Black Swan Hope

Being an artist is about recovering “the artist’s way”.  Being a writer is about writing.  Anywhere, anyhow.  But, how to get it out there? There’s got to be a way and the process is important.  How long does it take for us to realize our voice matters?  However small, however seemingly insignificant. The process is… Continue reading Black Swan Hope

Thoughts on Education

A collection of thoughts and resources (links, podcasts, books, etc.) regarding philosophies, strategies, and techniques on a true, and proper education.

Freedom

Freedom is the number of options available at any given time…

The Risk/Reward Asymmetry

There’s a fundamental bias that works against our undertaking any great journey or adventure or change or perceived risk and that is the risk/reward asymmetry.  It is a simple fundamental law of how humans perceive change.  It is derivative to the human bias of loss aversion (the tendency for losses to be felt more negatively… Continue reading The Risk/Reward Asymmetry

The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch

“The balance of circumstances can be shifted in a major way by a minor action Only a few decisions really matter. Those that do, matter a great deal…” Learn the 80/20 Principle and begin to leverage it!

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Risk

There is beauty is the careful execution of risk.  It is the perceived pain of risk that discourages the attempt.  This is a risk asymmetry and is related to the human bias apparent in the pain-pleasure principle (coupled with “momentum”) which causes so many in the world to suffer one of the greatest of human… Continue reading Risk

Day 1

Does these count?  Does this matter?  I guess that’s the ultimate question, what matters.  What do we do?  What can we do?  What should we do? I find myself writing so many more questions than answers lately.  I’m laughing in my head asking:  why is that?   But I’m also trying to be more present.  Accepting. … Continue reading Day 1

Subscription Service Hacks

The monthly money saving experiments continue! Subscription Freeze/Subscription Fast First off, at some point, we cancelled all of our subscriptions. Going on a temporary streaming freeze is amazing. Keep in mind, the beauty of streaming services today is that there is no contract and no penalty for cancelling. If your desire to re-stream gets bad,… Continue reading Subscription Service Hacks

100 Books in a Year

(10/24/2020) – Success! 34 books read in a year! (Didn’t hit my goal, but that’s not the point. Shoot for the stars land on the moon! This was the most books I’ve ever read in 12 months in my life!) Let’s beat it in 2021! Thanks everyone for participating and supporting! Let’s do it again!… Continue reading 100 Books in a Year

Automation for Mac

If you’ve never used the Automator app for mac before, prepare to be blown away (at least if you’re me). Background: Like an idiot, I had stored all of my notes and sketches on a topic in separate PDFs. (Organization: Intellectual Efficiency) So, I googled an article that told me to open the Automator App… Continue reading Automation for Mac

Organization: Intellectual Efficiency

Few appreciate the power of organization. A scared and mysterious force working opposite the second law of thermodynamics (all systems tend to chaos or the lowest energy state). But the power of organization for your mind is just as significant. It’s not about how smart you are or what you’ve memorized anymore. It’s your level… Continue reading Organization: Intellectual Efficiency

Leverage on Perception

You, me, your neighbor: we’re delusional. By design (evolution, whatever, you know what I mean). We’re delusional for a reason. Some of these delusions are called biases. While “perception is reality” (for the perceiver), we are best equipped to handle this world when the gap between perception and reality is minimized. The minimization of the… Continue reading Leverage on Perception

The 3 Laws of Human Dynamics

The 1st law of human dynamics: The things you do you will keep doing, the things you aren’t doing, you will keep not doing (without significant changes).  Everything you do, and don’t do, is a habit.  Every action reinforces a future action. This is the law of human inertia. (Inertia can be overcome!) The 2nd… Continue reading The 3 Laws of Human Dynamics

Time and Attention

Time and Attention. These are two of the most valuable resources known to humankind. So whatever it takes, use your time and attention well. There is no better place than here and now to master your time and your attention. Everything you’ve ever earned, created, or enjoyed has come through time and attention. Time and… Continue reading Time and Attention

A Visitor From Wilmslow

As a small (I like to say “boutique” (no I don’t actually say that)) website, our readers have the benefit of tremendous impact and attention. We recently had a visitor from England visit the site! And as one of the few international visitors, I wanted to write to say hello and thank you! How our… Continue reading A Visitor From Wilmslow

Introduction to FIRE

There’s a quiet revolution happening. It’s about freedom, it’s about thinking different and it’s about doing things differently. The Key: Sustainability. The Game: Escape the rat race. The Reward: Financial freedom (before you’re 60, or 70, or 90, or dead). Where to start: Blog: Mr. Money Moustache Book: Financial Freedom Movie: Playing with FIRE You… Continue reading Introduction to FIRE

Atomic Habits

Habits are the bricks that build a healthy life. This is THE habits book. It’s just as informative as it is actionable (and that’s what’s crucial). Making tiny little changes to some of the things in my life have had HUGE impacts: Exercise: A designated bag and outfit, laid out and ready (make it easy!)… Continue reading Atomic Habits

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The World Is Non-Linear

The world is non-linear. Don’t be discouraged on the plateau, convinced the world is linear and that you’re experiencing merely a linear aggregation. The world is not linear. Don’t forget about emergence, tipping points, and dis-continuities (the compound effect.) Keep going. Keep putting in the time, keep working. The complexity of the world is often… Continue reading The World Is Non-Linear

A Gentleman in Moscow Review

A great book made wonderful by a pandemic! What has the count to teach us? That we can be the master of our destinies while bound by our realities. To use the tools (or boundaries) of circumstance to carve for ourselves a life as a work of art. While every stroke may not be a… Continue reading A Gentleman in Moscow Review

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Cognitive Resonanace

Cognitive resonance (the opposite of cognitive dissonance) is when perception and reality align. This consistancy leads to deep levels of peace, joy, and contentment. On the other hand, cognitive dissonance, the stress caused by a gap between perception and reality, is very uncomfortable, and worse, often subconscious. The mind will always move from cognitive dissonance… Continue reading Cognitive Resonanace

Mathematical Literacy

What is mathematical literacy and what does it look like? Mathematics is both a tool and a language. Mathematical literacy is when one is able to use math to solve problems (in “real life”) and read mathematical statements (statistics, charts, equations) and understand what they are communicating. A few awesome benefits of mathematical literacy: Mathematics… Continue reading Mathematical Literacy

Google’s 70/20/10 Principle

I’ve heard that Google has a 70/20/10 principle where: 70% of working hours are devoted to core competency and core revenue (“core business”) 20% is devoted to “adjacent” or revenue expanding activities (and ideas) 10% is devoted to long-term growth (“moon-shots”): ideas with a low-success rate or long runway, but super-high impact potential This can… Continue reading Google’s 70/20/10 Principle

A Hallmark of Great Writing

Great writing is when: Everything that needs to be is included and Everything that can be is removed. You may also like: Why I Find it Hard to Write (blog) Everyday and Why I Want to… 100 Books in a Year

Skin in the Game, Feedback, and Learning

True, efficient learning, comes from experience: Experiencing the consequences of actions. In systems this is called “feedback”. It can be “positive” or “negative”, but it returns information back to the system based on the output. A system with feedback is called “closed loop”. Only a closed loop system (a system with feedback) can reach a… Continue reading Skin in the Game, Feedback, and Learning

Free Online Tutoring

For anyone affected by recent changes in schooling, I’d like to help in any way I can, particularly with Mathematics or Science or Engineering Tutoring. I’m most experienced with college students, (calculus and above), but all are welcome! (I had a tutor in high school and college and was a tutor in college and graduate… Continue reading Free Online Tutoring

Becoming Debt Free

Our debt free journey started in July 2017 and finished March 2020. $71,000 in debt, paid off! I can’t quite describe how it feels, but it’s amazing. I never would have thought it was possible before this. While it feels amazing, it hasn’t fully sunk in yet. It has been a life-changing journey, transforming our… Continue reading Becoming Debt Free

Daily Wisdom Listening

New 2020 Habit! Daily Wisdom Listening (Affiliate Links): The Book of Proverbs The Tao Te Ching Meditations by Marucs Aurelius You may also like: Seth Godin’s Audiobook Recommendations THE Best Habit Ever!

Ray Dalio and Richard Koch on Navigating Life

Both Ray Dailo and Richard Koch have very similar philosophies on moving through life successfully. “…we must all constantly seek to understand and constructively deal with reality to create value and achieve personal improvement.” – Richard Koch, ‘Good Profit’ Ray Dailo has a similar philosophy which is a never-ending iterative process. Basically the journey of… Continue reading Ray Dalio and Richard Koch on Navigating Life

Deadly Sins and Heavenly Virtues

Deadly Sins Heavenly Virtues Pride Humility Greed Charity Lust Chastity Envy Kindness Gluttony Temperance Wrath Patience Sloth Diligence

Keys To Better Decisions

Keys to Better Decisions: Use Opportunity cost (never sunk cost) A “sunk cost” is something already spent or consumed (an “unrecoverable past expense”). Costs already incurred are irrelevant in considering what to do in the future. Forget about what was already spent. Instead, ALWAYS use “opportunity cost”: the highest-value activity forgone. (i.e. What can I… Continue reading Keys To Better Decisions

THE Best Habit Ever!

Among the best habits ever are: practicing gratitude, exercising, walking, keeping a positive mindset, finding joy and delight, tidying, budgeting, giving, reading, sketching, journaling, practicing music or art or other things… The Best Habit Ever is “doing” books. The best habit ever is “doing”: “trying”: “experimenting”. Change requires action. You must do something different if… Continue reading THE Best Habit Ever!

Dealing with Cravings or Breaking Bad Habits

A “craving” or a “bad habit” is some little thing you’ve done a bunch of times in the past and are struggling not to do today. Here’s the trick. Focus on today. Everything you’ll ever accomplish is one-day-at-a-time. Focus only on making the right decision today. The reward for doing this is that it will… Continue reading Dealing with Cravings or Breaking Bad Habits

Habits Beat Motivation Every time!

Yup, motivation/inspiration sucks: it’s fickle, fleeting, and unpredictable. Habits rock! If you master habits, you will never have to worry about motivation or inspiration ever again! Listen to any of the greats: artists, athletes, actors, acupuncturists, etc. They’ll all tell you that the abit of the craft is the key. Inspiration and motivation come and… Continue reading Habits Beat Motivation Every time!

Habits: Implementation Lag or It takes 1 day for every 1 minute of daily habit change

That’s it! For every 1 minute of daily habit to be developed, it takes about a day. After years of working on mastering habits and life change, I’ve found it takes 1 day for every 1 minute of habit development. For example, if you want to practice guitar (or spanish, or whatever) for 30 minutes… Continue reading Habits: Implementation Lag or It takes 1 day for every 1 minute of daily habit change

Habits: Frequency beats Duration, Frequency beats Amplitude

Habits are the foundation of the quality of your life. The frequency of a habit is WAY more important than duration or amplitude. The key to habits is frequency. For example, you’re better off practicing something for a minute everyday, than for 10 minutes once a week. It’s said that Jerry Seinfeld put a red… Continue reading Habits: Frequency beats Duration, Frequency beats Amplitude

Notebooking

Here’s a great method to keep a daily notebook! (Here’s the notebook and pens I use! – Affiliate links.) The key here is to tie big goals to daily activities. (This is a method of creating “recipes for success” from But But But – Affiliate link). Everyday: use the Day format below: Everyday check the… Continue reading Notebooking

New Book Available!

Now Available! It’s been years, but the book is finally available!! Check it out on Amazon.com or elsewhere. Huge thanks to everyone who helped me put it together, I am so excited to be able to share it!

End Pollution and Environmental Damage

A great site for purchasing carbon offsets: Goldstandard.org A really cool tool to calculate flight emissions: United.Conservation.org/ Easy and Fun Activities to Reduce Pollution and Environmental Damage: Bike more! Ride to your friends, the library, groceries, or just for fun! Fly less! Road trips are fun, telecommuting is instant, and falling in love with where… Continue reading End Pollution and Environmental Damage

Enjoyment & Graditude

Enjoyment > Achievement Trade expectations for appreciation. Start with the art of fulfillment, then work the science of achievement. Thanks Tony!

Best Nature & Biology Booklist

Best Nature & Biology Booklist: The Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert The Botany of Desire by Michael Pollan (Read the Review) The Phenomenon Of Man by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

5 Books to Change Your Life

Here’s the five best books to instigate change in your life.I can attest to the life-changing potential of each of these books. They are ordered in the recommended order of reading/implementation. 1.  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up   Key Habits:  Start by eliminating Making value-driven decisions Submitting yourself to a process 2.  The The… Continue reading 5 Books to Change Your Life

Vagabonding Review

Reading this book may cause wonderlust. And what an uncommon guide it is! The world is waiting to be seen, heard, felt, tasted, experienced! Ship yourself. Get out there! Meet new people, see new places, do new things…  

Botany of Desire Review

The Botany of Desire is the surprise hit of the year!* Two reasons. One. It’s excellent, fun, and informative. Three words that can’t do this little masterpiece justice.** If you’ve read this far you’re one in a billion! (trust me, I track my readership). And if that’s the case, go read this book. The second… Continue reading Botany of Desire Review

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1 Day Design Project: Bag Hack

Introduction My wife bought this awesome bag in Amsterdam. It’s the perfect size, functional, and stylish. After having had it for two years, it’s time for an update. She wanted to add a new patch, covering up or getting rid of the old one. Once we found the perfect patch, it was just slightly smaller… Continue reading 1 Day Design Project: Bag Hack

1 Day Design Project

Project:  Replace the boring old knob on the shower exhaust fan dial. Step 1: Find your project You know what mine is, go find yours. I slid the old knob off of the wall dial and took some measurements, notes, thoughts, drawings, and now I’m ready to begin. Step 2: Do some analysis and measurements… Continue reading 1 Day Design Project

Add Some Randomness to Your (WordPress) Website

FIgure 1 – Every time you refresh the page, this book-related picture will change. Install a wordpress Plugin called (PHP Code for Posts) Then, write a simple program which randomly generates a number, then displays a certain line of code (for a picture) into the spot where you want you random pictures. I do this… Continue reading Add Some Randomness to Your (WordPress) Website

Big Magic Book Review

Thank you for writing this book. This book presents the awesome idea of Big Magic in a really cool way. It’s interesting and well written. The answer is always the same: “More wonder, please.” As she mentions in the book, some critics of her last hit Eat, Pray, Love thought it was unreadable, couldn’t even… Continue reading Big Magic Book Review

Data and Information Visualization Part II

Figure 3 - This graph is our own creation from data available in the paper. We see it's very interesting that weight and performance do not seem correlated here.

Sometimes it is important to create your own figures when they don’t exist. (see Data and Information Visualization Part I) The example I’d like to give is from a paper titled “Thermal Performance of Domestic Replacement A19 LED Lighting Products.” The paper highlights the varied nature of LED heat sink “performance” for a given set… Continue reading Data and Information Visualization Part II

Aaron Swartz Book Reccomendations

Below is a boiled-down reading list from The Boy Who Could Change the World. Raymond Smullyan, 5000 BC George Saunders, In Persuasion Nation: Stories Robert Karen, Becoming Attached Scott McCloud, Making Comics: Joan Didion, Political Fictions Poundstone, Fortune’s Formula Murer, The Big Con: The Power Broker by Robert Caro The Social Life of Small Urban… Continue reading Aaron Swartz Book Reccomendations

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Data and Information Visualization

Figure 3 - This is the "boiled down" figure which captures only particularly relevant information.

If a picture is worth a thousand words then a graph or chart is worth at least a thousand words. The ability to understand and create graphs or figures is essential for anyone interested in Science Technology Engineering or Mathematics. Here’s a great example of how one might “boil down” a figure for their own… Continue reading Data and Information Visualization

7 Great Self-Help Books

The 7 Best Self-Help Books in no particular order (includes Affiliate links to Amazon): How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb Draw insights, experiences, and creativity building habits from one of the best minds of all time. Develop the mindset and virtues which allowed the genius of Leonardo to flower. The… Continue reading 7 Great Self-Help Books

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Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City Book Review

If any of the words in the title of this book interest you, then this is a must read. Well researched and interesting, this book is for those who want to learn more about the city that defines liberalism. Mixing modern day with history, Shorto is a perfect match for the fellow American travelling through… Continue reading Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City Book Review

Tibetan knots

“…Tibetan endless knots, symbols for the impermanence and interdependence of all life and the union of wisdom and compassion. Between the knots was an image of two golden fish with large eyes, which represents sentient beings crossing the ocean of existence with the clear sight of wisdom as well as the fearlessness of not drowning… Continue reading Tibetan knots

Our Cells are Listening…

“[Elissa Epel and her colleague ELizabeth Blackburn] conclude that our cells are actually ‘listening to our thoughts’.” – The Book of Joy

Simplicity in Design

Simplicity is an essential property of good design. It saves time, money, resources, and is easier to understand and analyze. A design’s simplicity is often measured by the number of parts that make it up. The fewer the parts, the simpler the design, which also means fewer opportunities for failure. CASE STUDY: REGENERATIVE BICYCLE BRAKE… Continue reading Simplicity in Design