TYR L-1 Lifter. After years of compacting my Fred Flintstone toes into my slender Adidas weightlifting footwear and enduring aching arches after each session in consequence, I lastly discovered aid in TYR’s L-1 Lifter. Right here’s what I really like about this weightlifting shoe: The anatomical toe field is a game-changer for these of us with wider toes — no extra feeling like your toes are in a vice grip whereas attempting to take care of stability in a heavy squat. The 21mm heel-to-toe drop places it proper in that candy spot for Olympic lifts and squats. In case you’ve been struggling via cramped lifting footwear, your toes will thanks for making the swap. Whereas they’re not low-cost, neither are visits to the podiatrist. (If you wish to know why you may think about sporting weightlifting footwear generally while you carry, watch this video.)
Smells Like American Spirit. This sharp piece from Franklin Schneider provides a darkly comedian window into the underbelly of American salesmanship. Schneider makes use of his personal expertise as a telemarketer again within the 90s to offer readers a historical past of salesmanship in America. Alongside the best way, he offers a wise critique of how we’re all changing into salespeople within the fashionable economic system, hustling our “private manufacturers” and social media presence. In order for you a learn that’s equal elements entertaining and enlightening, this one’s price your time.
Issues Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard. In a earlier Odds & Ends, I advisable an excellent lecture sequence on René Girard, the influential French thinker who coined the idea of “mimetic need.” (Take a look at my interview with Luke Burgis on the topic.) Lately, I’ve been having fun with this new documentary about Girard. Among the best issues about it’s that it’s utterly free on YouTube. The movie explores Girard’s groundbreaking theories about human need, violence, and tradition via unique interviews with Girard himself, together with insights from figures like PayPal founder Peter Thiel, Bishop Robert Barron, and Fr. Richard Rohr. The movie makes Girard’s advanced concepts accessible whereas sustaining their mental depth. A fantastic introduction to his philosophy.
Claude AI. I’ve been experimenting with AI instruments, notably Claude, in my work. Whereas ChatGPT will get a lot of the consideration, I’ve discovered Claude offers extra natural-sounding and inventive outputs. One factor I’ve discovered it tremendous useful for is summarizing dense educational articles — it might break down advanced textual content into digestible chunks with out shedding the nuance. What’s shocked me most, although, is how helpful it’s been as a sounding board for enterprise issues. It’s not like asking a Magic 8 Ball for solutions; as a substitute, I’ve discovered myself having prolonged back-and-forths with it, utilizing it as a instrument to assume via issues from totally different angles. It’s extra like a enterprise coach. Whereas it gained’t change human creativity or judgment, it’s turn into an surprisingly efficient instrument in my workflow for creating and refining concepts.
Over on our Dying Breed publication, we revealed “Sunday Firesides: Being Existentially Common Is Over” and “What Nietzsche’s Typewriter Mind Can Inform Us About Twitter Mind.”
Quote of the Week
I’ve by no means heard something in regards to the resolutions of the apostles, however an awesome deal about their acts.
—Horace Mann
