If only it were true.
Happy Tuesday.
On the Filter Bubble, part two
When was the last time you engaged with someone with contrary views to yours?
Someone from a different background? Someone who doesn’t read the same books as you and watches different movies, listens to different music…?
You are missing out on the creativity, conflict of thoughts, ideas and innovation which springs from this kind of interaction.
On the Filter Bubble
Recently started on The Filter Bubble by Eli Pariser, a book that’s been called “explosive” and “a must-read” on personalization on the Internet.
Personalization of the Internet has been become incredibly widespread and pervasive, to the point where what we see, who we see, what we read and what we buy has in some way already been tailored for us before we even thought of taking any of these actions.
Imagine going to a shopping mall. Once you’ve entered the door, Pick n Pay will have your particular fruit and veg already picked and packed,
Next, Woolworths hands you your exact clothing or shoes or food in the right colour, size and right packaging. Exclusive Books brings you the right newspapers and books that you need, at this very time.
Then as you turn to leave, Kauai kindly hands you your favourite smoothie and wrap in the right size and selection. Voila.
That’s personalization, and this scenario is not too drastic to imagine.
This is all possible based on your online clicks, your Facebook friends, your age, city, country and Tweets. And that’s only on a macro level…
How I’m Spending Sunday Evening
I’ve finally found a bacherlor flat and I’m moving in 1 April. I’m super excited. Flat hunting has been a bit of a challenge. All the moving back and forth and temporary homes was terribly boring and time consuming – luckily I have amazing parents and friends willing to cart my stuff around. So as I count down to the big moving in day I’m looking around for some inspiration on Pinterest…
And found this and more :
I’ve also started on The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. It’s a recommendation (and loan) from a colleague. I’ve read the reviews online and they’re almost all positive so I’m looking forward to getting stuck into it. I finished Condi Rice’s No Higher Honor last week after literally months of reading. I found myself reading a few pages, researching the facts and details and as a result, spent time reading supporting articles, papers and then only returning to No Higher Honor later. I’m going to try and write a review on it a bit later.
Oh, and just some green tea for fun 
Have a good week !
7 Things I Hate About Flat Hunting
As you might know, I am now in the market looking for a place to call my own. After renting for a year, personally, I think the sensible thing is to invest in property that is actually mine, finally try all those lovely decor ideas I’ve collected from Apartment Therapy and it’s a good investment to make in your twenties.
But like most long-term decisions, the hunt for a flat has been very trying, to say the least. It’s been about four months now and I’ve looked at some really nice places and some dismal places that should be shut up and never see the light of day. I’ve met really nice agents, willing to give some advice to a first timer like myself, and some really aggressive agents that sms/call/email all the time.
It’s been challenging.
My experience has however helped me to find the 7 things I hate about flat hunting. Here it goes:
1. Too much advice
I know my friends, colleagues and family members all mean well, but sometimes it becomes so overwhelming to listen to and consider all the advice that everyone has to offer. It’s good listening to people who have already gone through the experience, but sometimes, the advice is contradictory, from very different (financial) viewpoints and just advice for advice sake. And being nice, I often stand there and listen. So while I appreciate all the advice and sage knowings from everyone, it is a bit of a challenge considering it all.
2. Sharky Agents
They call you all the time. They send you profiles of flats that’s out of your budget/out of your chosen areas/just not fitting. They chasing a commission. They’re not interested in your needs and wants. It’s just bad having to deal with them.
3. Sellers who want to take advantage of you
Being a first time, female buyer it is easy for sellers to think that you’re inexperienced with little knowledge in-house buying. While the first might be true, with the internet and sites like windeed.co.za, it becomes easier for people to research properties and even owners (I can look up if an owner is a serial investor etc). Also, once you’ve sifted through the advice you’ve received, articles you’ve read and books you’ve scanned, you also have some idea about what to look for and what to be cautious about. In the past few months I’ve made two offers based on research I’ve done on the properties and the owners which we below their asking price. One guy, who said the price is non-negotiable, actually brought down the price because I did some research on him !
4. Search, Enquire, Visit, Reject
Yes, I need to be patient.
5. Patience
Everyday is another day I am renting and not owning, every month it’s a payment that could’ve gone into my bond and not someone elses.
6. What you get is not what the ad says
There’ve been countless times where I pitch up at a flat and the flat is almost completely different from the ad. “Five minutes from the station” is actually 10 minutes. By car. “Sunny kitchen” is actually a small window which gets three minutes of sunlight. “Clean and well looked after” is filthy walls with scruffy mat. I’ve seen some really bad places.
7. If it’s meant to be it will be.
I’m just not philosophical enough to believe this each time someone says it me.
7 Film Posters You Want to Print and Hang on a Wall
Jessica Biel Looked Great (!) for Elle Magazine
