Global Spin

I don’t fly. Since the TSA put its latest set of security-theater rules in effect, I just can’t do it (or ask my family to) in good conscience. It comes down to this: I know too many people who would be traumatized by the kind of treatment the TSA has made mandatory. I can think [...]

Posted by Chris in Bummer, Crime, Family, Government, Law, Philosophy, Security Theater, Travel on January 19th, 2011 | 2 Comments »

Lee shared a thoughtful and entertaining Cracked article* by David Wong about the Monkeysphere. In short, the idea is that we can maintain less than 150 relationships (our monkeys**), so there’s no way for us to care about everyone. Lee also shared a Derek Sivers article that hits right in the gut. As Lee pointed [...]

Posted by Chris in Culture, Philosophy on April 2nd, 2010 | 1 Comment »

Brad makes an excellent point: There is an incredible amount of value in a clean slate and an empty inbox every day. Instead of burning up hours on an endless stream of interesting (but ultimately useless) content, I am faced with a blank page and a free block of time to write, code, design, create [...]

Posted by Chris in Geekdad, Philosophy on March 20th, 2009 | 3 Comments »

“First, writing the decisions down is essential. Only when one writes to the gaps appear and the inconsistencies protrude. The act of writing turns out to require hundreds of mini-decisions, and it is the existence of these that distinguishes clear, exact policies from fuzzy ones.” — Frederick P. Brooks, Jr. “The Mythical Man-Month” (via Brad)

Posted by Chris in Business, Philosophy, Technology on December 4th, 2008 | Comments Off

Ted shared an article in Reason this morning: Not Voting and Proud. While I totally understand that “abstain” is just as valid a choice as any on the ballot, I think that Brian Doherty, the article’s author, makes a few missteps: He sets up a false dichotomy between voting and otherwise helping out in the [...]

Posted by Chris in Government, Philosophy, Politics on November 4th, 2008 | 1 Comment »