{"id":531,"date":"2018-03-08T00:50:09","date_gmt":"2018-03-08T04:50:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/?p=531"},"modified":"2018-03-08T00:55:11","modified_gmt":"2018-03-08T04:55:11","slug":"newsletter-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aligncenter.org\/newsletter-25\/","title":{"rendered":"Align Center Newsletter #25"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"time\"In this edition we’re featuring writings on the indirect consequences of cryptocurrency, an immigrant’s take on expressions of affection, and a long read about a food scientist manipulating data for fame. We’re also sharing a new podcast from a popular TED speaker, a vegan recipe, the latest digs, and a short story on intention.<\/p>\n

\u25e6 selected words<\/h1>\n

Is Bitcoin a Waste of Electricity, or Something Worse?<\/a><\/h2>\n

It’d be hard to gather statistics to prove it, but the author’s suggestion that digital activities, especially crypto mining, is diverting labor, time, energy, and capital from more productive activities needs more attention. I’d take it a step further and add that much of the effort put into certain types of social media, gaming, and affiliate marketing as reasons why America and other countries are falling behind. As the author points out, at least with mining gold, you still have the gold to make things with. With bitcoin miners, you use up power which you can never get back, and also increases the price of electricity for other industries.
\nThe New York Times (7min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

The Perpetual Foreigners<\/a><\/h2>\n

“Immigrants: They get the job done”. That was the tweet by a New York Times writer and editor on the performance of U.S. figure skater Mirai Nagasu after she became the first American woman to land a triple axel at the Olympics. What ensued was a multi-sided Twitter explosion on race and identity that led to a conversation on how Asian-Americans are perpetually seen as immigrants, no matter how many generations have passed. Having not seen Hamilton, I didn’t get the reference at first either.
\nGQ (10min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Distinction Bias: Why You Make Terrible Life Choices<\/a><\/h2>\n

An illustrated look on the gap between expectations and reality, how it hurts us when we have to make decisions (especially those involving money and our own happiness), and three tips on how to better prepare yourself to outsmart your brain.
\nNir and Far (5min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

Say It with Noodles: On Learning to Speak the Language of Food<\/a><\/h2>\n

Like many local borns, I can relate to the lack of outward affection from my Chinese parents and grandparents. Just as in this beautifully illustrated story, as I got older I began to discover the different and subtle ways love is shown without words, and also how I’ve been repeating these patterns.
\nCatapult (5min illustrated read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 listen in<\/h1>\n

Dear Billionaire, I Give You a D-Minus<\/a><\/h2>\n

Harvard’s youngest tenured professor at the age of 28 and author of three best-selling books, the last co-written with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, organizational psychologist Adam Grant has launched a smart new podcast. The first episode features, Ray Dalio, the businessman and author of “Principles”, an oft recommended book on professional development. In it, you’ll learn how to cultivate criticism to create a culture of radical transparency, so you can better dish it out and take it, in business and life.
\nWorkLife podcast with Adam Grant by TEDTalks (34min podcast)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 eat well<\/h1>\n

Vegan Mushroom Risotto<\/a><\/h2>\n

Risotto is one of those dishes I love to eat, but don’t often make. Maybe it’s the constant stirring or the need to run out and get Arborio rice and cheese. I was skeptical about a vegan version of this dish, but the secret is in the nutritional yeast to get that umami flavor. It’s also gluten-free!
\nCeara’s Kitchen<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 read slow<\/h1>\n

How a Food Scientist Turned Shoddy Data into Fame<\/a><\/h2>\n

It’s said you can massage data enough to tell any story you want. But this isn’t supposed to happen in modern science, and especially not from an Ivy League school. A startling investigation on how the head of Cornell University’s prestigious food psychology research used deceptive methods including “p-hacking” in published research to gain fame and funding.
\nBuzz Feed (21min read)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 current read<\/h1>\n

Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451<\/a><\/h2>\n

Published in 1953 and sure to make it back to the bestsellers lists this Spring is HBO Films’ coming adaptation of the classic dystopian novel about a society that burns books to suppresses ideas and limit thought. If HBO is on it, that should be money in the bank, but it’s also starring Michael B. Jordan, fresh off of Black Panther success (playing the non-stereotypical villain), and who happened to have started his acting career on three of my favorite shows of all-time: The Sopranos, The Wire, and Friday Night Lights. In a world constantly at war, citizens are occupied with their TV sets and firemen start fires instead of putting them out, there are freakish parallels to our present world. Official teaser trailer on YouTube<\/a>.
\nFahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (174p book)<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

\u25e6 dig this<\/h1>\n

What I’m digging lately:<\/p>\n