Finding great stories, so you don't have to

Hi, friend. Hope you're making the most of the May Day weekend. Earlier this week I watched the two-part Netflix Jimmy Savile documentary. Subtitled 'A British Horror Story', it's easy to watch and wonder how he got away with it for so long – not least because everyone you talk to was in no doubt about how creepy he was.

But then this new article in The Guardian about how the libel laws protected people just like Savile makes it clear how he did. Frightening stuff.

Anyway, enough of that – here's some lighter stuff to enjoy...

103 bits of advice I wish I'd known
These are always excellent and this list, in particular, strikes me as very wise (written by a 70yo). I very much concur with: 'The biggest lie we tell ourselves is “I dont need to write this down because I will remember it.”' 

How you experience the web today
This website brilliantly demonstrates something that I've been wanging on about for years. Yes, brands need to engage with their audiences, but there are ways of doing it. And this lays bare how awful the experience is for most of us. Very clever. 

BOOK OF THE FORTNIGHT
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
I adore this book. It tells the story of a 14yo boy, Benny Oh, whose dad Kenji dies, and this leads to him starting to hear voices – of all the objects around him. His mum then develops a hoarding problem, which exacerbates the voices. Benny seeks solace in the local public library, where he meets kindred spirits and his own Book. This is such a lightly-written story, but it's heart-warming and life-affirming. Highly recommended.
Buy links^*: UK Bookshop / Amazon / Hive

-oOo-

What it's like being a one-line actor in Hollywood
Trying to 'make it' in the film industry is hard, especially if you're not a natural beauty. This is an excellent profile and behind-the-scenes look. 

The history of the flashmob
There was a time about 10-15 years ago, when barely a week went by without a new flashmob video being shared. This is a nice piece on how they came about, and the difference types there have been over the years.

How to ask for help
It's surprising how many people won't 'put their hand up', when they're struggling. Sometimes, just by explaining the problem to someone else, an answer will reveal itself.

What do pop stars do after their fame declines?
This is a cracking piece, featuring contributions from artists as varied as Bob Geldof, Tanya Donnelly, Lisa Maffia, Billy Bragg, Robbie Williams and Terence Trent D'Arby.

Magic book art
I mean, that's a three-word hook for you, isn't it? It's a 3-minute video that will hopefully make you think: 'That's magic!'

Ronnie O'Sullivan revisits his famous 5-minute 147 break
Those of you enjoying the final weekend of this year's World Snooker Championship might find this entertaining. On its 25th anniversary, Ronnie O'Sullivan talks to Alan McManus about his still-extraordinary high-speed maximum break from 1997. 

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“People with a more positive attitude to their later years are less likely to develop hearing loss, frailty and illness – and even Alzheimer’s disease – than people who associate ageing with senility and disability." (From The Expectation Effect by David Robson)

If you like Content-ment, feel free to buy me a Ko-fi! ☕️

The end blurb...
^*My book recommendation links usually go to one of three places: 
1) Bookshop.org (an online bookshop with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops – it's an affiliate link, so I earn a tiny amount at no extra cost to you)
2) Hive, which makes a donation to a local independent bookshop of your choosing every time you buy from them.
3) I also include an Amazon affiliate link, though, as I know lots of people still read via Kindle, even though they're taking over the world!

I'm always grateful when people send on recommendations for inclusion in here. If you ever see something you think I'd love to read, please let me know. The internet is a big space and I only search a small part of it...

Finally, if you're reading this for the first time, why not sign up here to get a dose of similar enjoyment every two weeks, or simply email me at rob@robmansfield.net with "Content-ment" in the subject line.

See you in a fortnight!

Rob