#51 CYB: LINKWORLD: Some things I’m loving right now

What’s claiming my attention?

Hoping for more beach time this summer.

As we head into summer, there are articles, books, musicians, and media bits I’d like to share.  This week’s issue is a download of references and recommendations.

MEDIA: Three good things to watch:

Polite Society (film): Nida Manzoor is a talent to watch. Writer and director of the brilliant and hilarious 2023 film Polite Society (streaming on Prime), Manzoor also created We Are Lady Parts, a significant 2022 series streaming on Peacock (watch this if you have not). Polite Society tells the story of an Anglo-Indian teen trying to stop her sister’s disastrous marriage, but it is so much more–maybe the best comparison is to Gerwig’s Lady Bird. 

Bridgerton, Season 3: What a romp! Riotous fun for everyone looking for a friendly escape from the world.

MUSIC: Add some tunes to your playlist! These pop bangers and indie gems have been on repeat for me:

Dua Lipa’s Radical Optimism is my album of the moment; on the road, lifting weights, cleaning–I can’t get enough. Maria, Houdini, Training Season–so many good ones!

And these from Chappell Roan, who is wonderful

And always, my beloveds, Sofi Tukker, Throw Some ASS (the bass, always.)

READING: And some excellent reads:

Radiant Fugitives, A Novel by  Nawaaz Ahmed. A stunning debut novel by a former computer scientist,  Radiant Fugitives’s narrator is the protagonist’s unborn child. Filled with Keats, Wordsworth, and verses from the Quran, this very original story focuses on Seema, a queer woman from Chennai, India, living in the Bay area, her friends and family at a pivotal moment in her life, set against the backdrop of the Obama campaign and first year in office.

 In an interview with the Aspen Institute, Ahmed says, “As a gay Muslim writer, I wanted to explore my complicated relationship with the religion I was born into. The rift between the two sisters at the heart of Radiant Fugitives, one a lesbian and the other devoutly religious provided me with the means. At the same time, as a new immigrant to America, I was grappling with my sense of belonging in the country. I became a citizen during President Obama’s first term, in the shadows of the Ground-Zero mosque protests and the same-sex marriage battles.”

Also:

• Pink Ranger Costume, by Eric Kim, is an exquisite coming-out essay. It is so well done and is such a great read.  

AI & TECH READS

• Tech Bits in the Machine, A Time Capsule of Worker's Stories in the Age of Generative AI, DAIR Institute, Collective Action School, and Collective Action in Tech. PDF here.   This comprehensive report captures the experiences and concerns of workers affected by the rapid adoption of generative AI, offering ground-level perspective on this technological shift.

• Opinion: AI is driving impact and equity at New York nonprofits, by Rich Leimsider, Leimsider explores how AI technologies are being leveraged by nonprofit organizations in New York to enhance their impact and promote equity, highlighting both the opportunities and challenges in this space.

• Five ‘aha’ ways AI can help you work better, By Helen Lee Kupp and Nichole Sterling. This practical article outlines five effective ways to integrate AI into your work routine, offering tangible tips for boosting productivity and creativity.

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Thank you for joining me on this journey! I hope CYB #51 was fun. If you know someone who might enjoy this mix of personal stories and ideas, forward this newsletter. And if you're new here and have found value in this content, subscribe to Cover Your Bases.

As always, I’m grateful for your readership and engagement. I look forward to our continued conversation!

Warmly, Susan

PS, If you missed it, I have two new blog posts about using AI: 

• Empower Your Nonprofit Grant Writing with an AI-Powered Research Brain: Imagine having a dedicated research assistant at your nonprofit’s disposal—one that can efficiently synthesize and analyze vast amounts of data, supporting your grant writing and research efforts. In this blog post, I share my experience building custom “research brains” for nonprofit clients using premium ChatGPT-4. Find out why this is a good strategy 

• Step-by-Step DIY Guide: Build a Custom Research GPT Brain for Your Nonprofit: How do you build a dedicated GPT4-o that can analyze and synthesize your nonprofit's research, reports, and data? Use my step-by-step guide to get started. 

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