Espresso Shots 2-23-25

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 ☕️

• My time machine runs on technical writing. I'll admit it - I've been doing tech work for as long as I can remember (35+ years!?). Today, what technology companies do is far from the pure 'joy of discovery' that fueled my passion for space. This post by Fabrizio Ferri Benedetti, though, was a wild throwback as he experiments with AI-assisted coding tools to create a markdown editor for the Commodore 128. Yes, 40 years ago, I had one of these computers.
• From Rented to Owned: Taking Back Control Online. One of the better articles I have read regarding strategies to pull the plug on prominent social media. While there's definitely 'a sweet, rebellious satisfaction in finding yourself on solid ground again' into ditching X, Facebook, etc., there's something more core here: a solid understanding that 'these platforms are rented space.' It feels like there's a shift in the air as they 'no longer serve us as they once did, and more importantly, we are not in control.'
• The Imperfectionist: Reality is right here. OK, two in a row, so I guess there's a theme growing here - the world is generally upside-down and out of control and generally panic-inducing. This read has excellent tips on what you can do about it to stay sane. 'Make sure your psychological center of gravity is in your real and immediate world' is one of the better pieces of advice I've seen to make yourself happier.
• 9 Introvert Behaviors That Seem Weird But Have a Purpose Often, I've said that I am an extroverted introvert, so I appreciated (and certainly related) to this post. Give it a read if you want to understand better some of an introvert's behavioral patterns (especially why 'you might not leave your house for extended periods').
• We Need Outcomes, Not Insights. A suitable warning about the often false 'promises of actionable insights.'
• The Generative AI Con. Oof, I've been writing a long-form post (prob for next week) on SOS (Shiny Objects Syndrome), but this (self-described) 'rant-filled newsletter' from Ed Zitron just is too good not to share regarding the 'long con' of the state of Generative AI. 'There is no joy here, no mystery, no magic, no problems solved, no lives saved, and very few lives changed other than new people added to Forbes' Midas list.' Food for thought, for sure.
• This Habit Is Making You Miserable (And Driving You Insane). The third time is a charm, with another mental health navigation article, but Ryan Holiday gives some sound advice on the difference between being an informed citizen and endless news consumption. 'If you want to make a positive difference in the world—or simply maintain your sanity — you need to step back. You need to learn how to be more philosophical — which means being more discerning about what you let into your mind and learning how to see the big picture calmly and with perspective.' Damn good advice, not only for the world today but even how to think through challenging work or life situations.
• Empathy is dangerous. I love what Brad is putting out here - 'The radical notion that other humans are not just background characters in your story but have their own hopes, fears, and interior lives.'. We, as humans, need to 'try to take an extra second to care. To wonder. To hold space for the possibility that people are more than just the worst thing you can assume about them. Do the brave, better thing and imagine the best. We must embrace empathy. Because if we don't? We don't just lose kindness. We lose each other.'
• You Will Never Win an Argument On the Internet — Here's Why There are two things I have learned over time: 1) never try to write new cryptology algorithms - you will fail. And 2) never argue online with anyone. Joan has lots of good advice in this post that goes beyond just the Internet and with the associated death spiral of 'the psychology of doubling down.'
• Quiet, please! The remarkable power of silence – for our bodies and our minds A quick reminder on the crucial benefits of silence in our increasingly noisy world.
• Life in Weeks. I've mentioned the idea of a 'death clock' before, and Tim Urban's incredible post, "Your Life in Weeks". But here are a few links to some sites that have gone to the next level and put it online in a very dynamic form. Interesting.
• Work to Live, Don't Live to Work. Damn right.
• Curiosity vs. Furiosity. A how-to on adopting a mindset of curiosity rather than anger in various situations.

Amor Fati ✌🏻