The Best Stuff I've Seen Lately

Howdy folks!

In this email I’d like to share the good stuff I’ve discovered lately, but first off, here’s the latest from me.

The next video from me will be Everything is a Remix Part 3, the script of which will be complete shortly. The video itself will still be a while though. In the meantime, my 2020 doc This is Not a Conspiracy Theory is being released for free on YouTube. Episode 2 is now live and the remaining four episodes will come out every two weeks. Remember you can get the full, commercial free series half off right now. Be sure to enter the code TINACTYT1.

​Here’s a new interview where I discuss being a “content creator” and my coming retirement.

Onward to my discoveries!

Currently Reading

​How the World Really Works​
This book delivers on its bold title and fills a gaping hole in the cultural conversation – nobody actually talks about how the whole system works. The system requires colossal quantities of cement, steel, plastic and ammonia and we have no way to replace these with more sustainable alternatives. This book is a lot and I would read it, rather than listen to the audiobook – which is what I’m doing and I’m rewinding plenty.

Canceling Confirmation Bias

I’m loving the app Ground News, which compiles stories from across the ideological spectrum and shows you how each side is framing them or simply ignoring them. You don’t even need to use the app, just sign up for their mailing list for daily updates.​

Learning From Anti-Vaxxers

As many of you know, I think conspiracy theories are a garbage subculture and I’ve spent an incredible amount of time trying to understand them and shed some light. It’s easy to be contemptuous of conspiracy thinkers because they’re mostly so bad at research and reason. But everybody’s got a point, even people who are essentially wrong. This piece finds the kernels of wisdom and even rationality in vaccine hesitancy.​

The Great Baby Formula Shortage

Skip this section if you don’t care about baby formula.

Nora and I supplement Kirby Junior’s diet with formula and very fortunately, we’ve been unaffected by the shortage here in the US. It was mostly the result of good luck but here’s what we did.

We diversify KJ’s diet and exposure by using a variety of formulas. We were initially using European formulas, which, as far as we can tell, are superior to American. This shop has fast delivery and free shipping if you order enough. We also used this shop and it was great. Be warned: you are venturing into a gray market here.

This is a fairly expensive solution and we didn’t like buying something so important through the gray market. We then moved on to a couple subscription services, Bobbie and By Heart, and we’ve remained with them since. They’re still at the high end of the market but deservedly so. This is the best stuff you can get. Unfortunately, neither are accepting new customers for now, but both have waiting lists.

We’ve also used Earth’s Best, an affordable brand that is popular in organic stores and grocery coops. Even now, I’ve been seeing plenty of it out there and if you or anyone you know is in need, this is a good route.

Handy Stuff I’ve Bought

Nora and I find these step-in sneakers ultra-handy when you have a baby, which means you very often can’t use your hands.

With an infant it’s also important to be able to easily tell time for sleeps and feeds and this el cheapo smart watch has been a real boon for me. Of course, an Apple Watch would be best but it’s overkill for my needs. I use this to tell time, for steps, for sleep and that’s it. Otherwise, it never beckons for my attention. I have no clue what Chinese entity is behind this thing but I’m comfortable with the crumbs of data they get from me.

YouTube Finds

Lastly, here’s a few YouTube videos I’ve liked recently.

• The Toxoplasma of Rage is one of the most essential and insightful ideas of recents years. Here’s Scott Alexander’s original 2014 blog post. But Brendan Miller does an excellent synthesis of the idea here, incorporating more recent examples. Be sure to subscribe.
• Another channel you should subscribe to is Debunk the Funk with Dr. Wilson. Wilson is an actual molecular biologist and he’s the sort of masochist who loves to demolish info trash. I can relate. Especially enjoyed the episode about Robert Malone, an esteemed biochemist who is nonetheless relentlessly nonsensical on the topic of Covid.
• ​This NFT video essay has already been widely seen, but for those who haven’t watched it yet, it’s a top-notch deep dive into the hype and idiocy of crypto and NFTs. I don’t completely share the cynicism and the criticisms of the terribleness of NFT tech doesn’t have much merit — ALL early tech is terrible. Still, loads of superb points and a welcome pushback to the utopian gullibility of the scene.

Look at you, you read the whole email! Your reward is $5 off on any shirt in The Remix Shop! Just use the code GIMME5.

Talk soon! Bye!
k

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