🔗 Obsidian Mobile It’s finally out for everyone! Happy days.
🔗 Why Italian football does not make sense in the English language Serie A The Guardian
Why Italian football does not make sense in the English language | Serie A | The Guardian
Italian football is often criticised for being overly dramatic, with players spending too much time feigning injury, encircling the referee or dropping to the grass with their faces in their hands after they have missed opportunities. These criticisms carry weight but, given the language of the game in Italy, it is hard to see how the game could be any other way. An Italian match is more than just that; it is a performance in which the players are fighting not just to win but to win over the audience. I was reminded of this article while watching the match yesterday. The whole piece is really enlightening about the differences between Italian and English football.
The latest TestFlight version of obsidian mobile is version “1.00” and the notes say it’s aimed at general release! It’s happening!!!
A Week off social
In theory I’m just over a week into my social media fast… But in reality I’ve been breaking it left right and centre. Some has been for good reason (like checking content for work, finding an old bookmark or messaging regarding an upcoming newsletter interview) but a good amount has been “the twitch”.
The twitch
You know, when suddenly you find your phone is unlocked, in your hand, and your thumb has magically found the hidden app icon and twitter is open before you.
How did it happen? You twitched and it was there.
Who knows what the exact trigger was
- boredom
- being in the “right” location (the sofa?)
- reading something about a social network?
But the effect is undeniable.
I’ve been using a scheduling app to continue an experimental social media profile (it’s always good to experiment when marketing is your job) which has certainly helped, but it’s not a miracle cure.
What has been good
It’s not all doom, gloom and failure. I’ve definitely been using social media less. My screentime proves it! Even when I do twitch and find twitter open, I often move over to an ebook or switch the app off. Checking my screentime also reveals that in this second week, twitter is no longer my “pick up” app or even in the top ten. Perhaps the “twitch” is wearing off?
Awareness
Around 2016 I started to feel that personal messaging was the better type of social media and what I should use these services for more. This fast has proven that more to me. I continually find myself wanting less to scroll the feed (although I do want that too) and more to reach out to certain people whom I can only contact via twitter DMs or microblog replies.
It turns out the part of social media I miss the most, is the social part.
And while that’s also a good reason to take a break and invest in more face to face social interactions (thank you easing lockdowns) it’s also something I will invest in more when I do return to social media… however that looks.
(written in drafts to avoid the feed).
Krakow earlier in the week.
A break
Tl;dr. I’m taking the month off social media but will continue blogging.
A couple of weeks ago I was reminded of the idea of a solitude break; a day, weekend or weekend away from everything spent in solitude and silence. It’s a Christian idea I found in celebration of discipline with the purpose of connecting and listening to God but I’m sure atheist and agnostic friends can see value for themselves in this kind of activity.
I approached my wife with the idea, suggesting that she too could and should take a weekend in solitude at some point. I was even happy for her to do so first and I was okay if she said no. She said it was a great idea and pointed to next weekend (10-11th of July) as the best time.
I got excited about the idea and started rereading a few books I’ve read on similar topics.
Then today I felt rushed and thin from work. I could feel the pressure of our deadlines falling ahead of me and my mind skipping from idea to idea. Fortunately, I recognized the impulse, acknowledged the legitimate deadlines and that certain deadlines weren’t real.
I calmed down.
But an itch stayed with me.
The idea that I don’t need to run or be so frantic. That this is not normal and is negative. That the constant always on communication is part of the cause.
I suddenly thought I should take a month of social media and that as today is the first of the month, today is a great day to start.
So no more logging on to social media for me for July. I can blog and I may have some automatic messages shared but I probably won’t respond to comments on social.
If you have one of my email address, you can contact me via it and I’ll respond. Perhaps I’ll respond to many comments when I come back on social media. Maybe I won’t be back on social media.
I guess we’ll see.
At least once a week I confuse discord and discourse.
New Sport Loop bands and matching downloadable watch faces feature bold designs that represent 22 nations around the world
Well, I guess I’m going to buy a new Apple Watch strap.
(New Zealand and South Africa look soo good.)
🔗 Amazon is using algorithms with little human intervention to fire Flex workers - ArsTechnica
🔗 Amazon is using algorithms with little human intervention to fire Flex workers - ArsTechnica
Locked gates, inclement weather, and bad selfies—all reasons drivers report that they were fired by the bots that apparently run human resources for Amazon’s Flex delivery program.
File this one under dystopia future.
Somedays, my job involves trying to organise a CS Go tournament at work. This is both why I love my job (YAY! We get to do something fun for people) and why I hate it (Despite someone else agreeing to take the lead, I have to push this forward to make sure it’s ready in time)
Finished reading: The Obstacle is the Way: The Ancient Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage by Holiday Ryan 📚
I delayed it a week so I could add some fun pictures but a new edition of the learn create share newsletter is dropping tomorrow. Sign up if you want a creative prompt and a couple of interesting articles.
I just scheduled the next edition of the (only? Best?) newsletter for Christians who take connected notes in apps like obsidian, craft, notion et al.
I’m really excited to share the first interview with a member of the community as well as some great links and resources.
Nobody:
Me: Maybe I should start another niche newsletter.
England vs Germany ⚽️ I suspect there hasn’t been a better time to face Germany in a while…and yet it’s Germany. (P.s. I secretly hope it goes to penalties, Southgate subs himself on and takes the winning penalty. Suddenly, we’re transported back to 1996 and we find out that it was all a time loop but this time Gareth actually scored. 9/11, the financial crash and Brexit never happen).
AI as a helper, not a replacement
Me: I refuse to use an AI tool because people are better.
Months later
Me: Urgh! This project has taken so much longer than I thought it would!
My brain: You know, maybe you could use that AI tool as a helping hand rather than a replacement and it might save you half the time you’ve spent on this project…that would be incredibly valuable, right.
Me: I’M SIGNING UP!
This was a real thought exchange in my head and the outcome. I’ve just signed up to try a new tool. Maybe it won’t work at all, but maybe it will help.
I’ll let you know.
I’m playing around with Racket thanks to @cm . Drop me a question and I’ll do my best to answer.
I wondered why you couldn’t get an AFC Richmond replica shirt…you can now .
I’m very tempted to get one with “Goldfish” on the back.
Podcasts appearance: On Logos Daily [Podcast #325] - ChurchMag
🔗 On Logos Daily (Podcast #325) - ChurchMag
Blessing and I spoke with the guys behind logos daily to discuss the no. 1 Bible study software and how users can get the most out of it.
I really enjoyed this chat with Jason and Ryland and I’m really glad Blessing cut out my terrible attempt at an American accent.
(P.S. I’m going to start sharing more appearances and similar.)