Institute for the Future: An Interview about Quantified Self
The Institute for the Future in Palo Alto has a long history in Silicon Valley. A non-profit, it makes its living translating the futuristic visions of technical people into pragmatic frameworks for understanding possible futures. IFTF hosted the second Quantified Self Show&Tell, and since then they've been curious about and supportive
Recently Published
Qoogle and Black Hat SEO
I'm researching a story about Black Hat SEO. This is interesting in and of itself, but it is especially interesting in the context of The Quantified Self, as health care web sites keenly eye pharmaceutical revenue as a source of income, and pharma is a key target of black hat SEO.
I'm researching a story about Black Hat SEO. This is interesting in and of itself, but it is especially interesting in the context of The Quantified Self, as health care web sites keenly eye pharmaceutical revenue as a source of income, and pharma is a key target of black hat SEO.
The Species Tricorder – Two Years Later
Two years ago I traveled to Costa Rica and met two amazing scientists: Daniel Janzen and Willie Hallwachs. Janzen and Hallwachs and their many colleagues - professional scientists, students, and an important group of "parataxonomist" collectors - work the Area de Conservación de Guanacaste, where they catalog and study the
Two years ago I traveled to Costa Rica and met two amazing scientists: Daniel Janzen and Willie Hallwachs. Janzen and Hallwachs and their many colleagues - professional scientists, students, and an important group of "parataxonomist" collectors - work the Area de Conservación de Guanacaste, where they catalog and study the
Chanterelle Motherload
Stumbled upon the chanterelle motherload yesterday - one day late. They were waterlogged and hopeless after a solid night of rain. These are California chanterelles, which got proper acknowledgment as a distinct species only in 2008,when David Arora and Susie Dunham published an article in Economic Botany giving it a
Stumbled upon the chanterelle motherload yesterday - one day late. They were waterlogged and hopeless after a solid night of rain. These are California chanterelles, which got proper acknowledgment as a distinct species only in 2008,when David Arora and Susie Dunham published an article in Economic Botany giving it a
Bouquet of the Day
My friends Martha Baer and Sara Miles have a house in San Francisco with a garden. Every day they make a bouquet and post a photo online at Bouquet of the Day.
My friends Martha Baer and Sara Miles have a house in San Francisco with a garden. Every day they make a bouquet and post a photo online at Bouquet of the Day.
craigslist story in Wired
The story in this month's Wired started when the magazine's editors asked me a pointed question: how can a site that's so good be so bad? Serving a vast community at an irresistible price (mostly free), craigslist nonetheless seemed the antithesis of what a modern web business should be. Oblivious
The story in this month's Wired started when the magazine's editors asked me a pointed question: how can a site that's so good be so bad? Serving a vast community at an irresistible price (mostly free), craigslist nonetheless seemed the antithesis of what a modern web business should be. Oblivious
The power of false remembering
[Reposted from QS] Deep mysteries of human nature will be exposed by self-tracking, aspects of our behavior so disconcerting and bizarre that they will lead us to question whether we understand ourselves at all. I know this is true because such disconcerting results are already being produced at a rapid pace
[Reposted from QS] Deep mysteries of human nature will be exposed by self-tracking, aspects of our behavior so disconcerting and bizarre that they will lead us to question whether we understand ourselves at all. I know this is true because such disconcerting results are already being produced at a rapid pace
What we need is a good standards war
[reposted from QS] I've been meaning to link to this post for a couple of weeks. Nathan Yau over at Flowing Data has been writing personal data collection projects quite a bit. In this post, A Perfect Personal Data Collection Application, he talks about what is missing from current tools and
[reposted from QS] I've been meaning to link to this post for a couple of weeks. Nathan Yau over at Flowing Data has been writing personal data collection projects quite a bit. In this post, A Perfect Personal Data Collection Application, he talks about what is missing from current tools and
Ray Kurzweil – Becoming more human
Ray Kurzweil, the famous inventor, is trim, balding, and not very tall. With his perfect posture and narrow black glasses, he would look at home in an old documentary about Cape Canaveral, but his mission is bolder than any mere voyage into space. He is attempting to travel across a frontier
Ray Kurzweil, the famous inventor, is trim, balding, and not very tall. With his perfect posture and narrow black glasses, he would look at home in an old documentary about Cape Canaveral, but his mission is bolder than any mere voyage into space. He is attempting to travel across a frontier
Supermemo – Piotr Wozniak and Spaced Repetition
The winter sun sets in mid-afternoon in Kolobrzeg, Poland, but the early twilight does not deter people from taking their regular outdoor promenade. Bundled up in parkas with fur-trimmed hoods, strolling hand in mittened hand along the edge of the Baltic Sea, off-season tourists from Germany stop openmouthed when they see
The winter sun sets in mid-afternoon in Kolobrzeg, Poland, but the early twilight does not deter people from taking their regular outdoor promenade. Bundled up in parkas with fur-trimmed hoods, strolling hand in mittened hand along the edge of the Baltic Sea, off-season tourists from Germany stop openmouthed when they see
QS Show&Tell – New York Edition
Self Quantifiers in New York now have their own QS Show&Tell Meetup, courtesy of Steve Dean, who has been following QS almost since its inception. Steve was out here in the Bay Area for the second Show&Tell we had last year, and he has arranged to have the first meeting at
Self Quantifiers in New York now have their own QS Show&Tell Meetup, courtesy of Steve Dean, who has been following QS almost since its inception. Steve was out here in the Bay Area for the second Show&Tell we had last year, and he has arranged to have the first meeting at
Dead Ends and Walled Gardens
[Reposted from QS] The dead end. The cul-de-sac. The walled garden. These are three different ways (using 2.5 different metaphors) to refer to services that allow you to communicate and display information but not to copy, transfer, or share your data with outsiders. It's an internet dogma that dead ends, culs-de-sac,
[Reposted from QS] The dead end. The cul-de-sac. The walled garden. These are three different ways (using 2.5 different metaphors) to refer to services that allow you to communicate and display information but not to copy, transfer, or share your data with outsiders. It's an internet dogma that dead ends, culs-de-sac,
To see ourselves as others see us
[Cross posted from QS] Self-tracking is about self knowledge. But what if the knowledge you want is contained in the minds of others? Here are two recent videos from the last QS Show&Tell that bear on this question. We unfortunately didn't capture the lovely talk Joe Betts-LaCroix and Lisa Betts-LaCroix gave at
[Cross posted from QS] Self-tracking is about self knowledge. But what if the knowledge you want is contained in the minds of others? Here are two recent videos from the last QS Show&Tell that bear on this question. We unfortunately didn't capture the lovely talk Joe Betts-LaCroix and Lisa Betts-LaCroix gave at
Stop worring and start experimenting!
[Cross posted from QS] In this inspiring talk from the recent QS Show&Tell, author, scientist, and self-experimentalist Seth Roberts explains why worries about experimental design are overblown. You will learn what's wrong with your experiments by starting to do them.
[Cross posted from QS] In this inspiring talk from the recent QS Show&Tell, author, scientist, and self-experimentalist Seth Roberts explains why worries about experimental design are overblown. You will learn what's wrong with your experiments by starting to do them.
Your genome will be public
The QS blog is hosted on kk.org, the web site of my friend and QS Show&Tell co-host Kevin Kelly. Here is a link to Kevin's recent post on the inevitable public status of all individual human genomes. It is a counterintuitive idea, persuasively argued. Kevin focuses on the health benefits that
The QS blog is hosted on kk.org, the web site of my friend and QS Show&Tell co-host Kevin Kelly. Here is a link to Kevin's recent post on the inevitable public status of all individual human genomes. It is a counterintuitive idea, persuasively argued. Kevin focuses on the health benefits that
Seth Roberts – Becoming His Own Mouse
[Republished from QS] I'm becoming a devoted fan of Seth Roberts, one of the great champion of self-experimentation. Roberts, an emeritus professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, has spent many year studying himself, and, even better, offering many practical clues about how to construct your own "experiments of one." I first
[Republished from QS] I'm becoming a devoted fan of Seth Roberts, one of the great champion of self-experimentation. Roberts, an emeritus professor of psychology at UC Berkeley, has spent many year studying himself, and, even better, offering many practical clues about how to construct your own "experiments of one." I first
Negotiating with Nazis – A Good Idea
Yesterday George Bush said: Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: "Lord,
Yesterday George Bush said: Some seem to believe that we should negotiate with the terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along. We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared: "Lord,
Links for Talk at Maker Day
BodyBugg Wrist Device Tracks Behavior by Category Emotion Map Reality Mining with Mobile Devices Talk to Baby
BodyBugg Wrist Device Tracks Behavior by Category Emotion Map Reality Mining with Mobile Devices Talk to Baby
Eric Kandel’s In Search of Memory
At the beginning the memoir he published last year, the great neuroscientist Erik Kandel gives an account of his first sexual experience. His partner was "an attractive, sensual young woman," named Mitzi, who worked as a servant in his parents house. Mitzi was twenty-five. Kandel was eight. His memory of the
At the beginning the memoir he published last year, the great neuroscientist Erik Kandel gives an account of his first sexual experience. His partner was "an attractive, sensual young woman," named Mitzi, who worked as a servant in his parents house. Mitzi was twenty-five. Kandel was eight. His memory of the
5 Posts on Getting Things Done
Below are links to some recent posts with background material (and a small amount of new reporting) connected my story in Wired on David Allen and Getting Things Done. Wired profile of David Allen GTD and "The Civilizing Process" Courtesy, Conditioning, and GTD What is a Good Cult? The Unity Church
Below are links to some recent posts with background material (and a small amount of new reporting) connected my story in Wired on David Allen and Getting Things Done. Wired profile of David Allen GTD and "The Civilizing Process" Courtesy, Conditioning, and GTD What is a Good Cult? The Unity Church
Why work so hard: The eusocial meaning of Getting Things Done
Why work so hard? If there's a sore point in the literature of business self-help, this question touches it. A person who carries a to-do list everywhere; who divides the workday into segments; who strives for optimal efficiency: the last thing such a person needs is a wiseacre teasing him
Why work so hard? If there's a sore point in the literature of business self-help, this question touches it. A person who carries a to-do list everywhere; who divides the workday into segments; who strives for optimal efficiency: the last thing such a person needs is a wiseacre teasing him
The Unity Influence on Getting Things Done
In a conversation with David Allen for a profile that ran in this month's Wired, I asked him how seriously he took the doctrines he encountered during the spiritual quest that led to him becoming a minister in the Movement for Spiritual Inner Awareness, founded by a Los Angeles-based mystic named
In a conversation with David Allen for a profile that ran in this month's Wired, I asked him how seriously he took the doctrines he encountered during the spiritual quest that led to him becoming a minister in the Movement for Spiritual Inner Awareness, founded by a Los Angeles-based mystic named
What is a Good Cult? David Allen, GTD, and New Religious Movements
Among the most interesting things that came out of my research on GTD was the program's roots in the human potential movement of the 1970s, and the role David Allen played in one of its most vivid chapters. He was involved in the creation of a new religion. The religion is
Among the most interesting things that came out of my research on GTD was the program's roots in the human potential movement of the 1970s, and the role David Allen played in one of its most vivid chapters. He was involved in the creation of a new religion. The religion is
Courtesy, Conditioning and GTD
I argued this month in Wired that the methods David Allen prescribes in Getting Things Done are more than practical hints; they are tools of civilization that make new demands on our conscience. Getting Things Done is to us what manuals of social comportment and table manners were to the middle
I argued this month in Wired that the methods David Allen prescribes in Getting Things Done are more than practical hints; they are tools of civilization that make new demands on our conscience. Getting Things Done is to us what manuals of social comportment and table manners were to the middle
David Allen, GTD and The Civilizing Process
In the profile of David Allen in the October issue of Wired I discuss some of his intellectual antecedents, the influences that shaped Getting Things Done, and indirectly, all of its users, including myself. The story is an intellectual profile, with different aims than this piece, recently published in Business2.0, which
In the profile of David Allen in the October issue of Wired I discuss some of his intellectual antecedents, the influences that shaped Getting Things Done, and indirectly, all of its users, including myself. The story is an intellectual profile, with different aims than this piece, recently published in Business2.0, which
A.J.P. Taylor on Spying
In the course of some casual research, I came across a venemous review of a number of books about spying by the late A.J.P. Taylor. I've been thinking lately about what - if any - difference it makes that spying is no longer a matter of one human being listening in
In the course of some casual research, I came across a venemous review of a number of books about spying by the late A.J.P. Taylor. I've been thinking lately about what - if any - difference it makes that spying is no longer a matter of one human being listening in
The Church of the Non-Believers – Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett
MY FRIENDS, I MUST ASK YOU AN IMPORTANT QUESTION TODAY: Where do you stand on God? It's a question you may prefer not to be asked. But I'm afraid I have no choice. We find ourselves, this very autumn, three and a half centuries after the intellectual martyrdom of Galileo, caught
MY FRIENDS, I MUST ASK YOU AN IMPORTANT QUESTION TODAY: Where do you stand on God? It's a question you may prefer not to be asked. But I'm afraid I have no choice. We find ourselves, this very autumn, three and a half centuries after the intellectual martyrdom of Galileo, caught
Alberto R. Gonzales and The Hive Mind
ATTY. GEN. Alberto R. Gonzales dealt our assembled senators a mighty dose of frustration recently, parrying their wickedest thrusts by claiming, for example, that key decisions about which U.S. attorneys to fire emerged from "a process that was ongoing that I did not have transparency into." The senators did not respond
ATTY. GEN. Alberto R. Gonzales dealt our assembled senators a mighty dose of frustration recently, parrying their wickedest thrusts by claiming, for example, that key decisions about which U.S. attorneys to fire emerged from "a process that was ongoing that I did not have transparency into." The senators did not respond
Reinventing 911
It's another dangerous day in America. Bird flu is spreading, the North Koreans have a nuclear bomb, and Osama bin Laden is still at large. The federal security threat-warning system points to "elevated." Citizens nationwide have been told to be extra vigilant against new terror attacks. Meanwhile, in the midsize city
It's another dangerous day in America. Bird flu is spreading, the North Koreans have a nuclear bomb, and Osama bin Laden is still at large. The federal security threat-warning system points to "elevated." Citizens nationwide have been told to be extra vigilant against new terror attacks. Meanwhile, in the midsize city
Steve Jobs Interview – 1996
In the years since this interview appeared, many people have mentioned how unusual it is that Steve Jobs talked at such length about general topics to a reporter he had never met before. Jobs is known to be strategic in his interviews; that is, he does not range widely beyond the
In the years since this interview appeared, many people have mentioned how unusual it is that Steve Jobs talked at such length about general topics to a reporter he had never met before. Jobs is known to be strategic in his interviews; that is, he does not range widely beyond the
Books
"Joey Anuff and Gary Wolf have done the impossible: Dumb Money, an early-21st century crossbreed of Dostoyevsky (The Gambler), Matt Groening (Homer Simpson), and the Motley Fools, fully conveys the addictive, populist thrill of online stock trading, but also stands as a cautionary tale about a certain kind of life--twitchy,
"Joey Anuff and Gary Wolf have done the impossible: Dumb Money, an early-21st century crossbreed of Dostoyevsky (The Gambler), Matt Groening (Homer Simpson), and the Motley Fools, fully conveys the addictive, populist thrill of online stock trading, but also stands as a cautionary tale about a certain kind of life--twitchy,
View from Berlin, 1998 – Venture Kapital
The center of Berlin today is the largest construction site in Europe, a high tech endeavor pharaonic in scale. The new foundations have been laid beneath groundwater level by scuba divers, while giant machines assembled in front of the parliament building are drilling an astonishing network of subterranean transport tunnels. Mile
The center of Berlin today is the largest construction site in Europe, a high tech endeavor pharaonic in scale. The new foundations have been laid beneath groundwater level by scuba divers, while giant machines assembled in front of the parliament building are drilling an astonishing network of subterranean transport tunnels. Mile
Anthony Elgindy – The Dumbass, The Day Trader, and the New Democracy
by Joey Anuff and Gary Wolf In a San Diego office building where the air-conditioning runs full blast all winter, a man is yelling. "Art, your phone is haunted! Art, where are you? We're losing fifty! Sell two the regular way! Run, Art, run!" The guy doing the yelling is Anthony
by Joey Anuff and Gary Wolf In a San Diego office building where the air-conditioning runs full blast all winter, a man is yelling. "Art, your phone is haunted! Art, where are you? We're losing fifty! Sell two the regular way! Run, Art, run!" The guy doing the yelling is Anthony
The Great Library of Amazonia
The fondest dream of the information age is to create an archive of all knowledge. You might call it the Alexandrian fantasy, after the great library founded by Ptolemy I in 286 BC. Through centuries of aggressive acquisition, the librarians of Alexandria, Egypt, collected hundreds of thousands of texts. None survives.
The fondest dream of the information age is to create an archive of all knowledge. You might call it the Alexandrian fantasy, after the great library founded by Ptolemy I in 286 BC. Through centuries of aggressive acquisition, the librarians of Alexandria, Egypt, collected hundreds of thousands of texts. None survives.
Rem Koolhaas – Building the Unmaterial World
Rem Koolhaas is as tall and gaunt as a saint in an altarpiece, and he has a taste for edifying pain. The Dutch architect, whose megastructures in Europe and Asia and other audacious plans earned him this year's Pritzker Prize, is also his profession's most ruthless and excoriating critic. Recently, Koolhaas
Rem Koolhaas is as tall and gaunt as a saint in an altarpiece, and he has a taste for edifying pain. The Dutch architect, whose megastructures in Europe and Asia and other audacious plans earned him this year's Pritzker Prize, is also his profession's most ruthless and excoriating critic. Recently, Koolhaas
I, Monopolist
John D. Rockefeller, America's original supercapitalist, on Bill Gates and the Microsoft monopoly. The triumphs of heavy industry are triumphs of hegemony, as 19th-century America's invention of the industrial trust amply demonstrated. The richest of its inventors - the man who created an unparalleled method to centralize control and eliminate competition
John D. Rockefeller, America's original supercapitalist, on Bill Gates and the Microsoft monopoly. The triumphs of heavy industry are triumphs of hegemony, as 19th-century America's invention of the industrial trust amply demonstrated. The richest of its inventors - the man who created an unparalleled method to centralize control and eliminate competition
Ted Nelson – The Curse of Xanadu
It was the most radical computer dream of the hacker era. Ted Nelson's Xanadu project was supposed to be the universal, democratic hypertext library that would help human life evolve into an entirely new form. Instead, it sucked Nelson and his intrepid band of true believers into what became the longest-running
It was the most radical computer dream of the hacker era. Ted Nelson's Xanadu project was supposed to be the universal, democratic hypertext library that would help human life evolve into an entirely new form. Instead, it sucked Nelson and his intrepid band of true believers into what became the longest-running
Marshall McLuhan Interview – 1996
Wired: Do you still believe that the medium is the message? McLuhan: The real message of media today is ubiquity. It is no longer something we do, but something we are part of. It confronts us as if from the outside with all the sensory experience of the history of humanity.
Wired: Do you still believe that the medium is the message? McLuhan: The real message of media today is ubiquity. It is no longer something we do, but something we are part of. It confronts us as if from the outside with all the sensory experience of the history of humanity.
John Templeton
Sir John’s Divine Gamble
The Lord is my banker; my credit is good. He maketh me to lie down in the consciousness of omnipresent abundance; He giveth me the key to His strongbox. He restoreth my faith in His riches; He guideth me in the paths of prosperity for His Name's sake. Yea, though I
Sir John’s Divine Gamble
The Lord is my banker; my credit is good. He maketh me to lie down in the consciousness of omnipresent abundance; He giveth me the key to His strongbox. He restoreth my faith in His riches; He guideth me in the paths of prosperity for His Name's sake. Yea, though I
Marshall McLuhan
The Wisdom of Saint Marshall, Holy Fool
In 1971, Marshall McLuhan announced a new product. With chemist Ross Hall, his nephew, McLuhan patented a formula for the removal of urine odor from underpants. The unique advantage of McLuhan's formula, for which he registered the trademark Prohtex, was that it removed the urine odor without masking other, more interesting
The Wisdom of Saint Marshall, Holy Fool
In 1971, Marshall McLuhan announced a new product. With chemist Ross Hall, his nephew, McLuhan patented a formula for the removal of urine odor from underpants. The unique advantage of McLuhan's formula, for which he registered the trademark Prohtex, was that it removed the urine odor without masking other, more interesting
Steve Wozniak
The World According to Woz
Two decades ago, Stephen Gary Wozniak owned the first dial-a-joke service in the San Francisco Bay area. This was before Wozniak - known among the cognoscenti as Woz - almost woke up the Pope by calling the Vatican on his famed illegal "blue box," before he invented the Apple II and
The World According to Woz
Two decades ago, Stephen Gary Wozniak owned the first dial-a-joke service in the San Francisco Bay area. This was before Wozniak - known among the cognoscenti as Woz - almost woke up the Pope by calling the Vatican on his famed illegal "blue box," before he invented the Apple II and
Terry Eagleton Reviews Richard Dawkins’ The God Delusion
Terry Eagleton attacks Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion in the latest issue of the London Review of Books. Eagleton points out, as have many others, that Dawkins' contempt for religion blinds him to the meaning of the faith he attacks. Outlining what he calls "mainstream theology," Eagleton tells the story of
Terry Eagleton attacks Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion in the latest issue of the London Review of Books. Eagleton points out, as have many others, that Dawkins' contempt for religion blinds him to the meaning of the faith he attacks. Outlining what he calls "mainstream theology," Eagleton tells the story of
Milquetoast Agnosticism
The November issue of Wired, with my story on The New Atheism, was posted online yesterday. I've been reading as much of the comment as I could. Much of it is positive, some it is loony, but there are also some compelling complaints. One complaint in particular touches me. Some of
The November issue of Wired, with my story on The New Atheism, was posted online yesterday. I've been reading as much of the comment as I could. Much of it is positive, some it is loony, but there are also some compelling complaints. One complaint in particular touches me. Some of
Atheists for Jesus
Hyde Park - Speakers' Corner I recently interviewed Richard Dawkins for an upcoming story in Wired on "the new atheism." Dawkins mentioned his wish that there were an "atheists for Jesus" group, a suggestion he first made in writing some years ago. In doing some other research, I came across
Hyde Park - Speakers' Corner I recently interviewed Richard Dawkins for an upcoming story in Wired on "the new atheism." Dawkins mentioned his wish that there were an "atheists for Jesus" group, a suggestion he first made in writing some years ago. In doing some other research, I came across
South Park Crash
Since 1992, the real estate fortunes of South Park have been a lagging indicator of the Web development business. Walking to get coffee yesterday, I came across one of the last of the crappy old post-earthquake victorians being crushed; the one next to it is condemned, too. The inner framing was
Since 1992, the real estate fortunes of South Park have been a lagging indicator of the Web development business. Walking to get coffee yesterday, I came across one of the last of the crappy old post-earthquake victorians being crushed; the one next to it is condemned, too. The inner framing was
Uke Concert
I too read the Times story today about the 7 million + views of the guitar wizard on utube. It was a deadly distraction. Among other things, I watched this: While My Uke Gently Weeps
I too read the Times story today about the 7 million + views of the guitar wizard on utube. It was a deadly distraction. Among other things, I watched this: While My Uke Gently Weeps
Spamless At Last
After 12 years with the same email address, I had finally reached a spam-crisis. I was filtering heavily, but even my filters were choking. At the suggestion of Paul Boutin, I've been experimenting recently with spamarrest, and though it took a couple of hours to tweak, I've been really pleased ever
After 12 years with the same email address, I had finally reached a spam-crisis. I was filtering heavily, but even my filters were choking. At the suggestion of Paul Boutin, I've been experimenting recently with spamarrest, and though it took a couple of hours to tweak, I've been really pleased ever
Morel Story – Shawn Ryan and Cathy Wood and Friends
About a year ago I went up to the Yukon with David Arora, author of Mushrooms Demystified, to take a look at what was predicted to be one of the biggest morel mushroom season since the commercial pick began. The piece about the hunt for morels is out now in the
About a year ago I went up to the Yukon with David Arora, author of Mushrooms Demystified, to take a look at what was predicted to be one of the biggest morel mushroom season since the commercial pick began. The piece about the hunt for morels is out now in the
Public Warning – Listening to the Toilet
Art Botterell's idea for a warning system that transmitted good news rather than bad news was provocative and reminded me of something. Finally, I recalled what it was: the hilarious description near the end of Gravity's Rainbow of how to use a toilet as a warning device: "The basic idea is
Art Botterell's idea for a warning system that transmitted good news rather than bad news was provocative and reminded me of something. Finally, I recalled what it was: the hilarious description near the end of Gravity's Rainbow of how to use a toilet as a warning device: "The basic idea is
Panic, Warning, and National Security – Art Botterell Interview
Art Botterell is one of the main subjects of Reinventing 911. Botterell is an extremely interesting person, whom I met at a panel discussion honoring the publication of Safe: The Race to Protect Ourselves in a Newly Dangerous World. The conversation that evening had been relentlessly discouraging. The panelists, representing a
Art Botterell is one of the main subjects of Reinventing 911. Botterell is an extremely interesting person, whom I met at a panel discussion honoring the publication of Safe: The Race to Protect Ourselves in a Newly Dangerous World. The conversation that evening had been relentlessly discouraging. The panelists, representing a
Wired Story – Reinventing 911
Many months ago, I published a short piece in Wired about the NIST report on the evacuation of the World Trade Center. I was a fan of the NIST report. However, several readers criticized my piece for proposing a moral that was too glib. (The moral was: disobey authority.) These criticisms
Many months ago, I published a short piece in Wired about the NIST report on the evacuation of the World Trade Center. I was a fan of the NIST report. However, several readers criticized my piece for proposing a moral that was too glib. (The moral was: disobey authority.) These criticisms
Comments on “Disobey!”
There have been quite a few Web comments and pointers recently on the very short piece I wrote for the June issue of Wired about the National Institute for Standards and Technologyís report on who escaped from world trade tower attacks. (Scroll down to ìproject 7î ñ it is a 300
There have been quite a few Web comments and pointers recently on the very short piece I wrote for the June issue of Wired about the National Institute for Standards and Technologyís report on who escaped from world trade tower attacks. (Scroll down to ìproject 7î ñ it is a 300
Who Got Out and Why
I spent today reading the lengthy report by the National Institute for Standards and Technology about who escaped from the 9.11 World Trade Center attacks, and why. If you have a taste for this sort of thing, the report will inspire you with both pride and fear. Pride for two reasons:
I spent today reading the lengthy report by the National Institute for Standards and Technology about who escaped from the 9.11 World Trade Center attacks, and why. If you have a taste for this sort of thing, the report will inspire you with both pride and fear. Pride for two reasons:
About The Microsoft Memo
A recent story about Microsoft and Open Source, published this week in Wired, has been generating a lot of email. While I'm trying to respond to everybody directly, I want to note here how much I enjoy getting this feedback, especially coming from readers who have obviously followed open source controversies
A recent story about Microsoft and Open Source, published this week in Wired, has been generating a lot of email. While I'm trying to respond to everybody directly, I want to note here how much I enjoy getting this feedback, especially coming from readers who have obviously followed open source controversies
Philip K. Dick – Degraded Histories
At the annual used book sale sponsored by the San Francisco library I got a very large pile of old biographies, memoirs, and out-of-date collections of local anecdotes. These books always fascinate me. Perhaps what I like is analogous to what Pedro the Ghetropolitan likes in his buildings. Their abandoned passages
At the annual used book sale sponsored by the San Francisco library I got a very large pile of old biographies, memoirs, and out-of-date collections of local anecdotes. These books always fascinate me. Perhaps what I like is analogous to what Pedro the Ghetropolitan likes in his buildings. Their abandoned passages
Ghetropolis
My day wasted after finding this blog. click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click
My day wasted after finding this blog. click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click...click
Wireless Coaching
I've read the stories about Bush's earpiece at Salon and Is Bush Wired?. Football fans may appreciate this reference, to the first time wireless coaching was used, by the legendary Paul Brown of the Cleveland Browns.
I've read the stories about Bush's earpiece at Salon and Is Bush Wired?. Football fans may appreciate this reference, to the first time wireless coaching was used, by the legendary Paul Brown of the Cleveland Browns.
From My Friend Robespierre by Henri Beraud, 1825
"The most extravagant idea that can enter a politican's head is the belief that all a people need to do to spread their own laws and constitution is to enter another nation with a sword." --Maximilien Robespierre, December 21, 1791 The quote was found in an interesting, haphazardly written novel-in-the-form-of-a-memoir rescued
"The most extravagant idea that can enter a politican's head is the belief that all a people need to do to spread their own laws and constitution is to enter another nation with a sword." --Maximilien Robespierre, December 21, 1791 The quote was found in an interesting, haphazardly written novel-in-the-form-of-a-memoir rescued
Iraq, Abu Ghraib prison, and Media Treason
I happened to catch the broadcast, last weeks, of the CBS 60Minutes II story about American soldiers and Pentagon contractors torturing Iraqi prisoners. Sometimes I have trouble getting past minor details of such stories. In this case, I got hung up on the admission, at the end of the program, that
I happened to catch the broadcast, last weeks, of the CBS 60Minutes II story about American soldiers and Pentagon contractors torturing Iraqi prisoners. Sometimes I have trouble getting past minor details of such stories. In this case, I got hung up on the admission, at the end of the program, that
Bush Press Conference, Press Fans Tear Hair
There's been lots of whining by disappointed followers of the Washington press, which got its sad fanny kicked by George Bush during the press conference this week. Just as it used to be more fun to tease Red Sox partisans than to watch an actual Red Sox game, there's a lot
There's been lots of whining by disappointed followers of the Washington press, which got its sad fanny kicked by George Bush during the press conference this week. Just as it used to be more fun to tease Red Sox partisans than to watch an actual Red Sox game, there's a lot
Dr. Rice’s Grammer Jammer
Focused on details, as always, I listened to Dr. Condoleezza Rice's congressional testimony this morning with admiration. One sentence especially impressed me. In it, Dr. Rice used an astoundingly agile combination of conditional and subjunctive moods in the past tense and in the passive voice to deny any responsibility for security
Focused on details, as always, I listened to Dr. Condoleezza Rice's congressional testimony this morning with admiration. One sentence especially impressed me. In it, Dr. Rice used an astoundingly agile combination of conditional and subjunctive moods in the past tense and in the passive voice to deny any responsibility for security
Some Interesting Dean Stories
Rob Mackey's piece for The London News Review on why the Republican Party is publicizing their eagerness to face Howard Dean in the U.S. 2004 Presidential Race: Please Nominate This Man. Also, The Washington Post responds to some recent Web discussion, including a critical piece in Salon, about its description of
Rob Mackey's piece for The London News Review on why the Republican Party is publicizing their eagerness to face Howard Dean in the U.S. 2004 Presidential Race: Please Nominate This Man. Also, The Washington Post responds to some recent Web discussion, including a critical piece in Salon, about its description of
The War on Christmas
This week on CNN there was an enlightening debate on a topic of national importance, moderated by anchor Kyra Phillips: PHILLIPS: Merry Christmas or happy holidays, a Christmas tree or a holiday tree, Which should it be? It depends on whom you ask. We've seen controversy, most notably prompted by the
This week on CNN there was an enlightening debate on a topic of national importance, moderated by anchor Kyra Phillips: PHILLIPS: Merry Christmas or happy holidays, a Christmas tree or a holiday tree, Which should it be? It depends on whom you ask. We've seen controversy, most notably prompted by the
In Memoriam Hugh Kenner
I was sorry to read that Hugh Kenner died yesterday. The Times obituary gives a few highlights, mentioning Dublin's Joyce (1956), The Pound Era (1971), A Homemade World: The American Modernist Writers (1975), Joyce's Voices (1978), Ulysses (1980; revised in 1987), and A Colder Eye: The Modern Irish Writers (1983). Two
I was sorry to read that Hugh Kenner died yesterday. The Times obituary gives a few highlights, mentioning Dublin's Joyce (1956), The Pound Era (1971), A Homemade World: The American Modernist Writers (1975), Joyce's Voices (1978), Ulysses (1980; revised in 1987), and A Colder Eye: The Modern Irish Writers (1983). Two
Dean Links
Here are some of the Dean-related links I found most useful and interesting. With one exception, I am not bothering to put the official Dean campaign links here - they are all easily accessible from The Dean Blog. And many of the links have been mentioned earlier. But it seemed useful
Here are some of the Dean-related links I found most useful and interesting. With one exception, I am not bothering to put the official Dean campaign links here - they are all easily accessible from The Dean Blog. And many of the links have been mentioned earlier. But it seemed useful
Joe Trippi – Mastermind?
I've been busy trying to close my Howard Dean/Emergent Media story for Wired, which accounts for a few days of silence here, but I did notice this very interesting Joe Trippi profile at The New Republic. Trippi is such an interesting character that I was tempted to make him the center
I've been busy trying to close my Howard Dean/Emergent Media story for Wired, which accounts for a few days of silence here, but I did notice this very interesting Joe Trippi profile at The New Republic. Trippi is such an interesting character that I was tempted to make him the center
Howard Dean – A Negative Scenario
Now that all the regulars have weighed in, let me throw a monkey wrench into the this emergent system. Thanks to Paul Boutin and Tom Morris for helping me focus my thoughts on this. Tom Morris is the Web master for Scientists for Dean. Obviously, a Dean supporter. But also a
Now that all the regulars have weighed in, let me throw a monkey wrench into the this emergent system. Thanks to Paul Boutin and Tom Morris for helping me focus my thoughts on this. Tom Morris is the Web master for Scientists for Dean. Obviously, a Dean supporter. But also a
Howard Dean – Five Airports, One Twice
My trip to talk to Dean took my from SFO (my home town airport) to Denver International, then from Denver to a small private airfield called Centennial where the Governor's plane was sitting, then the Las Vegas on the campaign plane (I did the interview on the way), then from the
My trip to talk to Dean took my from SFO (my home town airport) to Denver International, then from Denver to a small private airfield called Centennial where the Governor's plane was sitting, then the Las Vegas on the campaign plane (I did the interview on the way), then from the
Dean Campaign Manifesto Discussion
The imaginary retroactive manifesto for the Dean campaign sparked an intelligent and wide ranging discussion that is growing quickly. I also got a few responses via email I want to highlight here. Steven Johnson, with whom I've had great conversations at about two year intervals since 1995, put his finger on
The imaginary retroactive manifesto for the Dean campaign sparked an intelligent and wide ranging discussion that is growing quickly. I also got a few responses via email I want to highlight here. Steven Johnson, with whom I've had great conversations at about two year intervals since 1995, put his finger on
The Dean Campaign
I'm still working on my story about the Internet side of the Dean campaign for Wired. It is giving me information anxiety. There is too much going on. It is impossible to get a bird's eye view. This problem is inherent in the nature of the campaign. In September, according to
I'm still working on my story about the Internet side of the Dean campaign for Wired. It is giving me information anxiety. There is too much going on. It is impossible to get a bird's eye view. This problem is inherent in the nature of the campaign. In September, according to
Howard Dean and Emergent Media
In the middle of research for a Wired story about Howard Dean and emergent media. The more I learn about the campaign, the more fascinating I find it. A recent front page story in the Wall Street Journal (reposted here) described the campaign's Internet success as "a story of desperation, risk
In the middle of research for a Wired story about Howard Dean and emergent media. The more I learn about the campaign, the more fascinating I find it. A recent front page story in the Wall Street Journal (reposted here) described the campaign's Internet success as "a story of desperation, risk
Amazon’s Search Engine – Alexandria II
Amazon made some news today. They've just launched a gigantic digital library containing more than 120,000 titles, with the goal of quickly incorporating a lot more. The interesting thing is that these are not ebooks. Yes, all the text is contained in a database. Yes, you can search it. Your search
Amazon made some news today. They've just launched a gigantic digital library containing more than 120,000 titles, with the goal of quickly incorporating a lot more. The interesting thing is that these are not ebooks. Yes, all the text is contained in a database. Yes, you can search it. Your search
Social Networking and Howard Dean
For a story about Howard Dean tentatively scheduled for Wired's January issue, I've been collecting references to theories of the Web, social networking, emergent media and [insert favorite buzzword here]. These references are easy to find, of course - just follow the blog. Lacking an automated tool to compare blogrolls, I
For a story about Howard Dean tentatively scheduled for Wired's January issue, I've been collecting references to theories of the Web, social networking, emergent media and [insert favorite buzzword here]. These references are easy to find, of course - just follow the blog. Lacking an automated tool to compare blogrolls, I
The San Francisco Chronicle – An Appreciation
The Wired saga has gotten surprising attention and if some inland subscribers to the New York Times found their Book Review supplement missing on June 27 it’s because my mother snuck up their steps and stole it. The New York Times review and the Washington Post review were gratifying, especially to
The Wired saga has gotten surprising attention and if some inland subscribers to the New York Times found their Book Review supplement missing on June 27 it’s because my mother snuck up their steps and stole it. The New York Times review and the Washington Post review were gratifying, especially to
Was Wired Right?
Two early reviews have very different takes on the book, which was officially published today. Salon: The Future Was So Bright, by Andrew Leonard The New York Observer: A White-Hot Media Company’s Mania for Breaking New Ground, by Brad Wieners In Salon, Andrew Leonard begins with high praise, but then asks
Two early reviews have very different takes on the book, which was officially published today. Salon: The Future Was So Bright, by Andrew Leonard The New York Observer: A White-Hot Media Company’s Mania for Breaking New Ground, by Brad Wieners In Salon, Andrew Leonard begins with high praise, but then asks
Winer’s Front Porch: Rossetto Responds
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2003 21:28:19 +0200 Subject: Re: You and Dave Winer From: Louis Rossetto You are mischaracterizing my position in order to create a dichotomy with Dave Winer's. For me, the Web was not only a platform, it was a new medium. New thinking for a New Medium, remember?
Date: Thu, 3 Jul 2003 21:28:19 +0200 Subject: Re: You and Dave Winer From: Louis Rossetto You are mischaracterizing my position in order to create a dichotomy with Dave Winer's. For me, the Web was not only a platform, it was a new medium. New thinking for a New Medium, remember?
Wired’s Worst Stories: Zippies, The Long Boom, and Push!
What was Wired's worst story? The three likely nominees for this prize are easy to identify. By popular anti-acclaim, the three worst Wired stories ever were: Here come the Zippies! (2.05) In May of 1994, Wired announced that a confab of techno-pagens at the Grand Canyon in August would spark a
What was Wired's worst story? The three likely nominees for this prize are easy to identify. By popular anti-acclaim, the three worst Wired stories ever were: Here come the Zippies! (2.05) In May of 1994, Wired announced that a confab of techno-pagens at the Grand Canyon in August would spark a
Louis Rossetto vs. Dave Winer
Back at the dawn of time, Dave Winer and Louis Rossetto had a little debate about the future of Web publishing. It was 1994. Things got heated. “The era of public access Internet has come to an end,” Louis proclaimed when he launched HotWired. Meanwhile, Dave was promising that the Web
Back at the dawn of time, Dave Winer and Louis Rossetto had a little debate about the future of Web publishing. It was 1994. Things got heated. “The era of public access Internet has come to an end,” Louis proclaimed when he launched HotWired. Meanwhile, Dave was promising that the Web
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