Absolutely devoured this brilliant piece about how going through an ugly and awkward teen phase is an important rite of passage that many teens are missing out on these days (“As much as I envy the cool, cute kids of TikTok, in retrospect, I don’t regret my “ugly phase.” I can clearly see its value. For many of us, it was a time when we were forced to develop a personality outside of our appearance.”)
Broadsheet has done some eye-opening reporting on the newest problem faced by bruised and battered hospo venues right now: staff shortages
Thoughts are not just thoughts
Instagram’s latest algorithm changes are pushing users further from the platform and, as Substack newsletter Embedded writes, turning Instagram into Facebook (and here’s why you may have noticed engagement on IG taking a dip recently)
This was the most shared story on the Guardian this week
Comparison is the thief of joy
Intrigue! An intern at Spotify claims to have created their infamous Spotify unwrapped campaign
… speaking of which, what’s going on with Spotify’s copywriting this year? Why so naff?
This clip of Paul McCartney coming up with the single ‘Get Back’ in the new Beatles doco is like watching magic happen ("Paul really has nothing at the 30 second mark – but 45 seconds later he's got the makings of a hit single")
Advice from the ever-wise Ann Patchett that every person who uses a computer needs to hear
An absolutely fascinating interview with Microsoft Excel influencer Kat Norton (aka Miss Excel), who is earning between six figures a month and six figures a day (!!!) selling Excel courses online via TikTok and Instagram
Why sad songs make us feel so good
We didn’t realise we wanted a lavender kitchen but turns out we do
And… dogs that look like celebrities, the best kind of Spotify Unwrapped, don’t ask Succession’s Roman Roy why he’s always sitting weird, 60 second mayo (100% did not know it was this easy to make mayo), agendas for friend catch ups, every time you visit Bunnings, just let this sheep inside already, best Zoom host ever, when New Zealanders attempt to protest, and marriage is an investment
