Finding great stories, so you don't have to

Hey there, friend. How are you? I have a favour to ask. By and large, I don't really care about the number of people that these emails reach every fortnight. However, I'd be weird if I didn't occasionally want to spread the net a little wider.

So, today, I wonder if you'd do something for me. Have a think about three friends, family members, enemies(!) who you think might benefit from a bit of 'Content-ment' in their life. Then forward this email to them, suggesting they sign up because it's the best email ever (or possibly something a little less hyperbolic).

That's it. Simple as. It'll probably only take you a minute. Thank you!

OK, now on with the links...

The science behind nominative determinism
For every footballer called Mark De Man, there's a police officer called Rob Banks. So does your name really influence what you end up doing with your life, or even who you date? Read on and be enlightened. 

Why we're doing dating all wrong
Speaking of dating... This quote at the end sums up what the research suggests: "In the dating market, people compete ferociously for mates with qualities that do not increase one’s chances of romantic happiness."  
Pair with: 36 questions to ask your significant other to truly get to know them

BOOK OF THE FORTNIGHT
Land by Simon Winchester
I'll be honest, the first chapter of this book didn't set my world alight. However, as Winchester started charting various histories of how people have mapped, owned, stolen and cared for land, I was won over. The indignities meted out on Native Americans are nothing less than a travesty – fortunately, the occasional country has managed to get it right. This book proved enlightening, occasionally made me angry, but ultimately enriched me. Worth a read (and it's only £3.99 as a download currently).
Buy links^*: UK Bookshop / Amazon / Hive

-oOo-

Amazing Web Design history timeline
This is probably just for the geeks like me (although I imagine there are a few on this email list), but it's packed with wonderful nuggets of trivia, as well as a being a proper nostalgia-fest. For example, as recently as 2004, 90% of web browsers were a version of Internet Explorer

Exploring work email clichés
I love this cartoon exploration of the difficulty behind writing work emails. It will probably resonate with most people. Incidentally, I had a look at the origin of the word 'cliché' and it apparently stems from French printers' jargon, referring to a stereotype or print block that could reproduce type or images repeatedly.

7 types of stupid
I can't deny I've probably fallen into one of these varieties at times (hey, no-one can be a genius 24/7 😉). Part of the fun of this piece is thinking about people who would fit into each category.

Why people hated shopping trolleys when they were introduced
This is a US-focused piece, but it reminds me of a Coronation Street storyline from the late 70s/early 80s when Alf Roberts turned the corner shop self-service and none of the locals could understand why and what they were meant to do. (Apologies to anyone who is scratching their heads in bewilderment after reading that previous paragraph) 😆

What constitutes a spolier?
This was written waaaay back in 2009, but is still relevant now. It also helps that many of the examples used, eg The Sixth Sense and The Usual Suspects, have probably been seen by everyone now, anyway. [Via the always reliable Inneresting]  

Should we let the Tower of Pisa collapse?
A deliberately provocative piece, but worth a read nonetheless. The author, Daniel Snowman, makes a reasonable case and argues not doing anything is the worst decision of all. 

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

“Unfortunately, if you want to do new things, you'll face a force more powerful than other people's skepticism: your own skepticism. You too will judge your early work too harshly. How do you avoid that?" (From Early Work by Paul Graham)

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