When Microsoft first introduced its Office assistant, “Clippy,” it was ridiculed by many. The cutesy animated paperclip came across as goofy, but the real problem was how annoying Clippy was: He popped up unexpectedly way too often, interrupting your work to offer inane recommendations you would invariably reject.… Story continues … “It’s Clippy’s world now”
Tag: Rough Drafts
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How to write like Neal Stephenson
I was standing in the futuristic, multi-story atrium of NVIDIA’s “Endeavor” building when I saw Neal Stephenson leaning against a railing.
“I bet you’re not a lefty,” I said.
The award-winning science fiction author had been a speaker earlier that day at Google, which was hosting Imagination in Action’s Next Revolution of AI summit, a two-day conference event packed with experts from the upper echelons of tech, venture, and academia.… Story continues … “How to write like Neal Stephenson”
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What it’s like to attend a Renaissance Weekend
Last weekend, on a sunny balcony overlooking Monterey Bay, with cocktail chatter in the near background and sea lions barking in the distance, I talked about love with a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Army Special Forces.
My new friend spent 10 tours of duty first as a grunt, then as a Green Beret sniper and medic.… Story continues … “What it’s like to attend a Renaissance Weekend”
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Into the labyrinth
On the fourth day, we walked slowly into the labyrinth, step after step, walking around one loop, turning, and returning along another, when tears started welling up in my eyes. I was weaving closer, then turning away, gradually approaching the center, but always indirectly.… Story continues … “Into the labyrinth”
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Breathwork to breakthrough: Embracing creative freedom for post #2000
This post is my 2,000th on this website.
It’s also the first in a new direction.
I am so grateful to everyone reading this. I don’t take your attention for granted.
So if you’ll indulge me for a moment, I’d like to share a very brief recap and then tell you what I’ll be bringing to your inbox in 2025.… Story continues … “Breathwork to breakthrough: Embracing creative freedom for post #2000”
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What matters now
As I sit at my desk this morning, I am thinking about what really matters.
Peace. Honest, clear communication. Showing respect for all people, and making an effort at mutual understanding. Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn. Kindness and compassion.… Story continues … “What matters now”
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Self-portrait with eyes closed
This is a self-portrait I drew in a minute or so with my eyes closed.
I made this a couple of years ago during a group Zoom activity at work. (We were also drawing llamas, and the eyes-closed self-portrait was one of the warmups, if I remember correctly.)… Story continues … “Self-portrait with eyes closed”
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Don’t panic.
It’s July, and things are moving slowly in my neighborhood.
The sun came up right on schedule this morning at 6:03. I know it happened, because I was there, though I didn’t see the sun itself until about ten minutes later, when it rose over the fogbank covering Hayward.… Story continues … “Don’t panic.”