A weekly outpour of 5 of the things I consume every week. A coalescence of art, podcasts, articles, essays, newsletters, movies, web series and any other form of media you can imagine.
Hi readers! I apologize for not posting an issue last week and breaking the streak. Life kept me busy. This week it's all about learning and implementing new things if you are working as a professional, served with some entertainment as a condiment.
What is your manager's most cringy catch-phrase? Or 'Let's circle back on this' later!
1. Occam’s Razor by Farnam Street (Mental Model)
If you are told time and again by your managers and teachers to explain things like a layman, they are referring to this model of simplified thinking called Occam’s Razor. However, balance supersedes everything and in case we end up over-simplifying then we can never unveil the intricacies of things. This essay talks just about that.
“Pare it down. Prune the excess.”
2. Inside Job on Netflix (Animated Series)
Reading conspiracy theories is an acquired taste and if you are someone who cultivates this taste, this series is definitely for you. Under the likes of Rick and Morty & Bojack Horseman, Inside Job the latest series on Netflix. (No, it is not about Steve Jobs- except some dark comedy).
There are a lot of pop culture references to account for, forcing you to pause frequently.
With a sitcom style approach, the series progresses with impeccably outlined character development and bizarre conspiracy theories that will make you laugh, cringe and think at the same time.
3. Gunning Fog Index (Written communication aid)
If you are someone who have been told time and again to simplify what you write. If your blogs feel like literature to people then this tool is for you (surely, for me too).
Gunning fog index is a readability test for English writing. The index estimates the years of formal education a person needs to understand the text on the first reading.
Anytime you are writing for a presentation, run it through the calculator to judge its complexity.
The algo also highlights and suggests terms you can simplify to reduce the index value. Isn’t it a savior?
4. Pecha Kucha (Presentation aid)
Image a situation where you were asked to give a presentation for 5 mins consisting of 5 slides and you get a day to prepare for it.
Before the presentation, it is announced that you only have 20 secs per slide and the slides will change automatically after 20 secs. How would you go about prioritizing?
Pecha Kucha is a presentation form of 20 images for 20 seconds. The slides change automatically and the speaker must synchronize their speech with the images. By applying a limit on the number of slides, the presenter is forced to streamline their content.
So, the next time you are making a presentation maybe make it Pecha Kucha style?
5. Be Stupid by Vir Das (Commencement Speech)
If you did not know till now that I am gaga about commencement speeches, now you know. Maybe I’ll share more in due time. Until then if you feel bogged down with work or life in general watch this to lift your spirits up.
No, I am not gonna give you any spoilers for this one. YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS!
“Be stupid. Just once, often. Unapologetically, and deliberately. What’s the worse thing that could happen? Somebody will call you stupid? Somebody will say your life is a joke? I’m saying you should be that somebody. I’m saying you should own it. And on that day when your life flashes before your eyes, be it on your deathbed or just creepily every day on Instagram, you’ll be laughing. And laughter is courage.”
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Have a blasting week ahead!