Make your work ᗡN∀ꓕS ꓕՈO

Recently, I attended a boring conference, where impressive speakers were invited, only to say nothing of value. The audience was bored. Later, I and a friend discussed how the event was most likely a ploy for the government to spend EU money and boast about how much important work they do.

Two of the books I’ve presented below also deal with a similar topic - how governments and “elites” siphon money from the economy, while vital areas like healthcare and education are suffering from a lack of funds.

On the other hand, I’ve shared an article below on how to create content that stands out. We all want to create something worthwhile that gets noticed and makes a difference - and, if we monetize properly - earns us an income.

While some people are looking for ways to spend their ill-gotten funds, others work hard to create something of value first, and then earn from it. This week I’d like to wish you luck if you are of the latter kind - work hard, create something useful, and I hope you will get noticed and be rewarded for it! I hope my tips help.

✋ 4 ways to create something that stands out

None of us want to create generic, easy-to-ignore content. Chat-GPT already does that well enough. Instead, try these 4 ways to create content that makes people go “Oh Sh*t this is clever!“.

You can use an unusual format, like a blog post you need to decipher using a cryptographic key; a post that is aimed at a super specific audience, like North Pole lovers; mix two unrelated influences, like a blog about designing in Canva, told in a style similar to artist Bob Ross; or showcase a weakness as a strength, like presenting old furniture in your store as “vintage decor“.

Read more here.

Shelf Shocks

1. Tyranny, Inc.: How Private Power Crushed American Liberty--and What to Do About It by Sohrab Ahmari

If you feel like your workplace has taken a few cues from novels like 1984, you’re not alone. Ahmari explores how American workplaces have become a bit too dystopian and how capitalism and large corporations have led to an erosion of personal and economic freedoms.

While at times too focused on the American political system, the book nevertheless explores how the world of work is changing - often for the worse. From intrusive workplace surveillance practices like keyloggers to the acquisitions of previously public services like hospitals, the book will change the way you look at work in the 21st century.

2. These Are the Plunderers: How Private Equity Runs—and Wrecks—America by Gretchen Morgenson and Joshua Rosner

Private equity firms are some of the most powerful and influential entities in the world economy. Of course, you don’t gain this amount of money and influence by putting people’s best interests first. Pulitzer prize winner Gretchen Morgenson teams up with Joshua Rosner to tell the story of how these companies came to be and how they threaten our economies.

The negative effects of this hyper-capitalism affect us all - it makes companies more likely to go bankrupt, employees more likely to lose their jobs and benefits, and customers more likely to suffer a bad experience. After this book, you will have a new perspective on the insidious world of billionaire bankers and how the government closes its eyes to their greed.

3. The Power of Reading: Insights from the Research by Stephen D. Krashen

I love reading and libraries. In case you need any more convincing about the benefits of reading and literature, this work cites plenty of research across a wide time period to highlight why filling your room with books is a great idea.

This work focuses on the importance of institutions like schools and public libraries on teaching children the values of reading and how that accelerates their educational development, and will help you appreciate books even more.

Fun Links

1. Create fun profile pics with AI

You’ve probably noticed people on LinkedIn boasting artistic representations of their faces as profile pictures. If you’d like to create one for yourself, the tool they use is called Aragon.AI.

It comes with a hefty $29 fee for the basic version, but it allows you to create artistic representations of yourself and stand out with an unusual profile picture, signaling to people that you are “in“ the AI revolution.

You've reached the end of my newsletter. Hooray! If you have any comments or would like to share what you enjoyed the most, feel free to get in touch! See you in two weeks!