IDEAS

There is a flaw at the heart of the concept of scaling, though it can be hard to articulate in the face of “bigger is better.” Looking back to the roots of “scale” can help us pinpoint what conventional wisdom might be missing. - Harvard Business Review

Whether you do it while in the heart of the Amazon or on your walk to work, deep listening is a form of mindfulness. Mindfulness practice can strengthen attention, empathy, and compassion, increase positive emotions, help to control negative emotions, and reduce emotional exhaustion. - Psyche

The configuration and language of the four directions is common to many—though not all—cultures. - LitHub

Unlike bones, we can’t dig up ancient languages to study how they developed over time. While we may be unable to study the true evolution of human language, perhaps a simulation could provide some insights. That’s where AI comes in—a fascinating field of research called emergent communication. - Singularity Hub

True crime, also known as “murder shows” and “murder podcasts,” really appeal to more women than men. Why? “Most of the true crime I watch reflects a black and white moral universe where victims ultimately get justice, even if it is delayed.” - The New York Times

Turns out playing a game makes you smarter - but only at playing that game. - The Conversation (Fast Company)

“If I can’t get my mind off current events even in a movie where acclaimed character actor Simon McBurney bites the head off a pigeon, what hope is there for any other Oscar contender?” - Vulture

The thing is, "We invent technology. Technology doesn’t invent us.” (Take that, “AI art.”) - Wired

In short, we assume that, thanks to science, there is a recipe of sorts for how the laws of nature work. - Aeon

What is needed is a path forward that allows us to cope with tragedy and injustice without abandoning the value of people we care about or the issues we find important. We long for solutions that ease our anxiety but also provide us with reasons to live. - 3 Quarks Daily

I have guitars in my writing room. But I don’t think of it as “procrastinating” but as, you know, “getting ready.” - LitHub

Although education is linked to better cognitive skills and health, it does not appear to alter the brain’s physical structure in the long run. Researchers suggest that any initial structural impact may be temporary or too small to detect with MRI technology. - Neuroscience News

Perhaps you don’t want to reward The New York Times for not settling with its digital workers (they have a handy Games site here), but if you’re feeling stressed right now, there’s a reason you’re doing crosswords somewhere (or Wordle or Connections equivalents). - The New York Times

“The Cultural Olympiad (can’t we go back to the friendlier Arts Festival?) is special. It is the only aspect of the Olympics that needn’t be politicized or commercialized.” - Los Angeles Times (MSN)

“The rabbit holes and the unexpected obsessions are what’s beautiful about searching the internet; but AI, like the tech companies developing it, is obsessed with efficiency and optimization.” - The Atlantic