I was asked earlier today if I could craft a BMX haiku. So, here is my response.
Wheels flowing downwards.
A ramp awaits daredevils
BMX dreaming.
Author: Carl Setzer
Clarity of the other
Sitting amongst the oppressed
Their discomfort diminishing.
Perhaps my apparent illiteracy
Grants them boldness?
The rebirth of the stylus
Years ago, I was quite facile with styli. I took meeting bits several times in my Palm, even with the cryptic survival script. As I evolved to Blackberry, then to iPhone, my utilization of styli vanished. Now, though, I see a renewed interest in these devices. There’s become quite the secondary market growing. I’ve found, especially with tools like Swype, styli really enable a significantly greater efficiency. And this is fun for me.
I have one by Zagg, which is good, but small. Then I just got a NEBO one, with more heft. That seems to really help my accuracy. There are so many more, though. We’ll see which, if any, rise to the top.
Thoughts on Blogger and Google+
As a long time Blogger user, I do worry a bit about how much longer Google will support this. The rise of Google+ drives that. The various features added lastly to + make it look like they compete, and we all know about “Houses Divided”.
It seems that “+” gets all the developer energy, all the press. Blogger is way behind Word Press as far as features. So, probably, I’ll do what so many others I know have done and port this over to WordPress.
Why I love Twitter
Been thinking about the mighty Twitter. Why do I like it so much, yet others I know hate the platform? One key thought: chaos. For me, the beauty of Twitter is it’s chaos. This manic, crazily shifting feed of information delights me. Yet I understand how this could be a hard style for others.
I specifically, deliberately follow smart and creative people without millions of followers. The people I follow will grab anything a celebrity would say (that’s interesting) early enough for me to still be in the front of the thought curve. I value unique thinking over most anything else.
Twitter is more global. Maybe it’s my follower curation, but my list does a great job of giving me a global view, more so than I’d ever see reading a US based news org.
If I need order, I have Google or Bing. And Facebook gives me a good look into the macro interests of our culture. Twitter trend to be where I see the cutting edge thinking, the leading stories. And I love that.
Evening quietude
Too early, no,
It’s not morning
Until I’ve slept.
Sunlight collapsed into darkness
Hours back. Dawn comes soon
I guess. Light drifts in
Leisurely from points
Nearby, but sparse.
Words drift, too,
Flickered from bluish screens
Across my unweary eyes.
Slowly luring my mind
Free of thought, embracing
Dreams sweet embrace.
Silence lingers.
Thoughts upon this evening’s stroll
My feet fall upon pavement. The sound changes to a quiet thud when I leave pavement for grass, earth. My eyes move skyward, this sky lacks light. Save for the stars. Stars glow, brutal furnaces flickering gently, silently. They strangely beckon me, who can not reply. Upon this rock, far from the center of anything, galaxy-wise, much less regarding the universe. Away, away they sit, gentle blue glowing spots upon the once blue sky. Watching me, calmly. Do they see this once boy, walking under the few remaining wisps of cloud, stretched thinly, not quite hiding the ancient eyes.
Orion’s gaze the most familiar. Memories from boyhood, back upon the grass, eyes drinking deep those ever present dots. Staying upon the shapes my parents, their parents, all humanity that’s ever been, they’ve all seen the same shapes. Though they, too, change, their slowness taxes the mind to consider. My life barely a suffer. Humanity’s entire experience too recent to register. Pale blue dreams across the winds of history.
Changing the World Through Design
A couple of months back I stumbled upon the Design Matters podcast. I’d utilize my commute to explore new and interesting ideas, and this is one that resonated well. Then my FM transmitter (which was how I played my podcast through the Prius’ radio [no aux jack in my Prius…a 2005…none…in 2005 <wish I could all-cap 2005 here>…] died. I fell behind while I made my way through the holidays lacking one (I’ve been told that my propensity to buy stuff I need makes me a hard gift-shopper-for during the holidays. I really do try to be amenable to generosity).
Currently, I’ve made my way back to November 2013 and have now discovered Dawn Hancock. Her blending of design, sustainability, social entrepreneurship just sings to me. One key thing driven home during my time at Starbucks: the power of these inter-related themes. This is transformative, and a key part of deep innovative thinking.
She was a TEDx Speaker in 2010 (Chicago). Here’s the video. Enjoy!
Thoughts on PayPal President’s Staff “Reaming”
After reading this piece, where the President of PayPal vents about HQ staff refusing to utilize the company’s product and tools, I get David Marcus’ point. There is a danger, though, with the confrontational leadership statement. Sounding whiny and entitled trends to disconnect you further from your audience, in this case, your employees. Scolding tones need to be used with caution and thoughtfulness. Undermining your connection or weakening team trust is hard to repair.
Ultimately, it’s really hard to gauge the effectiveness of one communication without seeing the larger context. Arm-chair quarterbacking is easier that doing the work.
Cycling, Trials Riding, Danny MacAskill and the Power of YouTube
My son & I discovered Danny MacAskill via his film Way Back Home (on Netflix). As a long-time avid mountain biker, I have a particular respect for trials riders. The first rider who impressed the heck out of me was Hans Rey. Anyway, Danny’s riding is urban-centric, which really gels with me.
Anyway, below is the YouTube bit that launched Danny. Give it a look. You won’t be disappointed.