An underrated skill – knowing what data to disregard.
It’s so easy to get swamped by data, to convince yourself that every chart and spreadsheet contains magical nuggets that must inform your next move.
So the ability to quickly parse how useful data is, remove the misleading or irrelevant, and focus properly on the stuff that matters is a really useful muscle to develop.
Now, some lovely videos.
Boston Dynamics says goodbye to its most famous robot (3m 30s)
This week, Boston Dynamics retired Atlas, its most famous robot. Created ten years ago by the US engineering company, you’ve probably seen videos of its incredible agility and/or its hilarious pratfalls.
This fond farewell combines both, and manages to tell a moving story about what happens when human imagination and cutting-edge technology combine.
I beamed when Atlas danced, and teared up slightly when it took its final bow. Just know that when the robot revolution comes, everyone who laughed at Atlas’ falls will be first to the gulag. (Watch on YouTube)
Ritual vitamins subverts parental perfection, or nearly does (45s)
I’ve come across two versions of this ad for Rituals vitamins. The spot shared on Rituals’ own channels is good, but this version, shared by the Cabin Editing Company is terrific – funnier, edgier and more memorable than the official version.
It sets out its stall early doors, juxtaposing the immaculate mum visuals with a fabulous foul-mouthed fury. I think it’s a shame the brand didn’t throw itself fully behind this version, because smoothing off the sharp corners sanitised the final product. (Watch on Instagram)
AT&T celebrates the only Deaf American football team (2 mins)
Gallaudet University in Washington DC is home to the USA’s only Deaf & Hard of Hearing college football team. This AT&T spot is about a revolutionary new helmet made for the team, but it’s also about resilience and winning your personal battles.
I especially like the recurring visual motif of the helmet being grabbed from the locker, and the shots of the coach delivering a full-throttle team talk in sign language. (Watch on Vimeo)
A drool-tastic treat for Imperia Pasta Machines (17s)
There are so many satisfying visuals in this short animation for Imperia Homemade Pasta Machines, I’ll wager you’ll watch it again and again.
Looking through the brand’s socials, it doesn’t seem to fit its usual look and feel, which is all polished chrome and flour-strewn wooden worktops. Extra credit then to the creative team for getting this idea signed off, and bringing it to life with designer Federico Piccirillo in such style. (Watch on Instagram)
Blunt and Gosling excel in silly meta promo for their new movie (2 mins)
There’s a version of meta that’s sly and subtle, conjured through knowing nods and winks. Then there’s a version which is brash, obvious and deliberately clumsy, which is what Universal Pictures went with to promote its new film, The Fall Guy.
The movie itself is a meta study of the movie business, and so they’ve ramped up the self-awareness even further here, with a smart script and fun performances. Ryan Gosling’s attempt to channel a charming British rom-com lead is especially enjoyable, although Emily Blunt steals the show. (Watch on YouTube)
Indiana Fever unveils its new star Caitlin Clark in style (20s)
Here in the UK, it’s very possible you haven’t heard of Caitlin Clark, but in the US she’s a massive star, tipped to change basketball forever. She was recently selected by Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft, who made this playfully slick celebration of Clark’s arrival.
I love it when an organisation really goes to town on making a simple announcement much more special. Look out for the magnificently-timed wink. (Watch on Instagram)
Fred Perry sends artist Corbin Shaw dancing through the British imagination (1m 40s)
An exuberant collaboration between Fred Perry and artist Corbin Shaw takes the visual language of British youth and adds dancing. Lots of dancing.
It’s a simple way to reinterpret backdrops that often have negative connotations, bringing a sense of mischief and abandon that becomes quite giddy. (Watch on YouTube)
An informative tour of Rembrandt’s most famous painting (1min)
I think art galleries have really raised their video game in recent months. It makes sense – they have beautiful stuff and great stories – but finding the right way to channel these is not always easy.
This is a good example from Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, taking its showstopper painting, The Night Watch, and giving us a host of interesting insights in just one minute. (Watch on Instagram)
“We don't find insights in data, we find insights in observations, in feelings, in questions, in connections, in pauses. We ratify them with data.”
Tom Goodwin