WHAT’S BAKING - #14
Too much happens in February
Good afternoon!
The year has finally officially begun in Brazil, now that Carnaval is over. I’m excited about what’s ahead and how creative we’ll get for the World Cup, our other version of Carnaval.
IN TODAY’S NEWSLETTER
STRAIGHT FROM OUR KITCHEN
WILL AI REPLACE US?
SOMETHING AI CAN’T REPLACE
AND THE GRAMMY GOES TO
QUICK BITES
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
STRAIGHT FROM OUR KITCHEN
The world was already at full speed when February came around. The Grammys, the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, Rio Open, Carnaval.
The Grammys - I always watch the award show till the end and I think each year they’re becoming better at not dragging it out too long. Some of my favorite artists didn’t take any award home but I’m so happy for and proud of Bad Bunny.
The Super Bowl - I didn’t watch the actual game, but I did watch the half-time show, which was very moving. The fact that Bad Bunny chose to wear Zara instead of a small, local Puerto Rican or even Latin American brand was kind of disappointing, though.
Here’s my favorite Super Bowl ad (I’m a sucker for stop motion animation):
And the making of the spot:
More on Carnaval below.
WILL AI REPLACE US?
AND BY US, I MEAN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY
AI is here to stay (like the typewriter, like the computer, like the internet). I have mixed feelings about whether it will obliterate all the jobs that ever existed and the robots will take over, or just actually make our lives easier.
Someone sent me this ~spooky~ article the other day, and immediately after (like, 5 minutes), I got a newsletter that linked this interview segment.
I agree with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. That has always been my perception about AI in the creative industry. It will reduce costs, time and the daily obstacles that we encounter in production but it won’t replace the artists. Digital artists create on their iPads, or use Photoshop, but painters and sculptors still exist and are making their art too.
I watched The Lord of the Rings for the first time recently (I know) and the special effects were great for the time they were made in, and they’re better now, due to software improvements.
AI may end up replacing software-able jobs, but never the humans that create from experience, from emotion, from inspiration.
Watch this video to make you feel better about it all:
SOMETHING AI CAN’T REPLACE
RIO CARNAVAL 2026
I’m not a fan of Carnaval. I don’t enjoy the street parties or the concept of drinking cheap beer, using porta-potties and being under the blazing sun for hours. Nevertheless, it’s always been a dream of mine to watch the Escolas de Samba parades in person.
Had I ever watched them on TV? No. But I knew that the in person spectacle would be a totally different experience. And it was. When a friend of mine offered me tickets to see the parades in Rio I accepted immediately, and I’m so glad I did.
There’s no way AI can replace the craft that goes into the costumes and the floats. Sure, the technology might replace the designers, the concept ideation, maybe the judges that give out the scores…? but never the actual humans that build it.
Speaking of humans, there are thousands of people who are actually wearing the heavy and shiny costumes and dancing and smiling. That positive energy is captivating to say the least, in a way that no humanoid will ever be able emulate.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me (never say never), but it gave me hope that live experiences, especially involving art, if they’re ever replaced, will be the last ones to go.
AND THE GRAMMY GOES TO…
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS OF THE YEAR
Here are the winner and nominees of the Best Music Video Grammy Award.
I keep wondering how much cheaper it would’ve been to shoot them in Brazil ;)
Winner: Doechii - Anxiety
Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild
Clipse - So Be It
Ok Go - Love (their one-takes always inspire me)
Sade - Young Lion
QUICK BITES
📚 Wuthering Heights - Did I enjoy the book? Yes. Did I read it because of Emerald Fennell’s new movie adaptation? Also yes. Do I think the movie will have anything to do with the book? No. I’m watching it tonight and will report back next month.
📺 Fargo Season 5 - I’ve always loved Fargo. Season 1 was by far the best, and Seasons 2 and 3 were almost just as good. Season 4 let me down, but I still gave Season 5 a chance and so far it’s been great. Fargo is weird, unexpected. It’s hard to come by TV shows like that (and movies, for that matter). I’d say the closest thing to Fargo’s unexpectedness would be Severance.
📚 My Brilliant Friend - Another acclaimed piece of art that I should have read years ago. I finished it in a few days and already bought the other 3 books from the series. Elena Ferrante’s writing is enthralling in a way that I hadn’t encountered before. Her social dynamics and interpersonal relations analyses are profound.
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS 🎂
Cultural releases celebrating anniversaries in February.
2️⃣5️⃣ Hannibal – Ridley Scott
2️⃣0️⃣ Hips Don’t Lie – Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean
1️⃣5️⃣ On The Floor – Jennifer Lopez ft. Pitbull
1️⃣0️⃣ The Choice - Ross Katz
0️⃣5️⃣ We’re Good - Dua Lipa
SEE YA NEXT MONTH!
In the meantime, let’s connect on Linkedin or schedule a chat.