{"id":399,"date":"2017-09-12T15:59:28","date_gmt":"2017-09-12T19:59:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/?p=399"},"modified":"2017-09-12T16:05:50","modified_gmt":"2017-09-12T20:05:50","slug":"newsletter-13","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/newsletter-13\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter #13"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\"eclipseAlign Center is\u00a0back after a summer break\u00a0with superb writing on finding a little less balance, a world where scientists are celebrities, and a vegetarian fast-food chain that will be on your corner soon. Continuing with the art theme, we look at an overlooked sketching profession\u00a0and highlight a new podcast interviewing inspirational artists. The long read is a breakthrough in communicating with coma patients, and in the digs\u00a0we have five of the best finds from the past month.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 selected words<\/h1>\n

What If Scientists Were Celebrities?<\/a><\/h2>\n

General Electric’s marketing team envisions an alternate universe where the people making big impacts in science and technology are celebrated and idolized. In an effort to hire 20,000 women for tech jobs by 2020, GE imagines a world where the uncelebrated are adored in four funny, human, short commercials. In an odd bit of timing, the ad featuring pioneering MIT professor and researcher Millie Dresselhaus was released just 12 days before her passing.
\nnautil.us (5min read + 4 x 1min videos)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Maybe We All Need a Little Less Balance<\/a><\/h2>\n

When do you feel at your best? The most fulfilled? For me, it’s on a strenuous multi-day hike, delivering a difficult project to a happy client, sharing a vulnerable experience with a stranger, or teaching a skill and seeing the sparkle in the eye that comes with a smile and exclamation when they “get it”. The common thread here is at these critical moments, life is not balanced \u2014 an over-used term I’m making a conscious effort to avoid when discussing the relationship between work, life and time. I suspect the author has read James Clear’s Four Burners Theory (7min read)<\/a>, as the concept is identical.
\nnytimes.com (4min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Are You Ready for America’s First Meat-Free Fast Food Chain?<\/a><\/h2>\n

Amy’s Drive Thru is the antithesis of fast-food \u2014 organic, locally-sourced, sustainable vegetarian fare. America’s first vegetarian, organic, gluten-free-optional fast-food restaurant uses recyclable tableware and its drive-thrus are solar-powered. With this, you’d expect “Whole Paycheck” pricing, but the restaurant from Northern Californian has a unique model that’s worked for 29 years, and now they’re looking to expand from its single location to become a nationwide chain.
\nfastcompany.com (5min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Taylor Swift’s Court Sketch: A Misunderstood Art<\/a><\/h2>\n

The pop star’s groping lawsuit versus a DJ created an unintended public outcry, but not for the expected reasons. Not to take anything away from the unanimous victory, but when the court sketches of Swift were released, online outrage ensued. Similarly, in 2015, after court drawings of NFL player Tom Brady sparked fan outrage, the court artist apologized and promptly sketched a redo that appeased the critics. A brief look into the day in the life of a court artist.
\nbbc.com (5min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Debunking Neuromyths – Eight Common Misconceptions About the Brain<\/a><\/h2>\n

Some people are left-brain dominant, others right-brain. Dyslexia occurs when people see letters backwards. We only use 10% of our brain. These three statements are all false. In an effort to learn how widespread neuromyths are and how they’re being perpetuated, a new study, led by The Development Neuropsychology Lab at the University of Houston and published in Frontiers in Psychology, focused on 32 common misconceptions about the brain and the efficacy of education in preventing the spread of false information.
\npsychologytoday.com (4min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 listen in<\/h1>\n

Eureka #3: Artists<\/a><\/h2>\n

The creators of the Baron Fig notebook and other minimalist gear on Kickstarter have launched Eureka, a podcast interviewing artists, discussing the growth and the inflection points that led them to pursue careers in art. Episode 3 dives into the life of artist Geoff Gouveia, who keeps a theme of hope, connection and positivity in his work. The Californian opens up about his journey from working as a barista, to commissions for Facebook and Gary Vaynerchuk. His thoughts on creating fine art alongside commercial art, dealing with criticism, and self-defining as an artist are especially poignant.
\nbaronfig.com (33min podcast)<\/a> and artist’s portfolio<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 eat well<\/h1>\n

Saucy Portobello & Butternut Squash Tacos<\/a><\/h2>\n

I had some squash to use up and was missing the flavorful veggie tacos from Bandidas Taqueria in my old stomping grounds on Commercial Drive, so this recipe from Minimalist Baker fit the bill (yes, another one of hers). I’m at the point where I have complete trust in EVERYTHING Dana cooks and writes. Protein, fiber, and spice, all under 30 minutes.
\nminimalistbaker.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 read slow<\/h1>\n

How Science Found a Way to Help Coma Patients to Communicate<\/a><\/h2>\n

Physics student Scott Routley at Waterloo drives away from his grandfather’s house in Ontario, gets hit by a police car, and his life is changed forever. For the twelve years in a vegetative state, his family was certain he was responsive and aware, but his caregivers have seen and heard this story before. Then Dr. Adrien Owen, head of the neuroscience lab at Western University, hears of the case and hooks up Scott to an fMRI scanner to watch the brain activity as they ask Scott a series of questions. A startling article written by Owen to accompany his recent book, Into the Grey Zone.
\ntheguardian.com (17min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 current read<\/h1>\n

We Are All Stardust<\/a><\/h2>\n

If the title doesn’t grab you, the conversations with an all-star line-up of scientists will. Interviews with Jane Goodall on what we can learn from animals, evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins on egoism and selfness, and the UK’s royal astronomer Martin Rees on whether we are alone in the world are just a few samples from this compilation. Physicist and journalist Stefan Klein sat down with 18 of the world’s leading scientists, diving into their lives, their work and their inspirations, while posing big questions on consciousness, God vs Nature, pain, death, human development, all in a conversational tone understandable and enjoyable to non-scientists and scientists alike.
\nWe Are All Stardust by Stefan Klein (288p book)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 dig this<\/h1>\n

What I’m digging lately:<\/p>\n