Fourth Newsletter
Today’s the fourth week of my newsletter.
For the first month, I’ll repost it on my blog.
Sign up for my newsletter here. Every Monday, you’ll receive in your inbox: My writing, updates on my Semester at the Library project, and any thought-provoking material I discover along the way.
“From the ashes, a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring…” — J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
Hi friends,
This has been a tough few days. Before, I wasn’t particularly concerned about coronavirus, but this week, things turned for the worst. Coronavirus being classified as a pandemic, countries locking down, major sports leagues suspending the season. It’s been complete pandemonium.
I’m fortunate that my day to day hasn’t really been affected as I’ve been working from home since the start of the year. Nonetheless, the coronavirus pandemic has shaken up my environment.
I recently wrote about how the bull ride is over. Growing up in the 2010s was a decade period of continuous growth and optimism. And coming of age during that time gave me rose-colored glasses.
But is life really this rosy? I asked.
I mentioned that climate change would be our next big challenge. But it seems like a new challenge has arrived. Coronavirus is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. And it seems like the bull ride is over.
Nonetheless, I’ll keep my rose-colored shades on, and stay optimistic.
Things will get worse before they get better.
Stay safe and stay indoors everyone.
Stuff I Enjoyed This Week
Focusmate
Productivity App
I’ve been working from home since the start of the year and Focusmate has been a game-changer for my productivity. Focusmate is virtual co-working, where you’re paired with an accountability partner for 50 minutes and work on whatever you need to get done. I use the product almost every day and I recommend you try it out if you’re working from home.
COVID-19 Daily Updates
John Hopkins Centre for Health Security | Email Newsletter
Right now, there’s a lot of noise out there when it comes to the coronavirus. This is my main source of information.
The Power of Time Off
Stefan Sagmeister | TED Talk (17min)
Every seven years, designer Stefan Sagmeister closes his New York studio for a yearlong sabbatical to rejuvenate and refresh their creative outlook. He explains the often overlooked value of time off and shows the innovative projects inspired by his time in Bali.
In Fall 2016, I took my first gap semester and I taught myself how to code and pivoted my career towards tech. That massively changed my trajectory. Nearly, 4 years later, I’ve taken another gap semester, to focus on the craft of writing. Time off gives me the opportunity to reflect, rejuvenate and explore. Similar to Stefan, this is something I want to keep up with.
Journey
Thatgamecompany | Mobile Video Game
Journey is an indie adventure game from 2012 for Android and IOS created by Thatgamecompany. In it, you control a robed figure traveling towards a distant mountain. Along the way, you interact with other players, communicating with them with musical chimes.
It’s been years since I last played a video game on my own, and boy was this game was a magical experience. It was captivating, and inspired a sense of awe and wonder. If you have an afternoon free—and one afternoon is all you need—check this game out.
The Pale Blue Dot
Carl Sagan | Video (3min)
The Pale Blue Dot
30 years ago, 6 billion miles away, the Voyager One spacecraft, turned around and took a picture of earth. Can you see it? In the middle of the rightmost sunbeam, you can see a blue dot, that’s us, that’s earth. To us, that blue dot means everything, but in this picture, we are just a faint blue pixel. This inspired Carl Sagan’s bone-chilling speech, the Pale Blue Dot.
Look again at that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. — Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot, 1994