Soulmates / Exhalation / Instant dice
Recomendo - issue #494
Black‑Mirror‑style sci-fi about soulmates
Soulmates is a one-season sci-fi show on Netflix that imagines a near future where individuals can take a DNA test that guarantees a match with their one true soulmate. Each episode is a stand-alone and follows different people who have taken the test and are now living with the consequences. Marriages are tested, cults are formed, and love becomes something you can measure, monetize, and manipulate. One of the series creators and writers is Brett Goldstein, who is best known for Ted Lasso. It’s very Black-Mirror-esque and thought-provoking, and I’m bummed that it was never renewed. — CD
Good science fiction
I don’t read much science fiction, so when I do I am picky. An author I find reliably good is Ted Chiang, who writes mostly short stories, including the one that was the basis for the movie Arrival. I really like his anthology of nine stories, Exhalation. I would classify his genre as well-crafted, somewhat literary, hard (plausible) science fiction, with inventive, deep and original stories. I am a fan in large part because most of his stories are uplifting rather than the usual dystopian. — KK
Instant dice
My cousin invited me over for breakfast recently. He pulled a Mueller vegetable chopper from a cabinet — a clear plastic box with a grid of sharp blades on top. He placed half an onion on the grid and pressed down with the attached lever. It chopped the onion into perfect tiny squares. He repeated with a bell pepper, making short work of it. Cleanup is easy; just rinse and let dry. I ordered one for myself and learned it handles potatoes just as easily. — MF
Favorite YouTube makers
I subscribe to 40 different YouTubers who make stuff in their workshops. I watch them for how-to tips, to learn shop techniques, and for inspiration for possible projects. If I rank them by how much I’ve learned from them, in my top five are three non-Americans (an Australian and two Canadians) who are life-long makers, who are great explainers, and who are also experimentalists in how and what they build. Pask Makes continually learns and explores new skills, John Heisz is a born innovator with tools and master technician, and Matthias Wandel, makes his own shop tools from plywood. They are fantastic teachers, never boring. — KK
“Both can be true” chart
This “Both can be true” chart highlights that emotional intelligence means holding dualities, or two seemingly opposite truths, at the same time. For example, you can feel angry and still choose to respond calmly, or care deeply about someone and still set boundaries to protect your energy around them. I personally relate to the one about knowing and naming my feelings, but still being caught off guard by them. I used to feel shame around that, but now I find it curious and funny—an opportunity to laugh at myself instead. — CD
Rock Paper Scissors strategy
I don’t remember where I first encountered this, but it works surprisingly well: after each round, switch to the option neither player used. If your rock loses to their paper, throw scissors next. If your scissors beat their paper, throw a rock next. I've been testing it against my friends and winning more than chance would predict. The World Rock Paper Scissors Association has more sophisticated strategies. — MF
THIS ISSUE IS SPONSORED BY FARMKIND
Factory farming impacts animals, human health, and the environment. I’m pleased to welcome FarmKind as this week’s sponsor — check out their work reforming the industry and improving animal welfare through smart donations. — MF
Most problems feel impossible to solve. This one isn’t. By supporting effective charities, you can save 25 animals from cruelty with just $13 and help reform the entire industry. Donate before the end of the year, and we’ll add 50% to your gift — making a real difference has never been easier.
Recomendo Unclassified Ads work! Reach over 122,000 subscribers for just $200.
UNCLASSIFIEDS
Incogni erases your sensitive data—like addresses and phone numbers—from the web. The internet remembers, but you can delete. Get 55% off with code RECOMENDO
9 Lesser-Known Amazon Prime Perks You Need to Be Using. Are you taking advantage of your Amazon Prime perks? Whether you’re already a Prime member or considering signing up, here are 9 Prime member benefits you should be using!
Click to get your free Authentic Leadership Workbook and learn more about how you can unlock your leadership potential. Learn to Lead Now and inspire teams with this authentic leadership guide
Decaf sucks! But we unsucked it. Pinky promise. High grade, non-toxic, premium coffee from a small business. Don’t love it? Get refunded. Get free shipping on a Welcome Pack and/or an extra 20% for Recomendo readers. Code: RECOMENDO wimpdecaf.com
Recomendo is an authentic, hand-crafted, human-written weekly newsletter that is free, but not cheap. Please consider supporting our work with a paid option, now at the low price of $45 per year. Paid subs enable us to keep making it free for others.
Recomendo is published by Cool Tools Lab, a small company of three people. We also run the Cool Tools website, a YouTube channel and podcast, and other newsletters, including Gar’s Tips & Tools, Nomadico, What’s in my NOW?, Tools for Possibilities, Books That Belong On Paper, and Book Freak.

I bought the food dicer that was $4 more. This is my third. All the others break at the point where the top hinges. My new one has a different construction. Fingers crossed.
Seeing you recommend Soulmates, which I liked, has me wondering if you've seen Fingernails (I think on Apple TV). It's a similar black mirror type love story. I don't want to say any more other than I HIGHLY recommend; it's stuck with me.
Trigger warning for, ummmm...fingernails...