Meta by Fusion

It’s normally a question reserved for taste-makers, futurists and limelight-hoggers. Rarely do we turn to the people we see everyday and ask them to define the direction they’re heading in. Rarer still do we ask ourselves. Seeking out and understanding the factors that are shaping us, our innate curiosity has unearthed some surprising and enriching stories. Trends emerge as a product of changes in our lives. We may be responding to altered circumstances, needing to shift our habits or seeking better ways to be. What’s trending among our team has been pooled into four themes: Productiveness, Betterness, Consciousness and Contrariness. Ironically, a subject normally seen as surfaceobsessed has produced our deepest annual collection to date. Now that’s Meta.

How we do more

DELEGATING DECISION-MAKING Nick Bray, Designer Our days are spent making hundreds of tiny decisions. What socks should I wear? What should I eat for lunch today? Could this task be done better? Which geometric neo-grotesque font is right for this layout? Should I have another coffee? It’s exhausting. Decision fatigue is real. Netflix has every show you want on demand, but which one do you want to watch right now? Music subscription services have the entire history of recorded music available at the tap of a button, but how do you know where to begin? When your options are virtually limitless, choosing becomes harder. So this year I have been seeking out ways to reduce the number of mundane decisions I need to make, and online subscription services are helping me do this. These services take care of the tedious decisions in my life so I can focus on the stuff that really matters. Forget about deciding what to cook for dinner – subscription services like Hello Fresh will choose a recipe for me and deliver the fresh ingredients to my door, ready to be prepared into a home cooked meal. Don’t worry about deciding what to wear to work tomorrow – online tailoring services can ship

you a box of curated threads at regular intervals. Just keep what you like and send back what you don’t. And now I never have to ponder whether I’m running low on toilet paper – Who Gives A Crap ensures there’s always a spare roll at hand (plus they put half of my subscription dollars towards a worthy cause). Small choices like these seem insignificant, but cumulatively they add up to take a mental toll. Online subscription services help you to forget about the small decisions, so you focus on the big ones.

PRODUCTIVITY ON THE PAVEMENT Jonathan Wood, Developer President Obama does it. Mark Zuckerberg does it. Seth Goldman, CEO of Honest Tea does it. What is it these three influencers do? The “walk and talk”! Forget standing desks and fit balls, a talkative trek is where it’s at. Walking is the perfect antidote to office life, which typically involves extreme amounts of sitting. Unplugging and taking meetings outside helps to change up the daily routine and increases participation. Walking also helps to get my step count up on my FitBit, enabling me to get ahead of my friends and colleagues on the leaderboard! Strolling side by side, rather than confronting face to face, opens up more honest exchanges. If the boss needs to reprimand you for that time you got a bit too “happy” at a networking event, it’s easier done in sneakers than across the boardroom table.

Research has proven that walking boosts creative thinking and has shown to increase creative output by up to 60%. The benefits last beyond the period of activity, extending to when you’re back in the chair. Every little bit helps with a problem-solving role! As a bonus you can fit in all those little errands, adding to your productivity levels. Meetings don’t feel like a waste of time when you are out pounding the pavement.

REALISTIC WORLDS THROUGH ALGORITHMS Brendan Dennis, iOS Developer Just because this planet is finite doesn’t mean the ones we create have to be. Procedural generation is when us glorious nerds use an algorithm to create parts of a game on the fly. This technique lets a single person generate immense amounts of content, such as terrain, weapons and enemies, much quicker than if it were done manually. That would take months, years or even decades!

Gamers know that wandering around the terrain is part of the fun in a game, and I’ve found that using procedural generation has brought this joy into my real life too. Now, when I’m walking around places such as a local conservation park, I pay extra attention to details of the surroundings and contemplate how I can replicate that in my virtual creations.

I’ve been working on game development for years now, and this year I wanted to begin making more complex and impressive games. But it’s hard to have the time and resources to make all the interesting details that make a game realistic and endlessly replayable when you’re a lone developer. Normally, it would take up to eighty people to create immersive and expansive game worlds, but this kind of technology allows for indie game makers like myself to create large and unique spaces relatively quickly.

There are very strong online communities and forums focused on procedural generation and game design. They are great sources of motivation, and offer friendly critique, suggest fixes and share knowledge. We even invent monthly challenges which focus on specific areas such as mountains, jewellery or wildlife. These shared challenges are a way to support each other in creating. Levelling up, if you will.

Minecraft is a successful example of a game that incorporates procedural generation. Each world in Minecraft is four billion square kilometres – that’s eight times the size of Earth! These worlds are uniquely generated from a seed and there are 18.5 quintillion possible variations.

With lots of high-profile games now using procedural generation, adoption of this technique can only grow in the future. The possibilities are pretty much endless...

EVERYDAY HAS A PURPOSE Chantelle McPharlin, Client Leader Do you have a bucket list? Good. But are you ticking items off it? Perhaps it just floats around in your head or is pinned to the fridge next to a dry cleaning receipt. If so, you need to become purpose-driven. I have a bucket list, which is a collection of experiences I’ve committed to memory that I want to realise as soon as possible. We can’t be sure how much time we have left so it’s important to make sure we get the most out of life. I’ve made a conscious effort to be purpose-driven and make an effort to do something that makes me smile each day. This philosophy provides me with focus and clarity, which often helps inspire action and momentum. Living with purpose means to understand the intent of things that you do. So, am I doing this because it makes me feel good? Or because my friends want me to? Do I get closer to ticking something off the bucket list? Answering these questions helps me maximise a moment, and be satisfied with what I’ve chosen to do. It can be equally rewarding to catch up on some video editing from my travels as sharing a meal with friends. Ensure the moment is infused with purpose. You'll notice that this structure of life lessens self-doubt and reduces the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed. Without all the added internalisation, your experiences and daily activities are much more honest. Now go and tick off with intent!

A CULTURE OF CUSTOMISATION AND CREATIVITY Matt Finn, Android Developer In an increasingly automated society, sometimes you just want to get your hands dirty and make something yourself. Entire communities and brands have emerged to facilitate a home “maker culture” that’s based around the intrigue of exploring new techniques, materials and tools (such as home 3D printers). There is great satisfaction in creating something entirely from scratch. It saves me money too. While the skills I’ve used may be traditional for the most part, my instruction has come from a decidedly digital source. Most of my DIY ideas and techniques are pulled from watching YouTube videos. The wealth of knowledge people are willing to share online is virtually unlimited, and generally I feel like I can teach myself most skills with a little careful research and some online support. This year I completed a raised wicking garden bed for a friend. I read quite a few blogs to help decide on the required depth and materials before designing the frame. I was even able to incorporate a floating depth indicator out of materials that were just lying around my home. It was an immensely satisfying process. It’s best to start small. Have a look around the house for some things that need fixing, and instead of reaching for the phonebook, jump onto Youtube. You’d be surprised at how easy problems can be solved with tools you already have.

DON'T WRITE TRAVEL AGENTS OFF JUST YET Tegan Vallins, Client Leader Last year, I planned and went on a trip to Europe. With services like Airbnb, Groupon and Webjet making it easier and seemingly cheaper to book a holiday, I decided to do it myself - from flights, to transport, to hotels. However I found that trying to remember booking numbers and keeping all the tickets organised proved to be a nightmare. So when my friend and I began to consider going on a trip to Morocco this year, I thought immediately of the stress and trouble of organising everything. My friend suggested a holiday tour through a travel agent. They were going to all of the places that we had wanted to

check out. I was cynical about this – why should I put my trip into the hands of someone else? Morocco turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. It was liberating to not have to think about how long to spend in locations for fear of missing a bus or hotel booking. Some of the best parts of my trip were places I would never have thought to venture to. They had of course been suggested by our agent: like a tannery in the city of Fez where there are hundreds of pots of leather being coloured; or the town of Essaouira on the coast – the French colonisation of Morrocco meant the resort felt like the Riviera with an Arabian twist. If you’re going to a place you haven’t been before, check out some of the options available at travel agents or tour companies. The agent's local knowledge will enhance your trip and minimise the amount of admin you have to do. Digital do-it-yourself can be convenient and you might save a few bucks - but who wants to spend the whole time on their phone working out travel arrangements? That time should be spent taking photos and videos of the most important thing: the destination!

STRENGTH FOR LIFE Zeno Jiricek, Developer Our body is one of the most adaptable designs on the planet. So if you don’t continuously challenge or strengthen your body, it will simply adapt to whatever situation it is in. For me, this eventuated as severe back pain due to poor posture and not enough exercise. The perils of desk-bound life! I realised that to get physical relief would mean I had to take control of the situation. It goes beyond having enough energy to do everyday tasks and not aching when I get out of bed in the morning - I wanted to implement a blueprint that sets up my body, allowing me to achieve my goals later in life. Eating right and doing enough exercise now means that I can build bone density, lung capacity and heart strength. Critical aspects for old age. Youtubers like Athlean-X, Alan Thrall, and Omarisuf have helped me to determine my workout regime. All three place high importance on the form of your lifting – without good form, you'll end up in snap city. Start with simple muscle strengthening exercises, and walking or riding instead of catching the bus. Once you've started to feel results, you will want to know how much further you can extend the boundaries of your physical capability! Don’t see workouts as purely a task for short-term gain – they are an investment in your body's future.

How we feel

THE WAY OF THE 'ULTRA INDIE' PRODUCER Ben Wilkinson, Developer My music tastes have been completely altered by digital streaming. SoundCloud in particular offers a whole new indie avenue where I can unearth tracks that aren’t released in the traditional commercial sense – especially great DJ mixes. It's as near as you get to being handed a tape by the artist themself. If I hear something I really love, it inspires my own compositions. I’m working on some chill and electronic dance music from my home setup, which is the realm of the true indie musician. There’s no need for expensive studio time and I can do it whenever inspiration strikes – even at 3am. My tracks then find their way onto shareable streaming platforms like Bandcamp, SoundCloud and Beatport, where users can give me feedback and help me to become a better musician. Accounts for these services are free, so jump on and have a browse. You may find your new favourite artist before they hit the big time!

HOW TO RECLAIM PALLETS Rhys Lloyd, Developer & Tech Lead After purchasing a new home, furnishing it became an added expensive I didn’t plan for. Pallet furniture not only gives my house a great sense of character and charm, but also an extra satisfaction through crafting it by hand. It’s estimated that over two billion wood pallets are in circulation at any given time, and two-thirds of them are only ever used once. So why not take advantage of this recycled gold and support the environment at the same time. Building with pallets has a nice congruence with my day job – I design a process to build a functional object that is fit for its desired purpose. The main difference is that the pallets are tangible (I can’t get splinters from lines of code!), and progress can be halted completely by small errors. There isn't a simple keyboard stroke to ‘undo’ an incorrectly drilled hole. You can often source pallets for free or a very small fee online at sites like Gumtree. Otherwise check tile, stone showrooms, wood or carpet flooring stores, grocery, alcohol shops, wholesale nurseries or just about anywhere that needs to cart around heavy items.

BEING AHEAD OF THE CURVE FROM BEHIND THE WHEEL Damien Mair, Director Driving to and from work each day is a tedious but unavoidable part of life for most of us. It’s estimated that Adelaideans spend over five hours commuting to work each week. What a waste! What can we do to get the most of this time?

I use Audible to listen to podcasts and catch up on the books I’m reading. Audible syncs with my Kindle, which means that when I’m reading in bed later, it’s automatically updated to take into account the chapters I’ve listened to during my drive home. Simple. Seamless.

There’s nothing to do but sit in the traffic, listening to the drivel of drive time radio. If I have to spend all this time in traffic, I’d rather listen to something that I’m interested in, rather than what broadcasters deem entertaining. I needed to create my own drivetime show.

Coming into work after my productive drive time, my mind is already switched on and in gear before I’ve sat down at my desk. I’m always looking to apply the information and perspectives that I’ve learnt during drive time for our clients, to provide them with the latest ways of thinking about their problems. I wonder what I’ll learn on the drive home tonight? And what will you be listening to?

By listening to podcasts and audio books during my commute, I’m able to learn new information without taking up any more time. It’s turned my commute into a ‘third space’ in my life. Home is for family, work is for creating great experiences, but drive time is for learning, discovering and thinking. It’s very satisfying to realise that you’ve just consumed a whole chapter of a book or learnt something new instead of zombifying in the mundanity of congested traffic.

WHEN YOU'RE BORED OF THE BOARD Oliver Boermans, Developer As an increasing proportion of children’s entertainment involves technology, it’s important to encourage activities away from the screen. A kind of analogue counterbalance for me, board games have always been something that brings people together. With the addition of modern strategies the possibilities for game play are endless. Adding new rules to traditional board games is a great way of making the most of classic titles and involving younger players. Moreover, you can teach children how to lose well, work in teams and learn problem-solving abilities.

One of my great successes is changing the rules of the popular card game Uno. Beyond the traditional rules we’ve started using the cards to play ‘Go Fish’. This encourages children to recognise colours and numbers. I've also included non-human players, such as toys, into the games to help my son with learning to lose well and minimising cheating… as much as possible! Another game we have changed up is Snakes and Ladders. Rather than playing with dice, we use a deck of playing cards and the number on the selected card to work out moves. These tweaks have a point. The overall idea is to make the game – and life – more fun. Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run free. For my son’s recent birthday party, we forewent the requested piñata and created our own target based game using a large sheet of cardboard, which was delightfully received!

THE BRIGHT, SHINY WORLD OF THE EIGHTIES ILLUMINATES DARKER TIMES Ben Frost, iOS Developer Today’s digital world can be dangerous. Wikileaks, cyberterrorism, privacy concerns, domestic spying scandals. Don’t you wish you could go back to a simpler time? A time when computers made cool sounds, macho men patrolled the night streets in hot pink exotic cars, and everything was soaked in neon grid-lines? No? Too bad, because postmodern 80’s influences are everywhere right now, particularly in film and music, and I couldn’t be happier. Buoyed by high-profile Netflix hit “Stranger Things”, glitchy 8-bit computer art and dark synthwave musicians, the 80s neon revival is here. It pairs the bright naivety of that era’s visual and aural styles with the irony and cynicism that comes with 30 years of hindsight. The result is a hybrid subgenre of art that juxtaposes warm nostalgia for the past against a cynical view of the present. Is it ironic? Yes, but it’s also heartfelt. These contradictions are what have fascinated me throughout this year.

CYCLING COMMUTER WITH A CHARITABLE MINDSET Timothy Downing, Designer/UX Lead Unfortunately cancer is a disease that affects almost everyone in one way or another. Every contribution, however small, towards research helps us get closer to better treatments; or even cures. So, if I’m able to contribute to that and get fit at the same time, it’s a win-win. I first came across the Great Cycle Challenge on Facebook. I recognised how worthwhile it would be and signed up immediately. Anyone can register and choose how much money they’ll aim to raise. I set my goal as $500 for 500 kilometres for the month. The fact that I could combine my daily commute with raising money was great. I don’t usually ride 500kms a month, so it was a good excuse to push myself further (and get healthier) at the same time. I’m also a big fan of other social activities that raise money, such as Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea by the Cancer Council. When people feel involved, rather than just handing over money, there's much greater emotional investment. I reckon people are more likely to continue to support the charity in the future too. Doing something for the greater good is an awesome feeling. So get out there and make a difference, actively.

THE BENEFITS OF REGULAR SNACKING Rosyn Murphy, Designer Food is everything to me. So when I was encouraged by my personal trainer to double the amount of meals I eat in a day, I was more excited than I should have been!

balls. Anyone who looks in my desk drawer will discover the ten rogue tins of tuna that I keep on hand for “snacking emergencies”.

Eating lighter and more frequently is less taxing on your digestive system, helps stabilise blood sugar to prevent highs and lows of energy and provides a constant intake of nutrients. Think like a Hobbit; first breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, and supper! I stick to eating a lot of good fats, proteins and vegetables, whilst my carb intake is super low or reserved for after workouts.

As more and more of my friends, health coaches and fitness professionals swear by this regime, it’s easy to see why society will start to shift towards more non traditional ways of consuming food.

I’ve found that regular snacking is much more beneficial than the traditional three meals a day in terms of weight loss, health and wellbeing. It didn’t take long for my body to adapt to this constant grazing habit. Plus, it’s easily sustainable and maintainable for the foreseeable future. Keeping up my “mad snacks” lifestyle, preparation is now a way of life for me. Sundays are spent prepping my meals and snacks for the week; roasting vegetables, boiling eggs, flavouring chickpeas and making protein

I'll leave you with a top snack tip: turn a savoury item into a sweet treat. And vice versa. Add chilli and lime to popcorn or create the ultimate dessert toastie with banana, peanut butter, honey and cinnamon. Yum!

ENHANCING MY SPORT VIEWING Anthony O’Leary, Designer I've always been keen on the minutiae when it comes to sports, such as disappearing into the game stats or the detailed and insightful commentary. We used to have to watch the match or check the news at the end of the day to see the score, but now all the stats are just a couple of taps away. The whole experience is enhanced with post-game analysis, via internet forums, social sharing platforms, sports shows and panels which dissect the game and the collected data. I find some of the more obscure statistics that experts and analysts compile to be fascinating and shareable. Technology is at a point where athletes and sports stars are decked out with wearables. It won’t be long before we’re watching live-streamed stats on how many collisions a player is having, their performance, speed and maybe even biochemistry during the game. I'm excited! The sports industry is not afraid to embrace tech trends, to collect data for enhanced performance and also an entertainment, endconsumer perspective as well. My “go to” apps are EPL Live, AFL Live Official, NBA, and Cricket Australia Live. Check out the Foxtel Go app for a cheeky “check-in” of an NFL or NBA game whilst on the bus or out and about. You can't beat OptaJoe for an obscure anecdote too.

How we think

ZERO WASTE GOALS Hannah Materne, Content/Social Producer Over the years, I have been motivated to apply more mindful practices to my daily routine. Consequently, I have become conscious of my consumer habits, how much waste I produce and the impact my actions have on our world. I realised that to make a difference I should be more aware of what I buy, eat, drink and wear, and assess the amount of waste I produce. To implement this change, I adopted the ‘Five Rs’ lifestyle by Bea Johnson. She proclaims by following this framework ‘…you will find peace and a lifestyle that is richer than the one you had before.’

The ‘Five Rs’ framework includes: Refuse: When you stop accumulating stuff, your life becomes much simpler as you shift your focus from increasing to appreciating what you already have. Reduce: Question whether you truly want an item or actually need it. This further encompasses reduced packaging. For instance, bringing your own bags and containers when going food shopping. Reuse: Can you repurpose your things or buy secondhand? Use old sheets to make cloth bags for food shopping or go op-shopping for clothes. Recycle: Opt for products that can be recycled or specifically designed to breakdown in landfill. Rot: Instead of discarding food scraps, put them into compost and give the nutrients back to your plants. By following these five R's you can reduce your waste and create a more simplified life filled with gratitude.

FIXED SHADES OF GREY Mark Cox, Digital Strategist There’s a lot going on in the world; new things to absorb, old things to remember, experiences to be a part of. So it’s imperative that I implement some systems to balance out against the jumble, to pare down areas of my life. Where to start? What about the first big decision of the day: what to wear. I made the call to stick to only blue and grey clothing duotone. I went away recently for three weeks - I packed for the trip and when I spread everything out, it all fitted that colour scheme. It meant I didn’t need to pack as much, as different things went together easily enough and I left out items that didn’t go with anything.

Described as the “capsule wardrobe movement”, the theory behind this way of dressing is that it reduces decision fatigue. There’s much less stress involved and it saves you time. The daily convenience and imposed simplicity has been modelled by some of the greatest modern leaders and entrepreneurial minds in the world, Barack Obama, Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs. I'm in good company. Now, if I could just get someone to decide what I'm going to listen to next…

GET THINGS DONE... BY JUST DOING THEM Cez Wieczorek, Creative Director I’m a busy man. I've got demanding family routines, time pressures and high standards. We’re in the process of building a house, and I’m basically the family Uber. My time is at a premium. I need to be decisive. I have to get things done. Rather than ruminate, I just do it. This “do it now” mentality means you get the jump on a task and things are executed. I don't overcomplicate situations by procrastinating on endless chores before doing anything. As the Creative Director, snap decisions are sought constantly for all manner of projects. Eliminating the agony of overthinking is crucial. Taking a well considered approach is important, but overthinking can create problems that aren’t there. The sooner you start something or make a decision, the smaller the window for doubt. The first step is the hardest, but someone has to make it. We’re drowning in ways to communicate, research, compare and choose in every aspect of our lives. Cut through all of this and get it done. Now.

FUN AND GAMES FROM SERIOUS FITNESS Amandine Saille, Client Leader I’ve arranged my life so that I can partake in as many sports and fitness related activities as possible. These are absorbed into my lifestyle and are now an integral part of my social calendar. It’s about making it a priority; I get up earlier, leave work on time, book classes in advance and emphasise sports over other areas in my life. Group sessions provide accountability, friendship, social support and community. I’ve surrounded myself with people who recognise and encourage fitness as a way of life. If we are having drinks on Friday night, we’ll end up making plans to go to yoga together the next morning, which reinforces our dedication and accountability. Experimenting with different activities has a snowball effect. Once you try one class, you have to try others! I’m experimenting with barre, boxing, Muay Thai and pilates – I’ll try anything to see if it can potentially become a regular part of my routine. Moving to Australia from France has made it easier to adopt a sporty lifestyle, as it's so readily embraced here. There are so many local clubs and groups, it’s super easy to find one near you that suits your lifestyle. Have a look at your options nearby around the sports or hobbies that you are interested in, and give it a go!

SHARING THE GRAZING MOVEMENT Jenni Kelakios, Studio Manager Meals these days often involve throwing together something convenient and attempting to herd up everyone for some form of “family time”. This usually ends up in front of the TV or with everyone glued to their mobile phones! There should always be time for family, and food is the perfect way to reconnect with each other, rather than through the wifi. Whether it’s tapas, share plates feasted on from the middle of the table, or simply a carefully curated platter of delicious meats and cheese, there’s a joy in sharing food with family and friends. Gone are the traditional three-course sit downs, now we see families embracing the grazing movement. For me, it stemmed from my Greek and Serbian heritage – we eat, we drink, we talk (and of course we dance). Food fosters cooperation and connection. Everyone gets involved in bringing a plate and helping prepare, while catching up on all the local goss. And why should we be locked down to a single main dish? It’s just cruel to make you only have one. What if you pick the wrong one? Food envy is a serious issue, but one easily combated with an arrangement of plates to taste and devour as you please. Food is more than meeting your basic needs of fuelling your body, nor is it simply about satisfying your tastebuds. Food creates the sense of belonging and being a part of a community. Get the phones out of your hands, pass around the plates and unite with your loved ones. Go share!

THE BEAUTY OF ZOOMING OUT Sharon Mok, Developer As I’ve come to learn very quickly, my son Kai sees the world in a different way than I. Everything is fascinating to him; a big world to explore. Kai’s current favourite activity is looking at books and magazines, thumbing through the pages, enchanted by every image on the glossy paper. Though he's yet to discern the specifics of each page, the major themes excite him. There is a tree in this photo. He's yet to worry about what kind of tree it is or how old it is. As I’ve watched him investigate and appreciate the world around him, I’ve realised that it's easy to get caught up examining the specifics of life. We rarely stop and take stock of the bigger picture. We don't zoom out enough. I’ve made a point of taking a short period each evening to reflect and focus on the people and experiences in my life that make it worthwhile. I’m grateful for having a partner and son who love me, the family that I’ll be seeing later in the week and the interactions with colleagues at work that day. Big themes, I know, but it feels like they're the ones we take for granted. You know what the best thing about a child's view of the world is? You'll get the chance to see it all afresh tomorrow. Night night!

HOW GIVING UP THE SWEET STUFF LED TO A SWEETER LIFE Melissa Howarth, Business Analyst My mother often recommends me new recipe books to read, so when she gave me 'I Quit Sugar' by Sarah Wilson, I expected it to be a run of the mill food fad. But I was astonished to discover how many everyday ingredients (that we think are good for us) have so much sugar in them. Items such as condiments, pasta sauces and yoghurts are high in the sweet stuff. Foods that are marketed as low in fat often have more sugar in them than their full fat counterparts. I decided that I needed to change how my family and I eat to control the influx of sugar.

I’m a big advocator for education at home; I’ve encouraged the kids to think about the food they consume and try to change their habits. They haven’t been as enthusiastic as I have, but they are now used to their lunchboxes being filled with new items such as homemade protein balls and less processed muesli bars, dried fruit and juice. I’ve started to scrutinise everything we buy at the supermarket. Every label is checked to determine that there is little or no sugar (keep an eye out for corn syrup – it’s a tricky way food manufacturers try to get sugar into food!). Our dinners are gradually transforming to incorporate more brown rice over white and many more vegetables with every meal. Although some habits take time to get used to (such as cutting back on soft drinks), in the long run, you know that your family will continue to be healthy and happy. If not more so!

Gin + tea = Yummy

SAVOURING AUTHENTIC DRINKING EXPERIENCES Kate York, Developer Thanks to a broader range of food and drink options, people’s palates are more refined than ever. This means we are becoming more selective and adventurous in our tastes. Of course, refinement extends to the booze we drink, especially as bartenders and liquor stores are becoming much more knowledgeable about the products they stock. Where once we’d be satisfied with a fruity wine cooler, we’re now very interested in unique flavours that promise an intriguing level of complexity. I’m really into boutique gin as my drink of choice these days. In particular, Kangaroo Island Spirits make a range of handmade distillations, including their Wild Gin – which uses native produce and fresh botanicals such as juniper berries, lemon and aniseed myrtles. There’s so much wrapped up in a seemingly simple beverage! A good gin is reflective of the community and residents of the area – and the purity and beauty of the region is really translated into the gin. Its distinctly Australian flavour is also very appealing to me, as well as that fact that I’m supporting a local business every time I buy a bottle. As cliché as it sounds, it’s more than just having a drink – it’s a sensory experience! Immerse yourself.

How we stand out

IT'S TIME TO FORGET THE FOOD PYRAMID Ben Newsome, Creative Tech Lead This year, in my quest to reduce my body fat percentage, I started practicing a ketogenic diet. The concept behind the ketogenic diet is restricting your carb intake to a point where your body enters a state called ketosis, which means you turn into a fat burning machine. I did this by ingesting large amounts of healthy fats, and eating a moderate amount of protein whilst lowering my carb intake to under 20 grams a day. It sounds counterintuitive, but it works for me! Eating bacon and eggs for breakfast every morning whilst losing weight was basically living the dream! Plus, I was consuming 50ml of cream every day just to get my fat intake up. There’s other great stuff I can include in my diet too, like bulletproof coffee, meat (including the fat), butter and cream (on everything!), oils, cheese, peanut butter, and nuts. It was quite the challenge to limit my intake to under 20 grams of carbs each day. But it’s definitely a good way to shed weight fast – I reduced my body fat by 5% in less than four weeks. This diet is also reported to be an effective way of balancing your omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, which helps with brain function and your immune system.

This diet is probably only great for short bursts, rather than a long term plan, although some die-hards stay on it full time. I found it didn’t help with muscle building so it will be a cyclic process for me; every four to six months I will get stuck into the cream and bacon for three or four weeks, to get lean and mean again. People’s attitudes to foods and eating plans are definitely steering away from what we’ve been taught and I think we’ll increasingly see people eat what suits their body and lifestyle, rather than sticking to the traditional (and outdated) food pyramid concept. Try fat to get lean!

IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPERFECT PROTAGONIST Ellen Papadothomakos, Resource Planner When I want to switch off I immerse myself in fiction. Once, I would look to the “perfect” protagonist. Someone that had it all together, looked the part, overcame obstacles with ease and was morally upright. Now, I seek out the antihero, a flawed persona with 'issues' or a dark past. They're much more relatable and three dimensional. I can no longer stand the asinine, sweet character – I’d much rather follow the journey of Luke Cage, Hannibal Lecter, Wolverine, the Emperor in Star Wars… these characters are far more interesting and intriguing. There’s a freedom – permission even – to be noncomformist in today's society. It’s okay to be honest in your opinion and be real and true to yourself. To me, this is the sign of an authentic character. One that can see reflection in our world. I'm even enjoying re-reading novels through this cracked lens. Who would top your 'flawed & fabulous' list?

THE TRUTH ABOUT THE INTERNET YOU SEE Sam Tait, Business Director The internet that you engage with on a daily basis is skewed towards your preferences and opinions. It’s constructed so that it’s more of a system to support and reinforce your likes and your beliefs, rather than educating or challenging you with different opinions.

As someone who consumes a huge amount of digital content, it’s vital that I break the cycle as a means to challenge myself and reduce any potential unconscious bias. I want to ensure that I am well informed and understanding of both sides of an issue or debate.

Social platforms use complex algorithms that use the things that you’ve liked, shared or viewed to present you with similar content. The more of the same type of content we like, the more we will see similar content. This has the potential to reinforce what we project in our views and commentary even if these opinions are based on false information.

How can you escape the echo chamber?

We become ensconced in this “echo chamber”, where you become separated from contrarian viewpoints, and rarely see information that conflicts with your beliefs. Your thoughts do not get challenged, and as your perspective gets entrenched you begin to dismiss counterpoints of view. The Web can distort reality and impair our judgment and discretionary skills - it’s up to us to critically assess the information we receive in our newsfeeds if we plan to base decisions on it.

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Check the source - who is the story written by? Could the site be fake or is it legitmate?

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Verify the content - Google search is a great way to confirm the content – search out numerous sources that prove what you have read. Or check snopes.com that register’s fake internet articles.

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Be your own contrarian - deliberately search out and read content that challenges your current opinions and beliefs.

RETURNING TO RECORDS Brendan Shanahan, Data Analyst Record collecting has become my new favourite pastime. I fell into collecting after wanting to expand my appreciation for bands I admire. To go beyond keeping all of their albums on a playlist or a hard drive. Yes, that does make me sound like a hipster - but I assure you I am not. One of the main reasons I collect records is the fact that it is a physical medium. Records take up physical space, meaning that I have to share space with them, and they are a physical part of my life. It’s also great to have people flick through, then find albums they’ve never heard, or say that they like. I’m told that I could get all the music I want for $12 a month through digital services. But I enjoy the randomness and variety you get from flicking through the dollar bargain bins. Different album versions and variations in compilations encourages you to stretch your musical knowledge as well as discover new bands or music genres you haven’t heard before. 'Madrigals Are Fun'? It'll be just $2 to find out... When you put on a record, there’s more thought about the music; a decision involved in what you are going to play. It doesn’t exist as background noise, but listening with a purpose. It has a warmer, authentic sound - the impression the band are in the room with you. Its about enjoying the music, rather than blocking the rest of the world out. Even if you aren’t interested in collecting vinyl, next time you see a crateful of records, give them a flick through. You'll be surprised at what a few gold coins can get you!

ONLINE GAMING IS THE MOST INTENSE SPORT David Vickers, IT Support If you think of a "gamer," you probably imagine the stereotype: pasty, single, male, living in his parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; basement. Anyone who knows me can tell you that's not the case. Because I am one of the millions of people watching and playing esports. And my folks don't have a basement... Esports is already rivalling many traditional sports in popularity. Matches take place in stadiums packed full of people with the players wielding headsets and keyboards instead of balls and bats. Pro gamers train up to sixteen hours a day and top teams have the same sort of support infrastructure as a traditional sporting club. Even if the action takes place with players seated, the endurance required is intense. Most tournaments are best of three, or even best of fiveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;so for some games (like Counter-Strike) players have to maintain constant focus for up to five hours. It's not easy! The professional tournaments are best watched live (or the spoilers ruin them!), but catching up is easy if you're at work or busy. Esports don't have the strict broadcast contracts of traditional sports; it's all free on Twitch.tv. When you watch, check out the skill and strategy, just like at any other sporting experience. I play for fun with friends and strangers at local tournaments. For anyone who doesn't think gaming is social, it very much is! Like any sport, teamwork is important. Any team that fails to work together will lose. Game over.

COMING BACK TO REALITY Karen Wille, General Manager For me the convenience of digital subscriptions can help simplify one’s life, however they should never overshadow the enjoyment of reality. Amazon One Click, Pepperleaf and Itunes Match may have taken care of all those gear grinding tasks but there are some things in life that I refuse to digitalise. I prefer to keep my passions and family in reality. Hobbies which help us to slow down and be present should not be simplified. For instance, I love reading and find the art of discovering a great book incredibly rewarding. I would never purchase an online book subscription - let me wander the shelves and flick through the covers, I’ll find you your next great read. In a world that expects everything on-demand, it is important to step away from the screen and recognise where convenience is only making us lazy. We want everything now without hassle and effort when really so many of life’s practices should be enjoyed. For example: •

Hunt for that perfect dress with friends instead of shopping online

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Purchase produce at your local farmer’s market instead of having groceries delivered

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Read a story to your child instead of putting an iPad in front of them

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Go out for dinner instead of relying on UberEATS.

The key is balance. And enjoying the benefits of both worlds.

BACK TO BEER BASICS Andrew Mazzarolo, Client Leader After a long working week, many of us at Fusion like to kick back with a cold beverage and ease into the weekend. Beer is often my drink of choice, but despite our east-end location, you won’t see many craft beers in our fridge. I’m all about those big brands – West End, XXXX or Melbourne Bitter. On a recent trip to North Queensland, the stifling humidity meant that the only thing I wanted to drink was something refreshing, cold and 'beery'. There is so much focus on products being ‘authentic’ and ‘unique’ that it gets hard to find a simple thirst-quenching beer. The NQ flicked a switch in me. I started to realise that the craft beer movement was hoodwinking us - being fancy and obscure for the sake of it. Having a beer is my time to relax and unwind – I don’t want to have to think about all of the different flavours and sensations going on in what I’m drinking. I don’t care how it was brewed or the hop count. I just want to enjoy a cold beer with mates. You could call it being anti-authentic. Being a born and raised South Australian, West End Draught (known affectionately as Red Tins) is a great way to jump on my bandwagon. Now, chuck me a cold one would ya?

REPURPOSING INNOVATION John Chaplin, Director I’m not generally one to look back on things. A big part of my life revolves around researching, trying and testing out the latest technology. It’s what drove us to start Fusion over 20 years ago and is still the same today. However, with the speed of obsolescence and the hunger for the latest, we can find ourselves in a place where we can no longer view or edit our work of years passed. To rediscover some old work, this has meant sorting through old hard drives and piles and piles of CD-ROMs to see what should be kept or thrown away. In order to access the old files, I had to rebuild an old Mac and find and download all of the old versions of system software and applications to open the files. I was surprised to find a large online community doing the same they helped me in my endeavour by providing support and advice for these legacy systems. It’s interesting to see how these users are hanging on to old technologies, and how objects that were once at the cutting edge of tech and design are now behind the times. It’s made me wonder how we can use these old bits of hardware that are now obsolete. Most of the old Apple hardware has a very strong design aesthetic, that feels right at home in today’s design trends – it’s too good looking to be gathering dust. After some digging online, I created an application that turned my original Macintosh Classic into a digital clock, where it sits in pride of place on my desk at work. I have another Classic shell that I am converting into a Bluetooth music player. There are plenty of tutorials out there around repurposing old technology. With a bit of tweaking and a few apps, you could turn your old iPhone into a universal remote, document scanner, or even a baby monitor. Let’s not let our old tech gather dust – there’s still plenty of innovation left in those machines.