39 / Stay curious in the age of Algorithm
Hello my friend! š
Yesterday was Chinaās Lantern Festival, and my family and I went to the south of Auckland to visit the lantern festival, which had been paused for several years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The atmosphere was fantastic, with various lanterns and performances, and even some very traditional Chinese cultural activities, like writing spring couplets and guessing lantern riddles. There were many people from different ethnic backgrounds, including Indians, MÄori, and Caucasians. Quite a few were dressed in traditional Chinese attire, Tang suits, and cheongsams. I even saw two MÄori friends wearing glowing headgear, looking magical in the night. I couldnāt resist asking where they bought it and felt compelled to tell them itās the headgear of the most famous character in Chinese folklore, Sun Wukong, the mighty monkey king.
Living abroad, I initially focused on learning the culture of my host country but also felt my Chinese culture was profound and worth sharing. However, thinking about it now, I realize I know very little about the cultures of other countries, like my colleagues from the Philippines and South America.
In this age of algorithms, itās easy to get stuck in our information bubbles. Reminding myself to stay curious about different peopleās ways of life, respecting and being interested in them, can never be a bad thing.
Oh, and in the end, we found a stall selling the Sun Wukong crowns and bought one for my daughter š
Here are a few things Iād like to share with you today š
Reflections on āNo One Elseā: A Tale of Ordinary Life
Graphic novel: āMooncopā
Thoughts on Dream
Focus on Craft
Transform Videos into Blogs with ChatGPT
Reflections on āNo One Elseā: A Tale of Ordinary Life
Finished reading āNo One Else,ā a graphic novel by a New York Times column illustrator who hails from Hawaii. The story, set in Hawaii, revolves around a single mother caring for her aging father while working in nursing. Her life is a constant struggle. After her fatherās unexpected death, she quits her job, her family life falls into disarray, and she closes herself off under the guise of āpreparing to study.ā Meanwhile, her brother, a free-spirited musician, returns home, and the family continues their
life together, navigating through their everyday challenges.
The book is filled with subtle emotions, all conveyed through visual storytelling, which is incredibly engaging. The characters' expressions and demeanor, though briefly sketched, are remarkably expressive.
The story itself is a classic portrayal of the lives of ordinary people. There are no dramatic changes or heroic journeys, but it beautifully reflects the reality of life. At the end, where a lost cat eventually finds its way home, bringing a litter of kittens, symbolizes lifeās changes ā those seemingly random yet profoundly meaningful moments.
This book taught me a lot. It reminded me that life isnāt always about big changes or dramatic twists. Itās often about those small, significant moments that, while they may seem inconsequential, are actually filled with deep and genuine emotion. The story of this single mother, her struggles, and her familyās dynamics is a poignant reminder of the quiet yet powerful stories that unfold in the lives of ordinary people around us every day.
Graphic novel: āMooncopā
āMooncopā is a graphic novel set in a lunar colony, but it resonates more like the story of a declining American town bypassed by a new highway. The lunar colonization plan fails, and the inhabitants gradually return to Earth. The story centers around a policeman who maintains a 100% crime rate in this nearly deserted place. His regular food vending machine is replaced by a coffee shop, leaving him and the waitress as the only remaining inhabitants of the dilapidated colony.
This book is a delicate exploration of human nature and emotional expression. I particularly like this theme and the authorās unique style of illustration. Itās a story that captures the essence of loneliness and change, set against an otherworldly backdrop.
Thoughts on Dream
The brain is fascinating: dreaming about browsing in a jacket store, seeing a plethora of items, but upon closer inspection, finding all the jackets sold out, probably due to a lack of recent shopping experiences. The brain, much like AI, crafts a narrative to gloss over uncertainties.
Focus on Craft
At the start of each year, I usually set some goals to guide me through. For 2024, Iāve added a new one: Craft. Looking back at 2023, I realized that despite all the side projects, ideas shared, and opportunities explored, my career is still fundamentally grounded in being a designer. Thatās the core of my personal and societal value. With the impact of AI and everything happening globally, I believe focusing on the basics is always a smart move. By Craft, I mean those designer essentials like ideation, creation, communication, presentation, and teamwork. So this year, I plan to devote more time and energy to honing these skills. What about you? Whatās your theme for 2024?
Transform Videos into Blogs with ChatGPT, Step By Step!
Unlock the potential of your video and podcast content! In this quick guide, I demonstrate how to transform multimedia into engaging blog articles. Learn to make your content more shareable, improve clarity of thought, and enhance speaking skills with effective repurposing techniques.
Have a great one and see you soon!
**Bear Academy Newsletter@2023**
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š»Ā Bear Who?
Hi there š, Iām Bear, a seasoned Product Designer with 15 years of overall design experience and six years in product design, transforming the user experiences for millions š
As an Apple Award-Winning Podcast Host at BearTalk and a Design Mentor at Springboard and CareerFoundry, I apply my self-taught design skills and science background to solve complicated problems and mentor budding designers š
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