Graphic design schools are teaching tech, but are they teaching taste? Kathy Pham discusses the current state of design education. Really solid essay on a topic I’ve been thinking about recently.
Quick Thoughts
Shorter than a blog post.
I’ve been listening to the Vergecast lately and this Tuesday’s episode is outstanding. Ben McKenzie talks about crypto and his new documentary. Victoria Song discusses the pros and (very serious) cons of health tracking. A thoughtful discussion on two very complicated tech topics.
This academic study in Visual Communication analyzing G.I. Joe “Knowing is half the battle” PSAs from the early 1980s is amazing. Sadly not open access, but you should read it if you are Gen X and have access through your university library.
I’m fascinated by the minimalist approach that Slate is taking with their EV pickup. I see opportunity for customization, but others see a small truck without a built-in sound system. This article does a good job of summing up the challenges Slate faces in taking a radically different approach.
Witnessed a drone delivery yesterday for the first time when shopping in southern Charlotte. Apparently, it’s a partnership beween Doordash and Wing, and only available in a four mile radius of the shopping center we were in. Strange to see a drone lower a package to the ground, and then fly off.
Go Gamecocks!!!! 🏀
Spring is here. I looked up while grilling and noticed our backyard trees are finally all green again. 🍃🍃🍃
Ryan got his first high school start tonight when the starting goalie injured his hand in warm ups. He got the win and a shut out.
Bored, while sitting in a very long middle school car line. (I’m near the front.)
The South Carolina Women’s Basketball team is so impressive. Strong win against Oklahoma today. Ta’Niya, Raven and Tessa shot the lights out, scoring 60 of the team’s 94. Looking forward to the next game against TCU or Virginia. Go Gamecocks. 🐓🏀
The parking garage is so eerily empty when I get in early.
I’ve been impressed by Kagi News. A nice AI-curated summary of important news stories, updated once a day. Provides links to a spectrum of sources, and the site has an RSS feed, so I can easily add it to Feedbin.
Coffee shops should all have a rack of reading glasses for sale. I occasionally forget mine when I go to write or study, and I would completely pay an inflated price for a pair of reading glasses in the moment. I can’t be the only one. I think they’d make a nice profit.
Working at the Starbucks at I-26 and Broad River in Irmo tonight while Ryan is at lacrosse practice. I studied here all the time when I first started grad school. Happy to report that almost a decade after I nicknamed it “Grad School Starbucks” that it is still full of grad students.
I don’t go into Facebook often, but when I do, I’m flooded with fake AI generated stories about Gamecock Women’s Basketball and F1. Judging from the engagement on these posts, lots of people believe them… but most of them are completely made up.
Interesting observation by Nilay and David on the Vergecast last week about the MacBook Neo. For most people, their most essential computer is their phone. A MacBook Neo is an affordable second device targeted at phone-first consumers.
It’s going to be tough to be a McLaren fan this season. 🏎️
The process of finding a roommate for the first year of college in 2026 is a mix of dating app and Instagram stalking. 🤣 My middle child is looking for a South Carolina Honors College roomie…
I thoroughly enjoyed Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Season 1 from start to finish. Some great new characters. I like how they’ve continued to build out the technology and culture of the 32nd century. I’m looking forward to season 2.🍿
I don’t know why, but the time change is really hitting me harder than usual this year…
Seth Godin: Small changes to big systems:
Scarcity of creation and scarcity of distribution have been replaced by a surplus of both.
What doesn’t scale? Trust, attention and belonging.
For the first time in my almost 30-year professional career, I have an office with a thermostat that actually works.
Just started watching the first season of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV. Juggling all the time periods is a little complex, but I really like it so far.🍿
About 14 years ago, I was part of an organization that started a monthly coffee meetup. The organization no longer exists, but the monthly coffee meetup continues.
I watched UNC fans storm the court after the win against Duke last night, and it reminded me of the only court storming I’ve ever been a part of — South Carolina’s 1997 upset of Kentucky. It’s funny to listen to the ESPN broadcast now, which of course includes references to Hootie and the Blowfish.
Ryan’s science fair project on soundproofing was titled “The Sound of Silence.”
All of the judges asked if he knew who Simon and Garfunkel were…
Turns out he didn’t. Just thought the title sounded good. 🤣
I wasn’t sure what to expect with Starfleet Academy. So far, it’s great. And as a DS9 fan, Episode 5 made me so happy.
Today is straight up chaotic. Ryan has the School District Science Fair and lacrosse practice. Jill has Admitted Students Day at the University of South Carolina. Liz has a hair appointment. And I’m just the chauffeur.
Always happy to support an Iconfactory Kickstarter. I’ve never been disappointed. I backed the new Ollie’s Arcade effort today, and if you love iOS games with a retro feel, you should back it too.
Went for a stroll around Mungo Park (which happens to be in our backyard). Sun is out, but there is still lots of beautiful snow-covered terrain.
