Extending Senses  🏃 🚚 👂#41

Extending Senses 🏃 🚚 👂#41

It was the “latte” in this Tesla semi post that made me grin.

______

Books that you miss upon finishing.

I was entranced and entertained listening to Ready Player One by Ernest Cline.

VR/AR leaders often recommend it to experience one of our possible futures: ultra-simulation (in 2045). The impressive narration by Wil Wheaton often had me chuckling, the detail in the book astounded me and of course it was fun to hear the vast number of (familiar) 1980’s references.

It’s also a Spielberg movie to be released next year.

______
Kevin Kelly in Recomendo.

______

Favourite reads & listens

  • What senses would you extend?Neil Harbisson talks about going from full colourblindness to installing an antenna so he could hear sound. Apparently the cleaning product isle in the supermarket is like a fun nightclub! It’s an uplifting, fascinating, futuristic, 9:35min watch. Actually even the first few minutes is worth it to imagine a new dimension for you.Photo credit: Ted.com
  • Rolling Stone followed Elon around for months.Here are a few quotes that struck me:



  • The world is getting better at a stunning rate“. This report has “evidence of abundance” graphs and insights. Big thanks to Peter Diamandis and his team for showcasing how the world is improving. Here’s to balanced news.

 

 

 

 

 

  • Using algorithms and radical transparency at work may make your workplace even easier. (thx Jacqui Hocking)
  • The Websummit opening remarks are a great call for designers, creators, entrepreneurs and technologists to focus on building tech that is useful and fair for society. Included are: Stephen Hawking on AI, Bryan Johnson on HI, a regulator’s view of Facebook and other ultra powerful tech companies.

Great presence

  • Thanks for the laugh David Roberts (of Innovation and Disruption at Singularity University). Here is his bio: “His fascination with technology began In fourth grade after building a hovering electric drone, to carry his younger sister to the bus stop, powered by what was formerly his mother’s vacuum cleaner, and fortunately limited by the length of an electric power cord.”Have you added humour to yours?
  • Good fun at the London tube:

Have a wonderful week,

~ Sam

RunwayDigital.com

 

PS. One of the companies and experiences that have most impressed me in the last couple of years is Manly Ocean Adventures. Knowledgeable, exceptional value, and thoughtful, they’re advertising their incredible experiences (with or without whales) as great Christmas gift ideas. If you’re near Sydney or your people are… this could be for you!

 

 

PPS. in a previous email I wrote about the Apple Airpods. My update from a month of using them is that I’m still loving the earphones quick change between computer and iPhone and watch phonecall pickup. I am missing the ease of the Jaybirds hanging around my neck. The Airpods are a bit more of a cognitive load for me. They’re fiddly to remember where they are / to put in my pocket when I’m on the move and I sense I’ve a higher risk of losing them. Jaybird X2 Sport were around my neck all the time and I could use one or two earphones and never think about the battery or getting into the practice of taking out one Airpod during a long phonecall to make sure I have enough battery. The tech of the Airpods is beautiful and clever and it’s wonderful they can be used across many bluetooth devices – not just Apple’s. Airpods around the neck!?!

Human-Centred Futures đŸ’Ș 👀 đŸ€“ #27

Human-Centred Futures đŸ’Ș 👀 đŸ€“ #27

(Be prepared) This newsletter may have a few more typos than usual. I’m fitting it in in between a hectic play and work schedule and created it in 45 minutes which is a record for me. Hoping your week is wonderful! Have a great one.

_____

Human-Centred Futures.

Having just received a MASSIVE smile from the checkout person at the supermarket I’m even more delighted with this next phase of greater care, kindness and humanity that’s coming. So many organisations are starting to do more Service Design / Human Centred Design / People Experience Design in part because ‘average’ doesn’t cut it in many industries any more and because customers are global and can subconsciously or consciously demand more (quality / additional features / quicker deliver / better service). Also with more tracking more kindness will be observed and amplified online.

Knowing the supermarket I was in has been doing an internal overhaul for the past few years and training for better customer service and just now seeing the results, it reminds me this is what’s coming for most industries. As a consumer having better service sounds soooo good.

It’s good practice to go the extra mile. Aim high with what you’re doing and challenge others kindly to do the same. Create great ripple effects.

Do More Experiments.

A quick tip for more courage or to move on from indecision: Work out your best guess on the direction to take, make the decision in this direction, take action and call it an experiment. Don’t second guess yourself. Calling it an experiment can lighten your worries or concerns and build confidence in your intuition. Let me know how you go 🙂

Writing Newsletters.

This newsletter marks a year of me writing a fortnightly newsletter. Wahoo! If you’re thinking of writing a regular newsletter and have questions about doing so, hit reply. I’m interested to hear what you need to get your clever online.

Favourite reads & listens:

Great online presence:

  • Search consultant Andrew Bonwick’s articles help his potential clients, reiterate his services and show him as an expert. What articles could you publish on LinkedIn for your customers?
  • The extended list is here and here.

See you next time!

~ Sam