Espresso Shots 10-6-24

Here's my weekly update with a few interesting random findings that I came across the last week or two. I am going to try to make sure they're here in time for you to enjoy with your morning coffee (or beverage of choice) every Saturday or Sunday, and include some of my thoughts around them.

The Latest Drippings ☕️

1. I've said it before - I love the Apple Watch. Not only has it become my central hub for health monitoring, but there seems to be a fascinating future potential with them around a future computing paradigm. When I saw that Per Håkansson had created a guide to 'learn how to make the switch to free up precious time and attention, and become more focused and less distracted in everyday life,' based on the watch, I was interested. How to Switch from an iPhone to an Apple Watch
2. This week's worthy read explores how the digital age has shifted the measurement of self-worth from internal satisfaction to external validation. I like where it gets to, stating that you will find 'intrinsic value by focusing on the act of creation itself.' Sound advice. The Collapse of Self-Worth in the Digital Age
3. Some great visuals on "bubbles." Your bubble is suffocating.
4. Speaking of bubbles, I loved this post on 'Software as a Disservice.' On its critique of SaaS software, 'the more powerful the parasite becomes, eventually burdening your organization to the point that you are effectively only as innovative as the SaaS provider you're anchored to.' A worthwhile read through the challenge most enterprises face. The Other Bubble
5. I never heard of Carl Sagan's Baloney Detection Kit (and PDF), but it's 'an informal set of thinking tools and techniques for evaluating arguments and detecting falsehoods.' A must read. Baloney Detection Kit: How to Think Sceptically and Bust Bullshit
6. As a leader, you must recognize that 'with great power comes great responsibility.' I never thought about it in terms of this post, but it has given me pause to think. - You're always carrying a cannon
7. One of the things I have tried to do throughout my career is consistently working on my presentation skills; I even have a reminder every few months to actively seek an opportunity to present, and I enjoy doing them. This list is essential (and read Resonate if you want a masterclass), but there are some good reminders here. The top 5 presentation mistakes everyone makes
8. Here's a fun little geeky home project. Getting my daily news from a dot matrix printer
9. A great visual can replace so many overused words, but have you ever thought about how time can be visually expressed? How do you draw time?
10. 'A shit blog is a thing of power.' I enjoyed this post about how powerful a mechanism is in having a blog, and its true value can be a path into the mind of the creator of it. 'We know, when we're reading a blog, that we're getting a glimpse into the writer's active psyche, a tour of their studio as it were — not hearing their thesis presentation or reading their pre-print publication; hearing from other people being people is part of the appeal of blogs.' (via Ben Werdmuller). The secret power of a blog
11. I'm sure I'll get a lot of flack for this one, but it's a good thinker. DevOps is Bullshit
12. I keep going back and forth on just how valuable the current AI 'magic' is, and I keep going back to this general idea that, while not truthful or perfect, LLM's can be a helpful tool to spark other ideas. GPT-4: A Copilot For The Mind
13. As I approach my 4th year in my 50's, I probably spend too much time thinking about growing older. But I loved this view: 'You no longer have to devote time to finding out what you are, you are just free to be whatever you want to be, unimpeded by the incessant needs of others. You somehow grow into the fullness of your humanity, form your own character, become a proper person — I don't know, someone who has become a part of things, not someone separated from or at odds with the world.' Nick Cave on the Art of Growing Older

Amor Fati ✌🏻