Category: 3TILLW

Welcome to the 75th edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week”! 🌟

We’re about to embark on a journey through the wild jungle of my brain. Each week, I wade through the murky waters of the internet, wrestle with podcasts, and occasionally crack open a book (gasp!) to bring you the juiciest tidbits of knowledge.

Think of me as your personal Indiana Jones, but instead of ancient artifacts, I’m hunting for mind-blowing facts that’ll make you the most interesting person at your next Zoom happy hour.

Here’s this week’s haul of brain candy:

1. Why People Are Gluttons for Punishment (No, it’s not just a weird kink)
2. Slow and Steady Wins the Race (And Gets You a Promotion)
3. Your Brain on Dopamine: It’s Not Just for TikTok Anymore

Let’s dive in faster than your aunt Karen into Facebook conspiracy theories!

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🤔 Why People Prefer More Pain (Because We’re All a Little Masochistic)

Ever wonder why some people choose to watch all eight seasons of Game of Thrones instead of just reading the Wikipedia summary? Turns out, our brains are weirder than we thought (and that’s saying something).

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Duration Neglect: Your brain is like that friend who always underestimates how long it’ll take to “grab a quick drink.”
• Cognitive Biases: Your mind plays more tricks on you than a street magician in Vegas.
• Peak-End Rule: Life is like a bad romcom – you only remember the climax and the ending.

🎥 Watch this video to understand why you keep going back to that hot-but-toxic ex.

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🐢 Slow Productivity – How To Achieve More By Working Less (AKA The Sloth’s Guide to Success)

In a world where “hustle culture” is more prevalent than avocado toast, here’s a revolutionary idea: what if we all just… slowed down a bit?

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Do Fewer Things, Do Them Better: Quality over quantity – it’s not just for wine anymore.
• Work at Your Natural Pace: Embrace your inner sloth. They’ve been around for 64 million years, so they must be doing something right.
• Obsess Over Quality: Channel your inner Beyoncé – she didn’t become Queen B by rushing “Single Ladies.”

🎥 Learn how to succeed by embracing your inner couch potato here.

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🧠 You’re Destroying Your Mind – How to Control Dopamine (Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Brain Chemicals)

Dopamine: it’s not just for lab rats anymore! This little neurotransmitter is the reason you can’t stop scrolling through Instagram at 2 AM.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Dopamine Deficit State: When your brain becomes the neurochemical equivalent of a spoiled toddler.
• Dopamine Detox: Like a juice cleanse, but for your brain. And actually effective.
• Strategies for Control: Employ the “Rule of Pain Before Pleasure,” “Rule of Voidance,” “Rule of Barriers,” and “Rule of Boredom.” Or as I call it, “The Four Horsemen of Actually Getting Stuff Done.”

🎥 Discover how to tame your dopamine dragon and reclaim your life here.

That’s all for this edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week.” If your mind isn’t at least a little blown, you might want to check your pulse.

Don’t be a stranger! If you’re not already subscribed, hit that button faster than you’d swipe right on your celebrity crush.

📩 Subscribe here: https://www.nathanonn.com/newsletter/

May your week be filled with more “aha!” moments than “d’oh!” moments!

Stay curious, stay weird,

~ Nathan

P.S. If you enjoyed this newsletter more than your morning coffee, share it with a friend. If you didn’t… well, you might want to reconsider your taste in beverages.

Welcome to the 74th edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week”! 🎉

Buckle up, knowledge seekers! It’s time for another wild ride through the jungle of my brain. Each week, I venture into the deepest, darkest corners of the internet (and sometimes even books!) to bring you the juiciest morsels of wisdom. So grab your Indiana Jones hat and let’s explore!

Here’s what I’ve excavated for you this week:

1. Ikigai: Your Life’s Golden Ticket
2. Fabric Patterns: The Rosetta Stone for AI
3. LiFE RPG: Because Real Life Needs More Dragons

Let’s dive in like it’s a pool full of ice cream!

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✨ Ikigai: Your Life’s Golden Ticket

Ever feel like you’re wandering through life like a lost puppy in a dog park full of Great Danes? Well, put down that chew toy and listen up!

The Japanese concept of “Ikigai” is like a treasure map for your soul. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where your passions, talents, and the world’s needs collide in a beautiful explosion of purpose. (No actual explosions involved, safety first!)

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Ikigai is where what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what pays the bills have a group hug.
• It’s not about being perfect, it’s about being perfectly content. (Take that, Instagram influencers!)
• Embracing your quirks and flaws is part of the journey. (Finally, a reason to celebrate that weird thing your elbow does!)

🎥 Watch the Ikigai gurus spill the beans here.

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🤖 Fabric Patterns: The Rosetta Stone for AI

Tired of talking to AI like you’re trying to order coffee in a foreign language? Say hello to Fabric, the universal translator for human-AI communication!

Fabric is like a cheat sheet for your AI conversations, offering pre-designed prompt patterns that’ll have you chatting with robots like you’re old pals. It’s time to stop fumbling and start finessing!

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Fabric gives you a foolproof recipe for AI small talk. No more awkward silences!
• It’s like having a wingman for your AI interactions. Smooth operator, engage!
• It’s open-source, which means it’s free. (Your wallet just breathed a sigh of relief.)

🎥 Watch Fabric work its magic here.

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🕹️ LiFE RPG: Because Real Life Needs More Dragons

Ever wish your to-do list came with experience points and cool armor? Well, strap on your imaginary sword and shield, because “LiFE RPG” is here to turn your Notion workspace into a quest-filled adventure!

This isn’t your grandma’s planner (unless your grandma is secretly a dungeon master). LiFE RPG gamifies your personal growth, making adulting feel less like a chore and more like a choose-your-own-adventure book.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Based on the Octalysis Framework, it’s got more game mechanics than a Vegas casino.
• Create your own vision board and skill tree. It’s like Pinterest met World of Warcraft and had a beautiful baby.
• Includes multiplayer mode! Because nothing says “I’m adulting” like forming a guild to tackle life’s challenges.

🎥 Learn how to level up your life here.

And that’s a wrap on this week’s knowledge nuggets! Hope these insights make your brain tingle in all the right places.

If you’re not already part of our merry band of learners, what are you waiting for? An engraved invitation? Well, here it is:

📩 Subscribe here: https://www.nathanonn.com/newsletter/

May your week be filled with more “Aha!” moments than a detective solving a case!

Until next time, keep your curiosity on high and your BS detector higher!

~ Nathan “The Knowledge Ninja” Onn

Welcome to the 73rd edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week”! 🌟

Buckle up, knowledge seekers! We’re about to embark on a wild ride through the treacherous jungles of information overload. I’ve macheted my way through the dense foliage of the internet to bring you the juiciest fruits of wisdom. So sit back, relax, and prepare to have your mind blown faster than a squirrel on espresso!

Here’s what I’ve got for you this week:

1. Build Your Own AI Avengers with FlowiseAI (No Infinity Stones Required!)
2. Claude 3.5 Sonnet: The Shakespeare of AI (Eat Your Heart Out, GPT-4!)
3. Gemini API: When Code Starts Interpreting Itself (It’s Not Skynet… Yet)

Let’s dive in like we’re cannonballing into a pool of knowledge!

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🤖 FlowiseAI: Assemble Your AI Dream Team (No Superpowers Needed)

Ever wished you could create your own Justice League of AI agents? Well, put away your comic books because FlowiseAI is here to make your geeky dreams come true! This no-code platform lets you build multi-agent AI workflows faster than you can say “Avengers, assemble!”

🔑 Key Takeaways (or “Why You Should Care”):

• It’s so easy, even your technophobic grandma could build an AI team (though maybe don’t let her).
• RAG isn’t just something your mom uses to clean spills – it’s Retrieval-Augmented Generation, baby!
• Prompt engineering: Because telling AI what to do is the closest we’ll get to world domination.

🎥 Watch the FlowiseAI demo and pretend you’re Nick Fury recruiting for S.H.I.E.L.D.

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🧠 Claude 3.5 Sonnet: The AI That Makes GPT-4 Look Like a Flip Phone

Move over, GPT-4! There’s a new AI in town, and it’s got more swagger than a peacock at a fashion show. Claude 3.5 Sonnet is so advanced, it probably writes better poetry than actual sonnets. It’s like if Shakespeare and Stephen Hawking had a baby, and that baby was raised by the internet.

🔑 Key Takeaways (or “Why You’ll Be Telling Your Grandkids About This”):

• It’s got more use cases than a Swiss Army knife on steroids.
• “Artifacts” feature: Because who doesn’t want their AI to leave evidence behind?
• It’s a glimpse into the future, where AI might be writing these newsletters instead of me (please don’t replace me, Claude).

🎥 Witness 15 mind-bending use cases that’ll make you question reality.

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💻 Gemini API: When Your Code Starts Coding Itself

Google’s at it again, folks! The Gemini API Code Interpreter is like giving your code a PhD in self-awareness. It generates, executes, and iterates on Python code faster than you can say “Stack Overflow.” It’s so smart, it might start asking for a raise soon.

🔑 Key Takeaways (or “Why Programmers Might Need a New Hobby”):

• One API request to rule them all: Gandalf would be proud.
• It handles everything from basic math to machine learning. Is there anything it can’t do? (Don’t answer that, Gemini.)
• Currently only supports Python. Sorry, JavaScript lovers – your time will come.

🎥 Watch Gemini API in action and question your career choices.

That’s all for this week’s “3 Things I Learned Last Week.” If your brain isn’t sizzling with newfound knowledge, you might want to check your pulse.

Don’t be the last one at the water cooler without these hot AI updates. Subscribe now and become the office know-it-all you’ve always dreamed of being!

📩 Subscribe here: https://www.nathanonn.com/newsletter/

May your week be filled with more ‘aha!’ moments than a detective solving a case!

Yours in perpetual befuddlement,

~ Nathan

P.S. If you found this newsletter more entertaining than watching cats on YouTube, share it with a friend. They’ll thank you later (probably with cat videos).

Welcome back to the 72nd edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week”! 🤓 (Which, between you and me, is starting to feel like a lot of weeks.)

As always, I’ve been diving headfirst into the vast ocean of knowledge, surfacing with the most intriguing pearls of wisdom. Think of this newsletter as your weekly treasure chest filled with insights that will hopefully make you think, “Huh, that’s actually kind of cool.”

And hey, if you get a kick out of it, feel free to share the love and spread this newsletter to your fellow nerds (or anyone who pretends to be one).

Ready to level up your coding game? Let’s get this bread! 🍞

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1. Why Specialization in Coding is Like Choosing Your Pokémon Starter

Remember when you started your Pokémon journey and had to choose between Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle?

Picking a coding specialization is kind of like that. Do you want to be a front-end wizard, a back-end maestro, or a database ninja? (Personally, I’d go with back-end maestro, but that’s just me.)

Employers dig deep knowledge in specific areas, not someone who knows a little bit of everything. It’s like hiring a master plumber to fix your leaky faucet instead of your cousin who once watched a YouTube tutorial.

TL;DR:

• Find your coding passion.
• Research what’s in demand.
• Dive deep into your chosen area.
• Build cool stuff to show off your skills.
• Network with other coding enthusiasts (and maybe catch some Pokémon together).

Watch the video on why specialization is important in coding

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2. The 3 Laws of Writing Readable Code (So You Don’t Want to Throw Your Laptop Out the Window)

Let’s face it, reading someone else’s code can sometimes feel like trying to decipher ancient hieroglyphics. But fear not, fellow coder! The 3 laws of writing readable code are here to save the day (and your sanity).

• Law #1: Thou Shalt Not Nest Deeply. (No one likes a code labyrinth.)
• Law #2: Thou Shalt Encapsulate Reusable Code. (Don’t repeat yourself, you’re not a parrot.)
• Law #3: Thou Shalt Use Clear and Descriptive Names. (Seriously, “x” doesn’t tell me anything.)

Following these simple rules will make your code cleaner, easier to understand, and less likely to make you want to quit your job and become a goat farmer.

Watch the video on the 3 laws of writing readable code

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3. Advice from the Top 1% of Software Engineers (Or How to Be a Coding Rockstar and Still Have Friends)

Jean Lee, a big shot at WhatsApp, dropped some serious knowledge bombs for us aspiring coding rockstars. Here’s the gist:

• Influence = Likability + Credibility: Be the coder everyone wants to work with AND deliver the goods.
• Find Your Niche: Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Specialize in something you’re passionate about.
• Quality Over Quantity: Focus on building awesome things that actually work, not just adding flashy features.
• Transparency is Key: Share your knowledge and work collaboratively. Remember, we’re all in this together.

Watch the video for advice from the top 1% of software engineers

That’s a wrap for this week’s edition! If you’re not already subscribed, hit that button below to join the party. (We have snacks.)

Subscribe here: https://www.nathanonn.com/newsletter/

Until next time, keep calm and code on!

Your friendly neighborhood nerd,

~ Nathan

Welcome back to the 71st edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week,” where we nerd out on the latest and greatest in tech, AI, and everything in between.

This week, I’ve been diving headfirst into the world of AI, and let me tell you, it’s like stepping into a sci-fi movie (but without the dystopian vibes, hopefully).

So, buckle up, grab your favorite caffeinated beverage, and let’s dive into the rabbit hole of knowledge! 🐇

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1. 🤖 Building Your Own AI Avengers (No Coding Required!)

Ever dreamed of having your own AI squad to handle those mundane tasks? Flowise is here to make that dream a reality!

This no-code platform lets you assemble your very own AI agent dream team, complete with defined roles and responsibilities (kind of like assigning chores, but way cooler). Plus, the supervisor agent keeps everyone in line, ensuring a smooth workflow.

Key Takeaways:

• Drag-and-drop your way to AI greatness: Flowise’s visual interface makes building your team as easy as pie.
• The supervisor agent is your project manager: This AI overlord handles task delegation and keeps the chaos in check.
• Level up your team with integrations: Connect to tools like Google Custom Search for an even more powerful squad.

🎥 Watch the tutorial here to become a master AI puppeteer

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2. 💰 Gemini: Your Frugal AI Sidekick

Turns out, Gemini isn’t just a zodiac sign – it’s also an AI model with a knack for saving you some serious cash. 🤑

With its context caching feature, Gemini can handle massive amounts of data without breaking the bank. It’s like having a personal assistant who knows how to bargain hunt for your AI needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Cache me outside: Context caching stores processed data, so you don’t have to recompute it every time (saving time and money).
• Big data, small bills: Cache large files like videos for lightning-fast access without the hefty price tag.
• Optimize your AI workflow: Improve performance and reduce costs with Gemini’s context caching magic.

🎥 Watch the tutorial here to learn how to turn Gemini into your penny-pinching AI buddy

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3. 📖 AI Novelists That Show, Don’t Tell

Move over, GPT-4o, there’s a new AI in town!

Claude 3.5 Sonnet is here to shake up the world of AI-generated fiction. ✍️

This model has mastered the art of “show, don’t tell,” weaving vivid descriptions and nuanced emotions into its stories. It’s like having a virtual Shakespeare crafting your next bestseller.

Key Takeaways:

• Showtime: Claude 3.5 Sonnet paints a picture with words, making your stories come alive.
• Plot twist master: Get inspired with unique subplots and narrative ideas.
• Your personal screenwriter: Receive detailed chapter summaries and scene breakdowns.

🎥 Watch the video here to witness the future of storytelling unfold

That’s a wrap for this week’s edition! I hope you enjoyed our little knowledge adventure.

Remember, the world is your oyster, and knowledge is the pearl. So, keep learning, keep exploring, and stay curious!

Until next week,

Your friendly neighborhood knowledge enthusiast,

~ Nathan 🧠

P.S. Want more weekly wisdom delivered straight to your inbox? Don’t be shy, hit that subscribe button! It’s like a virtual high-five for knowledge.

📩 Subscribe here

Welcome to the 70th edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week” – the newsletter where I share the juiciest bits of knowledge I stumble upon in my quest to become less dumb. 🤓 (Kidding… mostly.)

This week, I dove into the depths of psychology, the art of bookworming, and the mysterious realm of enlightenment. And trust me, it was way more exciting than it sounds. So grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let’s embark on this enlightening adventure together!

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🧠 How to Overcome Psychological Barriers (Or, How to Stop Being Your Own Worst Enemy)

Ever feel like you’re constantly tripping over your own brain? 🧠🚧

Like, no matter how hard you try, there’s this invisible force field preventing you from achieving your goals? Yeah, that’s probably a psychological barrier.

These pesky barriers often stem from past experiences (like that time your kindergarten crush rejected you for the kid who could burp the alphabet) and manifest as defense mechanisms to protect you from emotional pain. But guess what? Those old defense mechanisms might be holding you back like a pair of parachute pants in a marathon.

Key Takeaways (aka the Cliff Notes version):

• Figure out where you’re stuck in life. (Pro tip: It’s probably not the drive-thru line at Taco Bell, though I feel you on that one.)
• Recognize those sneaky patterns of behavior and understand why they exist. (Hint: It’s not because you’re inherently flawed, it’s just your brain being a weirdo.)
• Dig deep into the origins of these strategies, usually linked to some childhood trauma or embarrassing incident involving a bowl cut.
• Be kind to your younger self. (They were doing their best, bless their heart.)
• Ditch those outdated defense mechanisms like yesterday’s news and embrace healthier ways of being. (Therapy is cool, guys.)

🎥 Watch the full video on overcoming psychological barriers here (and prepare to have your mind blown).

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📚 How to Read Books & Take Notes More Effectively (AKA How to Be a Book Ninja)

Look, we’ve all been there.

You buy a book with the best intentions, start reading, and then… zzzzzz. 😴 Next thing you know, it’s become a glorified coaster for your coffee mug.

But fear not, fellow book lovers! Cal Newport has the secret to reading and note-taking like a pro. And no, it doesn’t involve highlighting every other sentence (that’s just procrastination in disguise).

Key Takeaways (for those of us with the attention span of a goldfish):

• Choose books that actually spark joy. (Marie Kondo would be proud.)
• Find the “golden nuggets” of wisdom that resonate with you and write them down. (Bonus points if you use a quill and parchment.)
• Use both handwriting AND typing for note-taking. (Yes, you can have your cake and eat it too.)
• Slow down and savor those words like a fine wine. (Reading isn’t a race, people.)

🎥 Learn more about effective reading and note-taking here (and become the envy of book clubs everywhere).

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🧘‍♂️ What Enlightenment Does to Your Brain (Spoiler: It’s Not Just About Sitting Under a Tree)

Enlightenment.

It sounds like something reserved for monks living on mountaintops or people who only wear hemp clothing. But guess what? It’s actually attainable for us mere mortals.

And no, it’s not about achieving some magical state of permanent bliss where you float around on a cloud of serenity. (Although, that does sound kinda nice…)

Key Takeaways (for those of us who can’t meditate without getting distracted by a squirrel):

• Enlightenment is basically sustained happiness that doesn’t depend on winning the lottery or finding the perfect avocado toast.
• Practices like meditation can help you chill out and stop being so hard on yourself. (Inner critic, begone!)
• Living in the moment is the key to silencing those pesky anxieties about the future. (Carpe diem, baby!)
• Doing things you love can actually make you happier. (Who knew?)

🎥 Discover what enlightenment does to your brain here (and unlock your inner zen master).

That’s a wrap for this week’s edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week.” I hope you found these insights as entertaining as they were enlightening. Remember, learning is a lifelong journey, so keep exploring, keep questioning, and most importantly, keep laughing. 😂

If you’re not already subscribed, what are you waiting for? Join the party! 🎉

📩 Subscribe here

Until next week, stay curious and stay awesome!

Warm regards,

~ Nathan

Welcome to the 69th (yes, you read that right) edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week”!

Hope you’re sipping on your favorite beverage and ready to dive into some juicy nuggets of wisdom. Feel free to share the love and spread this newsletter to friends who might need a break from doomscrolling.

Here’s what I’ve cooked up for you this week:

1. The Dangers of Oversharing
2. “The Human Advantage” | Seth Godin On Teaching Excellence
3. Are You an NPC?

Ready? Let’s go!

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🗣️ The Dangers of Oversharing

Ever feel like you’ve overshared at a party and now everyone knows way too much about your collection of porcelain cats? 🙀

Oversharing can sometimes feel like the quickest route to a deep connection, but it often leads to an emotional hangover. One minute you’re basking in the glow of liberation, and the next, you’re hiding under a blanket of shame and vulnerability.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Oversharing Hangover: It’s real and it’s coming for you.
• Balance is Key: Think of it like seasoning your stories—less is more.
• Slow Reveal: Gradually open up like a fine wine, not a shaken soda can.

🎥 Watch the video on the dangers of oversharing here.

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📚 “The Human Advantage“ | Seth Godin On Teaching Excellence

Seth Godin, the Gandalf of modern marketing, started his journey teaching canoeing in Canada. Who knew paddling could lead to profound joy?

Seth’s story reminds us that empowering others often beats personal accolades. And forget the “follow your passion” mantra—Seth says passion can be cultivated, kind of like your grandma’s sourdough starter.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Joy of Empowerment: It’s more satisfying than a five-star Yelp review.
• Passion is Made, Not Born: Like a good risotto, it takes time and stirring.
• Tribe Vibes: Build a supportive network, or “tribe,” to grow with.
• Embrace the Suck: Mistakes are just steps to awesomeness.
• Unique Human Skills: In the age of AI, be the human with creativity and emotional intelligence.

🎥 Watch Seth Godin’s insights on teaching excellence here.

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🤖 Are You an NPC?

Ever wonder if you’re the hero of your story or just an extra in someone else’s?

The philosophical debate on free will vs. determinism is like trying to choose between a rock and a hard place, only nerdier. Determinism says everything’s pre-planned like a perfectly aligned Jenga tower, while emergentism argues that complex systems like consciousness emerge from simpler interactions.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Determinism: We’re all playing a scripted game.
• Emergentism: Complex interactions (like your love for pineapple pizza) create new properties.
• The Debate Rages On: But our subjective experience of choice keeps us going.

🎥 Watch the video on the free will debate here.

That’s a wrap for this edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week.” I hope these insights help you level up your week. Stay curious, stay awesome, and remember: knowledge is power, but a good laugh is essential.

Don’t miss out on your weekly dose of enlightenment and chuckles. If you’re not already subscribed, hit the link below and join the cool kids’ club.

📩 Subscribe here

Wishing you a week full of learning, growth, and those little moments that make you go, “Aha!”

Full of curiosity and caffeine,

~ Nathan

Welcome to the 68th edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week”! 🌟

Join me on my journey of discovery as I delve into various sources of knowledge each week. This newsletter is a blend of insights and key takeaways from my recent explorations. I’m thrilled to share these gems with you and hope they inspire and inform as much as they have me. Feel free to share the love and spread this newsletter to friends who might enjoy it!

Here’s what I’ve got for you this week:

1. Notion’s new Home feature: Everything you need to know!
2. Google’s secret algorithm exposed via leak to GitHub…
3. Testing Microsoft’s New VLM – Phi-3 Vision

Let’s dive in!

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🏡 Notion’s new Home feature: Everything you need to know!

Link: Watch Here

Notion’s latest “Home” feature is like getting a personal assistant that never takes a coffee break. Imagine your workspace transformed into a sleek, centralized hub where everything you need is just a click away.

Here’s the scoop:

• Widgets Galore: Think of “Pages” for quick access, “Calendar” to keep your life in check, and “My Tasks” which combines all your tasks from different databases into one handy view. It’s like having a magical to-do list that updates itself.

• Customization Heaven: You can embed views from other databases, change the start page, hide widgets, and add filters and sorts. Your workspace, your rules.

• Productivity Powerhouse: The “Home” feature is a game-changer. With everything centralized, workflows become smoother than a jazz sax solo. Plus, the integrated learning resources mean you’ll never be left scratching your head.

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🔍 Google’s secret algorithm exposed via leak to GitHub…

Link: Watch Here

Imagine if Google’s search algorithm was a secret recipe—think Colonel Sanders’ chicken, but for the internet. Well, someone spilled the beans. And it’s juicier than a reality TV show reveal.

Here’s the lowdown:

• Content is King: Google’s ranking algorithm has evolved. Quality content now wears the crown, but site authority, user clicks, and Chrome data play major roles too. This might explain why your homemade blog about knitting isn’t out-ranking Wikipedia…yet.

• Big Players Dominate: Site authority metrics favor the big guys. It’s like David vs. Goliath, but Goliath is also holding a magnifying glass. This bias raises questions about the fairness of search results.

• Human Touch: Yes, real humans are involved in rating and whitelisting content. This blend of human and machine input adds a layer of complexity, making SEO feel like solving a Rubik’s Cube in the dark.

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🖼️ Testing Microsoft’s New VLM – Phi-3 Vision

Link: Watch Here

Microsoft’s Phi-3 Vision Model is like the Swiss Army knife of AI—versatile, powerful, and ready for anything. Unveiled at the Build conference, this model is a beast with 4.2 billion parameters and a knack for edge computing.

Highlights include:

• Multimodal Marvel: It processes both text and images, handling up to 128,000 tokens. Trained on a whopping 500 billion tokens, it’s like a brainiac on steroids.

• Flash Attention: This feature means it processes data faster than you can say “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.” It excels in tasks like image interpretation and visual question-answering.

• Fine-Tuning Fun: It’s great for optical character recognition (OCR) and other precise tasks. However, it’s not perfect at counting objects yet—so maybe hold off on asking it to count your collection of rubber ducks.

That’s all for this edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week.” I hope these insights add value to your personal and professional growth. Stay curious and keep exploring!

Don’t miss out on your weekly dose of knowledge. If you’re not already subscribed, click below to join the community.

📩 Subscribe here

Wishing you a week full of learning, growth, and opportunities!

Warm regards,

~ Nathan

Welcome to the 67th edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week”! 🌟

Join me on my wild ride of discovery as I sift through the goldmine of knowledge every week. This newsletter is a blend of insights and nuggets of wisdom from my recent adventures. I’m pumped to share these gems with you and hope they tickle your brain cells as much as they did mine. Feel free to spread the joy and share this newsletter with friends who might enjoy it!

Here’s the scoop for this week:

1. How Screens Actually Affect Your Sleep
2. How Smartphones Shrink Our Brains
3. How to Become Indistractable with Nir Eyal

Let’s dive in!

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💤 How Screens Actually Affect Your Sleep

Watch the video here

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• The regulation of our sleep-wake cycle is intricately tied to natural light, influencing melatonin production, which induces sleepiness.
• Artificial light, especially from screens, can mess up these natural cues, with blue light from screens being the ultimate sleep villain, suppressing melatonin production.
• Night mode features help but are not fully effective. The type, proximity, and intensity of light also affect our circadian system.
• Engaging in stimulating activities on our phones can turn your brain into a raver at a neon party, making it hard to fall asleep.
• To counteract late-night screen exposure, seek higher light exposure in the morning to reset your body’s internal clock.

The relationship between phone usage and sleep quality is like a complicated love story.

Be mindful of your phone usage, especially in the evening, and incorporate strategies like morning light exposure to improve your sleep patterns and overall well-being.

(Or just put the phone down and read a book. Preferably one that’s not glowing.)

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📱 How Smartphones Shrink Our Brains

Watch the video here

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Smartphones revolutionized communication and information access but have side effects on cognitive abilities and mental well-being.
• Constant feedback and instant gratification trigger dopamine release, making us dopamine junkies. Reality? What’s that?
• Excessive use can shrink the hippocampus and lower gray matter volumes, increasing mental health risks.
• Strategies to mitigate effects include regular exercise, limiting social media, and using “dumb phones” (remember those?).
• Practical steps involve being mindful of usage, avoiding multitasking, and relying more on memory instead of digital prompts.

While smartphones offer immense benefits, their overuse can turn our brains into mushy gray goo.

Striking a balance between technology’s advantages and cognitive well-being is crucial. So maybe, just maybe, we should put the phone down and go outside once in a while.

Or at least look at a tree GIF.

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🚀 How to Become Indistractable with Nir Eyal

Watch the video here

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Distraction has been a persistent challenge since ancient times, known as “akrasia” in Plato’s era (and it wasn’t even because of TikTok).
• The key to combating distraction is engaging in purposeful actions that align with one’s objectives, termed “traction.”
• Understanding distraction involves recognizing external triggers, like notifications, and internal triggers rooted in discomfort.
• Effective time management is a form of pain management, addressing underlying discomforts to focus on meaningful tasks.
• The battle against distraction is about understanding and addressing internal motivations and being mindful of the intent behind every action.

By acknowledging that time management is intertwined with managing the discomforts that lead to distraction, we can develop strategies to stay indistractable and focus on purposeful endeavors. So, next time you find yourself lost in the endless scroll, remember: it’s not you, it’s your brain trying to escape from something uncomfortable.

Give it a hug, and then get back to work.

That’s all for this edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week.” I hope these insights add value to your personal and professional growth. Stay curious and keep exploring!

Don’t miss out on your weekly dose of knowledge. If you’re not already subscribed, click below to join the community.

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Wishing you a week full of learning, growth, and opportunities!

Warm regards,

~ Nathan

Welcome to the 66th edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week”! 🌟

Join me on my journey of discovery as I delve into various sources of knowledge each week. This newsletter is a blend of insights and key takeaways from my recent explorations. I’m thrilled to share these gems with you and hope they inspire and inform as much as they have me. Feel free to share the love and spread this newsletter to friends who might enjoy it!

Here’s what I’ve got for you this week:

1. Are You Too Self-Aware? [The Self-Awareness Paradox]
2. You’re Living a Life You Will Regret (and it needs to stop)
3. You’re Not Lazy: How To Force Your Brain To Crave Doing Hard Things

Let’s dive in!

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🧠 Are You Too Self-Aware? [The Self-Awareness Paradox]

Watch the video here.

Self-awareness is often hailed as the ultimate self-help tool, but it’s more like medicine than money: its benefits depend on how you use it.

While therapy is a popular method for achieving self-awareness, the speaker suggests that journaling can be just as effective, offering a judgment-free space for introspection. However, there’s a catch—too much self-awareness can lead to self-delusion, where breakthroughs turn into false realizations, a common trap in therapy sessions.

The key is to balance self-awareness without pathologizing normal experiences or blowing minor issues out of proportion.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Healthy vs. Delusional Self-Awareness: It’s crucial to distinguish between productive self-awareness and self-delusion to avoid creating false memories or overemphasizing minor problems.
• Avoiding Over-Pathologizing: Excessive self-awareness, especially regarding mental health, can teach individuals to pathologize normal experiences, causing unnecessary distress.
• Reframing Challenges: View discomfort and challenges as feedback rather than problems to be solved, and keep your mind occupied with physical activities.
• Acceptance: Embrace the things you cannot change and consider reading recommended books on this topic for further insight.

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⏳ You’re Living a Life You Will Regret (and it needs to stop)

Watch the video here.

The quest for productivity often drives us to traditional time management methods, which can inadvertently lead to self-doubt and disappointment.

Instead, shifting from managing time to managing focus and energy can be more effective. This approach emphasizes that quality output stems from deep focus and optimal energy allocation rather than the quantity of time spent.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Focus and Energy Management: Set aside dedicated periods for deep, uninterrupted work, also known as distraction-free focus periods.
• Enhancing Concentration: Use tools like Brain FM to boost concentration during focus sessions.
• Understanding Chronotypes: Align tasks with your natural energy rhythms by understanding your chronotype—whether you’re a bear, wolf, lion, or dolphin.
• Prioritization: Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency, avoiding task overload to maintain sustainable productivity and prevent burnout.
• Balanced Thinking: Balance focused, task-oriented thinking with diffuse, creative thinking to sustain both productivity and creativity.

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💪 You’re Not Lazy: How To Force Your Brain To Crave Doing Hard Things

Watch the video here.

Self-control isn’t an innate trait; it’s a skill that can be developed.

The famous “marshmallow test,” which measures a child’s ability to delay immediate gratification for a larger reward later, highlights the power of self-control in predicting future success. This underscores the importance of cultivating self-control to shape our paths.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Dual Systems of Self-Control: The brain has two self-control systems: the “hot system” for impulsive reactions and the “cool system” in the prefrontal cortex for thoughtful, long-term decisions.
• Strengthening the Cool System: Enhance self-control by using strategies like “if-then” planning, mindfulness, and identifying personal triggers.
• Understanding Emotional Patterns: Employ techniques like meditation to understand emotional patterns and enhance self-control for better decision-making.
• Habit Formation: Turn positive behaviors into habits by consistently applying strategies like “if-then” planning and mindfulness, making them automatic and reducing conscious effort.
• Self-Compassion and Mindfulness: Practice self-compassion and mindfulness, learning from mistakes and being aware of emotional responses to foster personal growth and strong self-control.

That’s all for this edition of “3 Things I Learned Last Week.” I hope these insights add value to your personal and professional growth. Stay curious and keep exploring!

Don’t miss out on your weekly dose of knowledge. If you’re not already subscribed, click below to join the community.

📩 Subscribe here

Wishing you a week full of learning, growth, and opportunities!

Warm regards,

~ Nathan