Momentum Minute #0 - Retro photo app, making the perfect YouTube thumbnail, positive Diderot Effect.

Hey there! I’m curating this weekly newsletter to share this week’s most interesting finds and realizations. Hopefully it’ll inspire something within you to be more bold and move forward.

New app I can’t stop using. - Lapse

Lapse is a fresh, yet familiar way to capture moments as you live them.

How it works: Snap a photo, BUT you can’t view it right away. It takes a random amount of time to “develop”. This little UX gimmick ensures you’re always focused on capturing moments vs overthinking what you’ve captured. It keeps you moving forward. Reminds me of running around with a OG film camera.

Lapse is also a social network, but I’m completely happy using it single-player since it incentivizes you to keep snapping by compiling a monthly review.

I can’t help but feel the simple nostalgia of discovering the simplicity of early Instagram: take beautiful / vibey photos and share them with friends.

New skill I’m learning - Making the perfect YouTube thumbnail.

Took two courses this week to up my YouTube thumbnail game.

1. Part Time YouTuber Academy by Ali Abdaal.

2. The Thumbnail Workshop by Film Booth.

To apply my new skills, I upgraded an existing video’s thumbnail. The video had stellar viewer retention (people were watching it), but had a terrible click-through-rate (people weren’t clicking on it) - tell tell sign the thumbnail is ass.

Here’s the transformation:

The original thumbnail, though high quality, was too complex.

What’s the main element? The text? Me? The frequency analyzer in the background? Also, not many people care or know about 40Hz.

The best thumbnails are simple and intriguing. The new thumbnail works because there’s a clear and recognizable “hero” / main element: the headphones. Also, it pops in dark mode, a setting 60% of viewers use. I think I can work on making this more intriguing.

Change in my behavior - Haircuts every 2 weeks

I used to wait 1.5 - 2 months per haircut.

This is probably due to my new interest in upping my fashion game since I’ve moved to NYC. Classic, Diderot Effect, when new consumption leads to more consumption. Usually, the effect is seen as negative. But in this case, I see it as a positive since I consider fashion a form of personal development and creativity - as long as I can continue to afford it.

Also, swinging by a barbershop after work is way easier in New York since I can just hop in the subway without worrying about traffic.

Song on repeat - Sweeping Grounds by Major Tweaks.

Very chill. Feels like super fluid flow. Vibe-filled, yet simple instrumental that does just enough to create a lush atmosphere without doing too much. Found this track during a mindless scroll through Instagram.

Photo of the week - New Chaise in NYC

That’s it for this week!

If you know someone, that would get a boost from something like this, share this newsletter with them.

🗣️ I’m shaping this weekly dose as I go along. Let me know what you’re thinking by simply replying to this email.

Last ask: I’m on the look out to feature non-famous thinkers and doers that have an effective or interesting process. If you know of any, please send them my way!