Something to think about when you’re watching the Olympics
...and other recs this week!
Kia ora, welcome to this week’s newsletter.
What’s the coolest thing you’ve seen in the Olympics so far? For me it’s probably between 13-year-old Momiji Nishiya winning a gold medal in skateboarding and the whole cross-country mountain biking circuit, but it’s early days – there’s still plenty more events to get suddenly and deeply invested in yet.
The athletics programme, for example, doesn’t get underway until Friday. Here’s one thing to consider when you’re watching the long jump: how much better would it be if Tuariki Delamere’s pioneering somersault long jump hadn’t been banned?
I recommend second-screening this and every other episode of Scratched: Aotearoa’s Lost Sporting Legends while you’re in the Olympics zone this week, and thinking about what could have been.
–Cal
This week’s new podcasts
On The Fold [Apple | Spotify], Duncan Greive caught up with Dan Ahwa, creative director of Viva magazine, to talk about what makes the title unique in New Zealand publishing.
On When the Facts Change [Apple | Spotify], Bernard Hickey looked at how behavioural economics can help get the vaccination rate up above 80%.
On Business is Boring [Apple | Spotify], Simon Pound met Melanie Spencer, the co-CEO of Socialites, a company that’s helping businesses big and small succeed on social media.
The Real Pod [Apple | Spotify] inspected the list of celebrities soon to be shipwrecked on Celebrity Treasure Island and recapped the kitchen reveals on The Block NZ.
Dietary Requirements [Apple | Spotify] caught up with Auckland hospo legend Carlo Buenaventura to talk about his new hot spot Bar Magda.
And Remember When… [Apple | Spotify] remembered learning to drive in a manual and the pleasures of the school library.
Subscribe and listen now wherever you get your podcasts!
Extremely Online: Are we training racist robots?
In 2013 the Chicago Police knocked on Robert McDaniel’s door. They told him that their artificial intelligence technology had predicted he would be involved in a shooting. The thing is, they couldn’t determine which side of the gun he’d be on – he could be the shooter, or he might get shot. Either way, their data knew he was at risk. But how can data predict someone’s future? And how can it be racist? Shit You Should Care About finds out in the new episode of Extremely Online.
FIRST: Laiika’s life-changing pop moments
Heidi and Grace from pop duo Laiika are in the FIRST chairs this week, talking about Hannah Montana, hearing Lady Gaga for the first time and being blessed by a wave from Taylor Swift’s mum. Have a listen to their latest single ‘Any Way You Want It’, and watch the fun Singstar-inspired music video.
Girls5eva
Stewart says: “I am utterly obsessed with Girls5eva (TVNZ OnDemand). The latest Tina Fey-produced vehicle was created by Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt writer Meredith Scardino, and is filled with the same kind of infectious, slightly cynical but generally wholesome energy. Girls5eva is the name of the show’s central pop group, who had a string of 90s hits but have since been largely forgotten until a rapper samples one of their songs in a new track. The series follows the band as they attempt to reform and regain their 90s success while forced to grapple with what it means to be a woman (and especially a woman over 40) in music. The writing is snappy, the songs are legitimately catchy and the main cast are all hilarious (particularly Busy Philipps and Renée Elise Goldsberry, of Hamilton fame). If you haven’t watched it… what are you waiting five?”
Pottery class
Lucy says: “Last week I went to my first pottery class at the Clay Centre here in Auckland and I loved it! I went with a few friends and took some drinks and nibbles and we learnt how to make cylinders – some turned into bowls, some into jugs and mine hopefully a nice vessel for a cup of tea. They then finish them off for you, glaze them in your colour of choice and then you pick them up in a few weeks time once they’re ready. Super relaxing and easier than I thought.”
Schmigadoon!
Sam says: “Schmigadoon! (exclamation point very much intended) on Apple TV+ is both a throwback to and a takedown of Golden Age musicals. It stars Cecily Strong and Keegan-Michael Key as a not-quite happy couple who go on a camping trip and find themselves stuck in a musical, as one does, and unable to leave until they find true love. It’s deeply silly and sentimental, and just as great of an escape from the hell of the present day as any other musical.”
Infrared sauna
Jin says: “I did an infrared sauna for the first time ever at Hana in Auckland and it was amazing. I felt like I was floating and had the best sleep afterward. I didn’t have the guts to try the ice bath.” [The Spinoff’s Josie Adams tried the infrared sauna / ice bath combo aka “contrast therapy” at Hana and wrote about it earlier this year.]
That’s all for this week! Please reply to get in touch and share with anyone else who might like to subscribe too. See you next Wednesday 👋
