Try skygazing, really
Plus: The art of fighting, and the biggest lie we fall for. (#583)
This is David, your webgazing human curator. You're reading the Weekly Filet, the newsletter for curious minds who love when something makes them go «Huh, I never thought of it this way!».
Before we begin: Have a friend whose birthday is soon? Gift memberships have gotten a glow-up. And what better gift than one that feeds their curiosity for an entire year?
1. How to Look the Sky in the Face
When was the last time you looked at the sky, like really looked, upwards at the sky and nothing else? This short essay is an invitation to do just that, to «witness the best artist ever, working live in front of you, making masterpiece upon masterpiece.» Sounds a bit corny? That's what I thought, too. Two days later, I lay in a park and enjoyed gazing into the sky and wondered why I hadn't done that in a long time. It is what the author describes as the illusion of over-familiarity: «You see the sky so often that it’s hard to imagine some dedicated looking-time would show you anything new.»
David Cain
From the same author, one of my favourite pieces from the Weekly Filet archive: What could be something you recently did for the last time?
2. The Biggest Lie Ever Told Is Only Four Words Long
This is a tough read, and spot on. On the big lie that stands in the way of real climate action. It's not denial. «The lie that actually governs the world is the respectable version: the one that accepts the science, praises the Paris Agreement, and schedules the solution for a decade that keeps moving.» And most of us – I include myself – don't have to look far to see someone guilty of believing the lie. The next mirror might do. «[The lie's] genius is that it recruits honest people. You never needed to be corrupt to say ‹we have more time.› You only needed to prefer a bearable sentence to an unbearable one.»
Ingmar Rentzhog
3. An Expert on Conflict Says Your Relationships Are Doomed Without It
Her book «The Art of Gathering» is among those I've recommended most, to all sorts of people. Now, she has written a new one, «The Art of Fighting». This interview gives a good first impression of what it's about – now I can't wait to read it, and I need to try the pineapple pizza trick.
Priya Parker
4. I sank to the bottom of the deepest ocean in real time
He has done it again: another epic video in which Youtuber «Epic Spaceman» uses animation and storytelling to help us understand the scale of things. After zooming out into the immensity of space and zooming into the world of atoms, this is a literal deep dive into the ocean's depths. Utterly fascinating.
Epic Spaceman
5. Go Lives
Ten years ago, an AI beat the world's best Go player for the first time, and it wasn't even close. So how is it possible that today's best player managed to beat an AI? An interesting analysis that goes way beyond the game of Go.
Frank Lantz
Dataguessr of the week
Update your knowledge of the world. One quiz at a time. This week:
What else?
Instant-gratification links that make you go wow! or aha! the moment you click.
- 13 Jaw-Dropping Photos From Ocean Photographer of the Year
- Holy ship! Norway is building the world’s first full-scale ship tunnel.
- This deserves a few more players: Million Piece Puzzle.
- Counterintuitive true fact: More than 50% of all numbers from 0 to 10 million contain the number 7.
- Don't laugh too hard, our future overlords will remember: Biggest fails from the 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games.
- Relatable: Silent Listener.
- This free event costs you $100 if you don't show up.
Books for curious minds
Some new ones as I read them, some older ones that continue to inform how I look at the world and myself.
Found the story semi-compelling. The way the author creates rhythm with words makes it a delight to read nonetheless. Buy it here.
A gem from the archive
David Bauer
The Weekly Filet archive offers close to 3000 hand-picked links since 2011, like this one. You can search by interests, explore collections or shuffle for a gem.
That's it for this week. Thanks for reading. I wish you a nice weekend and hope to see you again next Friday!
— David
Go deeper
Check my 📚 digital bookshelf, with sections of 🌡️ books that help you make sense of the climate crisis, ⛵ books that make you a better product manager, 🪄 books that help you make sense of AI, and 🧒 books that help you as a parent.
Little useful apps from me, for you
🇸🇨 Flag Buddy, a learning game for kids. Outsmart, a strategy game, you against the machine. 🌍 You Don't Know Africa, a simple game that has already humbled millions of people. 💯 Choose Impact, an online tool to compare job opportunities. 🧭 Priority Compass, a tool for individuals, teams and organisations to focus your energy on what really matters. 🪄 How I Use AI, a collection of use cases, ready to use and adapt. And ⏱️ One Minute Challenge, a little meaningful distraction to refocus.