Uniforms Are Great Until They Aren’t

Uniforms have been cultural signifiers in Western culture at least since the 17th century when armies began to suit up. Royals and spiritual leaders have been sporting regalia throughout recorded history. Not much has changed. Whatever you do, there’s probably a “uniform,” a look, a standard way of showing up. An obvious example is the “Tech […]

Look Right, Drive Left

I live in a small town without much traffic. We have no stoplights. Most people pay minimal attention crossing the road. When I travel to the UK, most people to my right and left appear to pay minimal attention crossing the road. They’re used to it. What they’re experiencing is “normal.” Me? I ceaselessly chant, […]

When It’s Time to Stop, Stop

Over 40 years ago, I bought a motorcycle. I got no training. Never got a license. I rode around Hawaii on what was then a high-performance machine in shorts, sandals, and sunglasses. Madness. When I moved to San Francisco, I sold the bike. It’s a small miracle that I’m here to tell that story. Many […]

9.11.02

I wrote this 22 years ago. It’s on my website somewhere. I think it still holds up. How will this day be remembered? Years from now, 9.11.01 may be remembered alongside 12.7.41 (Pearl Harbor) as a day that awoke a nation. Or perhaps it will take on the same tone as 11.22.63, the day that […]

Doritos Makes Transparent Mice

Here’s a headline that wasn’t on my bingo card Scientists use food dye found in Doritos to make see-through mice I think the writer thought this was a good thing. Apparently, you can see through mice if you rub something called “Tartrazine” on them. Not all the way through, but through their skin. Tartrazine is […]

There is No Mastery Without Competition

I like to carve spoons. I also like meditating in the morning, reading books, and farming. None of these seem “competitive.” There isn’t a prize or adversary. The premium is on learning, attention, and practice. And yet, they are competitive in that by allocating my time, energy, and attention to carving, sitting, or reading, I […]

The Sound of a Human Voice

In 1999, I’m still boggled that it is now 25 years ago, a bunch of clever fellows published something called The Cluetrain Manifesto. It’s called that for a reason, though I no longer remember or care why. The internet was far younger and the idea of doing commerce there was still a young and exciting […]

Labor Day

As a kid, I never much liked Labor Day. I had no sense of its roots or broader meaning. In my young mind, the word “labor” was synonymous for work. I had yet to read Marx. I had yet to hear about the Haymarket Riots. May Day was a day in May. What I did […]

What is Rich?

What is rich? A million dollars? A billion dollars? More than the other guy? Own your own island? Two jets? Not having to follow the rules? Or The love of family and friends? Thinking to yourself, “Nobody is having a better time right now than I am.” A good book and not wanting to do […]

Happy Birthday SkyNet

Fans of the Terminator franchise, and who amongst us doesn’t toss off the occasional “I’ll be back,” will not need reminding that at 2:14 Eastern Time (UTC-5) on August 29, 1997, Skynet became self-aware. This was not good. Nevertheless, happy 27th birthday SkyNet. This leads me to several thoughts. Still waiting Anyone there? Predicting anything […]