The past couple of weeks have been heavier on multimedia and lighter on books. So it goes.
I’m not sure how to explain the new format here- you have to experience it to understand it. Keep reading and it’ll make sense.
Engage and Interact
The Center for Humane Technology announced a free course called Foundations of Humane Technology. It’s about 8 hours of self-paced content to arm you with the tools to create responsible technology.
I haven’t gone through the course, but the Center has a strong and achievable mission. As cofounder Tristan Harris said during a keynote address in San Francisco, the difference between the problem of our technology having been designed to exploit human psychology for profit and the problem of climate change is that all of the individuals needed to solve the first problem can fit in an auditorium, and were in fact sitting in one with him when he delivered that speech.
Watch
Susan Cain (author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking) has a new book coming out titled Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole. She recorded a TED talk pre-pandemic, which has newly been released alongside the upcoming book release on April 5th. The TED talk is called “The hidden power of sad songs and rainy days”.
She offers a new perspective of the less pleasant parts of our lives, with an approach full of care and grace.
Listen
The March 21st episode of Founder’s Journal was “A New Hire vs. Promoting from Within” and I actually sent the host my two cents when he posed the question to his Instagram followers. In this episode, he adds nuance and texture to the debate along with an actionable conclusion.
Read
Colin Burke is a relatively recent college grad who was impacted by the Peloton layoffs. After his LinkedIn post went viral and someone chastised him in the comments for “whining publicly,” he turned around and started his newsletter, Whining in Public. Brilliant.
Lauren Martin returned to her newsletter, Words of Women, after a hiatus. She returned to announce its relaunch on a new platform that will enable her to make a living from writing it. Words of Women is a dose of inspiration grounded in psychology and science. I immediately signed up and paid for a year’s subscription- it’s that good.
Save This For Later
I recently learned of the existence of the Mellon Foundation via this announcement of their new brand identity. The Foundation supports equity in access to the arts and humanities, writing grants in the areas of Arts and Culture, Higher Learning, Humanities in Place, and Public Knowledge. I’ll definitely be following them going forward.
Books added to the To Read stack: 7
Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy by Cathy O’Neil
The Shame Machine: Who Profits in the New Age of Humiliation also by Cathy O’Neil
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brené Brown
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles
Body Work: The Radical Power of Personal Narrative by Melissa Febos
Founder Brand: Turn Your Story Into Your Competitive Advantage by Dave Gerhardt
The Business of Building a Better World: The Leadership Revolution That Is Changing Everything by Audrey Selian and David Cooperrider
Funny how much faster the To Read pile grows than the Already Read pile.
As always, The Collection continues to live and breathe on my website.
Author Note: This email and format felt really good to write. Almost as though this is what I had been trying to create all along.
[I will receive a small commission should you purchase a book using the Bookshop links included in the newsletter. Bookshop is an Amazon-alternative online bookseller that supports independent bookstores in your local community.]