Alex Burns

Audiences want romance. Stars want romance. We have a formula for romance that works when given the benefit of strong direction, witty writing, charming leads, a slightly unexpected soundtrack (Maggie Rogers, what are you doing here?!), and on occasion, a lithe and spirited British muse.

Also, I'm tired of the bland minimalist aesthetic that's polluted the contemporary Internet. If that's your shtick, I respect it, but it's not my vibe. I'm much more inspired by styles like Rococo, Baroque, and Art Nouveau; artists like Pissarro, Monet, and Cézanne; the interior design of châteaus in France and the exterior design of Disneyland.

Forty hour work weeks are a relic of the Industrial Age. Knowledge workers function like athletes—train and sprint, then rest and reassess.

Neo-cities : When do people start new cities vs. reforming existing ones? Is Singapore an urbanist paradise or technofascist dystopia? What can the US learn from Special Economic Zones? Can you do urban renewal right? What’s the difference between Esmeralda and California Forever? Why do most charter cities fail? How might they succeed?

It’s such a confidence trick, writing a novel. The main person you have to trick into confidence is yourself.

Play on sports teams

Sports teams have a massive impact on emotional well-being. What could be healthier than running around with friends for an hour, possibly dipping in and out of the flow state, while your phone is stashed in a backpack? It’s even great when things aren’t going well. I watched a 50-year-old guy get thrown out of a softball game... See more