Left on Read pt. 12
Left on Read pt. 12
conversations with strangers, aging, architecture, memez, DIY, hidden gems
For those new here, Left on Read is a weekly-ish (emphasis on “ish” 🙃) curation of articles, essays, and other media consumed that I have come across and felt inspired to pass along. My hope is that these curations will resonate with you, feed your curiosity, or simply bring you joy.
1.
We Should All Talk to Strangers (Lunch on Friday by )
The title says it all… a casual light-hearted read on human connection and the serendipity found in unexpected encounters.
I recently came back from a family trip where we relied on Ubers to get around and later when my bhua (aunt) asked me what my favorite part of the trip was, I couldn’t help but tell her (the truth) that it was conversing with the Uber drivers. She laughed, surprised at my response. In a world that now often feels hurried and isolated, conversations with strangers can remind us of our shared humanity, spark inspiration, and help us understand the world through diverse perspectives.
When was the last time a conversation with a stranger shifted your perspective? How do you think our communities could change if we took more time to engage in meaningful conversations with strangers?
2.
#440 Dr Gabor Maté: The 5 Life Lessons People Learn Too Late, Why We Should Stop Trying To Live Longer & How Curiosity Leads To Compassion (Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee podcast)
You’ve probably seen snippets of this episode going around on Instagram reels and TikTok when it was released a few months ago. It’s a beautiful conversation on aging, the affect emotions have on our bodies, and living a life aligned with meaning. I can just listen to Dr. Gabor talk all day. His voice is so comforting.
3.
Documentary: Architect Abdelwahed El-Wakil (Caravane Earth)
A fascinating and eye-opening half hour documentary about Abdelwahed El-Wakil’s learnings who is also a renowned architect known for his contributions to Islamic architecture and innovative approach to design.
El Wakil shares the idea that culture is affected and created by our connection to the physical and spiritual environment. In particular, he asserts that “a house without a courtyard is like a man without a soul”.
Other quotes in particular that stood out to me:
“The greatest level of identity, of course, to recognize your creator. This gives you the most powerful identity, to realize who created you.”
“When we are cut off from nature, from animals and plants, you have…flower pots that you put on your balcony to be nearby, because…the town is only asphalt and concrete and glass and aluminum. And in lamp posts and high rise buildings and automobiles, there is nothing living. So I mean, you cannot live in this atmosphere apart. Because why do we have pet animals, cats and dogs? This is because we are created to live with these beings. We are not created to live in cement and asphalt.”
“Every culture tries to interpret its image of the macrocosm into a microcosm in their house. And this gives meaning to space.”
4.
Nonsense/acc: Why ‘chronically online’ memes will destroy the internet (Dazed)
This piece examines the evolving landscape of internet culture and its impact on on communication through the lens of internet memes—which once served as a humorous and relatable communal language of sorts has now become increasingly esoteric and fleeting. Moreover, the layers and references embedded in memes require a high level of digital literacy from someone who is chronically online to understand or find amusing, leaving behind those who can't keep up.
“When did our digital communication get so difficult to decode? And what do our impenetrable memes say about our desire (or lack of desire) to make and maintain relationships with other humans in 2024?”
As I read this piece, I was reminded of the annual meme round-ups that circulate on Twitter at the end of each year, highlighting the most popular memes from each month. While I haven’t seen one of these in a couple of years, I recall encountering them with a sense of disbelief, questioning my memory, “Was that really just four months ago?” or “Didn’t that happen last year?” Similar to fashion and other trends, these round-ups underscore how swiftly the digital landscape evolves, to the point of even blurring our sense of time online (at least for me).
5.
DIY Is Not a Trend—It’s a Necessity (Atmos)
This article highlights Warembo Wasanii—a community program in Nairobi founded by Joan Otieno that teaches young women how to upcycle and create art from trash. By repurposing items like plastic bottle caps and yogurt pots, the program encourages and offers girls and women not only space for creative expression but also business skills and financial independence.
“In the West we think that, if we can’t find use for an item, we have to bin it. What these women do so intelligently is alter the context of these items. They take something that’s been deemed to be trash and express themselves by finding a new purpose for that thing. That’s inspiring.”
6.
Are There Any Gems in the World Left Hidden? (The Guest House by
)A beautifully written and timely piece that delves into the impact of digital culture on the mystery and spontaneity of exploration. It critiques how algorithm-driven platforms, while offering convenience, also threaten to make us overly reliant on digital tools, potentially robbing us of authentic experiences and developing personal taste. The Guest House is actually one of my favorite substacks if you can’t tell btw.
This is your sign to take a step back from producing, managing, and planning. Wander aimlessly. Lose all sense of time and place. We can't always be answering questions; sometimes, we need to be the ones asking them :)
More of Left on Read
In case you missed it or are looking for more to read and reflect on, or simply are curious, Left on Read can be found here and on TikTok.
Let’s keep the conversation flowing ‧₊˚ ⋅* ‧₊
🙇🏽♀️ I’d love to read your thoughts in the comments or DMs on any of the media shared above. Feel free to share your recent reads, any compelling pieces that have lingered in your mind, or just a hi! It’s all welcome here.
I can’t wait to read these this weekend, WHAT A LINEUP!!! AND THANK YOU FOR COVERING MY PIECE 💕😭‼️
thank you for the mention ahhhh 🤍🤍 i'm so glad you liked it !!!!