Recommendations for you
Grinding wheel vol. 11
The Grinding Wheel is a semi-regular series of curated recommendations to help make you sharper, inspired or entertained.
For the sake of quality, I limit these recommendation posts to typically 2 - 3 times per year. The last one was last November.
I hope you enjoy the five recommendations below. As always, please share with me what you suggest I read / watched / listened to!
For a quick & fun distraction
The Color Game - It turns out that humans cannot reliably recall colors. This simple, well-designed game tests how good (or bad) you are at recalling colors. Each “play” takes only about 30 seconds. And you can challenge friends. I find the game fascinating, addictive and difficult. I also enjoy the way the game trolls players with its in-game commentary. Since launching, the creators have added similar games to test your skills at recalling sound, time and shapes.
For a perspective on how to live
You are What You Consume (article) - Noah Smith is one of my favorite writers online. His substack newsletter covers economics and geopolitics. But in this piece, he addresses an interesting question: “Why should what you produce, rather than what you consume, be the most important thing about you?” Smith argues that in the AI Era, humans should be defined more by our consumption habits (e.g. hobbies & interests) than our type of employment (e.g. job / industry). It’s a refreshing take on how we identify ourselves and how it might change in the future.
For inspiration
The war in Ukraine has now dragged on for over 4 years, longer than World War I lasted. To me, the Ukranian people’s resolve to continue fighting for their freedom against a powerful enemy is endlessly inspiring. Facing horrorific odds, Ukranians found a way forward, becoming the world’s leader in drone warfare. I recently discovered Memory Steel, an online shop that sells “symbols of Ukranian strength.” Among other collectibles, they sell keychains made from destroyed Russian tanks that read “Made in Russia, Recyled in Ukraine.” Proceeds from sales support Ukranian soldiers and citizens (see here). I purchased a few keychains to show my support for Ukraine and gratitude for the freedom I enjoy everyday.
For a look into our driverless future
The Trial of the Driverless Car (podcast) - Nearly 1M people die annually in automobile accidents. That is one reason why I’m such a big fan of Waymo. And also why I enjoyed this podcast episode of Search Engine podcast about the public debate in Boston over whether to allow Waymo on the streets of Boston. It is an excellent episode that outlines the case for and against driverless cars.
Also, I recently visited Las Vegas where I tried out Zoox, another brand of robotaxis (owned by Amazon). Zoox’s vehicles are built for autonomy - two simple benches facing each other. I highly recommend you give it a try next time you’re in Vegas. Rides are free while they are testing their service.
For creating something new
Bambu Labs Mini 3D Printer (gadget) - Last December my family purchased our first 3D printer and it has become a source of joy in our house. The device was less than $400, it is relatively small and the setup was surprisingly easy. It feels like magic to pick out a 3D object from the Bambu Labs app and watch it come together infront of my eyes at home. Most of what we have printed so far are trinkets and toys for my daugthers and their friends. But this summer my aim is to start designing and printing my own creations.
