Espresso Shots 2-16-25

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 ☕️

• Back to Mac For as long as it's been around, I've been experimenting with different ways to figure out how to switch entirely to the iPad for my primary computing needs - iPad Mini's, iPad Pro's, you name it. Matt nails why this always ends in thousands of paper cuts in this thoughtful retrospective. It was a great read, and what eventually led him back to the Mac and the conclusion that 'iPad doesn't have a clear product vision.' That is a perfect analysis, IMHO.
• floor796. Sometimes, you just run across something amazing on the Internet. Last week, I found this solo hobby project that started in 2018 via this post. It's self-described as 'an animated scene showing the lives of characters from various works on the 796th floor of a huge space station. The animation is regularly expanded with new blocks (rooms) and characters from movies, TV series, games, anime, memes, etc.' It is a fun, brilliant thing you stumble across every once in a while.
• The Dice If you read anything this week, this is the one. So many great ideas on 'protecting our minds' in this crazy time. Hat tip to Greg Storey for putting this piece together.
• Turning Big Fears into Tiny Experiments. I'm looking forward to Anne-Laure Le Cunff 's new book, Tiny Experiments, so I was excited to see this post on 'fear of failure manifests itself in a much more subtle way, mainly self-doubt that prevents us from exploring uncertain paths.' Learn how to overcome fear through small, manageable experiments.
• Tech continues to be political. 'Being 'in tech' in 2025 is depressing, and if I'm going to stick around, I need to remember why I'm here.' If you're in the tech sector, add this to your to-read list.
• How We Lost the Flow. As a long-time software engineer, I can attest to flow-state and the problems with distractions. But wow, this is a powerful read on how the commercialization of 'flow' for attention is wrong and that flow 'should be a source of joy and creativity rather than a means for corporate enrichment.'
• 50 Years of Travel Tips. There are some entertaining tips in here!
• David Lynch Masterclass Since his passing a few weeks ago, I've been going down the David Lynch rabbit hole, and this masterclass on "The Art of Life" was fantastic.
• App Raises $1M In Funding For Simply Sending The Message 'Yo' Back And Forth. I miss the days of when life was simple, and an app that's only functionality is to send "Yo!" to a friend gets $1m in funding.
• Microsoft Study Finds AI Makes Human Cognition' Atrophied and Unprepared'. Well, duh.
• How Sketching Helps Me Develop Ideas. I've always wished that I could draw - I can't. However, I enjoyed the tips in this post about using 'sketching' to explore and communicate new ideas. It's not intended as art or to be about perfection - it's about thinking through ideas.
• Data Engineers Should Be Held To The Same Standards As Bakers. Wow, I shared this one with a bunch of my circle as soon as I read it. The author compares engineering to baking and suggests that both should meet high standards of quality and timeliness - but the problem with tech projects is that they are often praised for being completed on time rather than any form of quality. A 'pandemic of mediocrity'.
• An Asteroid Stands a Chance at Impacting Earth. Are We Prepared? Have any plans for 2032?
• You are all a bunch of sick freaks. As someone who does a lot of self-hosting, I laughed out loud when I read this humorous commentary shredding the whole practice and has some legitimate callouts on why it's ultimately misguided.

Amor Fati ✌🏻