Links #138

Scott Boms on working in the margins. “Personally, I’ve learned that quietly and patiently toiling in the margins on something is its own reward, and the performance of trying to convince anyone something I’ve made is worthy of their attention is not for me to decide anyway. Anything of merit will eventually find its audience, and taking the need for something to be seen or heard out of the equation means it doesn’t derail the creative process.” This! Perhaps not the right approach for everyone, but for me it very much is — and has worked out just fine.

Naz Hamid on social networks and personal sites. Particularly this quote: “As I get older, I’m realizing that I’d rather leave a meaningful impact with a small group of people I know than faceless millions.” Amen and amen. On a related note, I’m getting so close to abandoning Facebook and Instagram for good. (I only use them for cross-posting my art and occasionally getting in touch with people, but supporting Meta in any way is getting increasingly uncomfortable.)

Charles C. Mann on how we live like royalty and don’t know it. Fascinating. I worry, though, that this status quo might collapse over the next few years. Or months, at this rate.

Kevin Kelly’s travel tips. Some good suggestions here. Looking forward to using them down the road someday when DOGE’s meddling is undone and flying feels safe again.

David Cain on making time to fix broken things. Agreed.

Robin Sloan from 2013 on dancing the flip flop, “the process of pushing a work of art or craft from the physical world to the digital world and back, usually more than once.” I’ve wanted to start doing this — and, more generally, making things physically more often. Getting back into physical notebooks this past couple of months has been satisfying. (Field Notes and Moleskines, with a black Pilot Precise V5 pen.)

Backstories of the new additions to the Latter-day Saint hymnbook. Enjoyed reading through these.