{"id":514,"date":"2018-02-20T22:25:45","date_gmt":"2018-02-21T02:25:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/?p=514"},"modified":"2018-02-22T04:19:47","modified_gmt":"2018-02-22T08:19:47","slug":"newsletter-24","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/newsletter-24\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter #24"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"oceanAn\u00a0ocean-inspired issue of Align Center, with outstanding\u00a0writing on the\u00a0price of convenience, the last motivational post you’ll ever need, and remembering the founder of the\u00a0first\u00a0B-Corp. Listen in on a new podcast from Ocean Wise, and discover the grand plans behind a coworking behemoth. Then we have a\u00a0classic dystopian sci-fi recommendation, and\u00a0four things I’m digging lately (two\u00a0ocean-themed).<\/p>\n

\u25e6 selected words<\/h1>\n

The Tyranny of Convenience<\/a><\/h2>\n

With the myriad of food delivery services, ride hailing apps, and everything on demand, corporations are shaping our wants and creating needs that weren’t there. Technology saves us from manual labor for many non-noble activities, like washing our clothes, but when is convenience too much? We already have hard boiled eggs and pre-sliced apples neatly wrapped in plastic packages, can you imagine a future of Amazon Go automated checkout stores on every corner and everything delivered to your door by drones? We’ll spend less time doing things slowly, but then we’d have more time for hobbies. Sounds great? But aren’t hobbies just activities we choose to do slowly? There is a price for a world built for convenience, it’s our piece of mind, and what the article doesn’t mention, the Earth.
\nThe New York Times (11min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

You’re Not Lazy – The Last Motivational Post You’ll Ever Need<\/a><\/h2>\n

We don’t need any more life hacks, advice on finding your passion, or clickbait headlines listing the 10 ways to be more healthy \/ happy \/ productive \/ present. And if that’s not enough, this constant barrage of self-help messages are accompanied by mindfulness exercises and self-affirmations reminding us that “You are enough. You are beautiful. You are perfect the way you are.” It’s all so simple, yet it’s all so confusing. But deep down, many of us know the “how”, and even the “what”. So, what’s holding you back? It’s not laziness, it’s that other four-letter word. This so needed to be said.
\nMedium (8min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

How One Man’s Love Continues to Ripple<\/a><\/h2>\n

There are more than 2,300 B Corps in over 50 countries, but the very first was a travel company called Untours, founded by Hal Taussig. For the past 25 years, Hal donated all of Untours’ profits to a foundation to invest in businesses that serve the poor all over the world. From farmers in Brazil, to artisans in Vietnam and a laundry company in Philadelphia, this seed money changed lives. A loving look back at an inspiring man, two years after he left our world.
\nB the Change (4min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

SpaceX Launches Again, Tomorrow<\/a><\/h2>\n

After a mostly successful launch of the reusable Falcon Heavy, SpaceX keeps on rolling roll with a launch at 6:21am tomorrow morning. In addition to a commercial payload, SpaceX will be testing two of its own internet satellites, the first big test in creating a constellation of broadband satellites to provide high-speed Internet around the globe.
\nEngadget (1min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 listen in<\/h1>\n

My Ocean by Ocean Wise<\/a><\/h2>\n

Ocean Wise, the Vancouver Aquarium’s sustainable seafood program, has over 300 participating restaurants in Canada, and now they’ve branched out to media. Their new podcast, My Ocean, brings listeners together with change makers who are dedicated to protecting our oceans. The first episode on blue mind vs red mind advocates for time in the ocean for mental health. The second interviews a Brazilian actress whose underwater photos went viral as she donned nothing but a dress (no breathing apparatus) while circled by sharks. I’m looking forward to who they bring on next.
\nMy Ocean Podcast by Ocean Wise (~30min podcasts)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 eat well<\/h1>\n

Spread’em Kitchen Co’s Vegan Cream Cheese<\/a><\/h2>\n

This Vancouver-based, vegan, soy-free, gluten-free, non-GMO fermented cultured cashew cream-cheese styled spread is quite a mouthful (pun alert). Try the Jalapeno Lemon and you won’t be going back. This isn’t a sponsored post, but if you’re reading, Spread’em, I’d love some samples. \ud83d\ude42
\nSpreademKitchen.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 read slow<\/h1>\n

The WeWork Manifesto: First, Office Space. Next, the World.<\/a><\/h2>\n

You can’t ignore this $20 billion New York start-up. It’s all over the news, but I was surprised to learn it’s not just a company subleasing office space to the laptop armies \u2014\u00a0they have a vision that’s grand in scope and idealism. They’ve recently purchased a popular coding academy, and their for-profit elementary school is set to open in September. Critics argue if they have their way, tenants will be working everywhere in their glorified dorms for adults, sipping on microbrews while managing social media accounts. In downtown Vancouver, Amazon has already snatched up 80% of WeWork’s new 80,000 square foot co-working space. Despite hot desks and dedicated desks going for $450CAD and $600CAD per month respectively, people are buying as they’re almost sold out.
\nThe New York Times (20min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 current read<\/h1>\n

Brave New World<\/a><\/h2>\n

My first memory of Aldous Huxley’s classic was in highschool as yet another book my English teacher forced us to read. I wasn’t a reader back then, but I’m so glad this made it on my reading list as I went through the classics a decade ago. Published in 1932, it’s as relevant today as Orwell’s 1984. You can be tthe creators of Black Mirror were inspired by this one.
\nBrave New World by Aldous Huxley (268p book)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 dig this<\/h1>\n

What I’m digging lately:<\/p>\n