The Breads Roundup No. 108

Human Compost, Tiny Japanese Apartments and Tech Bro Houses

Oct 06, 2022

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Hello Master Blasters,

Last night I went to a restaurant, sat at the bar, and dined alone. I don’t do it that often but when I do, it’s always a delightful time. For a long time I thought dining alone made you a Double-L Loser, but that was when I was young, dumb and cared what other people thought. Now I’m no longer young, still kinda dumb and most importantly, don’t really care what people think that much. Whenever I see someone dining alone, who owns the fact that they’re dining alone, it automatically makes me think they’re cool because it portrays a level of self confidence consummate with someone who is in all likelihood, enjoyable to hang out with.

I used the time to sit and think about things, but also to read some nice longform articles (some of which are in this email!). I appreciate the practice because whilst one is eating it is kinda hard to multitask so in that time your mind can wander since you aren’t just switching between apps constantly on your phone. And when your mind wanders, who knows what fantastical thoughts and ideas you may have! I didn’t have any good thoughts or ideas, but you know, sometimes that’s life. It may have been because the bartender told me no less than seven times how this was his first day on the job and that he usually works at the sister restaurant but they were short staffed where I was eating so he was filling in. The food was delicious though and I ate too much like a damn gluttonous madman. But then I walked home so it was cool.

This is me telling you that you should go dine alone soon and take in the sites and sounds around you while you eat.

Anyways, here’s the linkies. Enjoy.

Inside One Of The World's First Human Composting Facilities

Just Give Me A Synopsis:
New disposal of loved ones just dropped. Now you can become compost to help bring new life into the world as soil. The process, known as Natural Organic Reduction, uses aerobic digestion to turn the body of your loved one into usable compost, over 400 pounds worth! Now a bunch of startups are popping up to service the market.

And A Quote From The Article Please:

This is natural organic reduction — better known as human composting — the first truly new form of final disposition developed in decades. First legalized in Washington state in 2019, the process has proved popular with certain of the Pacific Northwest’s eco-conscious consumers, who are eager to have their last act on earth be a positive one. They know that traditional burials involve literal tons of steel, concrete, and toxic chemicals and that the heat of a cremation retort emits several hundred pounds of carbon into the atmosphere. For families like the Gerberdings, natural organic reduction, or NOR, promises a more gentle way out.

And Tell Me Why I should Care:
You can turn into a motherfucking tree after you die! That's why you should care. But also I guess because this shows how innovation never stops, it isn't just tech and engineering that is innovating, there are new takes on century-old solutions that we thought had already been totally solved. I can also virtually guarantee there are many people who are wanting to have their composted remains used to grow marijuana and then to have that marijuana smoked by their loved ones in the hopes of mirroring exactly what happened in the seminal stoner comedy How High.

Meet The Young Japanese Who Have Decided To Live In A Shoe Box

Just Give Me A Synopsis:
This piece outlines the growing trend of microapartments in Tokyo. It's an expensive city where living is already tight. But young people who work a lot and don't spend all that much time at home have seized the opportunity to pay less and live in a modern apartment, even if it is only 95 square feet. Friendsgiving is not an option here.

And A Quote From The Article Please:

Many Japanese, young and old, also work long hours, leaving little time to spend at home. And a growing share of people in Tokyo are living alone, making smaller spaces more desirable. Such people are more likely to eat out, or grab one of the many premade meal options from convenience stores or groceries, so a full kitchen is less necessary.

And Tell Me Why I should Care:
This is a great example of "if you build it (and market it well), they will come". Certainly nobody sets out thinking "I would really love to live in an apartment made for ants" but if you build it, make it trendy and in good locations and convince people that they don't need anything more, well then you'll get young people to move on in, even if they only have room for three pairs of shoes.

Launch House Promised Young Tech Founders Community But Instead Showed Everything Wrong With The Tech World

Just Give Me A Synopsis:
A bunch of tech bros together in a single mansion, what could go wrong? Well a lot as it turns out. From the obnoxious and douchey to the culty and horrific, this company has it all. A cautionary tale for who you look up to and get involved with, for modern times.

And A Quote From The Article Please:

Goldstein — the current CEO — has a particular interest in organized religion, a subject he likes to talk about to Launch House members and in interviews with the press. He seems less curious about the beliefs of these groups, however, and more in the structure of the organizations. Early meetings with the team, according to former employees, included presentations on what they could learn from the dynamics perfected by cults and some religious sects, so that members would proselytize to their social networks about the wonderful things Launch House had done for them and create new converts. Members with the most enthusiasm for the company are selected to act as ambassadors, interviewing potential members and spreading the good word.

And Tell Me Why I should Care:
I feel like this is an important read as an eye into how some of the most powerful companies of tomorrow are started. Maybe not in this exact incubator house, but in old boys clubs that mirror this experience in practice. I found this concluding segment particularly illuminating "Launch House, however, is a prime example of what a community can look like under inept leadership: It’s chaotic, ragtag, unpredictable. It’s what happens when young tech guys are flooded with money doled out by old tech guys who see dollar signs in the eyes of people who look and sound like younger versions of themselves." Money and social clout are both big components to this article, and how this company functions, as well. So just know, that what you see online isn't always as great as it seems and that there are other routes out there than bro-fests in Beverly Hills mansions.

I’m So Cool I Like Sports

Triple Alley-Oops, LeBron Cameos And Electric Crowds: The Magic Of Summer Basketball
One of my favorite writers and poets, Hanif Abdurraqib, with a wonderful reported story on the glory of pro-am summer league basketball as told from three cities: Columbus, Seattle and Los Angeles.
Cheating, Groupies, Big Money And Drunken Brawls: How Chess Went Rock’n’roll
While there probably aren't quite as many orgies as the good old days of rock and roll, chess has become a raging sport with genuine superstars. A combination of marketing and the booming appeal of streaming esports has led chess to be more popular than ever. And when things get popular you get personalities and when you get personalities you get drama and anal bead conspiracies (that's a real thing that has happened in the chess world recently).
He’s Probably The Best Athlete Alive. Does Anyone Care?
I particularly liked this piece about Eliud Kipchoge, the Kenyan marathon runner who has broken just about every record in the book. You might know him as the guy who broke the two hour marathon barrier with Nike, but a lot of the world doesn't have a clue who this dude is despite the fact that he is truly the greatest of all time at his sport.

Around The World, Around The World (Daft Punk Voice)

How Istanbul Became The Global Capital Of The Hair Transplant
Next time a friend says they are going to the Turkish capital give them a cheeky wink, put your hand to the side of your mouth like you're telling a secret and ask "doing something about that hairline, eh?" But only do that if they're not balding because then you can tell them all about this article. If they are balding just respond that what they're doing is totally normal and you support them. The tourism there is so robust due to the fact that the doctors are high quality and the cost of operations are minuscule compared to other western countries. Plus you get to see one of the great countries of the world! Doner Kebab with a side of hair follicle expansion.
An Audio/Visual Story Exploring The Sounds Of Mexico City’s Streets
One of the coolest uses of digital storytelling I've seen in a while. This piece from the always excellent Pudding outlines the multitude of sounds one hears across Mexico City and what they all mean as well as the history behind them. If you've ever been this piece will be hugely nostalgic for you. If you haven't been, you should put it at the top of your list.
The Secondhand Market At The Heart Of Ghana’s Fashion Revolution
Incomprehensible amounts of clothing waste from the west end up in secondhand markets all across West Africa, this piece profiles the largest such market in Ghana and many of the young creators who are doing innovative things with the market's wares.

Other Interesting Things You May Or May Not Care About

The History Of Hip-Hop, As Told Through The Jewelry That Defined It
There is a new coffee table book coming out all about hip-hop's relationship with jewelry and the images look absolutely incredible.
Stone Skipping Is A Lost Art. Kurt Steiner Wants The World To Find It.
I guarantee you that you have no idea how serious the world of competitive stone skipping actually is. This piece focuses on the most celebrated skipper in the world and the demons he faces. It's far less carefree than you imaging stone skipping to be. Good longread here.
Librarian Finds Love Notes, Doodles In Books And Shares Them With A Grateful Public
It's like journeying through a time machine and love note thrift store (which would be a good band name btw) all at once. Some truly beautiful things in.

Let’s Just Looks At Art Because Reading Sucks

Lists Are What The Internet Was Made For!

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The Breads by Eli London

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