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Unoptimized

2026-02-16 · 16:44 UTC ·Quarter Mile ·1 min read

Brief

Quarter Mile’s short Buttondown newsletter announces a newly published essay, “Unoptimized,” about the tendency to over-optimize choices in travel, hobbies, and games. Most of the email is promotional rather than editorial, and it also markets an updated Writing Club community with 120+ members and a $50 discount code. Because the underlying essay text is not included, the email offers little analytical or technical substance on its own.

Cleaned source text

title: Unoptimized

author: Quarter Mile

content_type: newsletter

publication: buttondown.email

published: 2026-02-16T16:44:05+00:00

source_url: gmail://19c6756896cb58ae

word_count: 158

Hey there - we just published a new essay.

Do you have a tendency to optimize things? Do you feel like if you visit a new city you need to eat at the best restaurants; if you get into a hobby you need to buy the best gear; if you play a game you need the best strategies?

Well, then this essay is for you.

Until next week,

\- Carter and Jordan

p.s. we just launched a brand new version of Writing Club, the writing community we have been running since the fall. we think this version is a major improvement and invite you to check it out. 120+ people have joined so far, from founders to software engineers to artists to writers. the code “quartermile” will get you $50 off :)

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