Privet, {{contact.first_name}}! Sunday Surprise is here (31st Oct 21)
Oct 31, 2021 12:46 pm
Privet !
Today's greeting is 'hello' in Russian. Melbourne is officially open again with even non-essential retail finally open. Friday saw people lining up to finally go out and shop in person after months of not being able to do so. I got some messages from other readers about how things were going in their part of the world. Looks like it's been messy everywhere. What about where you are? Let me know!
Before all that, a shameless request! Could you forward this newsletter to just 3 people that you think would like one of the articles? It helps A LOT! If you're the friend reading this, click the link below to join! Glad to have you here!
In this week's email...
- Week in the Life - read on the blog
- Creative - various
- Gadgets & Tech - Lifx smart bulbs (~$59)
- Read - Alarmist or accurate? Pandemic modelling dilemmas (~5min)
- Watch - Why incompetent people think they're amazing (~5min)
- Quote - ''It did what all ads are supposed to do: create an anxiety relievable by purchase.”
Week in the life
Well this week has been very interesting on a whole bunch of different levels. On the one hand, Melbourne is essentially back to normal after Friday. Until now, non-essential retail and some places were closed. This weekend, almost everything is back in action, be it with distancing and density limits and mask mandates.
After so long, I went for a walk and it wasn't just lively; it was crowded. Actually difficult to walk in a straight line and not run into people. After so many months of not even to really have to look where you are going, it feels...strange!
The other thing that still feels strange is sitting down inside for a meal with other people. After months and months of not being able to, I feel like the police are just about to appear and cause a scene because it's still not allowed! I suppose this is what re-introduction to "society" is like...
A bit more of an update over on the blog...
Creative update
I've spent most of the spare time learning Python again. These lessons have been a bit more code intensive but the final product hasn't been as "shareable" since the lessons are designed to teach some concepts rather produce a game or tool.
So instead, here's a link to some recent stuff from the creative archives:
Gadgets & Tech
Lifx smart bulbs (~$59)
Firstly, they're one of the few that don't require a seperate hardware "bridge" that you need to connect to your modem to work. Secondly, they have almost all the features you want in an easy to use app and integrate with just about everything. These new ones are far cheaper than the bulbs I bought and seem to have a "cleaning" feature. That seems like a new gimmick, but all the old features are still present, but now cheaper! Win!
- Kindle Paperwhite (2021)- The best e-book reader in my opinion, now with USB-C and warm backlighting to read late at night
- Luminar Neo - The newest image editor from Skylum! Looks to have some awesome features. Currently on early bird pricing.
Read
Alarmist or accurate? A look into pandemic modelling dilemmas (~5min)
This is a short piece written by a local reporter tasked with representing the information as best as possible with criticism from both modelers and readers about the stances to take with data. It's especially difficult when modelling and decisions based on that mean that the outcome will be different to what the modelling initially predicted and therefore, in retrospect appears wrong. I found it quite an interesting use of 5 mins to see the dilemma from the media point of view, since they are usually portrayed as the villain in terms of scare mongering most of the time.
What I'm reading
- Dune - After watching the trailers, I decided that I would read the book before watching the movie. It's looks like a cinematic masterpiece so I want to see what I can imagine before watching it in theatres in all its glory
Watch
Why incompetent people think they're amazing (~5min)
This TED talk breaks down the reason it occurs and ties nicely in ways with my own problem, Imposter Syndrome!
Quote I'm pondering
“It did what all ads are supposed to do: create an anxiety relievable by purchase.”
– David Foster Wallace
I've never really thought about advertising like that but I suppose that is exactly what it is. I've found David Foster Wallace's knack and wit quite amusing and this is another example. More than just amusement, it made me stop for a second...
If you look at the business models of a whole bunch of new companies or technologies, it's to provide a service for free, get huge inroads so everyone uses it, collect data and then sell advertising. This is true of Google, Facebook, heck even UberEats!
As price of convenience drops to "free" just how much purchase relievable anxiety are we going to be subject to? IT's given me food for thought... Time for UberEats I guess ;)
Well , hope you enjoyed the newsletter and it keeps you in good spirits for the week ahead! As always, I simply LOVE hearing from you and your opinions. Feedback is always welcome!
Cheers!
- Raffy
PS - What was your favourite part of this email? Let me know with 1 click! I read the survey every week (and keep tweaking things with your feedback!)
Sunday Surprise uses affiliate/referral links in the newsletter. This does not change the recommendation/verdict but may result in Photos by Raffy receiving a small commission and will be marked in orange. Non-affiliate links will appear as blue. Prices recorded may vary.
