15th March 2019

Writing this piece over in Austin at SxSW. Seen some great stuff this week from the likes of Jodie Foster, David Byrne and Brian Solis. Attended sessions on subjects inclusing the blockchain, insights, influencer marketing, video, mindfulness and ‘cannabusiness’. More info on all of this in coming weeks, but wanted to share this video shown byBrian Solis at the launch of his new book. This is the wonderful, Alike.  

‘As we reflect on 30 years of the World Wide Web in 2019, we must also take the opportunity to think about what we want the future of the web, and the internet more broadly, to look like.’ NESTA on 30 years of the Web.

What was the happiest day on the internet this decade? This rigorous (albeit subjective) analysis highlights the top 10 candidates. Number one comes in on June 26, 2015. When Obama sings “Amazing Grace” and the day gay marriage was legalised. 

‘The rise in dating apps has introduced a host of new behaviours to navigate, with names like ghosting, cookie-jarring and orbiting that belie their psychological and emotional impact. Technology has made people less empathetic and sensitive in their dating habits. People are much more likely to ghost someone — just disappear without explanation — along with some other poor behaviours.’ And so…. this is how anti-dating apps are helping modern daters heal after heartbreak.

Facebook can make VR avatars look, and move, exactly like you,..and in China you will soon be able to pay your subway fare with your face.

This is how an app for gamers went mainstream. ‘Discord has become an indispensable tool for internet creators to connect with their fans. A real-time chat platform, it was founded four years ago as a way to make it easier for gamers to communicate. But over the past year, it has outgrown its origin story and become the default place where influencers, YouTubers, Instagram meme accounts, and anyone with an audience can connect with their community.

So, the hottest chat app for teens is Google Docs. ‘As more and more laptops find their way into middle and high schools, educators are using Google Docs to do collaborative exercises and help students follow along with the lesson plan. The students, however, are using it to organise running conversations behind teachers’ backs.’

This instagram account is dedicated to beautiful libraries around the world.

Virgin Galactic releases some amazing footage of its second spaceflight. The VSS Unity reached an altitude of 55.87 miles.

Mercedes tells the story of Bertha Benz and ‘The Journey That Changed Everything’.
A completely desiccated desert plant is rehydrated and the effect is incredible, and here – photographer captures a shot of two sharks caught inside a glassy wave. And finally, a woman sets up a tiny photo booth to capture birds eating in her backyard.