Intro / Preface / Extra Words
Goodness gracious last week's food issue performed poorly in the clicks department, y'all. I guess everyone was happy with one or two food links per issue.
Well lucky for you, this week we're back to our freewheelin', theme-free ways with a bunch of interesting reads for you to check out during your (hopefully) long holiday weekend. Grab a cold beverage and a chair, and get to clicking (or tapping or swiping or scrolling or however you consume content).
Enjoy.
Heavy Rotation
This is America by Childish Gambino
If you're easily offended or don't like to be shocked a little bit every now and then, don't watch this. There's your disclaimer.
This music video (if you can even call it that, I'd say it's too high concept for that designation) has been the focus of a million think-pieces on Medium and conversations I've had recently, so I wanted to share with you, dear reader, in case you haven't had a chance to see what all the fuss is about.
Personally, I think this video is art, the definition of art, actually. In case you want a definition of art, here's the dictionary's take:
the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.
I've included a few hot takes below that you can read after you watch the video. Let's talk about it next time we hang out. –Calvin
The Difficulty in Defining Donald Glover’s ‘This is America’
...in which someone posits that it may not be very easy to break down all the symbolism in that video...
What It Means When Childish Gambino Says ‘This Is America’
...in which someone attempts to break down all the symbolism in that video...
Current Things
Taibbi on Facebook: Can We Be Saved From the Social Media Giant?
This is from Brian, but I really liked the article so I'm gonna throw some words at it, too. I think this quote is right on:
The world seems simultaneously to be denouncing the company for having meddled with an election, and demanding that it meddle more responsibly in the future.
What do we really want out of all this? To feel better about our inability to stop using Facebook because they started being responsible with the data they collect about us? Or do we want Facebook to stop collecting data about us? If you want the latter, it's never going to happen (because money). If you want the former, you're being silly.
But this post is a fascinating reminder of how we got to this point (the News Feed, omg) and is well worth the time to read. –Calvin
What everyone gets wrong about 'millennial snowflakes'
There's a certain self awareness I suppose we all have when we complain either about older people in general or "the kids these days". I mean, like, everyone has complained about everyone different than them for being, like, different than them, like, forever man... And I was self-aware of that right up until I, a Gen-X(ish)-er, had to actually manage actual millenials in the workplace and then I came right on with the complaining. This article knocked me back off my soap box. Click this if you're a millennial and you're tired of old fogeys complaining about your avocado toast and participation trophies. -Brian
Random Things
How to Skivvy Roll
I've traveled well over a million miles on airplanes in the last 10 years. Rolling your clothes is the ONLY way to pack for density and lack of wrinkles. But the Skivvy roll takes this to a Mr. Miyagi packing level. And if you're a millennial and don't know who Mr. Miyagi is... sweep the leg. -Brian
E-mail Addresses It Would Be Really Annoying to Give Out Over the Phone
Also, the entire Lists category on McSweeney's. Thanks to JD for sharing. –Calvin
Food
Flamin’ Hot Indulgence
A well-written homage to one of the weirder snacks, Flamin' Hot Cheetos.
But not everything requires meaning — not everything needs to be something else. When I tuck away a bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, I do it because I like them, because they’re nothing more than what they reveal themselves to be. That’s enough.
Mm hmm. –Calvin
Business Time
The Case Against Google
We gripe a lot about privacy and social media here, but let us not forget the original coiner of the phrase "Don't be evil" and how far from those righteous paths our indispensable searchy friend has wandered. -Brian
Work / Productivity
Forget About Setting Goals. Focus on This Instead.
What if you focused on systems or processes rather than goals? Would you still get results? This author says you will. What do you think? –Calvin
Sports (Disc Golf)
A discussion on ISO vs Motion offense and where the league is headed
If you've been watching the NBA playoffs this year, you've probably heard the term "ISO" thrown around a lot because the Rockets and Cavs are alllll about it. Just in case you don't have a solid understanding of the various offensive strategies that are most common in basketball, I did a little Googlin' and found this gem of a thread for you to read. –Calvin
ISO makes basketball unwatchable and is the primary reason I've tuned out the last few years. Lebron turns his back to the hoop for 25 seconds while his 4 other teammates stand around with their hands on their hips. With a few seconds left in the shot clock Lebron turns around, drives to the hoop, and makes (or misses) a layup. Repeat 55 times per game. No thanks. -Brian
Cavaliers are surviving in the playoffs despite the dilemma of LeBron James' rest
A really interesting breakdown of how Lebron finds moments to rest during games while he's not on the bench. –Calvin
Let me guess: it's when one of his other teammates is in ISO? And he can stand around with his hands on his hips? -Brian
Follytics
Is Facebook Driving Our Country Apart?
And here's where I gripe about social media again; maybe I'm getting too predictable? Hey Calvin, should we create some sort of dedicated category for this stuff? -Brian
I love technology (and science)
Deep-sea life on Earth gives us a clue to what aliens would be like
I would be a little disappointed if we do finally find alien life on another planet and it's just a bunch of tubeworms. Or, to quote Family Guy, a bunch of Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm-Flailing Tubemen. –Calvin
Outro
Thanks for reading, y'all are the best. We have quite the backlog of links and have most likely lost track of who shared them with us (sorry) so you should expect a Trash Fire issue next. As a reminder, if the link you shared ends up in the Trash Fire category, it's not because we think it's trash, it's because we couldn't wait any longer to share it–but may be too lazy to write commentary on it.
Until next time,