Category: General

“Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature (from Latin philosophia naturalis), is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science. It is considered to be the precursor of natural sciences such as physics.” – Wikipedia

It seems significant that Western culture’s first word for ‘scientist’ was ‘natural philosopher’ – a phrase assuming unknown unknowns exist but doesn’t express the ambition to know them. Whereas ‘scientist’ as a term feels like there are knowns and there are unknowns, and we’re compelled to reduce the unknowns.

‘Saving Innovation’ – Dan Haugen’s article on our vibrant meet-up scene and how it supports innovation & entrepreneurship was published in the October 2010 issue of Twin Cities Business Magazine.

Dan did a great job on the topic – with quotes from some of my favorite people in town as well as yours truly.

The article concludes with a nice quote from CoCoMSP‘s Don Ball that I think applies to MN’s entrepreneur culture as a whole – not just the social aspects of it.

“We don’t have to wait for some authority group or figure to tell us that we’re going to have a conference or a meeting or support group. We all have the tools to decide we’re going to do it ourselves.”

Stick your head out the window and yell.

Bonus: A super fun Kleptones mashup with Howard Beale [mp3]

Update 13 Oct 2010:
My favorite line from the monologue:

“You people are the real thing, we’re the illusion.”

I assume that the signs are either:
a) a joke commenting on the ridiculousness of sorting waste
b) part of a research study

Both of which, based on my experience, are highly likely in Germany.

Let’s assume for a moment they’re neither.

Instead, let’s assume – there’s some ongoing business value to signage – what might it be?

Perhaps there’s some nuanced difference in how the urinals are cleaned.

Perhaps it’s a way to manage drink sales.

Perhaps this is a clever way to get the mens’ room line to move at a frequency closer to the womens’ room line.

“Permission, on creative matters, is for cowards.” – Scott Berkun

This afternoon, I listened to Seth Godin’s 45 minute talk about now the economics of internet-based publishing and communication are changing book publishing.

In short – ebooks aren’t it.

In fact – it’s not actually about books at all.

It’s about connecting people to ideas. Where the publisher has the people and is continually looking for great ideas to present to them. Something a kin more to magazine publishing…or museum curation…or just plain being a person.

If you’ve spent anytime blogging or podcasting in the past few years – his arguments will be old hat to you. To some degree – they echoed the recommendations I gave a struggling, niche book publisher a few years ago…before they were sold.

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Maybe you’re reading a book, or watching a movie, or working on something with your full concentration – and you realize you’ve been holding your breath.

You have no idea how long you’ve been holding your breath. How long you’ve been focused solely on this one thing. But, it’s been a while. And you snap out of it and return to the world.

Three weeks ago, we welcomed the newest addition to our family, baby Augustus. He’s been very patient and accommodating as the rest of us figure out what being a Family of Five means.

Turns out I was holding breath for, best I can figure, all of 2010.

Totally worth it.

“Less blogging, more jogging,” my friends.” – Alex Tabarrok

The above quote is from an excellent post on how incentives – both their creation and manipulation – negatively influence motivation towards a goal.

Feels like part of this phenomenon is covered by Goodhart’s Law (“When a measure becomes a target, it ceases to be a good measure.”) and part of it about defining non-distracting success metrics.

Also related:
I’ve mentioned in numerous, offline conversations about my output patterns: “I can either build stuff, or I can write about stuff, I can’t do both simultaneously.”

Earlier this week, at a local medical facility for a basic checkup – I was presented with a ‘Consent for Treatment’ document.

Here are 3 brief excerpts from that document I feel highlight the incentives healthcare provider have to perform increasing costly services thus inflating healthcare costs.

“I agree to any care (tests, treatment, medicines, etc) my care team believes is needed…”

“…unless I check the boxes below, I agree to let my medical records be used for research…”

“The total charges for my visit will not be known until my care has been completed. I should contact the clinic manager if I want an estimate prior to services…”

Put these three together – and it reads like the clinic is conducting research financed by their patients’ personal healthcare dollars.

And that they’d prefer individual patients didn’t provide a balance, just a check.

Unbelievable.

In my world, where things are rarely a matter of life and death – no one signs away their wallets like this.