Metalabel describes itself as “a new space to release and collect creative work”. Whether it’s in games, music, podcasting or publishing, creators can release and sell new work, split earnings and control how their work is being accessed. The team behind it includes cofounders of Kickstarter, Etsy and Ampled.

Etherpad is a simple Google Doc with real-time collaborative features that is highly customisable and, importantly, open source. Just set up a pad, share the link and start collaborating.

An interesting little app (for macOS and iOS) that turns your Mastodon account into more of a mini blog. The app does not show a timeline of other user’s posts, but instead lets you publish and then add threads to existing posts, allowing you to share your evolving ideas with others.

For anyone trying to figure out sun paths and shade angles (for instance for solar panel placement, photography, gardening, etc), Sunlitt is an iOS app that tracks the sun’s position and movements with a delightful and human-centred interface.

See What You Made Me Do →

Power, control and domestic abuse

Australian investigative journalist Jess Hill delves into the complex dynamics of domestic abuse, exploring how power and control are wielded within relationships and the devastating impact this has on victims and society. “Too often we ask the wrong question – why didn’t she leave? We should be asking – why did he do it? Combining forensic research with riveting storytelling, See What You Made Me Do radically rethinks how to confront the national crisis of fear and abuse in our homes.”

The Hidden Life of Trees →

The secret social networks of trees

German forester and author Peter Wohlleben reveals the intricate and surprising ways in which trees interact, support each other, and form complex communities, challenging our understanding of nature. “Peter Wohlleben convincingly makes the case that, yes, the forest is a social network. He draws on groundbreaking scientific discoveries to describe how trees are like human families: tree parents live together with their children, communicate with them, support them as they grow, share nutrients with those who are sick or struggling, and even warn each other of impending dangers.”

You’ve probably heard of ‘sleep apnea’ before, but were you aware that many people unknowingly hold their breath or breathe shallowly while working on screens? A phenomenon dubbed ‘screen apnea’: “‘If you are hunched over, you can’t extend your belly. You can’t take that soft, slow, deep breath,’ Nestor said. This results in shallow chest breathing, which means we end up breathing more, which sends stress signals to the brain.”

In light of recent riots across the UK, this is an excellent refresher on the theories behind why people riot and whether to engage with rioters and their demands. “When people argue about the aims of riots, there are typically two rival theories, which are doing battle again this time. One theory is that rioters are mindless ‘riffraff’ who must be punished. The other is that they are rational actors with grievances that must be addressed. The ‘riffraff’ and ‘rational actor’ theories are constant, but who espouses them depends on the nature of the riot.”

A short investigation into the change in quality of our clothes. Overall, manufacturing quality has declined significantly since the ’90s and 2000s due to the rise of fast fashion, which prioritises low costs over craftsmanship. Almost every big fashion company, from Zara to SHEIN, produces clothes quickly and cheaply, often using synthetic materials and cutting corners. “I want you to think about how many new pieces of clothing you bought last year. If you’re anything like the average American, it was around 68. In 1980 that number was 12. But wait, it gets crazier. In the ’80s, Americans spent about 7% of their annual income on clothes. Today, it’s just 3%. We spend half as much, even though we’re buying five times more.”