I’m thinking through some things—questioning habits, rethinking workflows, expanding my thought domain—and I remembered I had this note that I used to use a lot before the coronavirus was a thing.

My productivity system is a single text file that I write in every day. I would like to write an article one day on it. I’m also reading through Cal Newport’s A World Without Email, a book that exemplifies confirmation bias for me.

There’s this mindset among many people online that I like to call app lust. It means this desire to try out the next great app because people think it’ll be the answer to their problems but in reality just serves as a distraction that gives the person a hit of dopamine. Each new app satisfies this craving, and they’re always on the lookout for the next hit. I used to be this way, and I’ve learned that I’m happier when I rely less on technology and on apps.

Anyways, I’m still thinking through these thoughts, but here’s the list I used before the coronavirus and something I hope to use more of today:

• Does it scare the hell out of me?
• Will it take me out of my routine?
• Will it help other people?
• Will I make friends?
• Will I grow from this experience?
• Would I do this regardless of money?
• Will I regret not doing it?

I created a new tag: guitar. I went back and tagged a few older posts with it. I want to slowly start building an archive of notes and achievements on my site in regards to my guitar practice. I’m not sure what that will look like yet, but I’m excited to find out! So let’s go!

Happy Sunday!

A beautiful and tragic work of art. I’m tempted to buy the Library of America’s complete collection of Philip Roth’s novels. Nine volumes, 28 novels, $240. Tempted.

I’m kinda giddy that John Gruber’s favorite iOS writing app is iA Writer. It has been mine for years. I’ve tried Ulysses, Day One, Bear, 1Writer, etc., but nothing compares to iA Writer. All my writing gets done on it, and I do a lot.

This morning I finished reading the last volume of Demon Slayer, a manga by Koyoharu Gotouge. Like many, I came into the series by watching the amazing anime first, which I loved, and the rest of the story told in the manga does not disappoint. I loved it.

One thing I like to do is take screenshots of panels I particularly like. They can range anywhere from funny lines of dialogue, like the one above, to simple and quiet panels that pause time to show a beautiful moment.

Here are some of my favorites. Warning: spoilers.

When you’re reading a book that just shakes you to your core, where your hands are trembling but you can’t wait to turn the page, where you’re reading and you look at the time and 15 minutes have passed, then 30 minutes, then an hour, and you can’t wait to turn the page, when you read a passage that hits your soul and you underline it and you re-read it and re-read it, where you feel so grateful that you’re alive to read these words, to let them infect you and become you—that’s how I feel after reading American Pastoral. I still have one more part to read, but my god.

Speaking of Amazon, Peak Design just released an amazing video where they pretty much roast Amazon and their predatory Amazon Basics brand. It’s still tough to quit Amazon, but I do love supporting Peak Design and companies like them. I can’t wait to receive my Mobile set!

New book! I’ve been slowly weening myself off email over the past few months, from only checking work email at work (sorry boss), and turning off all email notifications from my devices. The world has been more interesting with this small act of defiance.

Judging by the screenshots from this Verge article, Fantasian, a game by the creator of Final Fantasy, looks absolutely gorgeous. This might be the first Apple Arcade game I’m genuinely looking forward to.