Switch 2 - Impressions

I got my Switch 2 on launch day. The store where I had my pre-order placed had messaged me the day before saying there was a chance it might be delayed. So I spent Thursday morning anxiously refreshing my inbox, waiting to find out whether I could pick it up or not.

Picking it up in-store turned out to be a pretty pleasant experience. While in line, I chatted with other people who had pre-ordered their consoles – an instant connection, thanks to all of us putting money down months ago. Capitalism! Topics ranged from the launch line-up (lacklustre, their opinion), the accessories (not needed) to pricing (too expensive). Still, we all walked out grinning, consoles and games in hand.

The smile didn’t vanish when setting up the console itself: The return of menu music! Yes, only for set-up, but still a welcome surprise. More of this, please, Nintendo! (My hope is, that now that they have played it relatively save when it comes to the hardware, maybe they can invest more into playful companion software.)

The other thing that immediately struck me, was just how big the Switch 2 is. It’s enormous! That’s great when it comes to actually seeing things on the display (great screen, btw), but less so for carrying this thing around or holding it over longer stretches of time. I immediately started to anticipate the inevitable arrival of the Switch 2 Lite, to be honest.

The only real Switch 2 game I played so far was Mario Kart World. It’s a delight. So much charm when it comes to the characters and the world – I kind of want to hug all of my little racer buddies (especially the cow)! Both Grand Prix and K.O. Tour are great modes that truly feel different to precious iterations, thanks to the interconnected world. And some of the stages are just mind-blowing. During my race on the returning Rainbow Road, I kept wanting to stop and just take in the scenery. But I guess this is what the free driving mode is for (which, to be honest, I haven’t explored that much yet).

So yeah, I am happy!

Lake time

A day at the lake – reading, paddling, swimming. Good times.

Woaw Lamps

Ok, how cool is this lamp by design studio Nader Gammas? It totally looks like little glowing mushrooms on a tree branch – though I think it is more inspired by old candle holders. As a fan of all things Mario, I'm immediately sold.

So playful. You can get them here.

Hania Rani - Nostalgia

I keep coming back to Hania Rani's live album "Nostalgia" – there is just something about how her voice, the piano, strings and synths all weave together that really speaks to me. Hearing the audience's reactions adds even more presence. The opening track ("24.04") creates this beautiful momentum, and later tracks "Dancing with Ghosts" and "Don't Break My Heart" are just all time classics.

Really hoping to catch her live here in Berlin sometime soon.

Angel's Egg

I still haven’t seen Angel’s Egg, the 1985 movie by Yoshitaka Amano (who I mostly know from his Final Fantasy work) and Mamoru Oshii – but with the 4K re-release around the corner, I’m holding out a little longer. In the meantime, I just keep watching this clip on repeat...

Beautiful, haunting stuff.

Grace Given

We live in the golden age of enthusiast media! For proof, just look at this beautiful book from publisher Tune & Fairweather on the mythology of Elden Ring!

I am replaying this game at the moment, mainly to finally get to the DLC, and this just keeps on confirming that this is one of the finest games ever made. And if you dipped just a toe into the deep water that are VaatiVidya lore videos, you know how fascinating the mythology of that game can be.

So, yeah, I’m pre-ordering.

Pictures?

This is a meta post about the newsletter – sorry!

So far, I’ve shared a few photos on the blog (still very much a hack-ish work in progress), but I haven’t sent them out via the email newsletter. I’m wondering if I should change that.

It feels like a good step toward getting all my social stuff in one place, but I can imagine it might get a little annoying for some (even though it probably wouldn’t happen more than two or three times a week).

What do you think? Hit reply and let me know!

Drowning in Noise

Reading this article by Christopher Butler had me nodding along the whole time.

Our world treats information like it’s always good. More data, more content, more inputs — we want it all without thinking twice. To say that the last twenty-five years of culture have centered around info-maximalism wouldn’t be an exaggeration. (…) When every moment is filled with new inputs, we can’t fully absorb, process, and reflect upon what we’ve consumed. Reflection, not consumptions, creates wisdom. Reflection requires quiet, isolation, and inactivity.

This is a sentiment I’ve seen echoed by a lot of people lately – and something I feel deeply myself. What started as a drizzle in the early days of the web, a chance to explore different viewpoints, get fresh ideas, or learn new things, has turned into an unrelenting tsunami. One that sweeps our attention away as it rushes endlessly through our minds.

Everything that made the web exciting is still possible, sure – but now it takes effort and discipline not to get swept up in yet another algorithmic feed, carefully crafted to keep us “engaged”. Making us angry, anxious, or afraid we’re missing out are great shortcuts for the platforms to get more “daily active users,” but they do little to nurture what Butler calls “wisdom.”

The chance to gain even a little bit of that wisdom is something I hope for myself – and for my kids. To see past the constant rush of the now, and learn to apply our attention intentionally.

If our attention is our currency, then leverage will come with the capacity to not pay it. To not look, to not listen, to not react, to not share.

Something to remember.

Waiting

Waiting for the kids (there are harder things in life)