Digital Bouncers, Heinz's Evil Puzzle and What Your Bookshelf Says About You

Digital Bouncers and the Brave Evolution of Stand-Up

If a stand-up comic tells a joke over Zoom and you don't hear anyone laughing, is it still funny? This week Fast Company explored the wild and evolving world of stand up comedy online. From comics figuring out shorter sets, to hiring "digital bouncers" to help manage hecklers, this story takes you inside an industry that disappeared overnight thanks to quarantine orders, but is slowly finding new signs of life and new ways to connect with audiences that we all can learn from.

What Does Your Bookshelf Say About You?

As an author, I always look at people's bookshelves with curiosity. Books can reveal people's personalities. It's common to see people's bookshelves these days in the background of video calls. They add a much needed dose of reality to balance the flawed perception that we need to always be performing. If you've ever wondered what books celebrities have on their bookshelves, you'll enjoy this article. For me, the good news is that none of them organized their books by color. If you do that, you're sending a pretty clear signal that you don't actually read any of your books ... and just use them for decoration instead.

Virtual Matchmaking Brings Hope To Lockdown Singles

Dating isn't dead in a lockdown. From socially distanced walks to a live streamed Zoom Bachelorette reality show, singles are finding new ways to connect with one another and their friends are embracing their self-appointed roles as virtual matchmakers. These are all symbols of how dating culture is changing - and how isolated singles are opening up their dating pool to people based anywhere. After all, there's no rulebook for a virtual date.

Heinz Creates The Ultimate Puzzle and its Totally Evil

Heinz pours slow. It's been the core premise of their marketing (and their bottle design) for years. So to bring that to life this week they announced a diabolical puzzle made up of 570 pieces in identical ketchup red. It's a fun piece of marketing and a nightmare-inducing challenge. Try to win one of their 57 puzzles they're giving away if you dare.

3 Non-Obvious Things To Watch, Listen and Attend Virtually

I have written in the past about all of the amazing content that is now available for free, and this week there are three I wanted to share with you that I'm particularly excited about:

• Space Force with Steve Carell - If you loved The Office, apparently you'll love this new comedy from Netflix that comes out on May 29th. Watch the trailer here >
• Harry Potter read by Daniel Radcliffe - To help with home schooling, JK Rowling is loosening licensing restrictions to make it easier for teachers to use her books to read to students and now they have announced they'll be doing an edition read by celebrities and actors from the films.
• Together While Apart Book Launch - Join Former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, in conversation with NYT Bestselling Author, Daniel Pink about his timely new book in this exclusive event put on by my friends at CadreDC. Use this link to register and the code "NONOBVIOUS" for a discounted rate.