The Monday Mix (03/05/2021)
Hi friends,
Greetings from a wet and windy Chester here in the UK!
The European Super League Was A Marketing Disaster - This is my latest post on Medium which looks at the disaster which was the launch of the European Super League. This just goes to show that even with billions behind you, if you mess up the PR side of stuff, you can kill a new proposal before it’s even begun!
Here’s what I want to share with you this week
Different generations
I read this touching article yesterday and re-read it again after I’d finished it. I don’t know what it was, but this article resonated with me. Maybe it’s the boredom of the pandemic kicking in, maybe it’s the wisdom espoused in the piece, or maybe I’m getting sentimental in my thirties.
Whatever it is, there’s a lot of wisdom in this piece about speaking to an old man in his nineties during the lockdown. With differences between generations spanning more than age these days, this is an article to remind us how valuable it is to speak to those older and younger than us.
We can learn a lot from each other.
Is Free Will An Illusion?
This is a fascinating article that made me ponder about the vagaries of life. Do we have free will? Are our lives just playing out to a cosmic dance we’re unaware of? It’s a long read but one worth checking out. You may not agree with the article but it will make you think.
Scottish Independence
On Thursday, voters go to the polls in Scotland to elect a new devolved government. Almost every analysis points to a win for the Scottish National Party (SNP), a party with the goal of bringing about an independent Scotland. A referendum was held in 2014, with voters deciding to stay in the UK.
But after the Brexit vote in 2016, there has been a renewed push for independence. The vote in 2014 meant Scotland remained in the European Union, now they have been forced out against their will, as 62% of people voted to remain in 2016. This election is momentous for many reasons. If the SNP win a majority, they will push for another referendum. The UK government is reluctant to allow one, but they can’t sustain that stance forever.
A new vote would be close and may even tilt in favour of those seeking independence. This would spell an end for the surviving longest political union today and hasten calls for a United Ireland and Welsh independence. I have a vested interest in the vote as my Grandfather was Scottish and I’d be eligible for a passport should Scotland become independent. Scotland would also look to rejoin the EU, which I voted to remain a part of in 2016.
Whatever happens on Thursday, this is a huge moment in the history of the UK. It could be the moment the UK starts to go the way of Yugoslavia and break apart, or it could be another false dawn. The above article looks at the chain reaction Brexit has caused and whether it will destroy the very entity it sought to liberate.
Sampled Beats
This is an amazing Youtube channel I came across the other day. They have a variety of videos, but their best are the ones which breaks down how some of the most famous songs developed their beats from other songs. It’s well worth a look. My favourite video was this one which looked at how Daft Punk created some of their most well-known songs with help from various samples.
Book I’m reading - The Sixth Extinction
I’m just about to start this book today and I’m eagerly anticipating reading it. This is a topic that fascinates and terrifies me in equal measure. Learning more about it has been an aim of mine for a while now. I’ve got a feeling I’m going to be shocked and appalled at what I read.
Quote I’m pondering
“You never step in the same river twice.” - Heraclitus
That’s it for this week. Have a great week.
Tom