October Recommendations
October
In today's overly saturated world where there is always something new or shiny, I'm always looking for help. Yes - we have algorithms a that make personal targeted recommendations for everything from workouts to music. But those inputs are always based on what you've previously done, your pre-selected and filtered bubble of information. What happens when you want to break out? Try something new? What about discovery that isn't based on previous behavior? I do love when Spotify recommends an amazing song or band that I've never heard, but there is also something amazing about trying something recommended by a real. human. person. This is the exciting world that we live in today, where we can augment no brainier suggestions (i.e. you like the Notorious B.I.G.? Try TuPac or Nas), with human discovery.
I'm going to have some recommendations or suggestions in categories on a monthly basis because hopefully it can drive some discovery. I promise I have good taste. Or maybe I don't. But if you're reading this you probably trust my taste to begin with anyway. With all that being said (and sorry, I know it was a lot) here are the October suggestions.
Read / Focus
21st Centuries Ways of Working - Matt Daniels
It is crazy to think about that the systems and processes at large corporations are essentially the same as they were prior to the internet. I do think that looking to Silicon Valley as the only answer for how teams should be built and operate is a bit problematic, but from what I've seen of large enterprise organizations (and granted I haven't seen all that many), there needs to be a better balance of time spent talking about work and actually doing it.
One thing to add - I think culturally the thing to create is a comfort level with ambiguity (even around data) that allows for faster decision making, where each decision has less long-term repercussions as technology allows for quick adjustments based on analysis.
What the Nobel Prize Tells Us about Regulation, and Regulators, on Wall Street - Demos
The most recent Nobel prize winner in Economics was awarded to professor Jean Tirole, whose work focuses on the regulation of institutions that are sometimes considered "too big to fail." I won't pretend to know or understand the full implications of his work, but as the lines between public and private sectors blur, we need to figure out how to best regulate these titans of industry in a way that is most beneficial to society. Exciting times ahead.
536: The Secret Recordings of Carmen Segarra
Speaking of regulation - By listening to the secret recordings of Carmen Segarra, you get an understanding of the lopsided relationship between regulators and big banks at the time of the Financial Crisis. This episode is fascinating because it gives you unparalleled access to the regulatory body that potentially could have helped prevent the 2008 financial crisis.
This podcast is an investigation of a murder that occurred in 1999 in suburban Detroit. Each week they release a new episode where the reporter, Sarah Koening, uncovers new information that might help get closer to the truth. Thursday cannot come quickly enough. Between Serial and The Startup podcast, it's cool to see new takes on the medium.
Watch
Esquire TV's "The Getaway" is a series that follows a celebrity in a city of their choosing, where they do very Esquire-y things like go out to eat in nice restaurants, drink strong cocktails, and do some shopping. This episode is different. Somehow, Adam Pally convinced the producers that they should let him take four of his friends to Vegas, and they have an amazing time. It was an incredible 47 minutes of TV. Vegas anyone?
You've probably heard of Transparent by now. It's a fantastic show. Watch it. The Pfefferman's are quite a family.
The Real True Detective? - Vice
In an interview about True Detective, when asked what inspired the story, Nick Pizzolatto encouraged reporters to Google a town in Louisiana. This is the story. It's pretty gruesome, but as always, Vice does some pretty impeccable storytelling.
Drink
Two Towns Cider House - Rhubarbian
As it is full on apple season here in the middle west, I've been trying a few ciders lately. The Two Towns Cider House Rhubarbian has to be my favorite. It's very dry and almost tart, but incredibly refreshing and unexpected.
George Clooney loves tequila. This is the tequila he decided to make, and it is as smooth, complex, and easy to drink as he promises. No need to cover anything up with salt or lime here.
Eat
Just go and get the huevos rancheros. Perfect poached egg, sopes, avacado and an amazing salsa. You can make a reservation too! No getting hangry waiting for brunch.
Kim Bartman's new restaurant in the old Cafe Maude space is pretty spectacular. Here's to hoping it breaks the curse of that space and is around for years to come. The “pearls before swine” ( BRAUNSCHWEIGER, pickled shallots, smoked trout roe, toast) was one of the better bites of food I've had in a long time. Especially for five bucks.
Yet to have anything from here that wasn't outstanding.
Obviously the pants to rock with your FlyKnit Chukkas.
