Ben Mann Monthly July 2020: Tahoe, COVID test, memories, So You Want to Talk About Race
Purpose
An index for my memory
A menu of topics for my next conversation with you
A faster way to share what I’m excited about without the barrier of writing a complete blog entry on it
A skimmable way to spread content I found valuable
Experiments and experiences
Pixel
I'm about to re-join my house after 3 weeks away. I ordered this COVID test kit. It was easy to use and the shipping fast and simple. Turnaround time is only a few days.No added sugar
Diana and I wanted to try an easy-ish diet. Instead of eliminating all sugar, our bar was "if it has added sugar AND it's designed to be sweet" then not allowed. This meant things like salad dressing were still allowed while galbi was not. We eat as much fruit as we want, so It feels more sustainable than keto.Memory lane
My parents digitized 800 old photos and 10 hours of old video through a service. We've spent a few hours going through it together, the most common questions being "what were you thinking in that photo?" or "where was this?" or "what's the story here?" In spite of the obvious selection bias of this old media, we've all positively reappraised those years in the process and feel much closer as a family. Things were great! It's amazing how the veil of time and memory distort our experiences. Need Remem!
Life updates
Gave a talk on GPT-3
Cycled 60 miles up Mt Tam
Current work sprint ends in Sept 🤞
Content
5 point Likert ratings for “I would recommend this content to a friend”, sorted
So You Want To Talk About Race 4/5
This book was difficult to read, but made me feel much less confused about what I can do about structural racism in the US.
If someone from a disadvantaged group thinks it's racist, it is
In the future, being "race blind" might be good, but due to structural racism we need to overcompensate.
Conversations about race will be difficult. It's worth it.
Call out microaggressions by asking direct questions like "why did you say that?"
Reverse sear 4/5
Foolproof steak
Hobbs and Shaw 4/5
Completely over the top action in every way, if you're looking for cheese, this is it
The plot is about as fake and predictable as it gets, but they're a good excuse for the fight sequences and special effects
2-man long-form comedy show. Interviewed an audience member to get prompts, then wove them together into an hour.
While I enjoyed it, I can't say I'm hooked on the genre.