Hello friend,
Whether you’re hustling through the month, already hitting your daily steps, have thrown in the towel, or – even better – are happily hibernating, January has us in its icy grip. If getting out of bed in the morning isn’t worthy of a celebration, what is? Baby steps. Because, let's face it, big changes don’t happen overnight.
We need time to find our orientation, and we already put enough pressure on ourselves. We’re in this together, so honor your inner rhythm; your nervous system cannot be pushed for the long haul!
World Introvert Month
Not to draw too much attention, but this month is all about our introvert friends – those masters of energy management who treat their downtime like a high-stakes investment. Staying cozy at home a good idea, anyway! With 65 million articles on Wikipedia waiting to be explored, it’s also the perfect time to set your time machine for a “25 Years of Wikipedia Experience.” Check out the link, it’s so much fun!
Knowledge is the secret sauce
Malcolm X said education is the passport to the future. Here we are, kicking off the new year by diving into data protection, crowd-curated knowledge, and discovering the existence of World Pizza Day! In light of the recent data leak scandals involving Instagram and the ironic coincidence of Data Protection Day, we’re dedicating our FEATURED BITE to this important topic – because it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
So grab your favorite reading goggles and let’s get into our month’s favorite tasty bites!
Blue Banana Bites this January
TL;DR (jump here, if it’s too overwhelming)
SOUND BITE
Not So Blue After All
Ever heard of Blue Monday? It’s framed as the most depressing day of the year, backed up by a specific formula. Thankfully, it’s just a PR gag, and we can ignore it. The song, which is unrelated to it, is dope, though.
FEATURED BITE
Protect Your Bits and Bites
You’ve probably heard it before, but if you still think, “I don’t care, I have nothing to hide,” think again, especially in light of the troubling recent events around the world. This isn't meant to spread fear, but to provide information.
Whenever we use apps or online services, we leave a trace, either through our internet connection (think IP addresses), by sharing content, or through data collected by service providers.
In the worst case, any of this data can be used against you for profiling and surveillance, leading to real-life consequences. For example, you might not be allowed to travel to a country, or worse, your own government could use it against you.
Commercial providers, such as large social media corporations, will use your data to show you targeted ads or influence your political opinions, while smaller software companies and independent developers are mostly interested in optimizing their products and analyzing user behavior. (If you think you can't be influenced, check out our BOOK BITE "False" by Joe Pierre.)
Fortunately, you can protect yourself. This starts with consciously choosing what you share online and where. Consider using alternative social media platforms like Mastodon and a private messenger like Signal. When it comes to software and online services, you often have the option to opt out of certain data collection.
In general, data protection laws in the EU are much stricter than in other parts of the world. A handy list of European alternatives can be found here.
Stay safe!
Martin Höller, Founder of Blue Banana Software
KNOWLEDGE BITE
Cheers To Community and Knowledge!
In honor of Wikipedia Day, we want to sprinkle some fun facts about our favorite online encyclopedia.
Did you know that
Wikipedia has been rocking the digital world for 25 years and plans to stick around for another century?
the Wikimedia Foundation is on a mission to provide neutral and free information in this era of skepticism, relying on a fabulous crew of 250,000 volunteer editors. These unsung heroes come from all walks of life, with different backgrounds, perspectives, and political views, and they debate and disagree in totally transparent ways! You can see every edit in article history pages and dive into lively discussions on talk pages.
in the age of AI, no AI-generated article can be published without a human review.
Wikipedia boasts over 65 million articles in more than 300 languages – even Banyumasan, a dialect of Javanese!
Wikipedia also has a lot of humor, featuring unusual articles and an interesting collection of “deleted articles with freaky titles” or DAFTs. A fun read. Some personal favorites include “Beer for Dogs,” “Cake Cannon,” and definitely avoid “ Do not stuff beans up your nose.”
Women’s biographies are still underrepresented, thanks to the mostly male editors and contributors. But Wikipedia is stepping up with projects in various languages, like the English initiative “Women in Red,” aiming to shine a light on the incredible women whose stories deserve to be told.
BOOK BITES
Stay Calm and Keep Reading
As we’re definitely guilty of Tsundoku (積ん読) – Japanese slang for buying books we never read – let’s not let that happen again!
Reading Tip: Break your reading time into 15-minute chunks to help you get started, and tell someone about what you just read.
Quiet. The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking
Susan Cain
As an introvert, you finally feel seen with just one book, a classic. "It's not just me feeling awkward and misplaced at parties." It discusses how introverts share this trait: our social batteries run out due to our sensitivity to overstimulation. Moreover, this book reveals our strengths, encouraging self-acceptance and highlighting how our empathetic, quiet nature and usually complex thinking are often undervalued. It shows that we are delicate yet capable of thriving magnificently.
False. How Mistrust, Disinformation and Motivated Reasoning Make Us Believe Things That Aren’t True
Joe Pierre MD
The author, a psychiatrist, dives into the offbeat realm where delusions dance with everyday beliefs, shedding light on how even sane folks cling to falsehoods. From the Dunning-Kruger Effect to the chaos of misinformation, the book is an academic yet fascinating romp through our imperfect minds. It’s a call to grasp our cognitive quirks to better understand this world and recognize how we all can be a bit delulu at times.
TOOL BITES
Be Wary What’s on Your Computer
Let Your Books Speak
What a time to be alive with Speechify, your new reading companion! This app transforms everything from articles to documents and even your favorite books into speech, allowing you to listen while on the go or to support your reading. With natural voice options – even with Snoop Dog – and adjustable reading speeds, it’s perfect for busy bees and busy minds, boosting your productivity.
A Library in Your Pocket
Meet Libby! This marvelous app lets you borrow eBooks and audiobooks from your local library, making literature accessible and affordable. With a user-friendly interface and customizable features, you can easily browse, borrow, and read or listen to your favorite titles anytime, anywhere. Say goodbye to overdue fines and hello to a world of literary adventures at your fingertips. Whether you're lounging at home or on the go, Libby is always in your pocket with you.
No More Sneaky Activities
Little Snitch is your trusty digital watchdog for macOS, keeping a close eye on outgoing connections. This smart app alerts you whenever an application attempts to send data, letting you decide whether to give the green light or hit the brakes. With detailed statistics and customizable rules, it transforms network security into a nerdy experience where you’re the boss of your own privacy!
Bye-Bye, Mom123
If you don't have a password manager yet, maybe 2026 is the year to say goodbye to the generic password "mom123" and diversify your password portfolio. Bitwarden can help with that! It tidies up your digital chaos, allowing you to store and manage all your passwords, notes, and sensitive information in one safe place. Its end-to-end encryption ensures that only you have access, while its handy autofill feature makes logging in easy.
HOT BITE OF THE MONTH
Visual Learning, anyone?
Whether you’re powering through school or hyper-focusing on jumping spiders, boost your learning experience by diving into the colorful world of visual learning with mind maps!
Help your brain memorize by drawing connections and using different colors for each category. Hang fun posters in your line of sight or explore amazing digital tools like Canva, Miro, or MindMeister.
Incorporate images or symbols that resonate with you as mental shortcuts and create weird visual memory hooks – the crazier, the better for your memory
Not only have you put in the effort to study, but you've also crafted a true masterpiece!
Let your imagination soar!
At Blue Banana, we’re totally vibing with this month’s ethics and themes. Swing by our mission page!
Awareness Bite
January rolls in with a sparkling spotlight on important issues, inviting us to promote understanding and kickstart lively discussions that pave the way for positive change in our communities.
TL;DR – Too Long; Didn’t Read
Not Blue, Just Monday: Learn why we can ignore Blue Monday – the day, not the song!
Your Data and You: The CEO of Blue Banana Software cares about your data and explains why it's so important to be considerate.
We Love Community Knowledge: Wikipedia is turning 25, and we’re sharing what you might not know about the most popular online encyclopedia.
The Books We Breathe: Check out the Japanese word for buying books to stack unread and our literary gems for the month featuring:
Quiet by Susan Cain
False by Joe Pierre, MD
App-solutely Essential: Discover how text-to-speech can enhance your daily life (Speechify), keep your favorite books in your pocket at all times (Libby), spot sneaky outgoing connections on your phone (Little Snitch), and find out what the safest and most practical password manager looks like (Bitwarden).
Get Creative and Colorful: Our HOT BITE this month is to give your study routine a visual flair. Learn how creating a masterpiece helps you memorize things better.
Kickstart Awareness: Uncover the inspiration behind this month’s topics and celebrate with us!
