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I am currently reading ​The spoiled cup​a fantasy detective novel. Think “Sherlock Holmes set in Westeros.” The main character has this enhancement that allows him to absorb every detail of every interaction and crime scene and repeat those exact details at a later time. I remember a gruesome one Black mirror episode about exactly this: …

The past is not set in stone Read More »

In 1933, an overwhelmed and frustrated woman named Frau sent a letter to psychologist Carl Jung, asking “how to live.” (She didn’t have Instagram influencers shouting motivational platitudes at her, I guess) Jung replied: ‘Your questions cannot be answered, because you want to know how you should live. You live the way you can. …when …

The most important skill to get (and stay) healthy. Read More »

Last December, I sheepishly admitted that there was a huge hole in my nerd cred. I grew up drawing cartoons, took AP art in high school, and was always fascinated by hand-drawn animation… But I had that ​have never seen a second of a Studio Ghibli cartoon​! Studio Ghibli is Japan’s equivalent of Disney, with …

Train for your old person body Read More »

I’m a big Stephen King fan. I’ve read the entire Dark Tower series, It, The Shining, Doctor Sleep, and my favorite movie ever is based on his novella, Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption. So, at the insistence of several friends who told me this is their favorite book, I finally have ​started reading 22/11/63​. …

Closed paths, open futures | Nerd fitness Read More »

A few years ago I attended my friend Nick’s 40th birthday party. As part of the celebration, he hired an improv comic, and we all had to participate in learning improv comedy. (I just felt the collective shudder of all the introverts reading this newsletter). We started throwing out fun scenarios and scenes to participate …

The “Yes And” Rule | Nerd fitness Read More »