Howdy there !

Over here in Melbourne, Australia, I am back in lockdown from the Covid-19 pandemic. Where ever you happen to be in the world (yes, there are 1-2 overseas subscribers to this newsletter even though total number is less than 10!) hope you are staying safe and healthy.

I decided to try and not have pictures since it significantly increases the chances of things going wrong with the software I'm using. However, did you like the last one that had images? Does it make a difference? I'd love to know!

As always, this is a new newsletter and if you've enjoyed it or found any of it useful, please let your friends know so they can subscribe to it! And also, thank YOU for reading along too!

Anyway, on with the show!

Inform

Gapminder - Hans Rosling

https://youtu.be/hVimVzgtD6w

In a similar thread to where last week left off with Snopes, here's a tangential link that you may like. At the end of the day, the world is a pretty complex place and there's talk of big data and data mining which can sound very daunting. This is an old talk by Hans Rosling I found quite entertaining in terms of describing what was happening in the world in graphs and visualizations. It's not the prettiest, but it's still one of the most "fun" talks that involve stats that I've ever seen.

Music

PxR - Ambient-Electronic music to study to

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2hm2OyLXa8LMDYhJBblrg5?si=qD-f6KSXTlq8qdUWr33n8g

Well this is a first for me! Some of you requested the music I listen to for studying/doing deep work and here it is on Spotify. I'm not sure if this will be appealing to anyone but, hey you guys asked! It's ambient/electronic/piano and generally minor key music that a lot of people find sad. It tends to get me into a contemplative mood so I can think a bit more clearly.

Would love to know what you think of it. And would you like some more playlists in the future? I think my Sunday Morning one would be a bit more "mainstream".

Gadget

Terraplanter

https://www.terraplanter.com/

I was talking to a friend who is on this list about plants and remembered that I had backed this product on Kickstarter. Seems like a brilliant idea- make a porous pot that you fill with water and the plants grow on the outside! It'll be great for my apartment when it finally arrives. My only gripe is that it doesn't come in white to match everything else in the apartment

Also if you're after a cheap way of doing something like this, I found the following video below:

• Terracotta terraplanter alternative - https://youtu.be/3_Jv9b94WOg

Update

Ramadan in the time of COVID-19

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_ajo00mF4XQNoLRFNC6sj146v-AshPlw

I was hoping to have this up by the time the newsletter went out, but since I made the decision to film and edit purely on my phone, it does take a little while longer to get things done. I'll have the 3rd last episode of the Ramadan in the time of Covid-19 up later tonight. If you haven't seen it, it's my attempt at vlogging to raise money for the homeless and do something good during Ramadan. The link goes to the playlist on the Youtube channel and hence there isn't a photo update today- it's a video!

The fund raising is over already, and we raised double last year. I really would like your thoughts on these vlog things. I don't think I'm particularly good in front of the camera and would love to know how I could improve.

Quote I'm pondering

A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a man perfected without trials.

-Seneca

I've ripped this section from the Tim Ferriss newletter because I think it adds a nice touch. I have listened to a lot of Stoic philosophy podcasts/audiobooks etc and this one struck me as being a nice reminder that there's always troubles in all times. It's how we respond to them that shapes us as we are.

In the last 100 years, how many famines, recessions, World Wars and even pandemics have there been? People got through those and I have faith we will do so with this one too. So consider this a point of friction in shaping you into a better human being. (Even if it results in lots of Netflix and Youtube!)

Thanks for joining me on yet another week of randomness!

Stay safe and remember: you're awesome!

- Raffy

PS - am setting up the competition platform etc which is taking a bit longer than expected. Details soon!