#110 I'm feeling a lot better
Common Discourse is a newsletter designed to help others (and ourselves) think through creativity, focus, and intentional work by Alex Tan and Alice Otieno.
Every week, we share a few ideas from us, a quote from somebody else, and links worth sharing. On Fridays we invite a guest to share images from their camera roll and a sound that resonates with them. Occasionally, we’ll write a journal with observations on what’s happening in the world.
I published less than 10 times all of last year whereas this year we’ve already published four Weekly Briefings as January comes to a close. I feel better this year, to say the least, and showing up in your inbox every week is a good measure of that.
I think the work we do here is worth paying for, but we’ve kept it free on purpose. If you find this newsletter to be worth your time on Tuesdays, there are probably others you know that would find it valuable as well, and it’d mean a lot to us if you shared it with someone who might find it encouraging.
If you purchased a Willett Recovery Tee over the last couple weeks, thank you. We’ve received +400 orders from all over the globe and nearly everyone donated more than the asking amount. We’re working on next steps for production now, but I just wanted to take a moment and acknowledge your generosity in helping Willett’s family move forward from their loss. You can still purchase the shirt here if you’d like.
Additionally, my team at MW.S launched Findings. Many of you subscribed and expressed excitement for what’s to come in that project.
I have a lot to be grateful for this Tuesday.
— Alex
A few ideas
I. TRUE GREATNESS
Becoming truly great at anything requires us to be more obsessed with the feeling of getting lost in the act than the allure of what rewards it can give us.
II. PRACTICE AND PERFORMANCE
It’s worth paying attention to the things you like doing when nobody is watching. What you like to practice is worth pursuing. The chance to perform is a bonus.
III. CROWDS
A common trap and easy excuse for not starting is convincing yourself that it’s too late.
Crowds look big until you realize how big they can become.
A quote from somebody else
“Life requires time and effort. That is to say, when we eliminate time and effort, we eliminate life’s pleasures,”
— Zen Buddhist monk Shunmyō Masuno
Links worth sharing
⚒️ My friends at Dinamo have a collaboration with NTS Radio called foNTS (genius). You can listen to their latest mixes here and here, as well as buy the shirt marking their collaboration.
🗝️ The Unadulterated Joy of Trinkets and Knickknacks, Architectural Digest
🖨️ Hard Copy is an exhibition curated by Aaron Stern showcasing a collection of large and small-scale xerox prints as a celebration and reaffirmation of photography's enduring power. On view at Webber Gallery in Los Angeles until March 2nd.
🌐 Tony Wang sits down with Matt Klein to discuss how hyper optimization is great for commercial growth, but will result in cultural singularity and creative stagnation.
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