✍️ I have some notes on Sam Altman’s note-taking advice /// The Verge

This is a man who has not carefully considered his tools and expects someone else to pick up after him. That does explain a lot about OpenAI, doesn’t it?

I mean, use what works. But I definitely wouldn’t take note-taking advice from Altman. I also love how these people talk like their way is the one and only and best for all.

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🥃 The Rise of Malört, an Unexpected Midwest Princess NYT

Malört is, in one word, unforgiving. Made from neutral spirits, wormwood and sugar, it tastes a little like sucking dandelion juice through a straw made of car tires. It is also kind of good. Intensely bitter, it’s herbaceous and a touch citrusy, as if you were to bite a grapefruit like an apple.

It got to a point I wasn’t surprised seeing it in Seattle, but it does take away some of the magic. But also… no one has ever utter the words “Malört is kind of good.”

🎹 Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker announces The Orchid synthesizer, a new songwriting tool /// Wallpaper

This looks pretty sweet. Teenage Engineering sweet, although much more of a retro vibe to the design. But as an instrument (and a tool), this is what we need more of. Not AI garbage to bypass the creative process, but tools that help induce creativity.

🧑‍⚖️ Drake Says UMG and Spotify Schemed to Boost Kendrick’s ‘Not Like Us’ /// Billboard

If I’m Drake, I’m not sure I’d want to keep this on people’s minds. Take the L and go home.

💽 ‎GNX by Kendrick Lamar

Well this came out of nowhere! New Kendrick album is always an event in this household.

🤡 Matt Gaetz Withdraws From Consideration for Attorney General /// NYT

Thank god. But if he ends up appointed a senator after all of this, I might just lose my mind.

🍷 Bella Union winery in Napa is made for younger drinkers /// SF Standard

I get the complaint of price and availability in Napa, but I really do think my generation and younger are missing something in their chase for experiences. You really do tend to get what you pay for; if you want a bar like experience where you drink (still overpriced) wine, then sure, something like this is fine; if you want a true hospitality experience where someone goes out of their way to make sure you are taken care of and enjoy your experience along with the wine, it’s going to cost a bit more.

🎥 The Studio /// Teaser

New Apple TV+ series coming in March of 2025 from Seth Rogen looks amazing. And what a cast.

🥸 Jeremy Allen White look-alike winner embracing the very odd, but exciting contest experience /// Chicago Sun-Times

I thought these look-a-like contests were dumb until Chicago did it with Carmy from The Bear and now I obviously love it.

🩴 Who Is Steven Smith, the YEEZY Designer Joining Crocs? /// High Snobiety

Besides the fact he stuck around at Yeezy a tad too long, this is a superb hire for Crocs. Add Smith to the stuff Bembury has done and Crocs’ trajectory is sky high.

📈 Slate Sees 700% Spike in Subscriptions, Heightened Traffic After Trump Win /// The Wrap

I’m not sure why, but it’s been awhile since I’ve checked in on Slate. Maybe this is a sign to change that.

🚷 3D Crosswalk in Iceland is a Stunning Optical Illusion /// My Modern Met

These are just very, very cool.

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🤡 RFK Jr. Is Crowdsourcing Cabinet Picks for Trump /// Mother Jones

Yes, because that’s what America needs; one unqualified person appointing another unqualified person, crowdsourcing ideas from a pack of raging idio— unqualified people…

📰 Turning off the News /// Borowitz Report

When Andy Borowitz, satirist extraordinaire, is the voice of reason, you know there’s a problem. But he’s spot on here.

📻 Brendan Carr wrote the FCC chapter in ‘Project 2025.’ Now he’s Trump’s pick for the agency /// CNN Business

These battles are sure to continue once Carr becomes chairman, but they may be more in words than deeds. The FCC does not have any meaningful oversight of tech platforms like Google, and it would probably take an act of Congress to change that.

I know Trump tried to distance himself from Project 2025, saying he had nothing to do with it and didn’t know the people behind it, but do you need any more evidence that he is 100% going to attempt to implement the policy ideas from it than this?

🪰 Outnumbered By Insects /// Dinosaur Comics

Been awhile since I’ve linked to a Dinosaur Comic and I enjoyed this one quite a bit.

⏱️ Casio’s first smart ring has innovative features like a stopwatch and flashing alarm /// The Verge

I actually really, really dig this.

📩 Duty to Warn Letter - to VP Harris /// Re: Election 2024

I’ve been going back and fourth on whether I should link to this. After last time, calling the election results into question feels like a slippery slope. Plus, I haven’t taken the time to verify anything mentioned here. But here I am, linking to it anyways…

🧅 Judge orders hearing to review Onion’s purchase of Alex Jones’s InfoWars /// The Guardian

Ughh, just when you think something good is going to happen the universe pulls the rug out from under you.

👺 A Tribute to Diablo /// SPECTRAL EPOCH RECORDS

Killer instrumental record on Bandcamp for any fans of the Diablo games.

🐍 What’s next for Feed Me? /// Feed Me

I was a pretty big advocate for Feed Me early on, but had fallen off a bit over the last few months as the focus seemed to shift more into longer writing about NYC. It’s exciting to see she has hit the point where she’s ready for a visual refresh and bringing in new, regular columnists to give it some new life.

🤖 OpenAI’s Sam Altman becomes latest tech executive involved in San Francisco government /// Reuters

Upon taking office on Jan. 8, Lurie, who has no experience at City Hall, will face the challenge of resolving San Francisco’s public safety crisis, a pressing issue that has driven numerous tech leaders to relocate from the Bay Area.

This doesn’t feels fraught for disaster.

🏀 Inside the NBA to air on ESPN/ABC next season /// ESPN

Nice to see this all wrapped up and to know Ernie, Chuck, Kenny, and Shaq will continue to be doing their thing after this season.

🤡 Cabinet Nominations—Cartoon /// The New Yorker

Honestly… this is starting to feel like reality…

🎲 Tend by IV Studios /// Kickstarter

Never heard of IV Studios before, but they seem to design some really cool games. This is a flip-and-scratch (which means absolutely zero to me), but the concept and art for this game look stellar.