AI, Queer Representation & Bucket Hats

Weekly vlog, joy list and book & TV recommendations

Jun 08, 2024

Hello you ray of sunshine, and welcome back to another end-of-the-week check in where I share the things that brought me joy this week.

A Week in my Life Vlog, featuring:

An insight into my brain
AuDHD musings
First time back at the gym (in years??)

Joy List:

Currently watching: Humans

Ok, I am obsessed with this show. It is so good! Honestly, I’m furious I haven’t seen it sooner because not only is it brilliant acting but it’s given me a lot of food for thought about the concept of AI (artificial intelligence) and how that would help or hinder our humanity.

The show tackles the social, cultural and psychological impact of extremely progressive AI (i.e. robots that can do everything for us) as we follow one family’s journey after they buy a refurbished ‘synth’ that actually has consciousness.

There are three seasons and I’m on the final season. Season one was the best (as is often the way with series’) but it’s a fascinating commentary on the invention of ‘service humanoids’ gaining consciousness and the ethics of it.

Themes: AI | family | consciousness | sci-fi

Also watching:

An Apple Music YouTube clip with Zane Lowe interviewing Billie Eilish and Finneas (her brother) about their new album. You can watch it here if you’re also interested in learning how artists make their music and what the process of songwriting looks like.

Currently reading: Something to be Proud of by Anna Zoe Quirke

I haven’t actually started this yet having just finished Coraline and The Bloody Chamber, but I got sent it as a PR copy and I am really looking forward to getting stuck in, quite timely considering it’s Pride Month! The story follows Imogen Quinn - chaotic bisexual with dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian, crushing stereotypes about autistic people - and openly gay football captain, Ollie Armstrong and their mission to organise an accessible pride festival.

It’s so brilliant to see queer and autistic representation in YA novels (written by queer and autistic authors!) Something I wish I had when I was younger.

Themes: LGBTQIA+ | pride | belonging | tackling injustices | autism

Also reading: On Palestine by Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé, edited by Frank Barat

‘The need to stand in solidarity with Palestinians has never been greater. Ilan Pappé and Noam Chomsky, two leading voices in the struggle to liberate Palestine, discuss the road ahead for Palestinians and how the international community can pressure Israel to end its human rights abuses against the people of Palestine. On Palestine is the sequel to their acclaimed book Gaza in Crisis.’

Whilst the authors, Noam Chomsky and Ilan Pappé, are Jewish and Israeli respectively (please note there is a difference between Jewish, Israeli's and Zionists), this is a fascinating and powerful piece of writing. The book itself is split into two sections: part one is a series of dialogues between Chomsky and Pappé, whilst part two is their reflections. Despite being published in 2015, everything I've read so far is, sadly, still extremely relevant to the current genocide happening in Gaza and still remains an urgent and timely book.

On Palestine probably isn't a 'beginners guide' for those wishing to understand what is happening in Palestine right now, as it requires the reader to have foundational knowledge and understanding of historical events etc. However, I still think it is an important piece of literature and provides hope in the strive for Palestinian Liberation.

Further Resources & Reading:

If you want to know who to boycott in relation to the ongoing genocide is Palestine, check out: https://bdsmovement.net/
Operation Olive Branch are a charity gathering links, educational info and details of Palestinian families that desperately need help in this master spreadsheet.
Check out free resources on Israel -Palestine (over 1500 books) here.
The website Decolonise Palestine is also a brilliant resource for those that want to start learning about Palestine.
Donation links, email templates, more resources available here.

Currently listening to: Chappell Roan

Album: The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess

My current favourite songs are:

Currently loving:

Vegan cheese and ham sandwiches on shitty white Warburtons bread.
The sunshine! I can smell summer, finally!
Creating a profile for The Book Nook (my indie bookshop) on Bookshop.org. You can check it out here. This means if you purchase a book on the Bookshop.org website using The Book Nook’s affiliate link, I’ll receive a small percentage of the sale and you’ll be supporting my small business. Thank you in advance if you choose to shop through my affiliate link.