This week’s edition covers the threats implicit in Social Media, how the brain learns new motor skills, and the rise of renting over ownership. Also, take a look at my book notes on Think and Grow Rich and my article on embracing the rough spots of your passions or projects. Enjoy!
Gizmodo compares the threats of social media to the Climate Crisis, arguing social’s tendency to amplify racism and misinformation. Because emotion-driven articles get the most engagement, the algorithm is built to promote these sorts of posts even further. Changing the algorithm is unlikely since social media is in the business of making money. Thus, it’s in the companies best interest to promote these articles for profit.
Wired discusses the nuances of how the brain learns and improves on its motor skills over time in an article about learning how to juggle. In cases involving your motor reflexes, part of learning involves thinking less and relying on your instincts to take over. In the case of juggling, focus on the patterns and the throw, and less on the catch. You’ll instinctively move your hand to catch what you are juggling if you master the angle in which you throw.
Another article by Gizmodo zooms in on the trend towards consumers desiring to own less and rent more. Everything becomes a subscription. Further to this, as more and more of our everyday items become software-based (consider treadmills and stationary bikes made by Peloton), this further enforces the trend towards the continued rise of the subscription model.