- Tom Sachs’ “Mars Yard Shoe” for Nike
I’m so into these shoes. Unfortunately, they were offered in a very limited run and are sold out everywhere.
Posted on May 23, 2012
- Psychopathy linked to brain abnormalities
No shit. (See also, The brain on trial.)
Posted on May 20, 2012
- Bookmarklets for adjusting font size
These are great, but why wouldn’t you just setup something like this, so that everything you read on the web looks the same?
Posted on May 20, 2012
Posted on May 19, 2012
- Droplr announces Droplr Pro for $3/month
I love me some Droplr, and signed up immediately.
Posted on May 13, 2012
Posted on May 13, 2012
- The future of moral machines
[T]he project of designing artificial moral agents has the potential to revolutionize moral philosophy in the same way that philosophers’ engagement with science continuously revolutionizes human self-understanding. New insights can be gained from confronting the question of whether and how a control architecture for robots might utilize (or ignore) general principles recommended by major ethical theories. Perhaps ethical theory is to moral agents as physics is to outfielders — theoretical knowledge that isn’t necessary to play a good game. Such theoretical knowledge may still be useful after the fact to analyze and adjust future performance. […]
Does this talk of artificial moral agents overreach, contributing to our own dehumanization, to the reduction of human autonomy, and to lowered barriers to warfare? If so, does it grease the slope to a horrendous, dystopian future? I am sensitive to the worries, but optimistic enough to think that this kind of techno-pessimism has, over the centuries, been oversold. Luddites have always come to seem quaint, except when they were dangerous. The challenge for philosophers and engineers alike is to figure out what should and can reasonably be done in the middle space that contains somewhat autonomous, partly ethically-sensitive machines.
Posted on May 6, 2012
- Reminding yourself to check your task list
I’ve long relied on this exact thing, except my frequency is different and I use AppleScript to invoke LaunchBar’s
display in large typecommand.
Posted on May 6, 2012
- One day, we will all be programmers
Speaking of the programming everyman…
How, then, will the computer revolution change the world’s economic profile? During the industrial revolution, the appearance of new tools of automation demanded workers with the skills to use those tools. The skills required for the computer revolution will involve the use of software and, increasingly, the creation of new software. We’re already flying down this road. One day, we will all be programmers.
Posted on May 6, 2012
- Why everyone should learn to program
We passively receive ALL the various interfaces that we deploy to manipulate our environment: the stove top you use to cook your food, the knife you use to cut your meat, the piano on which you play your music, the steering wheel you use to drive your car.
Just think about that for a moment and let it sink in. EVERY interface you employ on a day to day basis is likely created by someone else. And since our own creativity is necessarily constrained by the various interfaces we employ then an absolutely crucial dimension of creativity is denied to us. […]
If you use a computer in your day to day work – it’s very likely that your processes have developed to a point where they could benefit from some degree of automation. And the only person really qualified to provide that automation ultimately will be you and YOU alone – because you may well be the only person who knows the process. […]
I now feel cured of an affliction I never realised I had. If I had to name this affliction, I’d call it – defaultism. Always did I just default to the way of things as it was handed to me. Now I look at every aspect of my life with a hacker’s eye.
Welcome, Dan, to the good life.
Posted on May 6, 2012
- Super NES magazine spread
Four-page magazine spread for the then-not-yet-released Super NES, the greatest video game console of all time.
You’re going to love reading the copy on this one.
(Via @shauninman.)
Posted on May 6, 2012
- The case of the 500-mile email
An incredibly geeky story that I’m surprised I hadn’t come across before. (If you read and enjoy the story, be sure to read the FAQ too.)
(Via Kottke.)
Posted on May 6, 2012
- Search nvALT with LaunchBar
Badass.
Posted on April 30, 2012
- Evolution of intelligence and larger brain sizes can be driven by cooperation and teamwork
By allowing the brains of these digital organisms to evolve freely in their model the researchers were able to show that the transition to cooperative society leads to the strongest selection for bigger brains. Bigger brains essentially did better as cooperation increased.
The social strategies that emerge spontaneously in these bigger, more intelligent brains show complex memory and decision making. Behaviours like forgiveness, patience, deceit and Machiavellian trickery all evolve within the game as individuals try to adapt to their social environment.
Posted on April 30, 2012
- Biegert & Funk’s QLOCKTWO watch
A couple of years ago I linked to the original QLOCKTWO wall “clock,” and now they’ve gone and shrunk the damn thing down into a stunning wristwatch.
I’m not one to wear a non-mechanical watch, but I’m probably going to make an exception for this beauty. I’m a bit concerned about its size (35mm is awfully small for a watch case these days, even when we’re talking about my girly wrists), though its symmetrical shape and relatively wide strap may offset that a bit.
Posted on April 29, 2012
Posted on April 29, 2012
- The top of my to-do list
Paul Graham links to a piece that I mentioned early last year called, “Regrets of the dying,” and says it compelled him to put this at the top of his to-do list:
Don’t ignore your dreams; don’t work too much; say what you think; cultivate friendships; be happy.
I like it.
Posted on April 25, 2012
- Trials Evolution for Xbox 360
Trials Evolution (watch the launch trailer) is the successor to the incredible Trials HD. When Trials HD came out in 2009, I said:
A ridiculously fun, slightly-more-than-“casual” game from RedLynx and Microsoft. The physics, and consequently the gameplay, are spot-on.
Surprise, this latest version is even better. I know, you kind of expected that, but really, it is. I’ve put a ton of hours into it since I downloaded it yesterday, and when I’m not playing it, I’m thinking about playing it.
I’ve yet to see a review that’s worse than 9/10, and most are closer to 9.5/10. Joystiq gave it a 10/10 and concluded their review with:
In short, every addition RedLynx has made to Evolution serves to bolster the offerings of Trials HD, while continuing to highlight the game’s base: a fantastic physics engine that drives a flow that is simultaneously simple, addictive and frantic.
I couldn’t agree more. It’s a fantastic, fun game that’s worth every penny of its $15 cost.
Posted on April 22, 2012
- Within 20 seconds you can tell whether a stranger is trustworthy
New research from the University of California, Berkeley, suggests it can take just 20 seconds to detect whether a stranger is genetically inclined to being trustworthy, kind or compassionate.
I’m reading Jonah Lehrer’s How We Decide (which I’ll finish today), and am at a point in the book where he’s touching on similar concepts (with respect to the ability to empathize, oxytocin, etc.). (Unrelated: How We Decide probably is the first book I’ve read this year that I’m going to give a five-star rating. It’s fantastic.)
Posted on April 22, 2012
- Read It Later now known as Pocket
I’m giving Pocket a shot as my one and only “read later” service. Early last year I explained why and how I use both Instapaper and Read It Later, the gist of which is that I use Instapaper for articles and Read It Later for videos. It seems that Pocket—which attempts to auto-categorize articles, videos and images—may be a simple way for me to consolidate the services.
To that end, I just imported all of my Instapaper items into Pocket, installed the Pocket iOS apps and reconfigured all of my other apps to talk to Pocket instead of Instapaper. We’ll see how it goes.
Initially I was a bit worried about the service using tags instead of folders (I use folders a fair amount in Instapaper, and during the import these were converted into tags without issue), because it seemed there was no way to view only the items with no tags (i.e., the majority of my items). However, after some farting around I noticed the “view untagged items” filter and my fears were allayed.
I’ve some niggles already, but won’t mention them now because I’m sure they’ll be resolved shortly.
Finally, I think the new name is perfect.
Posted on April 17, 2012
- Dark Sky iOS app released
I’ve been waiting (not so) patiently for this app to be released ever since I first wrote about it last November. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I’m genuinely excited to play around with it. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m kind of hoping for some inclement weather this week.
Posted on April 16, 2012
- iOS Text Editor roundup
My buddy, Brett Terpstra, really outdid himself with this one. If you’re on the fence about which text editor to buy, or just want to get the lay of the land, there is no better resource out there. Also, the ability to filter by feature(s) is fantastic. Awesome work, Brett. Thank you.
(For what it’s worth, I’ve tried nearly every (potentially great) editor on this list, and have stuck mostly with Notesy since it debuted. That said, I’m jumping into iA Writer quite a lot since they released their iPhone app.)
Posted on April 15, 2012
- Waxy.org turns 10
Carving out a space for yourself online, somewhere where you can express yourself and share your work, is still one of the best possible investments you can make with your time. It’s why, after ten years, my first response to anyone just getting started online is to start, and maintain, a blog.
Truth. Here’s to 10 more years, Andy!
Posted on April 15, 2012
- A behind-the-scenes look at Sotheby’s
More interesting than it sounds.
Posted on April 15, 2012
- A veteran’s death, the nation’s shame
An American soldier dies every day and a half, on average, in Iraq or Afghanistan. Veterans kill themselves at a rate of one every 80 minutes. More than 6,500 veteran suicides are logged every year — more than the total number of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq combined since those wars began. […]
[B]eing a veteran now roughly doubles one’s risk of suicide. For young men ages 17 to 24, being a veteran almost quadruples the risk of suicide.
Posted on April 15, 2012
FOR THE LOVE OF THE FLYING SPAGHETTI MONSTER…
… WHY IS REEDER STILL MISSING MARK-AS-READ-ON-SCROLL?! IT’S ALMOST LIKE THEY WANT TO RUIN MY LIFE!