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Hello Titans of Industry,
Yes. That is a Reading Rainbow GIF. Thank you very much.
This week I’ve been having some crazy dreams. Do not fear. I am not going to spend the next 800 words describing incoherently how my friend Paul was actually Don Draper and we were in Bermuda but it was really Singapore and how Whoopi Goldberg was there, even though she wasn’t actually there, but you know how you just know someone is there in a dream even if they aren’t? (these are all fictional placeholders none of this actually happened in my dreams… or did it?)
But these dreams have actually put me in weird mental states throughout the week ranging from nostalgic to angry to tense… and more! Basically I have not been at my best the past few days. This is all to say that you never know what someone was going through before speaking with you (in the dreamworld, but more likely in the real world) so always do your best to give people the benefit of the doubt. Or even better, be nice to people! It’s a fun thing to do.
Also read this article in Intelligencer about athletes using their platforms to enact change. It’s worth looking at and thinking about how important these voices are when it comes to social issues and also how they in no way should just be shutting up and dribbling. People like LeBron are true heroes, and not for their athletic achievements.
Also I just finished reading Dune this past week and… meh.
Time for the usual linkies. Enjoy.
Inside Xianjiang's Prison State
Just Give Me A Synopsis:
I wanted to especially share this article because I'm always shocked when a not insignificant number of people I speak with don't know what is going on in Northwest China with regard to the severe persecution of muslim minorities there. This piece provides a very wide view of what is going on with regard to the "reeducation camps" while also supplying a nuanced look through the first person accounts of a handful of people who have been imprisoned.
And A Quote From The Article Please:
In 2017, detentions of Uighurs, Kazakhs, Hui, and other minorities began to escalate. The first wave targeted Uighur imams and the religiously devout. Soon, prominent academics, novelists, and film directors were also taken into custody. Police and security officers used broad pretexts to justify the detentions, including travelling abroad, having a beard, and owning a prayer rug.
And Tell Me Why I should Care:
This article is going to be a strong contender for a Pulitzer. It is visually beautiful with incredible animations and has some of the best in-depth, first-person reporting you’ll see. What is happening to the Uighurs, Kazakhs, Hui, and other minorities is absolutely devastating, appalling and on par with some of the worst large-scale human atrocities we've seen. Take the time to dive in on this piece. It's long but it's necessary and well worth it. If you know nothing about whats going on it's a good primer and if you're already familiar it will tell the stories of some of the people directly affected. Seriously, what is happening is horrific and you need to be aware of it and spread the word at the very least.
How Complaining Rewires Your Brain For Negativity
Just Give Me A Synopsis:
A lot of research has gone into the idea that no one, including your own brain, likes a complainer. We spend far too much time complaining and only hurt ourselves through the practice. This article outlines a variety of reasons why that is the case and provides some advice for being more positive.
And A Quote From The Article Please:
The most cutting-edge research out of places like Stanford University shows that complaining opens the floodgates for stress hormones that bathe your neurons in bad chemicals. You start to find it harder to make decisions, solve problems, and understand situations realistically because everything becomes “amped up” by stressful, anxiety-producing feelings.
And Tell Me Why I should Care:
I'm sure you probably complain a lot. Hell, you've probably complained about this newsletter with things like “Eli your newsletter make me feel incompetent” and “I’m so mad your newsletter is so good I’ll never be able to measure up to it” one person even said “I have no idea what you look like but I know I’ll never be as hot as you and it makes me feel like complaining.” I'm here to tell you to stop it right now. In the overwhelming majority of situations complaining does no good for anyone. But also yes you will never be as hot as me.
In reality though I know I complain too much. I do it a lot and realize it right after but I know I also do it without realizing it quite often. You do too probably. So start paying attention and actively working towards being less of a whiner. It will greatly benefit your mental health in the long term.
Mars Is A Hellhole
Just Give Me A Synopsis:
A short, but biting piece on why it is a big dumb idea to try and colonize the red planet. Chief among them is that it would really suck to actually live on Mars. What a headline, too.
And A Quote From The Article Please:
Mars has a very thin atmosphere; it has no magnetic field to help protect its surface from radiation from the sun or galactic cosmic rays; it has no breathable air and the average surface temperature is a deadly 80 degrees below zero. Musk thinks that Mars is like Earth? For humans to live there in any capacity they would need to build tunnels and live underground, and what is not enticing about living in a tunnel lined with SAD lamps and trying to grow lettuce with UV lights? So long to deep breaths outside and walks without the security of a bulky spacesuit, knowing that if you’re out on an extravehicular activity and something happens, you’ve got an excruciatingly painful 60-second death waiting for you. Granted, walking around on Mars would be a life-changing, amazing, profound experience. But visiting as a proof of technology or to expand the frontier of human possibility is very different from living there. It is not in the realm of hospitable to humans. Mars will kill you.
And Tell Me Why I should Care:
In our lifetimes there will quite possibly be a human that makes it to Mars. There will certainly be a ton of money invested in getting there. This piece argues that maybe things like that aren't the best use of our resources because what is humanity if we are stuck living in a place where we can't even live normal lives. Those who believe in the idea of colonizing Mars will argue that the same thing will be said of earth in the coming decades, which, they ain't wrong! I personally don't have a strong opinion on Mars other than that it would probably suck to live there, but again if it's 140º F everyday on earth it's probably gonna suck to live here too. I guess maybe lets just work on being better to Earth? That way Mars will be much more of a choice than a necessity for survival.
I Don’t Think You Understand How Animals Work
Could Astronauts Rear Fish On The Moon?
Speaking of going to space! I know you've probably been asking the same question we all have been lately: Why aren't scientists doing more to test the viability of transporting fish embryos to outer space?!? Well you can settle your celestial jitters friend! They're doing that now and it seems like European Seabass are a great option for transport to our future space colonies!A Different Kind Of Land Management: Let The Cows Stomp
Pesticides are not always the answer. Say it with me: pesticides are not always the answer. Cows can use those big old hooves to get the job done just as well nowadays while keeping the ground fertile and ready to grow corn or soy or potatoes or whatever other beautiful things that come out of the ground.The Big-Money World Of Underground Cricket Fighting
I just want to let the record show that I would lay the beatdown on a cricket. Oh, what’s that? It's about crickets fighting other crickets? Got it. Cool cool cool. Well in that case you should know that cricket fighting is big money in China and its popularity is growing in case you wanna get involved.
If Only To Be Part Of One Of These Exclusive Scenes
How The Copy Machine Gave Rise To New York’s Downtown Arts Scene
An example of how technology in the right place can produce amazingly cool social scenes. So basically the exact opposite of Silicon Valley in the late aughts.How The Barbizon Hotel Defined Women’s Ambition
It counted historic figures like Sylvia Plath, Grace Kelly and Joan Didion amongst its guests. It was a bastion of female empowerment but also, often times, not one either.The Rich Vs The Very, Very Rich: The Wentworth Golf Club Rebellion
A historic golf club in England is bought by a Chinese Billionaire who aims to make it more exclusive and wealthy. The sorta-rich people are not happy at being kicked out of their rent controlled golf club by much richer (generally) foreign people. It’s kind of like gentrification on steroids.
Other Interesting Things You May Or May Not Care About
Bobby Shmurda’s First Day Out
A great profile of the long-jailed Brooklyn rapper on his first day out. It covers his time in prison, thoughts on the justice system and how to persevere through terrible times.The Rise And Demise Of Subway's $5 Footlong Promotion
It was a marketing gimmick that went awry and ended up ruining the margins of franchisees which, surprise, Subway didn't really care about. Who would have thought the franchise with bread that is not legally considered bread in some countries would have questionable morals.The Wild And Irresistibly Saucy Tale Of The Curry con man
This article outlines the tale of quite possibly the first ever celebrity chef, who like many present-day celeb chefs, had all sorts of issues when it came to workplace behavior.Aging Beer In A Sunken Ship Sounded Like A Good Idea. Thieves Thought So Too.
These poor brewers in Argentina wanted to age beer in deep ocean water because, why the hell not, but found the barrels long gone when they went to pull them up. The sea is a cruel mistress isn't she. This all feels very piratey, to boot.Hex Factor: Inside The Group Offering $250,000 For Proof Of Superpowers
As is probably no surprise to anyone the percentage of people who think that superpowers exist in humans is only growing in recent years. These aren't necessarily your typical superpowers and involve things like hearing voices from beyond to being able to cause anyone to pee their pants. The testing is rigorous and has yet to produce someone with powers that can't be explained by science.OCD Is Not A Joke
This is a beautifully written and honest piece about living with OCD and how living with the disease is impacted by (often) cute and playful portrayals in pop-culture. It sounds exhausting and has also convinced me to not use the term OCD in a casual or joking manner for someone who is overly neat.Who Is Still Buying VHS Tapes?
Honestly more people than you would think. While streaming is great and all, there are a whole bunch of old, obscure and off-the-wall films you won't be able to find anywhere but VHS. Does the visual and audio quality suck? Yes. But are there really good films that you can't see anywhere else? Debatable.
Brands I Quite Like
There are so many brands out there that are not cool or unique that I thought I would highlight new brands that I think are in fact doing dope things and are worth knowing about. This is not sponsored or full of affiliate links.
Parks Project - Sweet Gear That Gives Back To National Parks
I find the Parks Project to be a really refreshing take on how to do what we’ll call philanthropic materialism. They make things that people want to buy, regardless of the mission, and use the earnings to directly support the cause (National Parks) they make things about. What they make can stand on its own. They very clearly put design and style first when thinking about making their products and don’t just rely on people buying shirts out of a desire to do good. The retro-inspired yet modern clothing, tons of useful home goods like candles, blankets and drinkware and even board games all are rather dope. For me the star of the show are some of the collabs they do with big names, especially this one with National Geographic.
They contributed over $1M in 2020 and you can see their various projects they are working on to give back right here. Check out Parks Project right here and get some swell National Parked themed swag and then, I dunno, go explore some nature or some shit. Could be fun.
Let’s Just Looks At Art Because Reading Sucks
Amidst Socio-Political Unrest In Caracas, Silvana Trevale Documents The Lives Of Venezuelan Youth
The Best Analog Photos That Won The International Photography Awards 2020
Y’all Wanted Music, You’re Getting Music!
Boogie Breakdown - South African Synth Disco: 1980 to 1984
A stellar rec from Breads reader Rebecca. I think you get the gist of what this is from the title alone. Worth the listen.Terrance Martin Presents The Pollyseeds: Sounds of Crenshaw Vol. 1
This album fuses the likes of hip-hop, jazz and R&B and features artists like Kamasi Washington and Robert Glasper. From 2017. Great to work to.
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