Once a Week Episode #308

1. THE ART OF TELLING FORBIDDEN STORIES IN CHINA. HAN ZHANG

"Many writers are looking for ways to capture the everyday realities that the government keeps hidden — sometimes at their own peril."

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/03/magazine/chinese-literature-censorship.html

2. THE COMMODIFICATION OF MINIMALISM. MIKE GRINDLE

"Ever notice how everything looks and feels kind of “minimalist” these days? Between the recent rise of deconstructed corporate logos to Instagram-worthy interior spaces, hipster-chic clothing, Apple tech products, and the empty white pages of the mobile-friendly web, it seems the minimalist aesthetic is, ironically, everywhere."

https://medium.com/counterarts/the-commodification-of-minimalism-8b72f91bb3cd

3. THE LAST PLACE ON EARTH ANY TOURIST SHOULD GO. SARA CLEMENCE

"Take Antarctica off your travel bucket list."

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2023/07/antarctica-tourism-overcrowding-environmental-threat/674600/

4. THE ZANY HISTORY OF MINI-GOLF. RANSOM RIGGS

"The oldest mini golf course in existence, according to Guinness World Records, can actually be found in Scotland: The St Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club was formed in 1867 as a members-only green for women golfers. Of course, the club was a result of the conventions of the day that decreed it improper for a lady to “take the club back past their shoulder.” There may not have been any windmills or loop-the-loop obstacles on this course, but the green was—and remains—one of the most prestigious miniature courses around."

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/19567/zany-history-mini-golf

5. JUST FOR INSPIRATION. LEGO BRAILLE BRICKS

Incredible example of inclusive innovation. Lego now need to work on getting the price right. Inclusion shouldn't come with a premium price.?

Lego Braille Bricks