Category: Life Online


  • Notes on: Figuring by Maria Popova

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    “So much of the beauty, so much of what propels our pursuit of truth, stems from the invisible connections.” And just like that, with the thesis set, Maria Popova takes us through over five hundred pages of invisible connections between Johanns Kepler in 1617 to the launch of the Voyager space probe in 1977. Between…


  • New Rules for Social Engagement

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    I am absolutely the kind of guy who can’t be trusted to spend “just a minute” on social media because I will absolutely lose the next two hours of my life to it. I get sucked in even though I KNOW there is rarely anything interesting out there. If things were perfect, I would just…


  • App Zero Progress – August 2024

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    In the six months or so since I first approached the idea of “App Zero,” I’ve stumbled a few times. Here’s the thing: I don’t need another app. I don’t think anyone does. I sure as hell don’t need to be PAYING for any of them. But I like seeing what independent app developers create…

  • The Dead Net

    The Dead Net

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    The internet is broken. This is particularly problematic when we live in a world where so much is enabled, facilitated, and disabled by “the internet.” Hell, even defining “the internet” is a rough task. What is it? The line that goes into your house. The stuff you scroll through the data connection on your phone.…

  • The Age of Information, The Aging of Information.

    The Age of Information, The Aging of Information.

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    Some thoughts on James Gleick’s The Information. “The alphabet is like a contagion – both the virus and the vector of transmission in and of itself.” Back in the “learn to code” days – a phrase shot off in mean spirit by anti-intellectuals to journalists and academics who were loosing their jobs by the thousands…

  • The Explosion and a Persistent Challenge of Discovery and Appreciation.

    The Explosion and a Persistent Challenge of Discovery and Appreciation.

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    Artists tend to not stop making things, even if the thing you remember them making isn’t around anymore.


  • Planned Life

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    Words about Alex Shakar’s “Luminarium”


  • Anti Algorithmic

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    I also struggle with the whole “scrolling on my phone for too long” thing. I wouldn’t feel guilty about it if I were seeing something noteable or worthwhile. Lately, it seems my feed is just full of aspirational content about the great life that exists outside of the very feed the content is made for.…


  • Create More Than You Consume. Much More. Exponentially More.

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    “It actually makes me feel better knowing you’re not doing so great.” This line comes from one of my friends, but there’s no reason to take offense. As it goes, misery loves company. This has sat in drafts for a while. I wasn’t sure how to approach the idea of “everyone’s having a tough go,…


  • Consolidation to Reduce Anxiety

    • Keeping Dirt In One Spot

      We’re looking at four (maybe five?) straight days of rain here in Asheville. Yes, North Carolina gets hurricanes – but we’re also 400 miles inland and up in the mountains. It is an odd place to be when this kind of weather hits. Loads of rain isn’t uncommon for Asheville. When we moved here in…

    • Failing Creativity – Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act

      “Hate” is such a strong word, but I can’t get my head around Rubin’s dumb book any other way. I’ve soured on Rubin over the years as he has shifted from less business and more “creativity,” wandering the world in his unruly, unwashed opulence. Sure, he looks the part of a creative guru, but my…

    • Pure KAOS

      If I wrote something for every series I watched, this would be entirely different website featuring far more reality-based programs than I care to admit (no, not documentaries. yes…THOSE realities). KAOS was a lot of fun. I knew all those old Greek myths I studied back in school would come in use at some point!…

    • Method: Blind Brainstorming

      Brainstorming could use an overhaul. The idea of brainstorming was invented by an advertising exec in the 1950s. “It is easier to tone down a wild idea than to think up a new one.” – Alex Osborn Any participant of a brainstorming session typically falls into one of two camps: This is amazing, this is…

    • Post It Note Productivity

      Every day there is a new productivity tool or method. A new youtube video about how some joblo organizes their day. Look at this new notes app, it screams at you when you don’t update it enough. If your day is larger than a post it note, you are attempting to do too much with…

    • maybe Not Free Will

      Free will – the capacity to choose between different courses of action. Your choice in this moment, right now, can change your outcome. There is no prophecy, your life is not guided. You get to pick. I wanted this node in here because it comes up a lot in the studies of Benjamin Libet –…

    • The Brain Reclaim Project

      The theory: a lot of us are some degree of miserable because we have no control over our brains/ minds/ conscious experience. If our bodies are the “meatsuit” of our brains, which experiences consciousness, then what about our bodily experience is reducing our control over brain stuff? Things That Need Looking Into: The goal, maybe:…

    Too many apps. Too many profiles. Too many inboxes. Not enough of the right attention going to the right places. The joke used to be: the first step to any new business idea is securing the domain name. The result was a lot of clever domain names that were registered even though they never went…