Through Lines 174

Micky Dolenz from the Monkeys covering R.E.M.’s Shiny Happy People? Ah-mazing! And sign me up for the rest of the album too.

• “But the problem with technological progress is that once some people start using it to increase efficiency, the others have no choice but to use it in order to maintain the same quality of life.” Technology doesn't solve problems, it just creates new ones.
• The notable lack of obvious storage is maybe a ding against Honda’s slightly ridiculously but maybe also awesome Motocompacto electric personal mobility vehicle. If you like riding a suitcase that is.
• The JWST's latest image of M51 (the grand-design spiral galaxy) is about as out-of-this-world as it gets. Wow, seriously wow.
• Although For All Mankind started to get a bit ridiculous beyond the first season, it’s still highly enjoyable and fun to watch. I didn’t realize there was going to be a fourth season, so this teaser trailer was a nice surprise.
• Print is a perfect medium for skilled trade publications like BLAG while also providing a solid means to preserve knowledge over time. There’s an incredible wealth of real knowledge in the Sign Painters Support group on Facebook but sadly it’s trapped in a product that’s not designed for longevity.
• I’m not sure how I feel about the use of AI models in the creation of the music videos for Peter Gabriel's forthcoming i/o album, but the results are still fascinating despite being stressful to watch because there’s so much going on in them.
• I’m not really much for video games, but the Analogue Pocket seems pretty cool, especially given that you can also use it as a synthesizer and sequencer.
• These bike tires made from NASA's nitinol material ain’t cheap but might be the thing I need to solve the endless number of flats I find myself changing due to the delightful state of the roads in California.
• Learned a new term today — the Kessler Effect (Syndrome). Also, yikes.
• “Sitting on the left side of the classroom so-to-speak, not only did I get a lot done, but I was a lot happier than any time I’ve sat on the right side.” Amen Greg. (dead link removed)
• Looks like I have a good reason to finally go visit Apple Park.
• The final trailer for The Creator. I really do hope this is as good as it looks.
• What is Post-Branding?

Notable Type Releases

• The three styles included in the full Doumbar family give it a uniquely industrial, mechanical flavor. You can almost see the tools used to make the letterforms in the individual character shapes.
• The sharp, angular, and speedy uppercase-only style of Mercato is perfect for old grocery store signs and protest banners since its forms are drawn from that world.
• Also in the sign lettering vein is PVC from Production Type which also throws caution to the wind with a wildly eclectic but useful and versatile family of styles that do more than just cross genres.
• Bricolage Grotesque whose origins trace back to Mayenne Sans with connections to French and British sources isn’t new, but it caught my attention this week.
• Komplekt has graduated to full 1.0 status from Future Fonts and might be my favorite grotesk in some time with all it’s quirky letterforms and slightly soft, squishy form.
• Cosmica Mono is the first retail type family from Labor & Wait (RIP vllg) alongside it’s Sans sibling though taking on different promotions with a monospace model.