The Week in Review

What I listened to:

“Debatable” or as I see it, debating debate, on Radiolab. Fascinating story of Ryan Wash who challenged the status quo in the world of competitive debate.

Epigram, Gramatik’s newest album. This one keeps the future funk and quiet storm alive, with a sprinkle of more traditional EDM buildups and some trap beats here and there. Epigram isn't quite as impressive as The Age of Reason, but it is nice to hear new music in the same vein.

What I read:

How can the US Make Life Less Draining for Workers?, A broad overview of issues that are pushing more and more workers into the gig economy or to become entrepreneurs. Time will tell which workplaces go from good to great and if companies in the US are going to continue to invest in their most valuable resource.

How Greg Guy increased his company’s overall sales by- among other things- doing away with commissions for his sales staff. Guy recognized that, as with non-sales staff, his salespeople’s internal motivators “including the desire for autonomy, mastery, and a sense of purpose” at work were actually more important than external motivation factors, such as commission.

What I watched:

An indestructible deer, created by artist Brent Watanabe, running aimlessly through the GTA V game online. Here’s the original story.