you live them.

Tomorrow: masks, mistakes, Matt Foley, and the strangest survival story I’ve ever written.

Subscribe here if you want to read it when it drops:
chapternotes.substack.com

This campaign needs you now Stop the National Autism Registry: Protect Our Children’s Privacy and Human Rights

This is bigger than one family.

The petition to stop the national autism registry is gaining traction, and your signature is one small way to protect all our kids.

Please sign, share, and help us get loud!
chng.it/BSXCYHgb9x

Sign the Petition Stop the National Autism Registry: Protect Our Children’s Privacy and Human Rights

Please sign and share this

Stop the National Autism Registry: Protect Our Children’s Privacy and Human Rights
chng.it/mv5ysq2rZB

Last night was the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere's midnight ride to warn the Minutemen of approaching British troops.

I want to take a moment to share an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence's grievances against King George III.

Remind you of anyone?

I Don’t Want Admiration for Masking, I Want a World Where I Don’t Have To There’s a scene in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein that haunts me, not for its horror in the conventional sense, but for its profound, aching…

“I don’t want admiration for masking. I want a world where I don’t have to." Masks are heavy. I finally wrote about the decades spent learning scripts, the burnout, and the dream of authentic acceptance as an autistic person. Maybe you'll see yourself in it. #autism medium.com/@RyanReadsan...

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported illegally.
The Supreme Court ordered his return.
Both governments refused.

No updates. No photos. No proof of life.

Is he dead?
Or are they hiding the conditions he was sent to?

We need answers.
We need coverage.
We need accountability.

I’ve been in the longest reading slump of my life. It’s like my brain decided to just nope out of everything for the past two months.

Escaping a Reading Slump: The Batman Strategy Works Struggling to focus on books? Discover how the Batman Effect—a simple mental trick—helped me break free from a reading slump and reclaim my love for books.

In a reading slump? Only Batman can save you now.
#BookSky📚💙

Page from a book from 1928 with the following text highlighted: The great problems before the people of the present century are the development and conservation of natural resources, the preservation of the health and well-being of the community, the maintenance of a high standard of living and of education, and the nurturing of lofty ideals of political morality. These are a few of the problems that must be solved by the future citizens of the nation.

Thrifted a U.S. history book from 1928. The very last paragraph lists America’s biggest challenges. Nearly 100 years later, we’re still waiting for ‘future citizens’ to solve the exact same problems. What are we even doing?

Idaho’s New Library Law is a Threat to Our Intellectual Freedom Idaho’s new library law restricts access to books, enforcing censorship on controversial topics while allowing violent content. Learn how book bans impact intellectual freedom and what you can do to f...

Every time I visit my local library, I’m reminded that freedom is hard to gain and easy to lose. When public access to information is restricted, it’s time to make your voice heard. 📚💙

So… when do we all get free credit monitoring? 💀

That’s amazing! I may just do that!

I still can’t believe how this blew up! My son still asks to check Kevin’s stats every day. I’m shocked that this is still making the rounds. It has restored my faith in humanity when I wasn’t sure I had much left. You are all the very best of people! Thank you!

I haven’t… yet. I was actually browsing their site yesterday, and I’ll be spending more time there for sure

Fill all the gaps with James Patterson books, and that’s what mine looks like. 🤷🏻‍♂️

It’s going to be such a thrill when you finally find it! Good luck!

I don’t know, man. With our collective genius, we could have cured cancer. Hose water took that from us.

The Joy of Thrifting: How I Built My Book Collection for Just $19 — Ryan Reads & Writes Thrifting isn’t just about saving money—it’s about the thrill of the hunt. Follow my secondhand book shopping adventure as I build my library with incredible finds for just $19. Discover where to look...

Hit the thrift stores, filled my shelves, and only spent $19. Turns out, secondhand book shopping is the ultimate budget-friendly thrill.
Read about my adventure here👇 #BookSky📚💙

I’ve never read a more apt description.