Weekly Filet #194: More talented than you think. And more.
1. You are a musical expert (Aeon Magazine)
«The difference between a virtuoso performer and an ordinary music fan is much smaller than the gulf between that fan and someone with no musical knowledge at all.» Fascinating read.
2. Who's Who (Audubon)
Intense portrait images of owls. Apparently, it's quite a challenge to get owls to look directly into a camera lens, but when they do: wow.
3. Why is everyone so busy? (The Economist)
In a remarkable twist of irony, I was too busy to read this article when it came out in December. Now I did, and it's a good one. tl;dr: Einstein.
4. Oculus is releasing 5 animated movies this year (The Rift Arcade)
A sneak peek at the five virtual reality movies Oculus Rift is working on. This looks spectacular. For some more background, here's an article on how virtual reality will change movies forever that I've recommended a few months ago.
5. How not to be wrong (Jordan Ellenberg)
A book about maths. Not hooked? How about: a book about democracy and the universe and how not to be fooled. Eye-opening.
Recommended by Lara Fritzsche: Drones on rugs (Color Magazine)
Weavers from Afghanistan traditionally incorporte themes from their everyday lives into their rugs. Since the Soviet occupation in 1979, they have turned to symbols of war; helicopters, hand grenades, tanks. After 2001, the iconography has been replaced by military features of the United States invasion. And now there are even predator drones on rugs.
February guest curator: Lara Fritzsche is one of my favourite journalists. She works for SZ Magazin in Munich. If you understand German, read this story of hers about a girl who had survived the Utøya massacre. You can follow Lara on Twitter, which you probably should.