#8 - Everything Random
Welcome to the eighth edition of Everything Random. A series of links, articles, notes, idea, and everything random living rent free in my head (and open browser tabs). Hopefully you find something interesting or helpful. Some of these topics will be explored further in future posts, so let me know what you enjoyed in the comments.
It’s nearing the end of August and the new years already feels like it’s right around the corner. I’ve been playing with the idea of using a paper planner. Many, many years ago (I’m getting old) I exclusively used a paper planner and enjoyed it. Since moving most my notes, calendars, and tasks to my phone, I’ve abandoned the physical paper planner. Maybe this is the year I switch back.
I really enjoy the idea of being able to disconnect more and not have a planner that is able to send me notifications or make noise when I’m not paying attention to it. There is a certain appeal to the quietness of a paper planner and using one to start the new year.
📰 Do AI Surveillance Tools Violate Student Rights?
This is a commentary post to some news out of Lawrence Public Schools in Kansas. The Lawerence Times reported…
A handful of Lawrence High School journalism students previously arguedtheir files were protected by the Kansas Student Publications Act, legislation that protects student journalists, ensuring editorial independence and shielding them from censorship by school authorities. They argued the Kansas Reporter’s Shield Law, which protects journalists’ confidential notes and sources, prohibited the district from deploying Gaggle and possibly looking through their reporting material. Their arguments have been regularly supported by the Student Press Law Center.
With so much technology used in school and classrooms across the country now, this is a very interesting and timely issue to discuss.
📝 Should we keep AI away from the classroom? from Daria's Tech Musings
Along the same lines as the previous article, I came across this Substack post that goes into some more points of AI being used in schools. From the post…
As a high school student myself, I’ve discussed the use of AI at school, too. These conversations always revolved around academic integrity; we talked a lot about preventing AI cheating, and how to approach work that is clearly AI-generated. The consensus is that using AI to complete assignments should not be allowed, and everyone usually agrees that doing so is unfair and robs students of a learning opportunity. After all, there’s a reason we get assigned work, as much as we hate it sometimes, and completing it is in our own best interests.
Found anything interested you want more of or expanded on? Let me know in the comments.
The Balearic Sling
I went from working on an Etsy shop to discovering the world of slings. This listing for an EDC Sling - Minimalist Hand-Woven Survival Sling for Everyday Carry and Outdoor Adventures started me off.
I don’t believe I have thought about a sling since first hearing the biblical story of David vs. Goliath.
Digging more I found the type of sling this was and the history of the Balearic Slinger. From Wikipedia…
The Balearic slingers, indigenous to the Balearic Islands, were warriors from ancient times famed for their mastery in the art of using the sling. They also served as mercenaries for both Carthaginian and Roman forces, particularly during the post-Talayotic era.
Eventually leading to a video on how to use a sling
And now to me having to decide if I will order a sling and pick up a new hobby. I admit this hobby has a lot going for my personal preferences; minimal equipment, outdoor activity, can be done just about anywhere, can build your own equipment, and a skill that just takes practice on your own.
Have you ever shot a sling? Or would you shoot a sling? There must be a few readers on here that have. Let me know your experience with it in the comments.
This edition’s living rent free song is Hi Ren by Ren. I found thing song during a doom scroll on Instagram. I have since come to really enjoy his music. Ren has several different genres that his music can fall into, and it’s worth exploring his full collection. Hi Ren is his most popular song and I image, how most people discover him.
On 15 December 2022, he self-released a music video for his song "Hi Ren". This was a breakthrough moment for Ren. It became a viral hit. A clip from "Hi Ren" on TikTok had over 12 million views in January 2023 and the YouTube video received 6.8 million views in two months and charted worldwide on YouTube's trending music video chart. As of July 21, 2025, Ren’s singular video which continues to introduce Ren to his listeners, fans, and the world, has exceeded 56 million views.
More about Ren on Wikipedia.
There is also a pretty lengthy and in-depth Reddit thread on this song at r/Music.
This wraps up Edition #8 of Everything Random. If you enjoyed this edition, there is no better way to show your support than sharing with friends, by hitting the button below.
*Disclaimer: This post is a stream of consciousness type of writing. If you find spelling, grammar, or other issues, please let me know and they will be corrected.