Electric Speed is a biweekly newsletter that shares resources for creative people (since 2009!), brought to you by Jane Friedman. Sign up here.​

A note from Jane

Recently, while trying to decompress from the events of the last two weeks, I read an interview with the “world’s happiest man,” a Buddhist monk who holds a PhD in cellular genetics and wears an Apple Watch.

I was struck by his answer to a question about the limits of compassion when dealing with figures we find morally reprehensible. He says, “When we speak of compassion, you want everybody to find happiness. No exception. … Compassion is about remedying the suffering and its cause. How would that look? You can wish that the system that allowed someone like that to emerge is changed.”

He clarifies this is different from moral judgment. “These people we are talking about are like sticks in the hands of ignorance and hatred. We can judge the acts of a person at a particular time, but compassion is wishing that the present aspect of suffering and the causes of suffering may be remedied.”

Some of you have written to ask if my attitudes toward AI are now changed given that someone used the technology to cause me harm. It has not changed my attitude toward the technology—I remain neutral to optimistic—but it has raised my awareness of the need for our systems to change given how easily AI can be abused. I see the WGA strike and author lawsuits as part of creating better systems or avoiding bad ones.

Jane

P.S. Most popular blog post this month: I Would Rather See My Books Get Pirated Than This​

​Bob Eckstein​

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Jane’s Electric Speed List

Here are some of the latest things I’ve discovered. (I am not paid to mention any of these resources; there are no affiliate links.)

Simple Mouse Locator: for online teaching or screencasting (or helping mom remotely)

If you’re doing a screen share, and it’s important for people to see or follow your mouse, I highly recommend Simple Mouse Locator software. It allows you to modify your mouse cursor in myriad ways to make it more visible to viewers. It also has a setting that allows you to turn it on and off by quickly moving the mouse back and forth. For Mac and PC. (It does cost a few bucks.)

Have a Canon digital camera? You might be able to use it as a webcam.

During the pandemic, when everyone was trying to improve their work-from-home or learn-from-home setup, some folks were clever enough to hook up their digital SLRs to their computers and use them as webcams. But it wasn’t all that easy to implement for the average person, and sometimes it didn’t work at all.

Now Canon has dramatically improved its webcam utility software, which works seamlessly to turn your Canon into a webcam. I use it myself and find it leagues beyond where the technology was even a couple years ago. If you have a Canon sitting around, this is a good way to impress your virtual buddies. You can control the zoom, plus have your face perfectly in focus while the background is blurred.

Sometimes it’s the simple things: dongle carry case

For 20+ years, I’ve carried around a satchel for my laptop along with myriad power cords, dongles, adapters—all tangled together. Until last month, I didn’t have an organizational method; I just stuffed everything into the bag. Finally I instituted some order and bought a slim organizer so I can see all my dongles and adapters at a glance. Why didn’t I do this years ago!

The Web Curios newsletter

I don’t know quite how to describe this newsletter, but it’s a weekly treasure trove of weird ephemera from the web, plus a lot of suggested reading. UK-based. Voice-driven and irreverent. And long. Don’t feel like you have to read it all, but you’ll likely find one thing in each issue that’s an absolute delight.

NEXT ONLINE CLASS

Aug. 23 – Oct. 26: The Psychology of Memoir with Lisa Cooper Ellison

Most memoirists know they’ll have to study the craft of writing, but not everyone realizes memoir is equal parts storytelling and self-exploration. To write one well, it helps to know some neuroscience, psychology, and tools that foster self-acceptance and introspection. In this three-part series, you’ll learn the neuroscience of storytelling, memories, and why we’re drawn to write about certain experiences; how understanding your memories can help you capture them on the page; how to turn a series of memories into a streamlined draft; and the tools that will help you build resilience as you finish your manuscript.

Your turn: favorite exercise apps or media

In the last issue, I asked you to share your favorite exercise app or workout video/audio series. Here’s what you said.

• For favourite workout sites, I discovered the wide world of yoga YouTubers during the pandemic and have been really enjoying my daily practice with them. My current favourite is Yoga with Kassandra—she’s got a great range of videos and I really love her style. … And Move with James absolutely saved me when I had a wrist injury, because he’s got a variety of challenging but playful wrist-free videos. —Julie Golick
• I love the Gaia program for yoga. There are other types of exercise videos available too but mostly yoga. The instructors are amazing and you can search by what type of practice you want that day if you want to target a specific area of the body. When I made up my mind to do yoga every day, this helped a lot! —Naomi B.
• Hybrid Calisthenics with Hampton Liu. He can be found on YouTube and Instagram. Very helpful videos on how to progress to things like push ups and pull ups. He has a weekly routine with only two exercises a day to build up your everyday muscles for living your best life. He’s such a peaceful and friendly teacher that it’s hard not to do his exercises! —Tammy Cox
• I prefer dancing as exercise (it doesn’t feel like a chore!). I enjoy BellyFIT by Leilah Isaac (she has some free YouTube videos, and Afrifitness. —TiffScribes
• I love GMB Fitness. Their focus is on functional fitness, and their Elements program is really fun (I would much rather move around my apartment like a monkey or a frog than do sets of push-ups or other traditional weight training). Their eating skills program radically and positively changed the way I approach my hunger and my eating habits. —Carrie James
• Fitness Blender has been my go-to for many years. There are many free options and different instructors to choose from. Lots of variety in terms of length of workout, focus of workout, weights vs. cardio, etc. Best of all — the instructors aren’t annoying! They deliberately don’t include music, encouraging viewers to use their own favourite tunes. —Dawn Loewen
• Les Mills. When lockdowns began I was thrilled to learn I could subscribe to Les Mills and get all the workouts at home. For about $10/month, I have access to hundreds of classes in step, weight training, core, yoga, dance, stretching, kickboxing, and on and on. I find the instructors all so positive and motivating, even as I exercise alone in my house. —Kinley Bryan
• OK, my favorite app of all time is Supernatural on Oculus Quest 2. I absolutely hate exercise in every possible form. However, Supernatural has become a total addiction for me. ... I don’t even like playing video games, but I still love doing it. By the end of the workout, I am drenched in sweat and having a helluva good time. It doesn’t even feel like a workout! —Julie Reiser
• Body Groove on YouTube offers very simple and fun dance moves. I too, prefer dancing as exercise. —HI
• Disclaimer: I hate to work out and can only attest to this app as being the only one that has inspired me to work toward better body health overall. And that’s saying a lot! Essentrics TV. Pilates-like, Essentrics focuses on increasing flexibility, strengthening core, and improving posture. From beginner to advanced. —Carey Henry Keefe

Next question: Is there a specific book you like to gift people? Hit reply to this message, or head on over to Discord to share.

Free resources featuring Jane

• Business Clinic (Aug. 22): When You’re Too Nice (and Get Trampled By Clients)​
• Sunday Business Sermon (Sept. 17): Negotiating Book Contracts​

Upcoming online classes

• ​The Psychology of Memoir (three-part series) with Lisa Cooper Ellison, Aug. 23 | Sep. 27 | Oct. 26
• ​Handling Multiple Storylines with Tiffany Yates Martin, Sep. 15
• ​Writer Mind, Marketing Mind with Allison K Williams, Sep. 21
• ​Author Website Mistakes with Jane Friedman, Sep. 22
• ​Effective Book Marketing for Any Author with Jane Friedman, Sep. 28
• ​Social Media Bliss with Jane Friedman, Oct. 19
• ​Build Your Developmental Editing Business with Allison K Williams, starts Nov. 1

Meet Jane at an event

• ​​Writing in the Ozarks (Eureka Springs, Ark.), Oct. 12–14

“At electric speed, all forms are pushed to the limits of their potential.”
—Marshall McLuhan

Created by Jane Friedman I report on the publishing industry and help authors understand the business of writing. Connect on LinkedIn | Instagram | Discord​ P.S. I have a paid newsletter, too.

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