personalFriday, June 19, 2026
Today's personal feed is about reclaiming agency. From scrubbing Google's AI spyware to finding meaning in quantum physics after a health crisis, the thread is about turning abstract systems into something you can actually grapple with. A few pieces are pure rest or escape, but even those feel like small acts of resistance.
Two pieces tackle the big systems that shape our lives, from the surveillance economy to the laws of physics.
A practical guide to reducing Google's data collection for AI training. It's less about paranoia and more about concrete steps to limit surveillance and protect original work from being used without consent.
A personal essay that uses a life-threatening tooth infection as a springboard to argue that quantum physics can be deeply personal, offering a lens for understanding chance and responsibility.
The rest of the day is smaller: a meditation, a movie review, a newsletter update, and a footballer's perspective.
A podcast offering affirmations for quiet confidence, aimed at people who feel overshadowed by louder personalities. Frames calm confidence as a superpower.
A 14-minute guided meditation for deep rest, using breath and imagery. Straightforward, no frills.
A scathing review of 'The History of Sound,' calling it boring and pretentious despite a promising cast. One of those 'saved you two hours' takes.
trade roundup
programming roundup
immigration roundup
geopolitics roundup
film industry roundup
travel roundup
