Happy New Year, 2024 is here!
What I consumed the past 2 months to finish 2023
✨ Highlights of last month
I played for the 2nd time at the Warehouse in Nantes, inviting 5 DJs, a VJ artist, a dancer, and a photographer and installing a phosphorescent jungle. It was a blast and we are coming back in February with APEX!
I also played 2 other parties in Rennes, which were awesome. My set at the Morex Custom House was where I played one of my best sets of the year.
We announced 2 new resident DJs and have been preparing some big things for 2024.
I went to Paris to see a friend for a few days, which was very nice.
I spent some calm weekends outside of partying and it was so relaxing.
I spent some quality time with my family, which was much needed and will be a priority in 2024.
I continued preparing for my half-marathon in 2024.
I spent Christmas with my family and New Year with close friends.
And I read a lot!
📚 What I liked consuming last month
Let’s dive now into what I consumed last month and especially liked
Articles
Annual recalibration: 2023 edition by
The end of the year means an Annual Review for many people, including myself. I used this Annual Recalibration by
this year and it has been super useful for me. You should check it out if you need guidance at this period of the year.On Being Ready by
“It’s this idea that one day, you will receive a magical stamp of approval, delivered directly to you by some mysterious external force, telling you that you are now Ready For The Thing. Interestingly though, this has never happened to me or anyone else I know. So, what exactly are we all waiting for?”
“Everything changed for me when I realized that I could take the anxious, scared 11 year old version of myself up on the stage with me. I could take his hand, listen to his fears, and say:
yeah, there’s a lot of people out there. yeah, it might be a bit scary to perform in front of them. yeah, we might mess up. but it’s all good. we’ll be okay. it’ll be fun actually! want to come out there and join me?
Everything changed when I realized I could bring him up there and sing with him at my side.” - John Mayer
How Lego builds a new Lego set by Sean Hollister
I have been more a Playmobil guy than a Lego guy but I have always been impressed what the creativity of Lego. Discovering the process of creating a new Lego set was super interesting to learn, especially for an iconic Polaroid camera.
The Race to Catch the Last Nazis
After looking for the Nazis for decades after the war, the work of these Nazi hunters has changed nowadays. GQ goes behind the scenes to understand what they are doing today to find the last monsters.
The Cost of Progress by Jack Raines
Jack Raines talks about what progress means for our generation, and how it impacts tremendously the way we live in this era.
“No one is really single thanks to Hinge, Instagram, and the advent of the iPhone. Not getting enough attention? Text one of your 57 Hinge matches. Catching feelings for someone? That’s dangerous! Tell them you’re busy for the next few weeks and go out with someone else. Dilute your attention until your feelings dissipate. Did your date go well? Maybe, but what if someone who is marginally taller, hotter, wealthier, or more charismatic is just a swipe away? You should probably self-sabotage this connection and keep looking.
Vulnerability is a death sentence when everyone is two messages away from being replaced, …”
“Those of us alive right now are the first to truly be the protagonists of our own lives, and we weren’t equipped to deal with this level of agency.”
Absence Does Make the Heart Grow Fonder by Nedra Glover Tawwab
We need breaks from the people and things that we love, and that’s not a bad thing. This applies to partners, parents, children, friends, and even favorite foods. Taking breaks allows us to:
Approach things, people, and situations with a fresh and renewed perspective.
Rejuvenate. Sometimes we need time away to replenish ourselves.
Have a deeper appreciation and adoration for what we’re missing.
Remember to savor our time and experiences and not waste the opportunities available to us.
The ghostly radio station that no one claims to run by the BBC
Why this radio station has been streaming a weird noise for decades?
TikTok has transformed the concert experience by Vox
"So much of the concert experience for both Styles and Taylor Swift was about experiencing the stadium/arena full of shared joy and delight and love," she said, "love for the music and the artist, and love for what they represent."
Why Universities Should Be More Like Monasteries by the New York Times
Students are choosing a different kind of course and getting a C is not easy with this one!
“The point of college is to help students become independent humans who can choose the gods they serve and the rules they follow rather than allow someone else to choose for them. The first step is dethroning the small silicon idol in their pocket — and making space for the uncomfortable silence and questions that follow.”
A simple guide to 15-minute cities by Dezeen
An explanation of what is a 15-minute city and why some people want to build them. An interesting concept which I agree with!
Americans Aren't Poor, They're "Pre-Rich" by
“While most of the world is skeptical that they can improve their fortunes, Americans both overestimate their odds of climbing from the bottom 20% to the top 20% and underestimate their odds of failing to escape the bottom.”
Inspiration from a child, experience the world like a kid by Willem
One of the most influential professors at the University during my Master education always challenged the students in the room: "BUT-, IS IT FUN?!" With all his wisdom he saw the need to remind young and bright minds on fun. When was the last time you had real fun? No, not just "nice" or "fancy", but real unbridled "FUN"? It strikes me that daily routines following your work and responsibilities have a tendency to induce dullness - taking the fun away.”
How John Steinbeck tricked his kids into reading great books
A simple trick that made his kids read great books in no time, without forcing them at all.
Escape the Algorithm by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
How can you improve your content diet to favor quality content?
“When we’re perpetually overloaded, our brains never get a chance to make the unexpected connections that spark original ideas. When we mindlessly consume whatever the algorithm is feeding us, we don’t provide our minds with the creative fuel it needs to generate interesting ideas.”
You’re not lacking creativity, you’re overwhelmed by Jorge Medina
Again a useful article on the topic of content curation and how you can stop trying to consume everything.
“Attention is the most valuable currency. And we are paying the price.”
Artists vs Content Creators by Scott Britton
“What you create and focus on can begin to orient towards what you know will get a response in your niche, rather than your innate interests that are constantly evolving.”
“You somehow found yourself running on a treadmill that you no longer want to be on.”
“Artists create things based on what they want to see in the world and/or for the joy they experience during the creation process.”
“Like most things, there is a continuum from content creator to artist. You may love the thrill of being a content creator, but you will not go full artist and begin creating things that do not match your niche.”
8 Reasons Why WhatsApp Was Able to Support 50 Billion Messages a Day With Only 32 Engineers
Make the Commitment You’re Afraid to Make by
52 things I learned in 2023 by Tom Whitwell
Here is a selection of my favorites:
The US Defence Department earns $100m/year operating slot machines used by soldiers on their bases. [Gabby Means]
Psychedelic cryptography is a way of concealing messages (normally in videos) so that only people who’ve taken LSD can receive the messages. [Andrés Gómez-Emilsson]
Some corrupt Mexican police are now using card terminals to make collecting bribes at traffic stops more convenient. [Daniela Dib]
The UK government recently changed the law to ban company names containing computer code, after Michael Tandy of Hatfield registered a company called “; DROP TABLE “COMPANIES”; — LTD,” which could theoretically erase the companies house database. [Alison Thewliss MP]
Fake belly buttons are temporary tattoo-style stickers. Placed a few inches above your navel, they give the illusion of longer legs. One Chinese reviewer described them as “the most successful invention of 2023.” [Yating Yang]
Only 28 books sold more than 500,000 copies in the US in 2022. Eight of them were by romance novelist Colleen Hoover. [Jason Colvato]
The average US fridge uses 3–5 times more electricity than an entire human being consumes in Nigeria. [Daisy Dunne & Simon Evans]
40% of people shown a photoshopped image of themselves riding in a viking ship as a child claimed to remember the (fictional) incident. This replicates a similar experiment from 2002 involving a fictional balloon ride. [Miriam S. Johnson & co]
Ukrainian defenders print out giant 1:1 life-size aerial photographs of damaged airfields. Once the site is repaired, they hang the images over the sites so they look damaged and not worth attacking again. [Mykhaylo Zabrodskyi & co]
In 1992 there was a bank robbery every 45 minutes in Los Angeles. [Peter Houlahan]
I’m 23 Years Old. And I’ve Bought a Farm. by Max Meyer
“I never understood the point of blowing money on stupid purchases. My twin brother’s death last year changed that.”
Books
Lisa Gardner
I have liked Lisa Gardner’s books in the past months and the way she writes her stories. After reading first The Neighbor, I then read Touch & Go and am currently finishing Love You More.
The characters are interesting and complex, there are captivating plots in every book, and it’s well-written. If you like thriller books, go ahead and start reading!
Temples of books, Magnificent Libraries Around the World
I got this book for Christmas and have been in awe of the beautiful libraries around the world, and I hope to visit some of them in the future as a book lover.
Videos
nothing, except everything.
A beautiful short life-movie that is super well-made and tells a lot in a short time. I am looking forward to seeing what the creator will make next.
I am a bit biased since Derrière La Bulle is a media run by Crisp, the company I work for. My teammate Léo has been making some super-quality videos on this channel and this interview with Angélique Gérard, who worked at Illiad/Free is one of them. You should subscribe and check the other videos made on the channel.
Why People Think The Government Killed JFK
The Hunt for America’s Deadliest Hitman
Joaquin Phoenix is F***ing With You
J’ai mis mon ordinateur sur écoute
I have been following Léo Duff’s work for years but in 2023 he has been making one great video after another and this one is one of them.
You should also check out this one about the invisible danger of our smartphones.
C’était (et c’est toujours) la meilleure Boiler Room
Kaytranada’s Boiler Room is one of the most famous Boiler Rooms and this creator dissects the entire video and even more!
La Véritable Histoire de Baby Shark
Baby Shark, doo-doo, doo-doo, doo-doo …
I took a solo trip to spend more time alone
Traveling to the Strangest Country on Earth
Yes Theory visited Turkmenistan, a country not many people know about, and even less think of visiting. Again a beautiful human story of strangers becoming friends.
Je suis allé en prison (vraiment)
E-ink was the next big thing. Is it finally ready?
An interesting deep dive into e-ink. As a happy Kindle Paperwhite user for probably 6 years, I was super interested in the topic. For example, the Remarkable 2 would be something I could be interested in if I had a job where I had to read and write a lot.
L’histoire du plus grand mystère d’Internet
What is Cicada_3301, and why this set of puzzles had such a big impact on the Internet back in 2012/2014?
GTA: L’histoire de Rockstar
The Controversial Machine That’s Ruining Bowling
Why cheating is allowed on game shows
An Honest Conversation with Emma Chamberlain
Super insightful interview of Emma Chamberlain. I especially liked the fact that she takes her time before answering, to gather her ideas, even if it means several seconds of silence.
Germany Has Solved the Empty Skyscraper Problem
A Tool Chest for Van Neistat
I discovered this guy learning woodwork and love the energy and time he gives to his projects. I also liked the video he did where he made several objects for his wife.
Movies
The Boy and the Heron
First time I saw a Ghibli movie in a theater and it was a beautiful movie! I highly recommend it! A great story, with endearing characters in, as usual, a gorgeous world. I just had trouble with some French voices so the VO or English version might be a bit better.
Intérieur Sport - Par monts et par maux
A cool documentary following Mathieu Blanchard, an ex-engineer turned ultrarunner, as he prepares and runs the UTMB, Ultra Trail of the Mont Blanc. An inspiring documentary to watch to start 2024!
The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas
The child of a Nazi officer becomes friends with a Jew in a concentration camp during the WWII. A sad but necessary movie to remember this horrible period of our History that we should never forget.
Voleuses
Music
Barry Can’t Swim | Boiler Room x FLY Open Air 2023
I discovered Barry Can’t Swim and have loved his sets, especially his Boiler room and energy.
Mark Hoffen at Cabaret Aléatoire
FFRR - Aaron Hibell
This guy is such a talented producer! I love his dreamy music style and the way he puts his soul into his work. I highly recommend that you listen to him.
Capink from Bonsoir Techno @ Cord Room
Cord Room is such a cool concept. The man behind this project is hosting DJ sets in his apartment 2 times a month, inviting Rennes DJs to perform in his flat. This time it’s the first house set of the concept, from Capink, a DJ from DJ collective Bonsoir Techno, that I will have the chance to play with later this month!
Phum Viphurit - Welcome Change
Music and a dog, that is simple 🐶
Patch Notes: Hélène Vogelsinger
Quotes
167M videos are watched on Tiktok
1.7M posts are shared on Facebook
5.9M things are searched on Google
65k photos are shared on Instagram
3.7M videos are watched on Youtube
2.4M messages are sent on Snapchat
Author William Martin on the wonders of ordinary life:
"Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is the way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself."Source: The Parent's Tao Te Ching
Jesuit priest Anthony de Mello:
"You must cultivate activities that you love. You must discover work that you do, not for its utility, but for itself, whether it succeeds or not, whether you are praised for it or not, whether you are loved and rewarded for it or not, whether people know about it and are grateful to you for it or not. How many activities can you count in your life that you engage in simply because they delight you and grip your soul? Find them out, cultivate them, for they are your passport to freedom and to love."
Source: The Way to Love
“Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you. Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. Have a Negroni. Have two. Be open to a world where you may not understand or agree with the person next to you, but have a drink with them anyway. Eat slowly. Tip your server. Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself. Enjoy the ride.”
Anthony Bourdain (I didn’t find proof of the quote being from him)
👀 What I’m up to this month
I have realized that I tried to do too much in 2023. I am trying to reduce what I will do in 2024, to be less tired and more present and focus on what is important to me.
I am currently planning my 2024 goals for the new year using the Annual Recalibration shared earlier.
We are currently doing a month-long break from DJing and I am starting again at the end of January with 2 gigs in Rennes and Le Mans.
I am enjoying a slower time to start this year with close ones.
And that’s it for this December 2023 and last issue of Full-Time Curious in 2023 😁 If you enjoyed reading this monthly issue, you can like this newsletter by clicking the ❤️ below, subscribe or respond to this email so we can chat.
Thanks for reading and see you next year!
Alexandre
Full-Time Curious
Happy 2024, Alexandre! LOVE the curated list of essays and piece – appreciate the shout out :) rooting for you as simplify going into the year & focus on the essential!