The Shawshank Redemption
Geology is the study of pressure and time. That’s all it takes, really. Pressure and time.
Hi again, I’m Steve Makofsky and this is a semi-whenever list of interesting articles, podcasts and videos that I come across during the week. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it, have something new to think about, and share it with your friends. In case you forgot, this is in your inbox because you asked me to send it to you. You can easily unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of this email.
Another easy one to write about this week is The Shawshank Redemption; easily one of the greatest movies ever made. Honestly, I can’t say how many times I’ve watched this movie: it’s one of those films when you’re flipping through the channels, you always stop and watch until the end. So – probably seen the ending 100 times and the beginning only a dozen. 🙂
The interesting thing about this classic film that you may not know – it was a total dud at the box office when it opened in 1994 – earning (not even) $1 million opening weekend, and dropped out of the theaters at $16 million. For comparison – Avengers Endgame had a $1.2 billion opening weekend.
A later interview with Tim Robbins nails why this movie turned out to be so important to people: “in a way it works as a whole for whatever your life is, that no matter what your prison is—whether it’s a job that you hate, a bad relationship that you’re slogging through, whether your warden is a terrible boss or a wife or a husband—it holds out the possibility that there is freedom inside you. And that, at some point in life, there is a warm spot on a beach and that we can all get there. But sometimes it takes a while.”
If you're interested in my daily ramblings, also follow me on Twitter.
This weeks "Deep Links"
Since it’s the 4th of July here in the states, why not post a link to the “Best Way to Ice Drinks in a Cooler” – More (side note: stay home, wear a mask)
As a person who is constantly reworking how I take and store notes and knowledge management, I try to read as much as possible about systems to hack a way to a more efficient routine. But apparently there are corners of the Internet that actually fight about how to organize notes, in “The Notetaking Cold War” – More
The Atlantic is quickly becoming my favorite place to discover, learn and dive into some amazing storytelling. This week had an article about Charlie Santore, a professional safecracker in Los Angeles. “They have some place where they keep things and they don’t want anybody else to know what’s in there. There’s something sort of esoteric or ambiguous about that like the safe is someone’s little space—someone’s psyche—and not everyone’s psyche is a clean place, you know?” – More
Sounds the privacy alarms; a look at how companies and data brokers are harvesting our data and how one reporter tried to get the data they are collecting on him. Read how it went – More
An oldie but goodie on the changes to on’s chemistry while going for a walk. When we do, the heart beats faster, circulating more blood and oxygen to all organs; including the brain. It’s why walking helps us think – More
A fascinating look at the 1964 AT&T “Picturephone” – a telephone with video as well as audio at Disneyland. It was $16 for a 3 minute call – More
Really being able to unwind and rest is something that I often struggle with due to “technology induced ADD”. Some tips on how to truly relax – More
One of the most powerful things you can do in life (or in business) is to focus on “actions over words”. This read boils success down to a similar notion with “do the real thing and stop doing fake alternatives” – More
A few steps you can take today on living a simpler life – More
What a great excerpt from The Ringer on “The Vapors”, which was deemed the grandest casino in what was once the premier gambling destination in America – Hot Springs, Arkansas. A true American story on the rise and fall of Hot Springs – More
Guilty as charged, and I need to get better at not “doomscrolling” and not letting myself get overwhelmed with tragedy – More
While patent filings are often just ideas, take a look at this one from Apple who has filed for a wearable made entirely out of fabric – More
End Thoughts
There are places in this world that aren’t made out of stone. That there’s something inside… that they can’t get to, that they can’t touch. That’s yours.