Watchmen
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Hi again, I’m Steve Makofsky and this is a semi-whenever list of interesting articles, podcasts and videos that I come across during the week. Hopefully you’ll enjoy it, have something new to think about, and share it with your friends. In case you forgot, this is in your inbox because you asked me to send it to you. You can unsubscribe by clicking the link at the bottom of this email.
Program note - in an effort to try an exercise my brain more frequently, I am going to attempt an experiment of 'writing every day' for a week over on my blog, Furrygoat. I may try and cross-post those posts over to this newsletter, but given it's all play right now, we'll see.
Alan Moore's Watchmen is one of my all-time favorite graphic novels from my teenage years. Regardless how much Moore hates what Zack Snyder's 2009 film adaptation did with the story, it's a great watch and quite possibly one of the most iconic comic movies ever created (side note: he also hates HBO's sequel series, which is in ways even more impressive and a must watch).
There are many complex themes in the film, too many to go into in a quick summary; but the basic storyline is about the Cold War and mankind quickly edging towards nuclear apocalypse, all wrapped around the murder of a costumed hero known as 'The Comedian'. The film evolves through the psychology of Rorschach, an anti-hero who's own morality won't allow him to compromise the truth when he ultimately learns around a larger plot to unify mankind. I really don't want to spoil this film, but one of the largest contested directions is how the ending was fundamentally changed from the comic (a giant squid was too much?). Interestingly enough, the HBO series went back to the source material, so I highly recommend that as a follow up watch. Shockingly, this is where I first learned of the Tulsa race massacre.
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This weeks "Deep Links"
One of my favorite workflow tips is to ‘declare bankruptcy’. Too much email in the inbox? Too many items in the backlog? A fresh look at viewing this methodology as a ‘fresh start’ - More
Folks outside the security community don't talk frequently about the concept of ‘threat models’. Daniel Miessler takes a fresh look at this situational awareness superpower that 'gives you the ability to adjust your defensive behaviors based on what you’re facing in real-world scenarios' - More
Given the importance of the 2020 vote (get out and vote!), here's a handy guide to track your mail-in ballot - More
Two great reads today from professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kevin Love. Kevin has written open and honestly about the effects of mental health being a 'pandemic no one is talking about' and his own experiences battling depression and anxiety:
I've been seeing pictures of kids forced to use Taco Bell WiFi in an attempt to handle the craziness of remote 'school' and it's just heartbreaking. A stark reminder about kids getting left behind by remote learning - More
'Skill Stacking' is not a term I had heard before, but it makes sense. While few us of can become the best at something, you're better off stacking - 'it’s easier and more effective to be in the top 10% in several different skills — your “stack” — than it is to be in the top 1% in any one skill.' - More
I picked up Reed Hastings new book 'No Rules Rules' this week (ironically, adding to my pile of books that I'll have to declare bankruptcy on). Anyhoo, it looks like it's a good read on how Netflix manages through 'innovation and creativity in a corporation entails a culture of freedom and responsibility' - More
An interesting look at a new form of worker; the 'workamper'. The employee who roams the country in an RV or van, lives on the road at campgrounds and just works remotely exploring wherever they wish - More
I keep writing about the Apple Watch, and the inevitable next generation of computing with notifications/health and personal-area networks. This week, Above Avalon wrote on how the momentum for a fundamental shift is occurring (with over 100m wearers now). I'll be talking more about the Watch and how I use it for health tracking later this week - More
Given you are likely reading this in your email, you're not alone; there's a resurgence of newsletters going on this year - More
How 2020 - there's now flights for 'people who miss flying'. What's wild about it? These flights take off, fly around for hours, and go back to where they started. They are nothing more than 'flights to nowhere' and they are selling out all over the place - More
End Thoughts
Adrian Veidt: I did the right thing, didn't I? It all worked out in the end.
Dr. Manhattan: 'In the end'? Nothing ends, Adrian. Nothing ever ends.”