Hey, how are you holding up?
I'm doing ok. This had been a weird week for everyone.
I know it has been an especially tough one for some, yet a strangely similar one for others (those already working remote) but undeniably different for most of us.
I hesitated before writing about what is currently happening globally but then decided, chiming in was worth it. We're in this together and it is important to speak up.
This newsletter has always given me the chance to explore and share insight into some of the bigger and also more granular themes I encounter, plus I realised that Golden Mean rhymes with Quarantine. So, ran with it. ; )
It has been eons since my last philosophy class, so diving into some basics of philosophy was actually a fun change of pace. Aristotle's Golden Mean is the median between two extremes. Finding the sweet spot between excess and deficiency is what most of life is all about, ultimately. But, particularly in the context of COVID-19, we should agree that, in a very collective sense, it is a time to not be reckless, nor rash: let's be reasonable. This is classically subjective. So, how to ethically find the balance between the extremes?
[C]ourage is the ‘golden mean’ because the virtuous person is the one that is both appropriately afraid and yet also appropriately brave. - Anam Lodhi
I'd wager that ethics & epidemics have been the topic of heated conversations since forever. (FYI: more about the difference between epidemics and pandemics here.)
Well, as I also dug deeper into the overlap of Aristotle's concept of Nicomachean Ethics (the name normally given to Aristotle's best-known work on ethics) and our current global crisis, I came across the name Daniel Sokol. Mr. Sokol known for his academic and journalistic writings on the ethics of medicine. Sounds relevant right? He is publishing some thoughtful stuff right now. Follow him on Twitter here.
Ethics in these pandemic times may require us to endure sacrifices on our personal freedom or comfort, such as social distancing or avoiding a visit to the doctor. - Daniel Sokol
To me, this is about putting the we over the me. Not many people are used to that 'greater good' concept nowadays. In fact, not many are used to anything that is happening nowadays. Some are.
Meet Dr. Mary Black. She grew up in Northern Ireland during Troubles, worked through a war in Bosnia, lived with a baby under UN Sanctions in Serbia, worked as a clinician during the early days of HIV, and has been involved in various outbreak investigations, she has been here before. Today, she wrote: this too, shall pass and shared 10 things she has learned.
In closing, if your self-imposed quarantine has got you down. Consider taking a moment to better understand the colossal challenges facing people like you and me on an an individual, local, national, international and global scale. Find your own balance between extremes, do your part, wash your hands and let's always remember this era when we come out stronger on the other side. 💪
As always, thank you for reading,
Jon
p.s.
Enjoy this issue? Sharing is caring : )
➫ 🐦 Please tweet 💼 Share on LinkedIn 🚩Post on FB.
(banner image by @elevenspeedloservincent from the Komoot Dutch Language Launch Last Friday. Read more about it here (in Dutch)
Cycling
Berbers and Omelettes or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love to Hike – Rob Quirk
February feels so long ago doesn't it? Contemplating the vast expanse of the Atlas Mountains I cycled through weeks ago from the confines of my Amsterdam apartment is certainly surreal.
Here you can read my friend Rob’s write-up of the Atlas Mountain Race. I can't get enough of these write-ups. Especially now!
(p.s. Cory at Bike Rumor via Ondrej of Chimp Bars made a great bike check post of whips after the race too!)
Bicycling in Rural China During the Coronavirus Outbreak
Published not even two weeks ago, this story by Lauren Teixiera tells her account of trying to escape the paranoia of quarantine by cycling into the rural Sichuan countryside.
Wise Words | Ben Hillsdon.
Wise Words is Wide Open's new interview series talking to some of mountain biking’s most switched on people. My friend Ben Hillsdon of Shimano Europe is up this week.
Work Related
How Twotone Agency Adds Value to Clients with Advanced Monitoring
Using Mention's simplified boolean alerts has helped Twotone gain new business and impress clients.
Grateful that French start-up & long-time special tool in the Twotone tech-quiver, Mention decided to feature us on their website. Quite the honor! Merci!
Aventuria.Media
I've been corresponding with Tim from Aventuria a bit this week. As leisure travel isn't an option for anyone right now but people are looking to have stories published and outlets are looking for content, this media library of excellent photos and articles on adventure, tourism, sports, and travel is very relevant. The platform supplies easy access to stories and imagery for editors and publishers. Check it out!
SILCA Professional Pressure Calculator
SILCA has amassed what is considered by most to be the largest collection of data in the world of tire size, pressure, rider weight, and surface type. Take the voodoo out of tire pressure and give this algorithm a go!
In other news, SILCA's NASTRO CUSCINO won TOUR Magazine's recent bar tape test. TOUR's tests are no joke and we consider this a great honor!
Ways You Can Help
COVID Crisis Communication
A big challenge for many in marketing and PR has been how to tackle ongoing crisis communication in the midst of our global landscape experiencing a complete transformation.
PRlab, here in Amsterdam has put together a panel of industry experts: @matiasrodsevich, @leonijanssenconsultancy, and Peter Smit, for a webinar next Thursday, March 26th, at 3 p.m. CET via Google Hangouts on COVID Crisis Communication.
The theme will be conducting crisis communication, a sub-sect of PR, in the era of our current pandemic
Register here.
We Keep You Alive | Lizzie O’Shea
The current crisis will be economically abysmal for those that can't just decide to work from home.
Workers at unskilled jobs deserve solidarity and dignity, and we should support them however we can as they organize to fight for recognition and respect.
Chimpanzee Natural Sport Nutrition
My friend Ondrej works here and asked me to share this 30% discount code: 'Twotone30'
We all could use some delicious natural nutrition from real ingredients in the coming weeks, consider some Chimp Energy Bars, Bio Protein Bars, Energy Gels, Energy Chews.
Radness
BLUE LUG has a YouTube Channel!
Easily, my favorite bike shop that I've never visited.
Someday I'll finally visit!
Take peek at their channel and understand why I've admired them for so long. Also, join 60k followers on insta here.
See their wares for international customers here.