Brady Helps

Daniel Winkler, Nils Wlömert, and Jura Liaukonyte researched and published a paper on cancel culture and how it impacts musical artists. It’s not what you think.The big ideas are:Social media outrage doesn’t materially change listening habits.If it bleeds it leads — bad news often increased short-term streams.Platform actions, not boycotts, drove the real decline in an artist’s popularity. What’s more: When Spotify pulled R.Kelly from playlists, his streams tanked. However, when Morgan Wallen faced backlash (in case you’re read up) there was hardly a dent. Why? And were listeners aware?Most listeners were not aware that Spotify silently curated their experience. The digital world that is likely your world is largely a curated one. Instead of the world being a stage, perhaps the world is a curated immersive modern art exposition. Algorithms feed you what they think you want, and they narrow your experience horizons with you noticing. If you want a better experience, seek different. Listen to music you don’t enjoy, read opinions that upset you, listen to podcasts you can’t stand — embrace the discomfort that is our world. You may encounter new ideas and processes that could benefit you! Skilled session musicians play and read many styles of music. They don’t get that way by only listening to one thing. They expose themselves to many different ways of playing and ideas. Live life like a skilled session musician — it’s more fun.

My past self reminded me of an important lesson. To be more confident in you and your art: create more decisions, learn, and do it again.More here.

From James Clear’s newsletter. I like the yes/no. "The strategy required to find a great opportunity (lots of saying yes and exploring widely) is different from the strategy required to make the most of a great opportunity (lots of saying no and remaining focused)."

Pop Philosophers often quote “what stands in the way becomes the way” from Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. I think there’s a better idea from the Meditations. It’s three books later. "You have to assemble your life yourself -- action by action. And be satisfied if each one achieves its goal, as far as it can. No one can keep that from happening. But there are obstacles... but if you accept the obstacle and work with what you're given, an alternative will present itself -- another piece of what you're trying to assemble. Action by action." — Marcus Aurelius , Meditations, Book 8, verse 32.Action by action, bit by bit, part by part, step by step. Embrace your constraints, eat the elephant bite by bite.

If it makes sense, I imagine more people should try to go several days without a car. I don’t have a car for the moment and I’m finding myself taking the bus everywhere — and I love it. I’m seeing all kinds of people, I’m seeing my world from different perspectives, and I’m amazed at the connectedness of my community. I realize that having a car is a privilege, and not everyone has access to reliable transportation. Perhaps another reason to experiment a few days without a car — to cultivate perspective for how people who can’t do life. I am forced to walk more places — and the returns from walking are good for me in the long run. I am forced to be mindful about where I go, if I need to go anywhere, and what it means to be able to go.

I listened to a writer talk about his productivity habits. He writes just enough and then stops before he finishes..And I tried that practice with this post you’re reading now. I find that I have more ideas when I come back to the work the next day. Perhaps that’s why so many artists have so much unfinished work.

Or…Don’t overdo a good thing.

You might need this video this week. You’re welcome. H/T to Adam Frith (check out Adam’s YouTube!) via Rohan’s blog.

Sometimes the people in our life need to know that you’re on their side. In the will to winning culture people may assume malicious intent or threats from those challenging them. Those who assume the malicious intent may need to vigorously be reminded that you are on their side. You come in peace. You’re not here to hurt them.If the price of winning at all costs is that your neighbors turn into threats, then how do we move forward? How does our culture adapt for better?

My friend Jen asked me that question the other day. The context of the question won’t help you understand my message to you. It’s the question itself. The question invites you to reflect on the story of you — who are? how did you get here? what made you you? And given all that has happened to make you who and how you are right now, why bother doing the next thing? The question is an invitation.