Ironically titled, considering my most recent post.<\/p>\n
I have been thinking a lot about something Austin Kleon<\/a> has written about a few times, regarding “echo chambers.” I often realize I have burrowed down into one after some time has passed, but it always takes some time. Maybe this is the way with all of us: the things we like lead to more things we like, and on, and on.<\/p>\n Especially now, with the opportunity to just click a link and follow that down the trail. The rabbit hole about which I like to tease my younger daughter when she emerges from her room with some “new” movie, show, or book theory. Of course, hers is usually Youtube, and mine is through reading.<\/p>\n Funny how, given our propensity for such clicks nowadays, that is still only the second definition in most dictionaries.<\/p>\n My clicks are often related by interest, as so many are, but I have worked to be better at that this summer. What may have started as some searching and clicking on the generous links provided by Austin Kleon’s weekly newsletter post, I have expanded my field in the past few months.<\/p>\n During the school year, I take time each day to read the offerings on the newsletters provided by ARD<\/a> (Anti-Racism Daily) and the New York Times. Both are offered with my favorite option–free–for reading, though I do support ARD with donations.\u00a0 Conveniently, both of those are loaded with links to look into other stories and histories.<\/p>\n This summer, I have added a few more, looking at oddball bits of news from newsletters provided by:<\/p>\n ~The Idler<\/a>–this requires subscription money for the full view, but I get a chuckle out of what they send in short form.<\/p>\n ~Kottke<\/a>–this is equally-loaded with interesting articles, sites, videos, and reviews, all for free.\u00a0 If you are into wide reading of arts, sciences, human-interest, quirky, historical, and more, this is worth it.<\/p>\n ~HEC Media<\/a>–this gives me a more local flavor, even more grassroots than the local NPR offers.<\/p>\n As I have expanded my “creating-things” routine to include artwork in the morning (usually drawing) and in the evening (usually collage, but sometimes, drawing and painting), I have enjoyed the short and interesting ideas and samples provided by Wendy MacNaughton, online as WendyMac<\/a>, and Stan Prokopenko, or Proko<\/a>. Both have Youtube channels packed with free offerings.<\/p>\n