For all you Amazon Prime subscribers out there, I’d recommend checking out “Everything and Nothing” - it’s an excellent layman’s exploration of the history and science of the ‘everything’ of the universe, and the ’nothing’ of the smallest vacuums (or ‘general relativity’ and ‘quantum mechanics’ as it’s more technically known). I really enjoyed it, and plan to watch again to pickup even more of the history and theory. 🙂
by yours truly
That entertainer of entertainers, the inimitable Topo Gigio, defines a jazz classic, Strangers in the Night.Enjoy …
As much as it claims to be social, it’s really more of a publishing platform. The conventions of “likes”, “re-tweets”, and even replies give all the indications of being interactions, but for the most part, they’re really just another form of publishing. The designers of social media have appropriated the markers of human connection, but without creating true connections between people for the most part. Real and true engagement requires attention past a thumb flick; a commitment to speak and listen through a back and forth to go past the surface. Because real life isn’t happening on the surface; it never has, and nor should it. If you want to engage with someone, you have to give them your time and attention - there’s no way around it.
And so while we’ve been led to believe we’re better equipped to communicate today than ever before, our tools have fooled us. In the end, there’s no app to do the hard work of conversation for us.
Got a record this Christmas from Mrs. Claus, and it’s been really neat.
Herewith, The Monkees sing Daydream Believer.
Beauty has want of being desired, and strength has want of being used. — yours truly
Always had major respect for this guy.
A scrumptious Nutella latte to close out the year with friends - many thanks.
Was reminded of Sara Bareilles cover of Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, which then led me down the path of finding one of her newer tunes: She Used to be Mine.She is a powerful talent.
The phone gives us a lot but it takes away three key elements of discovery: loneliness, uncertainty and boredom. Those have always been where creative ideas come from. —
Lynda Barry (via austinkleon)
I’ve been trying to actively cultivate more boredom in my life recently as a result of this phenomenon.