The Hat, The Fight, and What Is Rattan?
Four things worth your time. One I built. Two I use daily. One will make your AI stop agreeing with you.
1. The Hat Manifesto (Mine)
Back in December, I wrote about buying a cheap embroidered patch off Amazon and slapping it on an old hat. The hat’s done now. You can see the start of the project by clicking on this link here.
Why this matters: Because I’m not a keyword and neither are you. This is what happens when you stop optimizing for algorithms and start building things that matter to you. The patch cost pennies. The statement is priceless.
2. Your AI Has a Crush on You
Nick Quick wrote a sharp piece on the emotional dynamics between humans and AI. The part that landed: his prompt challenge.
“Argue against this position as compellingly as you can. Don’t hold back. Give me the strongest counterargument someone could make.”
Why this matters: Most people use AI to confirm what they already think. This flips it. You’re forcing the machine to stress-test your ideas, not stroke your ego. If you’re not asking AI to argue with you, you’re using a very expensive yes-man.
Read the article by | Your AI Has a Crush on You
3. Plastic Rattan Storage Boxes
I didn’t know what rattan was until this week. Turns out I like the plastic version. Durable, looks expensive, actually affordable. Grabbed a few dark storage boxes to clean up the workspace.
Why this matters: You’re never too old to stumble into something new. Sometimes the best discoveries come from solving boring problems like “where do I put this stuff?” Function first. Aesthetics follow.
Link: Rattan Boxes on Amazon
4. Upscayl (Free AI Image Upscaler)
I’ve been using this tool for about a year. It’s free, it’s fast, and it does one thing exceptionally well: upscale images without turning them into mush. No subscription. No bullshit.
Why this matters: Most AI tools are solving problems you don’t have. This one solves a real one. You’ve got a low-res image. You need it sharp. Done. This is what good software looks like when it’s not trying to become a platform.
Get it: upscayl.org
Which of these are you actually going to use, and which are you just going to bookmark and forget?
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I hope you have a great weekend,
VENGA! – Mark
V➤ I’m choosing “function first” with plastic rattan and DIY hats over algorithm-friendly aesthetics. Where do you draw the line between buying something because it actually works and buying it because you’ve been “optimized” into thinking you need it?