Strands of Genius: Squishy Math, Americans Share Their Views on All Things, Fall Reading
Plus, our thoughts on: closed captioning
WRITING FROM | Los Angeles, CA (Ashley)
WORKING ON | SOSG content and planning, some website and admin clean up, fall/winter travel planning
LOOKING AHEAD
Sept 19-30 | Los Angeles, CA
Oct 1-9 | Honolulu, HI
Oct 10- Nov 1 | Los Angeles, CA
Nov 2-9 | Cabo, Mexico
Nov 9 - Dec 31 | Los Angeles, CA (tentatively)
:: WHAT’S NEW & WEEKLY GRATITUDE ::
I’m exhausted after a busy few days celebrating and being a part of the wedding for my friend Eva and her new husband Steve! While exhausted, I’m feeling especially grateful for the new friends I’ve made and reuniting with some of my travel fam! Weddings are such a beautiful insight into all the different parts of someone’s life. I first met Eva in 2018 when I was living in Bali, and we’ve traveled to a handful of other countries and states together, making memories that will last a lifetime. She first met her now husband when she decided to move to California after living abroad. So I’ve known more of her recent life, but getting to meet the people who helped shape Eva into the woman I first met over acai bowls not too long ago was pretty dang cool. Also, yay for the outdoors and in person gatherings again!
This week, we’re especially thankful for:
Sixty Chapel in Garden Valley, ID, the beautiful backdrop of the mountains, the new Mr. and Mrs. Hainzer, my fellow bridesmaids and groomsmen, mobile IV therapy, my travel fam, Southwest Airlines personnel, my ipad that provided me with entertainment when my flights were delayed, all my new friends & YOU.
:: THE LINKS ::
SQUISHY MATH
This one requires a couple of reads to process, but with everything being so data driven today, it’s interesting to learn about topological data analysis (TDA). “Many standard techniques for data analysis are based on a type of mathematics known as linear algebra, which studies straight lines and flat planes. To hunt out loops, researchers are instead turning to TDA. TDA is grounded in topology, a branch of mathematics that studies pliable, stretchy shapes. Mathematicians and scientists are now working together to find unusual topological shapes in a vast range of data, representing anything from biological processes with daily rhythms to the structure of drug molecules. Perhaps the most intriguing of these investigations pertain to brain structure. Mathematicians have used topology to explore how neurons interact across extended areas of the brain, reacting to different surroundings and stimuli.” So, topology is helping us find patterns in the brain, drugs and evolution. (Scientific American)
AMERICANS SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON ALL THINGS
Okay, so this isn’t just one article, but a collection of articles as a part of The New York Times Opinion Focus Group series. Editors ask Americans to share their views on life, society, politics and more. We’re left with a piece almost every two weeks on an incredibly relevant topic. One I particularly enjoyed was with a group of teachers talking about the current state of education. As someone who loves and values school, it was / is a bit disheartening that so many in the education system don’t see themselves as superheroes. (The New York Times)
FALL READING
Don’t hate, but I love me a good Buzzfeed list, and this one is currently in my saved pile. As you all know, Rosie and Faris read. A LOT! I go through waves of binging books versus binging tv shows. And I’m trying to get into a steady reading cycle. This list is a compilation of different books people will never stop recommending, and it covers a spectrum! But what I love is the explanations for why people are recommending said book - lessons learned, parallels to their own lives, etc. The power of words! (Buzzfeed)
Strands of Genius is currently read by more than 13,000 subscribers. Support us by becoming a member of The School of Stolen Genius, or encouraging friends or colleagues to subscribe. If you’re interested in sponsoring this newsletter, hit reply and let’s chat!
:: WHAT WE’RE THINKING ABOUT: CLOSED CAPTIONING ::
It’s Deaf Awareness Week, which means some companies and brands are paying a little closer attention to things that are my reality every day. One of those things - closed captioning. I still can’t help but be peeved at the fact that closed captioning is not the standard for all ads. Keep in mind I’m talking specifically about the US. According to the FCC’s Closed Captioning Rules, “Video programming includes advertisements of more than five minutes in duration but does not include advertisements of five minutes’ duration or less.” So while video programming distributors are required to provide closed captions on 100% of their “new” (i.e. post-1998) nonexempt content, they are not required to ensure that the typical 30-second TV ad is captioned.
There’s a lot out there saying that budgeting keeps companies and brands from closed captioning. The reality is investing in captioning can actually yield many benefits that go beyond accessibility such as legal protection, video SEO, better focus, engagement, and memory. 3Play Media highlights some of these benefits here.
Additionally, stats released by YouTube and Facebook / Meta showcase how video promotional ads have a substantial impact in customers’ purchase decisions and that captions improve view rates and engagement.
So, a reminder to all of those not thinking about including closed captioning in their budgets…
Join a community of people looking to work smarter, not harder.
Enroll today >
http://schoolofstolengeni.us
If we can ever be of help to you, even outside of a formal engagement, please don’t hesitate to let us know.
rockON,
faris & rosie & ashley | your friends over at geniussteals.co
@faris is always tweeting
@rosieyakob hangs out on instagram
@ashley also writes for deaf, tattooed & employed
Know someone who could use some inspiration in their inbox?
Forward this email to them! We appreciate you spreading the word.
It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.
Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based in Tennessee where our company is registered, our admin extraordinaire is based in Playa del Carmen, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.
Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)