Algorithm-Free Reco List, No. 29
"light crispy notes," "brilliant, very mysterious vibe(s)," and other discoveries
Here comes the monthly parade of “things I keep turning over in my little brain.”
If you have stuff you can’t shut up about, please tell me about it (or reach out about doing a guest edition)!
Again, I’d love to find more people who do not consider themselves writers to contribute. If this is you, let’s talk! This container is flexible! (This also applies if you are a writer.)
Wage Theft Review
A platform that showcases art made on company time. Anyone can submit anonymously. Absolutely incredible concept, and the website is fun!
This kid named Alexander on Tiny Desk
The entire “kids take over Tiny Desk” is excellent, but my guy Alexander has undeniable star power. He introduces his piece for its “light crispy notes” and “brilliant, very mysterious vibe” and yep. Have never heard anything lighter nor crispier nor more mysteriously vibed.
“Everything is private equity <3” in Your Brain on Money
Can’t stop thinking about private equity and how its gross tentacles are ruining basically everything in society. This was a really great overview, and has me ready to pick up Bad Company by Megan Greenwell. (Alia Hanna Habib has recommended it before as well as super character-driven nonfiction, which is the only way I’m reading 300+ pages about business/finance/econ.)
This part from “Berryman” by W.S. Merwin
Via Kaveh Akbar during January’s session of The Break—which I separately highly recommend. Full poem is here.
No Bad Days
This is THE Los Angeles substack. Where else can you find scene reports from LA’s closest answer to Zohran’s first fundraising event AND hyperlocal advice for how to be useful “in times like these” AND gossipy deep dives into astrology-obsessed landlords harassing people AND food stuff that isn’t about like, Cookbook or Courage Bagels or whatever the hell? The answer is nowhere! (However, if you do know of another place serving up such a buffet of gossip, criticism, and neighborhood news, please tell me about it.)
“Masquerade Season” by ‘Pemi Aguda
Going to start including short stories in here too as I continue on my little one-per-day project. I read this one, published online here and also in Aguda’s collection Ghostroots, almost a month ago and I’m still thinking thinking about it. So much about autonomy and obedience and what it means to be “good.” You can listen to Aguda reading an excerpt here.
Robert Downey Jr. visiting Wall Street in 1992
Via this video. Sure, many arguments to be made about someone with a $300 million net worth making such comments. But I do feel the more “this is absolute loser behavior” sentiments out there circulating (even if from the archives), the better.
Turning off Google’s AI bullshit
Yes, this means you will not have that tabbed inbox situation. But you also will not be handing over all of your data for Google to do whatever they please under the guise of convenience. I found this article to both clearly explain how to disable AI garbage in your settings and also remind me why it’s worth it. If it’s even remotely encouraging, it took me approximately one day to get used to having everything in one inbox again. Perfect opportunity to go on an unsubscribe spree.
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A Trader Joe’s Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich. Very good! Wish there were more than two to a pack.
Watching my cat wrestle a treat out of an empty paper towel roll, even better if buried beneath a bunch of other miscellaneous packing materials.
I got so MAD when I opened my gmail the other day and it was trying to tell me how to compose emails; I disabled that garbage immediately. Thanks I hate it!