NO.LIFE 009

Welcome to issue 9 of NTW’s weekly newsletter, straight from Cal & Rocky.

YouTube leapfrogs ITV, a 16-year-old’s Roblox garden tops 21 m concurrents, Zuck’s talking “personal super-intelligence,” and a 717-day Whoop streak sinks at sea. On Rocky’s side: Fantastic Four restores faith, the quiet power of the number 20, a UNDFTD-4 rant, RAINS’ modular kitchenware, and a dream-scape architect you need to follow.

Let’s get into it.

CALLUX'S PICKS > 

YouTube passes ITV as UK’s #2 UK channel

Does anyone watch TV anymore? 


Mental news. YouTube is now the second-most watched TV service in the UK, behind only the BBC, even older viewers are choosing to decide what to watch instead of being fed programming. 


It really is time for TV broadcasters and production companies to double down on digital, before it’s truly too late. 

21.6m people playing a 16 year old’s game!?

A 16 year old developer created a game on Roblox called Grow a Garden. He hit 21 million concurrent players on July 29th, smashed Fortnite’s peak. 

I haven’t ventured into the world of Roblox yet but apparently in the game, players trade, grow plants and even steal crops in a ‘low stress environment, kinda like Animal Crossing.


I would love to know how much the game made him that night. 

AI Super-intelligence is close… already

In a company‑wide email, Mark Zuckerberg said Meta’s AI systems are starting to improve themselves and that “super-intelligence” could soon be achievable.

He framed the goal as “personal superintelligence” for everyone, but are apparently very wary, as Meta has spent $27 billion in Q2 alone, and may spend up to $118 billion this year on AI infrastructure.


AI is going to move faster than anyone can imagine, and my bet ain’t on Facebook. China will win.

I lost my 717 day streak…

I spent like 2 hours in the sea last week and lost my whoop, ending a 717 day streak. Cry. 

On that note, A huge study of 88,461 adults found that irregular sleep patterns, not just short sleep, dramatically increase disease risk.  

Going to bed after 12:30am raised the hazard ratio for liver cirrhosis 2.57x and unstable circadian rhythms increased gangrene risk 2.61x.  

Looks like i’ll be dying earlier than you, I am the definition of a night owl.

 

My favourite artist right now.

This dude is so fkn smart. Go scroll his tiktok. That’s all I need to say.

NEXT UP, ROCKY > 

Marvel Fatigue? Fantastic Four Just Flipped the Script

Not gonna lie - I spent last week deep-diving the MCU timeline, chasing the high of Phase 1–3. Between Iron Man 1, Black Panther, Thor: Ragnarok, and the criminally underrated Civil War, the Infinity Saga had me hooked. But post-Endgame? The magic fizzled. Sure, Shang-Chi, Wakanda Forever, Loki, and even Thunderbolts had moments - but nothing really hit the same..


Enter Fantastic Four: First Steps. No spoilers, but… faith: restored. 

I walked in skeptical, unsure the new cast could carry the legacy. But like Spider-Man: Far From Home, it finds that sweet spot between throwback and fresh. The surprise MVP? A slick 1960s aesthetic - pure retro-futurism that completely reimagines the Marvel vibe. Bold, stylish, and inspiring.


If you’ve been sleeping on Marvel lately, wake up. This one’s a must.

The Power of 20: A Number That’s Bigger Than Just Football

The number 20 is quietly becoming the number to watch next season. On paper, it’s simple - 20 teams in the Premier League. Man United and Liverpool are deadlocked at 20 league titles each. But beneath the surface, it’s loaded with meaning.

Lately, the number’s been popping up on the backs of players who seem to carry something deeper.

Whether it’s Cole Palmer’s impactful season, or more poignantly, a tribute to the late Diogo Jota. There’s something happening: new signings Madueke, Elanga, Kolo Muani, Kudus, and João Pedro have all claimed the number 20. Coincidence? Maybe. But the message is loud and clear - it’s not going unnoticed.

What makes football powerful isn’t just the titles, the drama, or the tribalism. It’s these subtle, silent gestures. It’s when the game becomes bigger than clubs, bigger than results. It’s when players use their platform to show love, memory, and respect.
Football doesn’t just entertain - it connects, it heals, it teaches. And in a world that often feels disconnected, the number 20 has become an unexpected symbol of unity. 
It’s bigger than a number on a shirt. It now means something. And that, to me, is the beauty of the game.

 

FLOP OR FIRE: The Slow Death of Sneaker Legacy

I intentionally don’t get into footwear here, even though they live rent-free in my head. But this one needed words. Yes, it’s about the UNDFTD Jordan 4 dropping soon.

Here’s my take: this was never just another Jordan. Back in 2005, only 72 pairs were made for staff. A true grail. A perfect sneaker. Resell prices hit $40K+. And now? Nike’s pushing them out for the masses like it’s just another retro.


This isn’t about nostalgia anymore - it’s about dilution. From Patta Chlorophylls to Wu-Tang Dunks and the endless wave of every Jordan 1, Nike keeps draining the soul out of its own legacy. The stories that made these shoes iconic are being flattened by mass production and hype cycles.


Remember 2011? I couldn’t walk into a store and grab a Jordan off the shelf. Now? SBB’s and White cement 4s are sat on shelves. History repeats and the oversaturation is real. And no one’s out here buying three pairs anymore to rock, stock, and resell - because who can even afford that? Without past sneaker visionaries like Virgil, Kanye, and Tinker, the throne’s vacant. It’s time for someone to step up.

With these new 4’s, Nike slapped a Nike Air logo on the back like that would fix it. Made a few Jumpman pairs for Friends & Family to pretend like there's still some exclusivity. Cute. But it’s performative.


Travis Scott said it best: “OGs or nothing.” And he’s right. I’d rather see storytelling like Nigel Sylvester’s Brick by Brick 4s - original ideas, personal meaning, cultural weight. Give me storytelling. Give me intent. UNDFTD 4s did that. This was the last real grail Nike had. Now that it’s retro’d… what’s even left? Damn.

Ok. Vent over. Where were we?

This Is How You Evolve a Brand

Maybe it’s an age thing. Or maybe it’s just the matte black, steel-core aesthetic that speaks directly to my soul. Either way, RAINS - the Danish brand known for its slick, weatherproof outerwear - just dropped a modular kitchenware capsule, and I’m
fully obsessed.

Brands have to diversify. To expand in ways that feel true to their aesthetic, while introducing a fresh tier of relevance, growth, and creative edge.
Not just to chase new audiences, but to keep the loyal ones locked in. Most miss the mark trying to stay relevant - RAINS didn’t. They nailed it. The design language is consistent, the vibe is on point, and the execution feels intentional. And honestly?
I feel inspired.

This isn’t a random pivot. It’s an evolution. A statement. And yeah… my kitchen’s about to get a full reset.

Architecting the Dreamscape

Can’t believe I only stumbled across this page recently - every single post is next-level. Definitely one of those rare finds that had to be shared here.

@larisabulibasa is an architect blending mythology, AI, and fashion into something genuinely poetic. Her work doesn’t just follow trends - it feels like a glimpse into the future. I’m a sucker for a powerful runway set and sharp AI integration, but her vision goes beyond aesthetics. It’s concept-driven, cinematic, and way ahead of its time.

If you’re a designer, creative, or just someone who appreciates boundary-pushing ideas - her work is worth your time, go get lost in it.