Back To Handwritten Notes, Unpacking CES 2024 Highlights, and Showcasing My Latest Work with Deutsche Welle
Oh, and I almost lost my dog. Watch the video. Now online.
Hey, fam! Excited to have you back for the fifth episode of our weekly newsletter, ‘On the Run.’ This time around, we’ve got a significant portion of our content dedicated to the latest in tech news, especially since CES 2024 just concluded. For all you tech enthusiasts, this one’s tailored for you! However, we haven’t overlooked our other exciting topics, and I’ve done my best to give you a quick rundown of this week’s headlines. Let’s dive right in and get this edition started!"
Housekeeping
The latest DW REV episode, featuring the BMW 3 series, is now live! I had the pleasure of filming the Berlin segments for this project, and it was truly a fantastic experience. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to meet all the wonderful people involved. Special thanks to the DW team for welcoming me aboard this project!
P.S.: During the filming of this project, I encountered an incident where some of the audio recordings didn’t meet the desired quality, rendering those parts unusable. How did I handle this situation? What steps did I take? All these details and more on professionally overcoming such challenges will be covered in the next episode. Stay tuned and subscribe to get notified as soon as I hit the submit button!
Last week, I initiated a spring cleaning session for my laptop, and this week, the overhaul extends to redefining my digital tool workflow. I’ve parted ways with most note-taking, calendar, and to-do apps, opting for fully handwritten alternatives. The decision stems from acknowledging the distraction my smartphone and laptop introduce during work hours. While these devices serve functional purposes, they’ve evolved into entertainment hubs. I’m not against technology, but I seek more precision in its usage. As a Millennial, I remember a time without computers and the internet, appreciating the tactile experience of writing, scribbling, and creating collages in my notebook. Why abandon these practices for the latest tools that, in the end, won’t necessarily enhance my abilities? Fam, let’s not forget that behind these apps and devices are corporations driven by profit motives. So, be mindful; not everything they do is solely for the love of humanity. Cash does indeed move everything around us. Cream!
Did a super fun small video about my daily walks with my cute little dog “Milu”. If you missed it, here is the link to the content: “I almost lost my Dog”
Art & Design
Jeremy Allen White’s Calvin Klein Couch Hits Facebook Marketplace for $0
A Calvin Klein commercial featuring a shirtless Jeremy Allen White lounging on a red corduroy couch has sparked unexpected excitement worldwide. Seizing on the viral moment, someone has now listed the very same couch on Facebook Marketplace, and it comes with a tempting price tag of $0. Facebook Link
ASA Bans GIRLvsCANCER Campaign
The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a campaign by GIRLvsCANCER and BBH London, citing potential offensiveness in spaces accessible to children. The poster, featuring the phrase “Cancer won’t be the last thing that f*cks me” alongside intimate photography by Katie Burdon, intended to address post-cancer intimacy. The campaign’s goal is to normalize discussions on this subject and spotlight women reclaiming their sexual identity. What’s your take on that?
Music & Movies
A Weekend Dive into the World of American Football
This weekend, I decided to immerse myself in the gripping world of dramatic sports stories, with a particular emphasis on American football—a sport that has intrigued me since my early teenage years. Growing up in Germany, it remained a distant fascination, primarily encountered through movies, sporadic late-night sports programs, and, of course, video games. I kicked off my sports movie marathon with “Invincible,” a film narrating the tale of a 30-year-old rookie fulfilling his dream of joining his favorite team.
Today, I have “Don’t Forget the Titans” on my watchlist. “Don’t Forget the Titans” is a true-story sports drama about the integration of T.C. Williams High School’s football team in 1971 Virginia. Led by Coach Herman Boone, the team confronts racial tensions, fosters unity, and achieves success on the field, delivering powerful lessons on equality and resilience.
If time allows, “Friday Night Lights” is also on my watchlist for today. The movie portrays the challenges faced by the Permian High School Panthers in the competitive Texas high school football scene. The film delves into the pressures on players, coaches, and the community, addressing themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the pursuit of excellence amidst adversity.
Frank Sinatra
All week, I’ve been entranced by the timeless classics of Frank Sinatra. Whether it’s “Fly Me to the Moon,” the “New York Theme Song,” or the ever-iconic “My Way,” there’s something about giving a nod to the legends and spinning their records that feels just right. Frank Sinatra - Ultimate
Tech & Gaming
Rabbit R1: Revolutionizing Digital Interaction with an Intuitive AI Device
The Rabbit R1, a compact AI device by Rabbit Inc., aims to simplify daily tasks without relying on traditional smartphone apps. Priced at $199, it features a 2.88-inch touchscreen, an analog scroll wheel, and a 360-degree rotating camera, all operated through a push-to-talk button for voice commands to automated scripts known as “rabbits.” Unlike smartphones, the R1 lacks onboard apps and direct API connections, utilizing the Rabbit OS as a layer for accessing select apps via a web portal. Emphasizing privacy, Rabbit Inc. assures users that no credentials are stored, and a push-to-talk mechanism enhances privacy by eliminating the need for a constant wake word. The device utilizes large language models, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT, and offers a unique “teach mode” for users to train personalized automated scripts. The Rabbit R1 presents itself as an intuitive tool for seamless digital interaction, available for preorder at $199 with shipping slated for late March. Listen to the Waveform podcast hosted by Marques Brownlee for more insights: Waveform Podcast
Enter the Post-Open Source Era
This great article discusses the changing landscape of open-source software, noting a decline in adherence to legal frameworks like the GNU General Public License. Major tech companies, including Amazon, Google, Meta, and Microsoft, are increasingly using platforms built on free software to gather extensive user data, prompting privacy concerns. Bruce Perens, co-founder of the Open Source Initiative (OSI), advocates for a “Post-Open Source” era, emphasizing the need for a fresh start. He suggests redefining the relationship between developers and commercial users, ensuring fair contributions from companies for the benefits of freely available software. Perens envisions an annual audit process to enforce compliance with the new license and urges companies to fund developers for creating user-friendly programs accessible to a broader audience. Full article here
Do you love 8-Bit Gaming?
Explore a fresh alternative to a renowned Konami series with “The Transylvania Adventure of Simon Quest,” an upcoming 8-bit sidescrolling platformer. Described as a whimsical “parody/homage,” the game follows the protagonist, Simon, on a quest to revive and conquer Dracula by traversing both the overworld and various mansions. Scheduled for release on the Nintendo Switch and other platforms in 2025, the game boasts additional attractions such as engaging minigames, a diverse selection of weapons and items, and an incorporated randomizer for added replay value.
CES 2024 Sum-Up
II have two videos that provide a comprehensive overview of CES 2024. Firstly, “Engadget” offers an informative perspective. The second video is from “The Studio,” a sub-channel of MKBHD, providing a more entertaining take on the event. To stay fully informed, I recommend watching both videos.
As we wrap up this edition, we hope the stories, insights, and inspirations shared have added a touch of brightness to your day. Stay tuned for more exciting updates in our next newsletter. Until then, keep exploring, learning, and embracing the moments that make life extraordinary. Wishing you a fantastic day ahead!
All the best,
Ferhat