The Freds 2022
The Freds 2022
Like every other newsletter and media outlet, I am going to use this year’s final newsletter to reflect and share some of the things that have left a mark on me these last 12 months. Much the same as last year, I have been doing my own awards show based upon RadioLabs’ Robert Krulwich’s ‘The Bobbys’. Basic rules are as follows: The awards don’t have to go to stuff that came out this year, just things that you enjoyed this year. Not all categories need winners each year. You can invent a new category each year.
I won’t bore you the full list of 15, but here are a few highlights:
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Best Song
The Microphones in 2020 by The Microphones
At least once a month I put this song on, initially just for some soothing background music, but every time, without fail, I get lost in its simple video and beautiful reflections on creativity and uncertainty. I find something new in it every time.
Best TV Show
I have always loved Nathan Fielders work from Nathan for you to How to with John Wilson, but this latest show felt as if it was written just for me. It’s playful yet horrifyingly surreal. As an investigation on authenticity it first gripped me, then made me annoyingly promote it to everyone I met and finally inspired me to create the AI Dairy Project.
Best Work
A Man Sitting on a Couch Looking at Something
A hard one to pick this year, but this project felt special to me as it was personal. Not only was it intimate in its creation, but it has had lasting and positive changes on the worries I have about how people perceive me, and importantly in how I view myself.
Best Non-Fiction Book
The Utopia of Rules: On Technology, Stupidity, and the Secret Joys of Bureaucracy by David Graeber
This has been my year of reading, so much that the Best Book Category has been split into two. This choice may be biased, as I have just finished reading it, but the ideas it discusses around rules, games and play are living rent-free in my brain.
Best Podcast
Not much to say other than I listen to every episode, and it always leaves me entertained and/or questioning something. Definitely not for everyone, but if you want left-wing cultural analysis, with a sprinkle of conspiracy theory and cheekiness, you may enjoy. A great and topical place to start is their series on Elon Musk and Tesla (The Lamest Show On Earth).
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That’s it for this newsletter this year, and I just wanted to say thank you so much for the support, both OG readers and people who have just joined. I really enjoyed making these and can’t believe I have been doing this for nearly 2 years now.
I hope you all had a great Holiday break and have a great New Year etc, and see you for next year for some more rambles.
Fred
My Website: https://www.fredwordie.com
My Book: https://www.bigdatagirl.com
My VC: https://ventually.xyz