A Big Pile of Recommendations for Spring
To keep you intentionally informed (and entertained)
I’ve become rather bored of the same old people, content, and TV shows popping up in my recommended feeds recently, so I’ve taken matters into my own hands. I’ve spent a few weeks following my nose around the internet, scoping out the best content I can find, so I can pass it onto you today.
If you struggle to find meaningful, entertaining content across the infinite expanse that is the World Wide Web, this is the week for you.
Enjoy.
Articles
The Agoraphobic Fantasy of Tradlife
I am fascinated by the online trend for Tradlife and Tradwives and this article explains it all - and its ramifications - rather nicely.
Where Has All the Chartreuse Gone?
Jason Wilson - my favourite booze writer - dives into the mysterious world of Chartreuse, a monk-made French spirit. The monks have decided to scale back production to devote more time to prayer. In a world that screams for more, more, more, this makes for a fascinating read.
My Parents Only Wanted What was Best for Me. Too Bad They Had No Idea What It Was
I think most people can relate to this story.
An emotional essay about drug addiction, running, and dogs (trust me, sounds odd but is fantastic - and tugs at the heartstrings).
Dingus of the Week: Sparkling Content Curation
A book ban? Didn’t you know? It’s only a book ban if it comes from the Ban region of France. Otherwise, it’s just sparkling content curation.
So starts a very funny take on the very serious subject of US-based book bans in school.
In fact, everything Lyz at Men Yell at Me writes is incredible.
Reward the Try is a rallying cry for social media cooks to be more imperfect. Because there is growth in failure.
The pearl-clutching around, for instance, students, prospective employees, or media outlets now using bots to write their essays, cover letters, or articles seems, to me, like it’s missing an insight. If these formats are so easy to bullshit that a robot can ace them, maybe they were never the vehicles for expression we pretended they were. Maybe we need to think of more creative, humanistic ways to teach, hire, and communicate.
A fantastic essay on AI, ChatGPT and whether we humans are become more robot-like and predictable as we “barrel towards globalization.”
In our lifetimes, we used to go places and talk to people; now we stare at screens and click things.
One of my favourite writers - John Gorman - discusses what happens when humanity largely lives within a screen.
Medium writers
The good news is that Medium is home to thousands of excellent writers and bloggers. The not-so-good news is that all the writing is behind a paywall (but it does allow us writers on there to get paid and thus continue to write, so there is that).
If you’re not yet a member, it’s $5 a month for as many articles as you can read.
Here are some of my favourite writers on Medium right now.
Addie Page recently wrote an article that got fed to me called I Asked ChatGPT to Analyze My Blog. What Happened Next Was Weird. It made me laugh hard. Her work has heart, soul, and opinion - the sort of writer I love to read.
Argumentative Penguin is an anonymous British writer over on Medium whose articles always keep me super entertained.
Anastasia Frugaard is married to a Danish dude and writes about the differences between American and Nordic living in a deft, thought-provoking way.
John Gorman writes the way I wish I could. Expect deep dives into the human condition.
Books
I’m sorry you feel that way by Rebecca Wait deals with the very scary world of psychosis in a very funny, compassionate way.
The Startup Wife by Tahmima Anam sounds like chick-lit but is actually a very clever, feminist look into a the world of startups and the pressure that comes with being a couple working together.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson - I know, I know, I’m totally behind the curve with this recommendation. But if like me, you’ve not read it yet, it’s good. It’s also funny, doesn’t bullshit and it says f*ck a lot. As good as I’d hoped.
Instagram accounts
These are not simple living accounts. I find too much minimalist / simple living content peddling the same old thing - neutral aesthetics and cheesy affirmations.
Instead, these are Instagram accounts that have made me laugh and aren’t too binge-worthy so hopefully won’t keep you on the platform for too long.
For misheard lyrics - Coxy
For the personification of your own body parts - Adrian Bliss
For 80s and 90s music nostalgia - Chrissy Allen
TV Shows and movies
Shrinking on Apple TV has had me in stitches for the last couple of days. Jason Segel plays a therapist who is coping with the recent loss of his wife by getting very involved with his patients’ lives. Also stars Harrison Ford who is excellent.
Three Pines on Prime is like modern-day Poirot set in French-speaking Canada.
Ted Lasso on Apple TV is kind of stupid but also gentle and funny and the sort of thing you want to watch before going to bed to put you in a good mood.
Playlists
After last week’s playlist announcement, I got some requests for an 80s playlist.
And I listen to my community ;-)
Here you go, folks
Thanks so much for including my recent post! And that ChatGPT -- OMG! Hilarious. And have added Shrinking to the list of shows to watch as soon as we get Apple TV.