Every Wednesday I share five things I've liked and think you might like too. Here are this week’s Five Things…

1. I have a new hobby... Watching art restoration videos on Youtube! Don't knock it before you've watched a few of them. These videos of Julian Baumgartner are a good place to start. The care and skill he puts into his work is incredible. I could watch him work for hours!

2. I finished reading Hans Rosling's book Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About The World. I'll be adding my recommendation that you read it to that of Bill Gates and Barack Obama. It's a really great book that'll change how you see the world.

3. Last night I watched Living On One Dollar, a documentary on life below the poverty line in rural Guatemala. I found it moving and humbling. The world is getting better (as Hans Rosling demonstrates in Factfulness) but there is a long way to go. It's crazy that we live in a world where there are people living in mansions whilst others are living in shacks, struggling to survive. The documentary is currently on Netflix (but might not be for much longer).

4. We all have those things that we want to do but never get around to or start and quickly lose steam — be it running, learning a language, going to the gym... Things that are difficult and take sustained effort. Daniel Gross' advice is to fall in love with that thing you what to do. It's worth a read.

5. Ólafur Arnalds has a new album!

That's all for this week. If you enjoyed it, subscribe and you'll get the next one delivered to your inbox.

Every Wednesday I share five things I've liked and think you might like too. Here are this week’s Five Things…

1. How the psychology of the England team can be used to improve your day to day life. Lots of useful advice on how to deal with pressure.

2. An interesting piece on Ólafur Arnalds, Max Richter and the rise of contemporary instrumental music. (If you hit a paywall, use this link. The top search result should grant you access)

3. Ever wondered how many people have ever lived on Earth? I have. Here's your answer!

4. Food for thought from Oliver Burkeman: Hate where you live? So does everyone else

5. I can't sit still whilst listening to this song. 🎶 Future Islands - Seasons (Waiting On You)

That's all for this week. If you enjoyed it, subscribe and you'll get the next one delivered to your inbox.

ps. There won't be a Five Things next week. Usual service will resume the following week.

Number of tracks played by album

Number of tracks played by artist

In June I listened to music from 327 albums by 263 different artists.

Radiohead topped the artist chart again with Olafur Arnalds in a not too distant second place. I was quite surprised that he didn't crack the top ten in either of the last two months as he's one of my go-to artists whatever my mood!

Other notable entries were Max Richter, his album Sleep is a masterpiece (and also 8 hours 24 mins long) and Under The Influence Of Giants who I hadn't listened to in a long while.

If you are so inclined, follow me on last.fm or Spotify, and if you have any album recommendations please send them my way. Happy listening! 👋

Every Wednesday I share five things I've liked and think you might like too. Here are this week’s Five Things…

1. Great episode of the After-On podcast with the endlessly fascinating Stewart Brand.

2. Derek Sivers on unlearning. I love the John Cage quote at the end of the piece: “I can’t understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I’m frightened of the old ones.”

3. When a podcast has the title ”Where are the aliens? Three new resolutions to the Fermi Paradox. And how we could easily colonise the whole universe” you know it’s going to be an interesting conversation!

4. The musical sophistication of… Ringtones?

5. A new single from Ólafur Arnalds. Looking forward to the release of his new album later this year.

That's all for this week. If you enjoyed it, subscribe and you'll get the next one delivered to your inbox.

Cromer

Every Wednesday I share five things I liked and think you might like too. Here are this week’s Five Things…

1. A great comic by The Oatmeal on changing your mind and the "backfire effect". 
    
2. Today is a great day to learn something new, so why not check out Khan Academy. There are short, well explained video lessons on pretty much everything.... and it's completely free!
    
3. Prepare to be amazed... The Mysterious Glass. 
    
4. An interesting series of videos on how Japanese Samurai swords are made. The craftsmanship and time that goes into making each sword is mind-blowing. 
    
5. This week's musical recommendation is Ólafur Arnalds' Living Room Songs. The link goes to the film that accompanied the album, which includes behind the scenes footage about the project (as well as the music). The album was recorded over one week, with each song being recorded, filmed and edited in one day, and then released online the following morning. An amazing project and great music.

That's all for this week. If you enjoyed it, subscribe and you'll get the next Five Things delivered straight to your inbox. You can check out previous Five Things posts here.