Technology. Science. Weird. Geek. Love.

MGMT Kids cover because Amanda asked for one.

Sat, 11 May 2013 18:22:40 -0400

MGMT Kids cover because Amanda asked for one.

I'm fucked.

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:45:33 -0400

Well shit, Peter. After this week.

Sun, 31 Mar 2013 18:52:32 -0400

At midnight December 21, the Internet offered its own commentary...

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 14:18:18 -0500

At midnight December 21, the Internet offered its own commentary on the apocalypse. Thank you, Internet.

MATH

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:05:53 -0400

“11:15, restate my assumptions: 1. Mathematics is the language of nature. 2. Everything around us can be represented and understood through numbers. 3. If you graph these numbers, patterns emerge. Therefore: There are patterns everywhere in nature.” —Maximillian Cohen, Pi

How can I miss you when you won't go away? Or that time when James Altucher inspired my 'pseudocide.'

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 03:33:00 -0400

I love social media. I’m just sick of being my own paparazzo. And I know I’m not alone.

We are tweeting, updating, posting, liking, pinning, IM’ing, DM’ing, +1’ing, YouTubing, and Googling now more than ever.

Ask yourself - How many times did I check <<insert favorite online social network>> today? I did. And I didn’t like the answer.

There were many other days I had asked myself that same question and was okay with it. The ROI was there – and it wasn’t just the false self-affirmation I got every time someone responded favorably to me online.

For most of us the ROI for personal online social networks is apparent. Exciting friendships are forged, business deals made, reputations built, and new things learned every day. Social media is like a psychological orgasm that leaves us begging for more.

It’s not that I’m getting sick of the kinds of things I’m posting. (But if you are, does Chris Brogan have some great suggestions for you on that.)

Perhaps it’s that I’m more concerned with feeding my channels than actually experiencing any of what I’m talking about online. Learning anything new with my bare hands. In the real world. Is my brain suffering because of it? Will my creativity bloom even further by taking a break from my personal networks?

After talking with a good friend about what he described as social media “malaise” – he suggested I stay off of my online social networks until the first day of summer, June 20. We both had projects we were planning on diving into this spring and, in a show of solidarity, agreed to go off the social media grid with me. The idea – while completely terrifying – guaranteed an ROI. For a few months, every minute not spent on an online personal network can be put toward my project. As an added bonus, I would have greater insight into my online networks I would not have gained otherwise.

James Altucher’s recent post “How to Disappear Completely and Never Be Found” – a thought which sounded really great when I read it – got me thinking that perhaps by going off my social networks people might forget about me. Like suddenly my relevance to the rest of the world will diminish because I am no longer in the apparent context of the online conversation.

Will I be in essence faking my own death by going off the grid? A pseudocide of sorts?

Clearly something must be wrong with me to deliberately abstain from my online social networks for a while, right?

vanillabean45: Let’s just leave it at that.

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:45:35 -0400

vanillabean45:

Let’s just leave it at that.

Please and thank you.

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:51:00 -0500

Please and thank you.

Ever wondered how to get yourself out of those Facebook (or...

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:40:10 -0500

Ever wondered how to get yourself out of those Facebook (or perhaps in the future third party) sponsored ads? Here’s how you do it:

Go under “Account Settings” to “Facebook Ads.” Once there go to “Edit third party ad settings.” You can select that you do not wish to be included should Facebook allow third party ads.

If you want to get yourself out of “Social Ads” on Facebook once you’re under “Facebook Ads” click on “Edit social ads setting” and select “No one.” Be sure to save your selection.

And there you have it.

Last-minute Christmas gift ideas for the guy who doesn't want to get dumped

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 17:32:00 -0500

Christmas is almost here and you’re screwed because a.) you haven’t started shopping for your wife/girlfriend b.) you haven’t shopped enough c.) that girl is hard to please d.) you suck at gift giving.

Thought I’d volunteer some items on my personal wish list (and couple just for fun) to help inspire you. Make sure that even if you didn’t really spend a lot of time selecting the gift, your girl thinks you did.

The Spa disclaimer —— Don’t get me wrong - I haven’t met a girl yet who didn’t love the spa gift certificate purchased by her man. Want to score extra points? Put enough money on the card for her to take her friend. Even if she doesn’t use it to bring a friend and spends a luxurious day by herself, either way you win. Be sure to ask the spa for a pricing list and match the card accordingly. If that’s too much hassle, one call to your local spa should be enough for them to help you out.

The Wish List

Touchscreen Winter Gloves

These Isotoner smarTouch Stretch Leather and Spandex Gloves are great for any girl with a smart phone. Now when she opens it be sure to tell her how you want her to stay warm and keep those beautiful fingers warm. Then kiss her hand. Do it. Be suave. Own your Dos Equis guy moment.

Handmade Shakespeare Leatherbound Journal

What’s more romantic than a journal inspired by Shakespeare for your beloved to write all of her deepest secrets and desires? Take it up a notch and inscribe it with something (brief) that will make her heart melt. Protip: If you’ve never seen her wear pink try one of the other colors they offer in the collection.

Sparklicity Gold Shimmer Dust

Sparklicity Gold Shimmer Dust from Tarina Tarantino is gorgeous and will make your woman radiate hotness. Unless you’re not interested in that sort of thing.

Pretty Cotton Shoulder Bag

Women love handbags. Why not show your sensitive side with this pretty little number? Want to surprise her? Put some concert tickets in the bag. BAM. Done. Gift and a date later. Sure to satisfy - both of you.

Drum Machine T-Shirt

If your girl is a geek she’ll love this drum machine t-shirt. If she’s a girly girl don’t risk it. You don’t want her thinking you bought her something that’s really for you.

Black Leather Choker Necklace

She can wear this very elegantly or with a pair of jeans. The choice is hers. Either way you win on the price. Don’t forget to mention you bought it on Etsy, she’ll think you spent an hour picking it out. If you’re into a naughty Christmas you can match it with this.

Last Word

Try not to enlist her friends. There is a high probability they will rat you out for cutting it so close to Christmas. Going solo on this will not only impress the hell out of her and her friends, but you won’t have to worry about any spoiled surprises. Good luck Romeo. With how many days you have left to shop you’re going to need it.

I find myself often cursing at how seamless it ISN’T to...

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 09:51:00 -0500

I find myself often cursing at how seamless it ISN’T to login to my Tumblr stream. Boooo

If my email is already in use then wouldn’t it be awesome to have a prompt to login right from that screen? I think so.

"Now I've learned it's better to lose a job I don't believe in any more than to do it well and keep it just for that sake." - @blam

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:01:00 -0400

"Now I've learned it's better to lose a job I don't believe in any more than to do it well and keep it just for that sake." - @blam:

“DON’T BE TRAPPED BY DOGMA.” - Steve Jobs

Word to all of it.

Sometimes when science and humanity intersect the combination is...

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:09:00 -0400

Sometimes when science and humanity intersect the combination is truly beautiful.

A delightful song with some delightful Muppets. Also there might...

Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:05:51 -0400

A delightful song with some delightful Muppets. Also there might be a resemblance between Beaker and Chris Martin.

Anyone else excited about the new Muppets movie? Hoping it doesn’t suck as bad as The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz remake with Ashanti. Yeah, remember that train wreck?

No one likes to admit when they are expendable. That’s...

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 20:43:00 -0400

No one likes to admit when they are expendable. That’s usually why they are to begin with.

I am feeling this painting by Dennis Velco right now.

Sat, 01 Oct 2011 20:39:13 -0400

I am feeling this painting by Dennis Velco right now.

Video

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 22:48:52 -0400

“Today, Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces,...

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 20:24:49 -0400

“Today, Holiday is remembered for her masterpieces, creativity and vivacity… Holiday’s poignant voice is still considered to be one of the greatest jazz voices of all time…

Although she never underwent any technical training and never even so much as learned how to read music, Holiday quickly became an active participant in what was then one of the most vibrant jazz scenes in the country.”

I found Billie Holiday as a kid in a record store. Her face intrigued me and although her music had not yet met my ears I knew that she was someone special.

I think the excerpt above from her official bio speaks to the kind of person we all long to be - active participants - with passion, creativity and vigor. In fact, I can’t imagine a life lived any other way.

Quit Drinking the Creativity Kool-Aid Excerpt from the...

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:19:00 -0400

Quit Drinking the Creativity Kool-Aid

Excerpt from the article:

“It starts so innocently. The addiction sounds like this:

“It is a small change, what can it hurt?” (SFX: Sip, sip, sip…)

“This isn’t worth falling on our swords over.”

“It’s our job to give them what they want.” (SFX: Slurp, slurp, gulp…)

“We have to pick our battles.”

“I know them, and they’ll never go for that.” (SFX: Gulp, swig, swig…)

“Clients don’t want great work.”

“Creative is over-rated.” (SFX: Chug, chug, chug…)

You have got to get off the pitcher.

Think for yourself. Stop trying to run with the herd. The idea that you have to go along to get along is crushing the creativity in you and the industry.”

Out of nowhere my friend messaged me today: “every yin needs a yangyou are SO damn creative...

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:11:29 -0400

Out of nowhere my friend messaged me today:
“every yin needs a yang
you are SO damn creative and artsy
and full of blooming life”

Made me smile. She knows me well.

I hope you make someone smile today.