Weekend Fun - Safari Pics!

What I’m reading, some thoughts from South Africa and this trip's coffee set up

I know I said in my last newsletter that I likely wouldn’t have one this weekend. It turns out I lied. 

When I wrote that, I was feeling pretty exhausted - and, to be honest, very lonely and without a lot of motivation. 

It sounds glamorous when I say I’m traveling to South Africa or any country for work. What you don’t see is how lonely it can be going to another country you know nothing about, aren’t sure how to get around, what to see, and eating alone for days.

I’m incredibly lucky and grateful, but there’s a downside to it all too. And I’ve been feeling that this whole trip. I even considered coming home early. Had there been a seat in something other than the main cabin, I might have. Instead, I left my comfort zone and booked a last-minute day safari to Pilansberg National Park with MoAfrika Tours.

Solo traveler tip - not wanting to go exploring on your own? Book a tour. Trip Advisor has never steered me wrong with great tour companies. I’ve done it in Rio, Athens, Petra, and here. Don’t get me wrong, I send my itinerary and tour company to a few friends should anything go wrong, but it’s been a relatively stress-free way to see the sights without worrying about transportation, tickets, etc.

The safari was lovely. It was a hot and sunny day, so not many animals were out and about, but we saw a leopard far away - at least, that’s what I’m told it was. 😂 We saw a bunch of elephants, giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, kudu, and hippos. Between those pictures, a bunch of news happening, and the fact I don’t leave until 11 pm tonight, I figured why not send another newsletter?

So put on Toto’s Africa or start humming it in your head while you scroll through these pictures and stories I’m reading.

Have a great Sunday.

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🦒🐘🦓 Safari Pics! 🦓🐘🦒

NOTE: I have more pictures and videos on my Instagram and Facebook accounts.

This is one of my favorite selfies that I’ve taken. I’m only bummed I didn’t think of getting one with an elephant in the background.

.You have to go check out the video of this gorgeous creature. The vibes at the beginning are everything. May we all have that kind of confidence

Hanging out with a bunch of elephants was my favorite part. This one decided to come out of the grass so we could all get a good look.

This is the most we saw of the hippos as it was a very sunny day. They are living my dream of spending hot days immersed in water and never coming out.

What I’m Reading

• Deadline: Streaming Bill Regulating Netflix, Amazon And Co In Canada Becomes Law 

  This bill says that streaming services are now required to “contribute to the creation and availability of Canadian stories and music” and “pay their fair share in supporting Canadian artists, just like traditional broadcasters.” 

• LA Magazine: James Corden Bows Out 

  Corden’s final week is worth watching on YouTube or your favorite streaming service. Interestingly, CBS is deciding to end the Late Late Show rather than bring on a new host.

  Brian Stelter
  ’s LA Magazine piece is worth reading about why and what this could mean. I wonder if this is an opening eventually for someone to create a version of all the bits that are done on late-night TV but just do it all online. That’s where most of them are watched anyways.

• Wired: The Andy Warhol Copyright Case That Could Transform Generative AI

  I’m obsessed with the copyright questions around AI. I find it fascinating. This court case could play a big role in how all of that plays out. It came up for me personally recently as I was showing someone the AI images I could make based on a scene I saw while meditating, and she said how cool it would be to make an oracle deck using AI images. It would be cool, but I don’t know if we could sell something like that.

• GovTech: Post-Blue Checks, How Should Government Use Twitter?

  A look at how government agencies are navigating the new verification system at Twitter.

• PoliticoPro: Sticking to TikTok: German lawmakers come to grips with Chinese-owned social media

  As more people use the app it will be harder for politicians and political parties to ignore using it.

• TikTok: Our determination to fight disinformation in the election process (Turkey Election)

  Turkey goes to polls on May 14.

• Bangkok Post: Meta lays out plan to support Thai election 

  Thailand is also going to the polls on May 14.

• Tech Policy Press: Looking Ahead to 2024: Mitigating Election Mis- and Disinformation 

  A huge thank you to Justin for linking to the election cycle tracker!

• Tech Policy Press: In Brazil, Platform Regulation Takes Center Stage 

• Brennan Center: Local Election Officials Survey — April 2023 

  Election officials continue to face a hostile environment with insufficient resources, and many are quitting.

• Campaigns and Elections: Struggling With a Texting Script? Maybe Let AI Do a Pass

  An example of AI tools being developed for campaigns.

• Axios: Joint meeting of Congress to be filmed in 360° virtual reality 

• Rest of World: Twitter is complying with more government demands under Elon Musk

• Integrity Institute Podcast, Trust in Tech: Turkey’s complicated relationship with social media: how authoritarianism and platforms can clash

☕ Bonus Content - Travel Coffee Set Up ☕

For this trip, I only did a carry-on, so I couldn’t bring the French press, but I did pack my AeroPress. This contraption is fantastic for travel coffee. The black canister is from Miir and holds the coffee grounds. The small silver one has my travel creamers. I’m so glad I brought it because the coffee in my room was instant. 😒