Last week I signed myself up for some Coursera classes, because I’ve been wanting to learn a bit more about a few topics. I signed up for the course “Learning How to Learn” on suggestion from an article about how to use platforms like Coursera well. Very meta, so I’m down for it.
In addition to the meta course I wanted to brush up on some topics that I’d learned a little about in school, as well as getting that sense of knowing a bit more on a few social topics.
I like constantly learning, but part of me worries that I’m doing something semi-performative. I realize that I’m saying this while writing it in a newsletter for yall to read 😂
But I don’t know, could I be wanting to learn for the wrong reasons? I want to strengthen my knowledge of gender and queer theory for instance, not that I think a few online courses are going to on their own do this. I just want to be able to draw more connections between topics and probe for deeper meaning without feeling like I’m just trying to demonstrate some unnecessary knowledge to appear smarter to others.
Are yall taking any extracurricular classes for fun during our extended at home time? I feel like it’s an ok time to ask now, far enough detached from the early days of quarantining. Let me know what you want to learn more about!
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Did Someone Say New Emoji???? – Jennifer Daniel
New emoji just dropped!
I love the detail of explanation that Jennifer Daniel gives in her newsletter about emoji and how they are selected and the criteria that they look for.
Maybe You Missed It, but the Internet ‘Died’ Five Years Ago – Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic
The sad part of this conspiracy theory is that it’s not entirely wrong. So much of the web is made of bots and inauthentic engagement.
Bonus: 2 Girls 1 Podcast, who turned me on to this article, just put out their interview with the author on their podcast.
A comprehensive breakdown of the Epic v. Apple ruling – Adi Robertson, The Verge
I read this breakdown last week and it’s the first time that I realized that I also don’t know what the definition of a video game. I’m not even sure if a concise definition is possible.
2005: Shades of Doom – Aaron A. Reed, 50 Years of Text Games
I’ve been waiting for IF50 to get to games made specifically for blind users. There are so many possibilities that go beyond just reading the words aloud.
Unvaccinated TikTokers Are Calling Themselves ‘Purebloods’ – Tess Owen, Vice
I mean, this could be fake, but being real would also not surprise me at all sooooooo
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I like that Tom Scott makes a bit of a point about why keeping a toll at a weird, low price makes sense and why passing a new law or undoing the old one would not be as easy as we’d assume.
José Rizal: The Philippines’ Reluctant Revolutionary • Puppet History
Love learning things from The Professor!
When an Anime Character doesn’t Explain their Abilities
It’s scarier (and more confusing) than the long winded explanations.
What if we liked the Super Mario Bros. movie? | Alternate History Explored
I’m enjoying this Alternate History series from Polygon. Honestly I just want to make the fake sites and ads like they use in the show.
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why are dreams? – Queersplaining
I’ve been having a lot of weird dreams/nightmares lately and I just assumed that it was from being sick, but now I don’t know.
YĪN YĪN – The Rabbit That Hunts Tigers (2019 – Album)
I like trying albums that show up in my suggested feed because some of them are just fun like this.
pov: you’re the beast. // [otgw] beastcore;cottagegore;dark academia playlist
It’s Over The Garden Wall season!!
2021 Remaster “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” with Prince, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne and Steve Winwood
We watched ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’ last week and I remembered this performance where Prince has a three hour guitar solo and the other guitarists alternate between being in awe of Prince and being annoyed that it’s still going 😂
If you made it this far, why not share this newsletter with a friend? Or share with me some of the things that you found that you liked this week. Either way, I’m thrilled!
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