Weekly Finds #42 - March 1st, 2024
Sharing some of the interesting things I've gathered over the course of the week.
📖 Read
It’s Time to Embrace Slow Productivity
The Congressional Progressive Caucus recently backed the Thirty-Two-Hour Workweek Act, proposed by California Democrat Mark Takano, seeking to amend the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 by reducing the standard workweek to thirty-two hours. While this change could benefit hourly wage workers with increased overtime pay, it also signifies a cultural shift toward embracing shorter workweeks, influenced by studies highlighting the advantages of reduced workdays. Research from Iceland indicates that a four-day workweek can lead to decreased stress and enhanced well-being for knowledge workers. However, the rise in self-reported burnout among modern office workers underscores the need for deeper solutions beyond merely reducing work hours.
The concept of Slow Work, advocated by journalist Carl Honoré, has gained traction, advocating for a more deliberate and sustainable approach to productivity. Yet, the challenge lies not only in reducing official work hours but also in managing work volume and preventing overload. The Slow Productivity movement proposes systems to manage workloads effectively, prioritizing sequential focus and limiting concurrent obligations to maintain sustainable productivity levels. While legislative efforts like the Thirty-Two-Hour Workweek Act address broader concerns about work-life balance, they may not fully alleviate the specific challenges faced by knowledge workers. The autonomy afforded to modern professionals has led to overwhelming work volumes, necessitating strategies beyond simply expanding weekends to address burnout and promote sustainable productivity.
🙉 Overheard
To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.
– Leonard Bernstein
(This quote may sound contrary to the message of the article above, but if taken the right way I think it’s a great quote. Sometimes the pressure of constraints creates great results because are forced to act on our instincts.)
🎧 Listen
A couple of items from this week’s Music Curated issue.
I mix it up here and share various music with my readers, so you’ll see something different each week. You may be into some of what I share, and you may not be into other things, and that’s okay. My goal is to share the things I enjoy and I hope to introduce my audience to something they might not have otherwise heard, and I hope some of it also resonates with you.
Song: Glamour Hammer - Stay with Me
Meet Adam Jonsson, the mastermind behind Glamour Hammer, a Swedish-based producer, songwriter, and vocalist. In his home studio, Adam effortlessly blends dance-oriented disco house with jazz-infused dream pop, crafting tunes that exude escapism and tongue-in-cheek charm while aiming for a timeless, analog vibe. Influenced by genres spanning from 1970s funk and disco to classic rock, Latin rhythms, and Afropop, Adam's music transcends boundaries, promising a vibrant sonic journey. Alongside his Glamour Hammer project, Adam is also a key member of the synthpop duo LCTRISC.
Album: Hôtel Costes 5
A beacon of Parisian elegance, the Hôtel Costes series has curated a luxurious sonic landscape since its inception in 1998. With over five million copies sold worldwide, its 15 volumes and "Best Of" compilations blend warm vocals, jazzy funk, and electronic beats, introducing listeners to both emerging talents and seasoned masters. The collection remains a timeless treasure, embraced by a new generation on Spotify and cherished by vinyl enthusiasts through exquisite Double LP reissues. With a continuous stream of curated playlists online and a 24/7 music experience at the hotel and on its website, Hôtel Costes continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Here’s the 5th volume which I listened to incessantly when it first came out and am revisiting now.
🍲 🍹 Eat & Drink
Steak Frites
Indulge in the elegance of steak frites, a French classic that's easier to make than you think. The Modern Proper’s take on this iconic dish begins with hand-cut russet potatoes, double-fried for that irresistible crispy texture. For the main event, they’ve chosen juicy ribeye steaks, pan-seared to perfection. The pièce de résistance? A dollop of their homemade garlic aioli, adds a burst of flavor to every bite. Are you ready to savor the deliciousness?
The Suffragette
The Suffragette cocktail created by Shannon Tebay of The Savoy Hotel’s American Bar in London adds Japanese plum liqueur for an elegant touch to this beautiful sipper.
🧒 Kiddos
My kids thought this was fascinating and wanted to share it with you all.
Why does a leap year have 366 days?
Leap years have 366 days to help keep our calendar in sync with the Earth's orbit around the Sun, which takes about 365 and a quarter days. Adding an extra day every four years, usually in February, helps account for the leftover time. This practice dates back to ancient Rome and Julius Caesar, who introduced the Julian calendar, which included leap years every four years.
Over time, adjustments were made to make the calendar more accurate. Pope Gregory XIII introduced the Gregorian calendar in 1582, refining the leap-year rule. Without leap years, our calendar would slowly drift out of alignment with the seasons. Other cultures have unique ways of keeping time, like the Jewish and Islamic calendars, each tailored to their unique traditions and astronomical observations. Astronomy teaches us about the order of the universe and our place within it, reminding us of the vastness of space and time.