Issue #00007 : January 1, 2026

Hello and happy new year, dear readers!

No top 10 predictions bullshit from Mr Thread. After all 34 billionaires predicted how the stock market would fare in 2025, and more than half of them got it wrong. We’re still here to give you only the news that matters.

I’m starting 2026 with a trademark lawsuit served to my company right before the holiday—yes, you read that correctly. It’s a fascinating mess worthy of a Netflix special, but I can’t share details yet. What I can say: this situation has shaped my entire entrepreneurial career and colors how I read every business story that crosses my desk. More on that journey as we go.

For now, that ugly legal shock has left me feeling spicy and ready to embrace this latest struggle. 

This week’s quieter news cycle still delivered some interesting developments, particularly on my favorite subject: stopping the uglification of the world. What we do in this industry—fighting boring by making beautiful human things—isn’t just noble work. It's a fundamental human right.

I also want to add that last week, a reader emailed us with a hot take that directly shaped part of this issue. That’s exactly how we want to build Mr Thread. By hearing your voices to help us improve so we can make this journal the best part of your week. 

If you have thoughts on how we can improve or topics you'd like us to cover, just reply to this email (or click here). I read every message and I'll even send a small surprise to a few of the best responses.

I love working in the design industry and know you do too. I've never met anyone who joined our industry and left it. We work with the best products and people in the world.

I’m excited to continue building Mr Thread with you in 2026!

Now, scroll down to see: Inside Trump’s maximalist Oval Office, a wealthy entrepreneur’s fund to fight uglification, and why the Pope would make a great interior designer…

See you next week.