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- Everyone complains about Trump
A whole lot of us go through life assuming that we are basically right, basically all the time, about basically everything: about our political and intellectual convictions, our religious and moral beliefs, our assessment of other people, our memories, our grasp of facts.
— Kathryn Schulz
One of my very first blog posts on the internet (back in 2021) was why I stopped following the news—and I remember it sparked a lot of reactions from friends and family.
Of all the reasons I mentioned back then, one has stood the test of time the most for me: Even if you stop following the news, you won’t miss anything important—your surroundings will inevitably bring it up, often unintentionally, filtering out the noise for you.
This addresses what I think is people’s biggest concern: No, you won’t be left out of conversations. No, people won’t stop talking to you or think you’re clueless. And yes, you’ll still be updated on the truly important stuff (unless you live in a cave).
So even if I don’t keep up, the (important) news finds its way to me. And over the past few months—well, years now—one topic keeps coming up. Or rather, one person who turned himself into a topic.
Ladies and gentlemen… Donald Trump!
From where I live and the political leanings of the people around me, it’s safe to say: everybody hates him. He’s seen as many things—I won’t get into the details—but you get the idea.
But here’s the thing that’s been bothering me the whole time: Everyone complains about Trump, yet everyone keeps talking about him.
And from my perspective, that just seems to amplify his voice and reach. Every ridiculous thing he says or does gets magnified a thousand times—not just by the media (that’s their job), but by people. People from all over the world, many of whom won’t be impacted by his actions at all.
That, to me, is his superpower. He fully embodies the idea that there’s no such thing as bad publicity. If you need proof—just look at the results of past elections.
It reminds me of something I heard on a podcast recently. In September 2024, Trump claimed that 20,000 legal immigrants had been relocated to Springfield, Ohio—a small town of about 60,000 people—and that they were eating the local’s dogs and cats.
The statement was quickly fact-checked and debunked. Many thought it cost him the debate, maybe even the election.
But the podcast guest, a marketing expert, had a different take. He believed the comment actually helped Trump by drawing attention to a broader issue: the visible impact of immigration in small towns. You can easily visualize 20,000 people—and grasp that it’s a third of a town of 60,000. That’s much more tangible than trying to wrap your head around millions of immigrants arriving in the U.S.
So sure, the specific claim was false. But it made people—especially Trump supporters and some moderates—more alert to how large-scale immigration might change the character of their hometowns.
As much as I dislike the guy, I have to admit: he’s a master at marketing and manipulating attention.
Which is why, to me, the most effective way to push back is simple: stop engaging. Stop being outraged, stop caring, and stop giving him the attention he so desperately feeds on.
— James
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Tools & Websites
Space Dashboard is a super cool hub that aggregates live NASA feeds, upcoming launches and events, near-Earth objects, the latest sun photography, and a bunch of other space tools.
Filmtypes is an awesome resource for film photography. Dominik has built a huge library of cameras and film stocks, along with a printable exposure catalog you can use at home.
Oatside is the oat milk my girlfriend is obsessed with. While it's great in coffee, it's even more delicious on their website—the branding is absolutely 🤤 ↓
MAKER(S) OF THE WEEK
Studio Patten is a Spain-based graphic design and illustration studio founded by Carlos Egan and Aida Novoa. While I haven't found much background information about them, their work is stunning—particularly their Alicia en el país de las maravillas project for Audi.
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James’ Library
Article | Loved this piece from Nathaniel Drew. He raises two valid points:
I have shared a lot of my life and my experiences on the internet. A recurring comment I’ve seen both on my own videos but also across social media is, “oh you’re so privileged.” Which is a true statement. I don’t shy away from this. There’s nothing worse than someone who is privileged pretending they aren’t, or performing struggle. I grew up in a safe neighborhood. My parents were the first generation in my family to get a higher education and I had the privilege to be the first in my family line to choose not to get a higher education. […] What I find troubling about the use of this word in this way is that it’s basically a conversation-stopper, there’s no good way to respond to that without coming across as defensive or out of touch. Replying with a simple “you’re right, I am” also doesn’t lead anywhere. That could come across as smug or condescending. The whole topic is so touchy, it feels like there’s a million ways it can go wrong. |
Article | An interesting perspective on today's creator economy by W. David Marx. He argues youth culture shifted from rejecting commerce ("don’t sell out"), to embracing commerce as a legitimate artistic vehicle ("anti-anti-sellout"), to today’s norm where creators use commercial success primarily to pursue even more commerce — becoming "double sell-outs.” In the 1990s, there was a single ethical principle at the heart of youth culture — don’t sell out. There was a logic behind it: When artists serve the commercial marketplace, they blunt their pure artistic vision in compromising with conventional tastes. This ethic was also core to subcultures, which were supposed to be social spaces for personal expression and community bonding, not style laboratories for the fashion industry. |
…Aesthetic Corner…
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The Sigma BF is a beautifully simple camera that strips photography down to what matters. With a sleek aluminium body, intuitive controls, and no unnecessary distractions, it lets you focus on the shot—not the settings. Don’t be fooled by its minimalist design—it packs a full-frame sensor, fast autofocus, 6K video, and 230GB of built-in storage. Clean, powerful, and made to last.
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The Escape Machine is a custom-built motorcycle, dreamed up by two passionate designers. Based on a vintage BMW model, it’s been completely transformed—blending the sleek look of a classic Mercedes car with bold, modern details. Every part was reimagined by hand, from the shape of the seat to the custom-made front light. The result is more than just a bike—it’s a moving piece of design, built to stand out and tell a story.
Sustainable Living
Cabin Anna is a one-of-a-kind cabin that opens up—literally—to nature. Designed by Dutch creator Caspar Schols, it was born from a desire to reconnect with the outdoors. The cabin’s sliding walls allow you to transform it completely: you can go from cozy indoor space to open-air shelter in seconds.
Set in the heart of a Dutch national park, Cabin Anna feels modern and peaceful all at once. Despite its small size, it includes everything you need: a kitchen, a bathroom, a sleeping loft, and even a bath tucked into the floor. With clean lines, light wood, and clever features that hide away when not in use, the design encourages calm, simplicity, and connection.
What makes Cabin Anna truly special is its focus on sustainability. It runs fully off-grid—solar panels heat the water in summer, and a wood stove takes over in winter. Water comes from deep underground, and wastewater is naturally filtered before returning to the ecosystem. Plus, the whole cabin can be taken apart and moved without leaving a trace. It’s a smart, beautiful reminder that living well doesn’t have to harm the planet.
Friends of James
Beehiiv — the powerhouse behind all my newsletters, helping me craft, design, grow my audience, and monetize effortlessly.
Notion — my go-to tool for the last 6+ years, where I store all my notes, manage tasks, and essentially run both my life and businesses.
Webflow — the engine behind all my websites, letting me design, build, and launch seamlessly without code.
Make — the tool that runs my business on autopilot, handling all recurring and time-consuming tasks
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