Here’s a random list of some things I’ve been reading or listening to that I think are worth sharing:

McSweeney’s: No President Before Trump Ever Responded More Boldly, Swiftly, and Decisively in the Face of Criticism: This really cuts to the heart of this man’s character (or rather, lack thereof). It’s right there, with the frequent “That’s a nasty question” comment in press briefings. There is no empathy, instead just a blatant disregard for the very real consequences for his actions, not to mention his willingness to spread unconfirmed information about treatments for COVID-19.

Rework Podcast: Remote Work Q&A, Part 1: I watched a little bit of the video they did, but found the comments on the sidebar incredibly distracting. This is much better as a podcast, and has the benefit of a transcript plus relevant links. I like that they tackle topics not just about remote work, but about work philosophy in general. One of the more interesting points Jason Fried made was to take this time of self-quarantine as a time to learn how to communicate differently, and spoke to using writing to communicate rather than meetings. He mentioned off-handedly, “What if everyone came through this (COVID-19 pandemic) a better writer?” It’s certainly something worth reflecting on, and worth pursuing.

Planet Money: The CryptoQueen: This was a fascinating story. There’s a certainly a lot to keep up with now, especially with COVID-19, but I think reporting like this is just as crucial, since scams like this can perpetuate in stressful times, especially when the economy is yo-yoing the way it is.

Reply All Two-Fer: #158 The Case of the Missing Hit and #159 The Attic and Closet Show: These two are a bit opposites; The Case of the Missing Hit was a sheer delight to listen to, while The Attic and Closet Show is a lot more sobering. Both are good listens, and it’s fascinating seeing the sheer reach this show has across the world.

Margo Aaron at That Seems Important: Coronovirus is Serious, But Panic is Optional: I found this post via Seth Godin, who pointed to her post after comparing the relative spread of calm versus panic. Both posts are worth a read, and the only quibble I have with Margo Aaron’s piece is that I believe we have both a misinformation problem and a fear problem, when you factor in the sheer ease of spreading both misinformed and fear-based messages across social media.