Friday Musings—24/05/24

My Friday musings are back. I've decided to simplify the format a bit, turning it into a less structured roundup of things that have recently piqued my interest. I may make further changes once I start creating videos. After all, as mentioned in my last post, life is about experimenting :)

The great flattening

A recent Apple iPad ad, which featured the destruction of musical instruments and paint bottles, sparked a lot of controversy. In this article, the author argues that the ad perfectly represents the modern digital landscape, where companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, and Netflix, and devices like the iPad, have flattened the hierarchy of content and creativity.

While the digital revolution has democratized access to tools and content, it has also commoditized creativity, making everything equally accessible but potentially less special. The flattening of everything means there has been a loss; it also means there are entirely new opportunities. As someone who majored in communication and consumes a lot of content, I think about this a lot. And as someone who has started producing content, I want to be mindful of what I put out there—if you don't hear from me for a while, it's because I don't have anything interesting or inspiring to share.

The article concludes by reflecting on the future implications of AI and technology. Can we avoid the risk of a few entities owning AI? Will human will and initiative be flattened or expanded?

Cool stories

I love listening to other people's life stories. We all have unique journeys and so much to learn from each other. Some stories are particularly unconventional and fascinating, such as this one. Catherine Caldwell abandoned her life in London to join a silent order of nuns at 27, only to flee a decade later and readapt to life "on the outside." I'm adding her book to my reading list.

Good news corner

I'm becoming increasingly interested in sustainable fashion. I'm also always trying to find ways to be a more responsible consumer. We're woefully inadequate when it comes to textile recycling, but we're finally taking some steps in the right direction. For instance, I recently discovered a company in Paris that transforms textile waste into cool looking, eco-friendly bricks. If you have more examples of this sort of creative recycling, I'd love to know!

A much needed reminder

Quote of the week ✍️ 

"Experiment! Meet new people. That's better than any college education. You will find the unexpected everywhere as you go through life. By adventuring about, you become accustomed to the unexpected. The unexpected then becomes what it really is — the inevitable".  (Amelia Earhart)

As always, I welcome your insights or questions. Which musing was your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments or send me an email. Don't forget to share this with someone who may find it interesting.

Enjoy your weekend and TTYS

ML