I’m not sure where this experiment is going but, in the words of William Forrester: “The first key to writing is... to write”!
I moved away from social media due to the many concerns over privacy/election-tampering/content-ownership/are-these-trolls-even-real¹… So, I’m hoping this newsletter will be an alternative way to build a community around good ideas and beautiful stories.
Inspired by M.G. Siegler’s 5ish (five or so interesting links to your inbox), I’m imagining this will be a similar format but a fair bit looser on the topics — actually, I haven’t a clue what the overarching theme will be!
All I know is, I think the stories below are worth hearing, and I hope you do too.
Oh, and seeing as a newsletter must have a name, I’m calling it Loaf. And I’m using that as a pretext to share with you my latest bakes. This week: Patrick Ryan’s classic sourdough bread.
🦖 The demise of the dinos holds a warning about climate change: Fungus Amungus is a beautifully well-made podcast episode; as much due to the sound design as the fascinating, if frightening, story.
😷 Living in Sweden, I’m amazed daily by the relaxed² approach to the virus. There is no ‘correct’ response in each country, but this interactive essay on the power of masks has me convinced: there has to be something wrong with a response that actively advises against masks on public transport.
🐄 Save the world: feed cows seaweed. The numbers here are just staggering, it’s gonna be pretty cool if this scales.
💸 You may know Tesla’s share price climbed 900% over the past year. You may not know what’s really behind the bubble — and who’s profiting. Featuring characters from The Big Short (the same people who sparked the 2008 financial crisis), it’s a story of Softbank doubling $4bn USD in a matter of months by artificially inflating big-tech shares. The technically legal but questionable games played in finance astound.
🧫 This just in — bacteria in your gut are telling you what to eat:
One of the lesser-known hazards of dating a primary school teacher is being woken up on a Saturday morning with the words:
“I have an app idea that would really help my class: can you help me build it? Oh, and I need it ready this week.”
I joke, numberline.school was actually a lot of fun to make! Please do pass it on to anyone you know that might be learning to round.
🍿 Netflix recently recommended Adaptation using a thumbnail of Nicolas Cage — a bold choice by their algorithm, as any Community fans will know. Having taken the bait, I’m tempted to say this is the best film I’ve seen all year. And, having learned it was written by Charlie Kaufman³, it comes as no surprise! I can’t begin to describe the experience, and I can’t recommend it enough.
🎶 This newsletter was written to the sound of Prickly Pear. I love hang drum, and I love this jaunty tune! Brings a smile to my face on each and every listen.
¹ Although, WhatsApp remains unavoidable — I would recommend everyone switch to Signal but, even if it is better, it’s just another walled garden. What we really need is a privacy-conscious open standard the likes of SMS and email (where all you need to know is someone’s number/address, not the platform they happen to be using). Fingers crossed RCS manages it 🤞
² ‘Relaxed’ is an understatement, going to the supermarket in Sweden right now is like stepping into the The Stepford Wives.
³ Charlie Kaufman also wrote the exceptional Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (best break-up movie ever) and the supremely weird Being John Malkovich. His other works are at the top of my watchlist — I’ll keep you posted!
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