005 | #ANEWIWTHTHEHUE
A weekly Saturday listicle designed to spark joy and inspire positive change in you.
THIS WEEK’s HIGHLIGHTS:
Hidden Brain: Revealing Your Unconscious: Part 1 will help you navigate subconscious biases that you might not be aware of.
The teen mental health crisis: a reckoning for Big Tech raises awareness of the impact of social media, but it also helps to spark questions about how best to proceed with the world’s relationship with Big Tech.
Un Studio serves up Japanese-inspired ceramics that’ll swoon your admiration.
Andre Yoga, a Bali-based artist, presents amplified portrayals of vibrant colours, symbolism, and a crowded canvas— perhaps to reflect on the information overload era of our current existence.
In this enlightening episode of Hidden Brain: Revealing Your Unconscious: Part 1, esteemed psychologist and researcher Mahzarin R. Banaji, of Harvard University, probes the intriguing labyrinth of our subconscious biases, shedding light on their outsized role in colouring our everyday interactions.
Digging deeper into the terra incognita of implicit bias, Banaji’s riveting research unveils how ingrained prejudices subtly sculpt our daily encounters, condition our responses, and even alter our actions.
Perhaps, most intriguingly, she argues that we tend to vastly overestimate our awareness of these covert biases. If you’ve ever wondered how to safeguard your day and your critical decision-making process from the insidious influence of biases, this podcast is a fascinating dive into the uncharted water of our psyche!
The relentless commodification of our attention by social media behemoths has become a norm to accept. Yet, as we move beyond the decade since its inception, we continue to wake up to new unforeseen impacts, which the Financial Times acknowledges on The teen mental health crisis: a reckoning for Big Tech. It casts a harsh spotlight on Big Tech’s sophisticated tactics that ensnare the young, spiralling them into a vortex of addiction. This comes amid a stark surge in preteen and teen suicide rates in the US and the UK, incidents that map the eery rise of social media.
Beyond the blatant and bizarre rise to end one’s life, youth demographics across the world are starting to face insurmountable amounts of hopelessness and a low sense of self-worth. Talk to any school psychologist or anyone working with preteens and they’ll highlight the distinct shift in trends they’re observing, over the shocking levels of unhappiness, dissatisfaction, and low self-esteem that’s slowly ballooning and corroding the minds of this impressionable demographic.
The dark undercurrent of our digital era is a shift in human interaction and therefore, our wiring. Addressing this disturbing trend will require the creative collaboration of thinkers and policymakers across diverse fields— perhaps even cooperation amongst various nations, as what’s most alarming is how these corporations continue to run wild, seemingly without remorse or regulation– as the 2020 documentary The Social Dilemma highlighted. Though, let’s not overlook the fact that social media’s corrosive influence, rarely discriminates by age.
Drenched in the aesthetic of traditional Japanese pottery, Un Studio, a treasure trove for those with a discerning eye for standout ceramics, is wheeling sights to appreciate. Each piece is a testament to intricate craftsmanship, flaunting hues, and designs that guarantee exclusivity. Their collection transforms homeware into statement pieces, ensuring that your living space remains distinctly your own. My personal favourites? Their mugs— are the perfect blend of artistry and practicality, a charmingly unique addition to any coffee table collection.
Andre Yoga, a Bali-based artist, hooks you with his audacious graphics, potent symbolism, and warping of global pop culture. The minimal negative space in his paintings only amplifies the intensity of his colour palette, a poignant echo of our information-soaked existence.
He seemingly encapsulates our collective state of mind of an information overdose— the dizzying rush of content we’re interrupted with daily, through his densely-packed visuals of various subjects. From smartphone ubiquity to app dependence, his work spotlights the flip side of our metropolitan life, where moments of undisturbed tranquillity, gazing at nature’s vast canvas becomes luxuries to be scheduled in.
Yoga’s art, I speculate, is a vibrant, yet jarring portrayal of the complexities of our contemporary existence— a paradoxical dance between the celebratory march of innovation and the erosion of our humanity. It underscores the unconscious consumption of ceaseless stimulation, leaving us with little room to digest the flood of interactions we are forced to encounter.
Can you wrap your head around the fact that we’re already saying goodbye to March? To help you transition smoother into your weekend bliss, give my playlist Soul Searching: Volume One a listen. It’s an ensemble of laid-back tunes and relaxed melodies, perfect for a Saturday morning coffee ritual or any day you wish to kick back.
But hey, if this blend of breezy Indie isn’t quite your cup of tea, don’t fret. Swing by my Spotify page, I’ve got an array of playlists lined up to cater to all your sonic cravings.
I came across a beautiful reminder on Instagram this week:
“When something is for you, it may feel hard to believe but trust that you are worthy of the good things happening and the safe relationships you’re forming.
When something is for you, it can feel scary at times. You may want to run or reject the idea that something so good and steady has your name on it. Give yourself permission to focus on the beauty in front of you today instead of waiting for the ball to drop tomorrow.
When something is for you, you might feel nervous about receiving it– but with intention and practice, you will learn how to accept that you, too, are worthy of joy, ease, and peace of mind.
When something is for you, you might catch yourself sabotaging out of fear. Pause, reflect, and don’t go down that path.
When something is for you, let it in. We cannot always stop things from going wrong, but we can sometimes stall things from going right. Give yourself a chance to trust the goodness that shows up at your door.”
Are there facets of your life you’re holding back on? Are there moments, too splendid to believe in, that you’re not giving yourself permission to enjoy? What do you stand to gain from self-sabotage, from denying yourself the sweet goodness waiting for you? Are there gifts to receive in the present moment that you’re avoiding or ignoring?
These aren’t just idle musings, they’re questions designed to dig deeper into your psyche, probe your state of mind, help you understand your ‘self’ better (it certainly has helped me) and perhaps set you free from the chains of past conditioning.
NEVER MISS A POST…
Three newsletters to celebrate our paths to LIVE BEYOND.
#ANEWWITHTHEHUE is a weekly Saturday listicle that celebrates life, wellness, and everything in between.
#THINKINGHUES are philosophical introspections that dive into the meaning of authenticity, well-being, and a life well lived.
#THEHUE, is a weekly Friday share of The Happy Hue’s philosophies. A practical and reflective collection of wisdom and knowledge.