Improvisation and Uncertainty
Work that Feels Alive, The Writing Process Like Describing a Film, A Super Interesting Music Device, Share Bluetooth Audio and Superwhisper Context
Hey guys, the moment you are receiving this, I am probably in the middle of my flight from China back home to Mexico. While in the middle of packing and everything, I’m trying to put this quick overview of my previous week. A few things that stood out:
On Creativity and Risk
"I think what makes any work of art interesting or gripping or effective is the feeling that somebody was living. Somebody was living it; somebody was alert and alive and passionate in some way. And the way you get into that state is by being in unfamiliar territory, I think. You’re most alive when you’re not quite sure what is going on, when you’re slightly flying by the seat of your pants and you have to negotiate it somehow. That’s why we love improvisation so much, because people are deliberately putting themselves at risk—Mason Currey"
I came across this quote last week in an article covering ways to get "unstuck" creatively. This section of the text is talking about Brian Eno's creative process, particularly how he brings randomness and a sense of aliveness into his work. It really resonated with me as someone who's always seeking inspiration and new perspectives. Yes, I do agree it sometimes is about navigating the unknown and embracing uncertainty while maintaining passion. Honestly, this is not only for artistic projects, I think even when working on other stuff I'm always following my curiosity and trying to find my way in the unknown—it keeps me inspired and keeps me learning.
On Writing Advice
I like to basically have a movie that I’ve seen that no one else has seen, and it’s my favorite movie of all time, and I want to describe it in such vivid detail to someone who can’t watch a movie, they can only read a book. That’s my writing process.—Hugh Howey
Super simple and yet very practical advice from Hugh Howey in this talk. While it might not fit every writing situation, picturing yourself describing a movie to someone can definitely take the pressure off. Much better than staring at a blank page, for sure.
On Talkboxes
A week ago, I mentioned discovering a band (Midnight Generation), and I was really impressed by how they used synths and vocoders. Well, over the course of last week I found they were actually using a Talkbox and not a vocoder. I've become very intrigued by this device, which allows you to use the sound of an instrument as your voice. It's super interesting, and now I'm looking for a good excuse to get one!
On Bluetooth Audio
If you've ever wanted to share audio from your Mac with someone else while listening through your Bluetooth headphones or earphones, this free and open-source application is the solution you need. I've done it in the past by tweaking MIDI settings, but this app simplifies the process a lot.
Now, if only there were something like this for the iPhone!
On Superwhisper
A few days ago, I shared a video on SuperWhisper that highlights the context capabilities of this dictation app. If you have the app (or if you are curious), this could be really helpful.
By the way, after shooting 5 videos like this one I think I finally got a good workflow for making this kind of videos with my iPhone. I plan to share more about it.
On Cinema
The Brutalist (2024). I'm a big fan of the works by Brady Corbet (both as director and actor) and I just had to watch this one. The Brutalist, IMO, is not at the same level as his A Childhood Of A Leader, but still, a strong film with incredible performances. Synopsis: Escaping post-war Europe, visionary architect László Toth arrives in America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage to his wife Erzsébet after being forced apart during wartime by shifting borders and regimes. On his own in a strange new country, László settles in Pennsylvania, where the wealthy and prominent industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren recognizes his talent for building. But power and legacy come at a heavy cost.
Presence (2025). I really like that the work of Steven Soderbergh continues to feel fresh and independent. The cinematography of this one, entirely shot on POV is super special. Synopsis: A couple, Rebekah and Chris, and their children, Tyler and Chloe, move into a seemingly normal suburban home. When strange occurrences occur, they begin to believe that there is something else in the house with them. The presence is about to disrupt their lives in unimaginable ways.
If you liked this you may also enjoy some content I have up on my YT Channel! I don’t hang around social media a lot, but when I do I’m on IG or Twitter. You can also check out some of my online classes, listen to my music, or in case you haven’t already, subscribe to my weekly newsletter. Thank you for reading!
Hey Robert, good stuff as always. You are a beacon of positivity, and I always look forward to your content. Thanks!