I’m finally back in the content seat after a rough week fighting the flu. Apologies for not sending last week, but you were probably busy grinding into some turkey anyway.
It feels good to be back in your inbox again though. For lack of a big(ish) thoughtful essay this week, I just want to share something up top that really inspired me. It came from watching the documentary Spettacola (linked below) and then going down a rabbit hole researching the filmmaker, Jeff Malmberg, with my wife.
Malmberg is new to me, but I found out he’s made some other really promising looking films, including a series with Rick Rubin, and, he won a Guggenheim Fellowship. Soon we were looking at all the other winners of the fellowship. Then, we were looking at winners of the MacArthur grant, aka the Genius grant. They include filmmakers, illustrators, writers, plant biologists, philosophers, urban designers, geophysicists…you get the picture.
I’ve been back a few times now to learn more about all these people and let me suggest that if you are ever feeling down about humanity, go to this page or this page, and familiarize yourself with the work of these incredible people.
Some days the internet can feel like a real noisy heap of trash, but sometimes it reveals such rich and beautiful things that it feels like a wellspring.
This week, it’s a small reminder of all the amazing work people are doing out there.
LINKS
How lucky are we to live at the same time as David Sedaris? His latest essay Hurricane Season, is a beautiful ode his husband and family love. (New Yorker)
More hobby, less side hustle in 2020. AKA, why I recently started making cookies. (Vox)
’Tis the Season! A Vintage Jamaican Yuletide Mixtape (Aquarium Drunkard)
Why those winter sunsets are so nice. (Vox)
LISTEN
Well this unexpected collaboration from two Texas musicians - Leon Bridges and Khruangbin - came out of nowhere and now it’s on repeat.
WATCH
Really one of the better documentaries I’ve seen this year. Spettacola tells the story of a small town in Tuscany that writes and performs a play every year. It’s amazing to see so many of the people of the town so committed to creating something creative. Highly unusual. Highly affirming.
More here and on Netflix.
FOLLOW
Friend of the site Ian Birchall aka @urbancountrychair, has just posted his latest creation: A laid back Windsor Chair. I love it.
TAP THE HEART (PLEASE)
If you like this thing, please tap that heart button below. It will help me get noticed.
I’ll always follow you! Thanks for sharing your ideas with us, they are always precious.
Glad you're feeling better. Keep posting, these contents are precious.