A collection of interesting things I’ve discovered and recommended in my monthly newsletters.
VERT.sh
VERT converts files (images, audio, video, and documents) from one format to another, all on your device with no cloud processing, file size limits, or ads.
VERT converts files (images, audio, video, and documents) from one format to another, all on your device with no cloud processing, file size limits, or ads.
Ldial
A collection of the best indie and community radio stations in the US on one page for streaming discovery.
A collection of the best indie and community radio stations in the US on one page for streaming discovery.
Andor
This Disney+ series restored my faith in the Star Wars franchise with its gritty, nuanced look at the years leading up to Episode IV.
This Disney+ series restored my faith in the Star Wars franchise with its gritty, nuanced look at the years leading up to Episode IV.
ChatGPT is an energy guzzler. These things you're doing are worse.
A Washington Post article with latest data about AI energy use compared to other common activities, providing a helpful update to my ethics post.
A Washington Post article with latest data about AI energy use compared to other common activities, providing a helpful update to my ethics post.
Fender Studio
100% free music recording software that works across all major platforms. Easy to learn with powerful features, focused on recording rather than composition.
100% free music recording software that works across all major platforms. Easy to learn with powerful features, focused on recording rather than composition.
AI Is Life
Astrobiologist Sara Imari Walker argues that AI isn’t artificial life but actually part of life when you zoom out to consider the bigger picture.
Astrobiologist Sara Imari Walker argues that AI isn’t artificial life but actually part of life when you zoom out to consider the bigger picture.
Nubby's Number Factory
$5 retro Windows-XP inspired roguelike game where you create larger numbers using a bouncing ball named Nubby with crazy powerups and synergies.
$5 retro Windows-XP inspired roguelike game where you create larger numbers using a bouncing ball named Nubby with crazy powerups and synergies.
The Odin Project
Comprehensive resource for learning professional web development from start to finish, presented logically with a community aspect.
Comprehensive resource for learning professional web development from start to finish, presented logically with a community aspect.
Robin Sloan's Blog and Newsletter
Intelligent writing about science, technology, and art from the author of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.
Intelligent writing about science, technology, and art from the author of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore.
The Buena Vista Social Club Tiny Desk Concert
An NPR Tiny Desk performance showcasing why the Broadway production is worth seeing - these musicians are absolutely on fire.
An NPR Tiny Desk performance showcasing why the Broadway production is worth seeing - these musicians are absolutely on fire.
A History of the Internet, Part 2
Part 2 of Jeremy Reimer’s excellent Ars Technica series covering the transition from hobbyist networks to mainstream adoption via the World Wide Web.
Part 2 of Jeremy Reimer’s excellent Ars Technica series covering the transition from hobbyist networks to mainstream adoption via the World Wide Web.
That Dropped Call with Customer Service? It Was On Purpose.
Chris Colin’s Atlantic article exploring the deliberate frustration tactics in corporate customer service systems.
Chris Colin’s Atlantic article exploring the deliberate frustration tactics in corporate customer service systems.
SomaFM Player
Online radio station specializing in electronic genres with channels like Drone Zone for focus and Groove Salad for energy.
Online radio station specializing in electronic genres with channels like Drone Zone for focus and Groove Salad for energy.
Tubi's "For the Cinephiles" Collection
Fox’s FAST streaming service offers an impressive collection of art house cinema, including classics like The Night of the Hunter and Pather Panchali, with less intrusive ads and easy access.
Fox’s FAST streaming service offers an impressive collection of art house cinema, including classics like The Night of the Hunter and Pather Panchali, with less intrusive ads and easy access.
Arc Browser
An innovative browser that rethinks web interface design with side tabs, spaces for different browsing types, and unique features, though development has stopped (security updates continue).
An innovative browser that rethinks web interface design with side tabs, spaces for different browsing types, and unique features, though development has stopped (security updates continue).
Zen Browser
A free browser similar to Arc but still in active development, offering innovative web browsing features and interface improvements for those looking for growth potential.
A free browser similar to Arc but still in active development, offering innovative web browsing features and interface improvements for those looking for growth potential.
Little Dig Game
A short, humorous clicker/incremental game that offers a great introduction to the genre with hours of gameplay and a satisfying payoff at the end.
A short, humorous clicker/incremental game that offers a great introduction to the genre with hours of gameplay and a satisfying payoff at the end.
Neal Stephenson's Remarks on AI
The Snow Crash author provides fresh, insightful perspective on AI’s impact on society, offering thought-provoking analysis for anyone interested in technology’s societal effects.
The Snow Crash author provides fresh, insightful perspective on AI’s impact on society, offering thought-provoking analysis for anyone interested in technology’s societal effects.
Bitwarden
A free, open-source password manager that creates and manages unique passwords for all accounts, requiring only one master password to secure everything across devices.
A free, open-source password manager that creates and manages unique passwords for all accounts, requiring only one master password to secure everything across devices.
LLM Energy Use Cheatsheet
Andy Masley provides perspective on AI energy consumption with helpful charts and context about ethical AI use.
Andy Masley provides perspective on AI energy consumption with helpful charts and context about ethical AI use.
An Ars Technica History of the Internet
First part of Jeremy Reimer’s detailed series on internet infrastructure history, packed with rare photos and artifacts.
First part of Jeremy Reimer’s detailed series on internet infrastructure history, packed with rare photos and artifacts.
Kagi Internet Search
A paid search engine ($5/month) that prioritizes users over ads and tracking with no history storage or paid placement.
A paid search engine ($5/month) that prioritizes users over ads and tracking with no history storage or paid placement.
Mint Mobile
Budget-friendly cell service with transparent pricing and T-Mobile network coverage, recommended by Hank Green.
Budget-friendly cell service with transparent pricing and T-Mobile network coverage, recommended by Hank Green.
James Brown and The Famous Flames on the TAMI Show
An electrifying 1964 James Brown performance that Prince reportedly played on loop and left The Rolling Stones mortified to follow.
An electrifying 1964 James Brown performance that Prince reportedly played on loop and left The Rolling Stones mortified to follow.
Dawnfolk
A beautiful cozy city-building game where you place tiles, explore, and restore the land without complex strategy or data tracking.
A beautiful cozy city-building game where you place tiles, explore, and restore the land without complex strategy or data tracking.
Let's Get Creative
A curated collection of free, kid-safe online creativity tools covering art, music, and coding resources.
A curated collection of free, kid-safe online creativity tools covering art, music, and coding resources.
Andrej Karpathy's LLM Deep Dive
A comprehensive 3.5-hour video explaining how Large Language Models work, essential for understanding this revolutionary technology.
A comprehensive 3.5-hour video explaining how Large Language Models work, essential for understanding this revolutionary technology.
The Glassmaker
Tracy Chevalier’s novel immersing readers in Venetian glassmaking, strong women, and sweeping family drama.
Tracy Chevalier’s novel immersing readers in Venetian glassmaking, strong women, and sweeping family drama.
Cozy Comfort
A Reuters article about relaxing video games that doubles as an interactive cozy game itself, featuring recommendations like Stardew Valley.
A Reuters article about relaxing video games that doubles as an interactive cozy game itself, featuring recommendations like Stardew Valley.
I Spent 30 Days in a Dead Game
An exploration of There.com, an abandoned multiplayer VR world still maintained by a devoted core community.
An exploration of There.com, an abandoned multiplayer VR world still maintained by a devoted core community.
Dragonsweeper
A brilliant browser-based Minesweeper twist featuring dragons, monsters, health management, and treasure hunting. (h/t waxy)
A brilliant browser-based Minesweeper twist featuring dragons, monsters, health management, and treasure hunting. (h/t waxy)
Stax: Soulsville USA
A four-part HBO documentary capturing the raw energy and cultural complexity of Memphis’s legendary Stax Records.
A four-part HBO documentary capturing the raw energy and cultural complexity of Memphis’s legendary Stax Records.
Marconi Union 24/7
Continuous ambient music perfect for deep focus and creative work from this influential English ambient group. (h/t Kottke)
Continuous ambient music perfect for deep focus and creative work from this influential English ambient group. (h/t Kottke)
Your Professional Decline is Coming (Much) Sooner Thank You Think
Arthur C. Brooks explores how to transition from achievement-focused work to teaching and deeper purpose as professional peaks hit earlier than expected.
Arthur C. Brooks explores how to transition from achievement-focused work to teaching and deeper purpose as professional peaks hit earlier than expected.
You Exist in the Long Context
Steven Johnson’s interactive forensics game demonstrates innovative approaches to interacting with Large Language Models.
Steven Johnson’s interactive forensics game demonstrates innovative approaches to interacting with Large Language Models.
YTCH
YouTube videos shown in subject-based channels, you get dumped in the middle like old-school cable TV. It’s nice to surf from time to time.
YouTube videos shown in subject-based channels, you get dumped in the middle like old-school cable TV. It’s nice to surf from time to time.
Maker Skill Trees
Printable gamified learning pages with progress tiles, covering subjects from basic shapes to 30-page comics.
Printable gamified learning pages with progress tiles, covering subjects from basic shapes to 30-page comics.