The Things That Matter

Welcome to the third edition of Brief Clarity.

In a previous iteration of this newsletter, I shared 7 tips to help individuals become their better selves, and each tip came with practical steps to help put them into action. The aim? To provide some sort of a guide as they journey towards becoming a more fulfilled, empowered, and authentic version of themselves. Fun fact, I'm on the same journey, and that's why I wanted to share these tips that I've picked up along the way.

So what are these tips? Well, I talk about the simple things like staying hydrated, trying new things, valuing experiences over stuff, practicing mindfulness, getting moving with a fitness routine, making sure you're getting enough sleep, and giving yourself a daily dose of positive affirmations.

Remember, it's all about loving yourself and embracing who you are, quirks and all. It's not about striving for some unattainable perfection. It's about being real and kind to yourself along the way.

✨ My Favorite Things this Week

• Marvel brings back a 90s classic with ‘X-Men ‘97,’ continuing the story where the beloved series left off 27 years ago. Catch the new episodes every Wednesday, streaming on Disney Plus.

• Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ breaks streaming records on Spotify & Amazon Music.

• WrestleMania XL will take place this weekend, April 6 & 7, streaming exclusively on Peacock.

• Big Sean performs for NPR's 'Tiny Desk' Concert & teases new album is ‘Coming Soon’.

• Today is: Monday, April 1, 2024. Cheers to new beginnings and fresh starts. 🥂

🕊️ In Memoriam

Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of the tragic loss of Nipsey Hussle, a rapper, entrepreneur, and community pillar whose influence still resonates deeply. Nipsey wasn't just a gifted lyricist; he was a symbol of ambition, resilience, and the transformative power of investing in one's own community.

From his early mixtapes to his Grammy-nominated album "Victory Lap," Nipsey’s music chronicled both the struggles and triumphs of his life in South Central Los Angeles. His raw authenticity connected with me, but his impact extended far beyond the booth.

Nipsey Hussle was a visionary businessman, opening businesses like his Marathon Clothing store to create opportunities within his own neighborhood. He championed financial literacy and tech education, empowering others to build their own legacy.

While his life was tragically cut short, his message of perseverance and commitment to uplifting others continues to inspire. Nipsey Hussle might be gone, but his spirit – the Marathon spirit – lives on as a testament to his enduring impact.

RIP Ermias Joseph Asghedom 🕊️
[1985 - 2019]

🖥️ Tech of the Week

Google is diving deeper into the world of conversational AI with its latest innovation: Gemini. This powerful language model is shaping up to be a serious competitor to the popular ChatGPT.

What is Gemini?

At its core, Gemini is a large language model (LLM) – a sophisticated AI trained on a massive dataset of text and code. This allows it to:

• Understand and Respond: Gemini can hold conversations, answer questions in a comprehensive and informative way, and follow prompts with surprising accuracy.

• Generate Creative Content: Gemini can write poems, stories, scripts, musical pieces – even computer code!

• Stay (Mostly) Factual: While not perfect, Gemini attempts to be more grounded in facts and reduce misinformation compared to its predecessors.

Gemini Advanced: Power User Perks

For those wanting the most from Gemini, there's Gemini Advanced. This premium version unlocks:

• Ultra 1.0 Model: Gemini Advanced users get access to Google's most advanced LLM, Ultra 1.0, for faster, more comprehensive responses and even greater creative capabilities.

• Priority Access & Reduced Throttling: Skip the queues and experience less slowdown during peak usage times.

• Expanded Features: New features will likely be exclusive to Gemini Advanced users, such as enhanced collaboration tools or specialized coding assistance.

How to Get Gemini

Currently, you can try the basic version of Gemini for free at gemini.google.com. Gemini Advanced is available as part of the new Google One AI Premium Plan, which bundles it together with other AI-powered upgrades across Google's product suite.

🔎 Curator Spotlight

The art world is undergoing a significant transformation, with a growing emphasis on diversity and representation. There's a strong push to spotlight artists from historically underrepresented backgrounds, including artists of color, women, Indigenous artists, and those from the LGBTQ+ community.

What Does This Means?

• New Focus on Artists: Museums are actively seeking out and showcasing art from a rich variety of creators.

• Diverse Voices in Curation: Museums are hiring curators with diverse backgrounds to bring fresh perspectives and interpretations to their exhibits.

• Global Perspective: Art from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond is increasingly being highlighted, not just traditional European art.

This commitment to diversity is changing how museums connect with audiences. By showcasing a wider range of perspectives, museums attract visitors who want to feel represented, challenge traditional narratives, and gain a more complete view of art history. While there's still work to be done, this focus on diversity is creating a more vibrant and welcoming art world for everyone.

📌 In Case You Missed It

Sean "Diddy" Combs is confronting a barrage of serious legal challenges. Several civil lawsuits have recently been filed against the music mogul, with women accusing him of sexual assault, r*pe, coercion into prostitution, and secretly filming sexual acts. One lawsuit also alleges Combs pressured an accuser to take illegal drugs, resulting in an unwanted pregnancy.

Combs has forcefully denied the allegations, denouncing them as false and unfounded. The situation is further complicated by a recent raid on Combs' Miami and Los Angeles residences by federal agents, reportedly as part of an ongoing sex trafficking investigation.

The federal raids indicate an investigation into potentially severe charges. Authorities have not yet named Combs as a focus of the investigation, and no charges have been filed. But, this isn't the first time Combs has faced legal challenges. Previous lawsuits have included allegations of assault and contract disputes. The implications of these accusations are significant. Combs could face legal consequences and severe reputational damage, which could impact his business empire and relationships within the music industry.

This situation continues to unfold, and the outcome remains uncertain.

Ask Me Anything

Feel free to reply to my email with any questions. Plus, if you share something noteworthy, you might even get featured!