Hey friends,
Instead of the usual written format, I'm experimenting with an audio version of the newsletter this week which can be played on the webpage. I did it entirely unscripted and recorded it in one attempt. After that I did light editing in Audacity, a free audio editor, to trim out a few seconds of silence.
If you'd rather read than listen, I've got you covered. I uploaded my audio transcript to Google’s Gemini Pro 1.5 AI and it created the summary below!
1. FutureMe.org: A Blast from the Past, Delivered to Your Inbox
Ever wanted to send a message to your future self? FutureMe lets you do just that! Write a letter, schedule its delivery date (next birthday, a year from now, whatever!), and let the site handle the rest.
I use it for birthday reflections and quarterly goal check-ins. It's fascinating to see how my plans and perspectives evolve over time, and sometimes, it's just hilarious to see how wrong (or right!) I was about certain things.
2. FreeCodeCamp: Cracking the Code, One Line at a Time
The world is increasingly driven by technology, and understanding code is becoming more and more valuable. FreeCodeCamp is a fantastic platform to learn coding for free. They offer a structured curriculum, starting with the basics like HTML and CSS, and moving towards more complex languages like JavaScript and Python.
I'm currently focusing on HTML and CSS, building a foundation for potentially creating my own app someday. The lessons are clear, engaging, and perfect for beginners.
3. Khan Academy: Unleash Your Inner Mathematician (Without the Classroom Stress)
Khan Academy is a free educational haven, especially for those who want to conquer their fear of math. Inspired by writers like Kevin Kelly and Charlie Munger, who champion the importance of understanding statistics and probability, I'm diving into Khan Academy's statistics course.
It's a great way to refresh my college-level knowledge and gain a better grasp of these essential life skills. Whether you're a student looking for support or just want to expand your knowledge, Khan Academy has something for everyone.
4. Huna Philosophy: Blessing Your Way to a Better Life
The Huna philosophy, based on the principle of "blessing that which you want," encourages a positive and abundant mindset. Instead of envy or resentment, it advocates for celebrating others' achievements and believing that you, too, can achieve similar success.
Seeing author Robert Greene talk about his ideal workday (morning meditation, leisurely bike rides, and afternoon writing sessions) reminded me of this philosophy. Instead of feeling jealous, I choose to "bless" his lifestyle and work towards creating my own version of it.
5. Book Review: Feel-Good Productivity - More Like "Meh" Productivity
Ali Abdaal, the productivity guru behind a popular YouTube channel, recently released his book "Feel-Good Productivity." While I appreciate Ali's work, the book fell flat for me. It followed a repetitive structure of citing studies, sharing anecdotes, and drawing predictable lessons.
The Market Power YouTube channel did a fantastic review of the book, highlighting the issue with relying on studies with low replicability and the lack of originality in the self-help genre.
That's all for this week! I'd love to hear your feedback on the audio experiment and any recommendations for free tools you love. Until next time!
Free Tools for Lifelong Learning and a Positive Mindset