Garrick van Buren

Opting for Greater Value

“We’d all be much better off simplifying our technological footprints and consolidating our trust in the few services that provide us the greatest value with the fewest unintended side effects. In the end, I’m not afraid to admit it. I’m a quitter.” – Ryan Block

“I recently just disabled/deleted most of my public online presence as well for much the same reason. Privacy was a concern, but really it came down to the net benefit of having these accounts in my life….That said, it does leave me looking at my smart phone and wondering what the hell to do with it.”
– blindhippo

First World Problems Suck

A century ago, Suck.com defined good writing on the web: short sentences, self-deprecating humor via self-referential links, and the biting humor of a playful wolf pup.

Thankfully someone’s brought that to 2012:

Need a first-world problem solved?

Responding to Incentives

“The sensible thing to do would be to sit down and be quiet, and reflect on what happened. But ~~social~~ media offers no rewards for silence or waiting.” – Daryl Lang

(garrick’s note: deletion mine.)

Cubicle FUD

“‘Job security’ is a myth created by big companies to trap you in a boring and unchallenging job. You will sign an employment-at-will agreement at every job you take. ” – Ernie Miller

Truth. No organization wants you to fulfill your life’s potential. They just want you to fill the round hole they’ve drawn and not make their live’s more complicated.

Quick – Respond

“QR codes are a link. Plain and simple. Except they’re not plain and simple, they’re weird and complicated.” – Joel Marsh

It’s Always Something. Always.

“It’s useful when reading this kind of essay to find out what the author is selling, although it usually isn’t this obvious.” – John Shutt

Fermenting the Web

“The message is simple and exciting. When the time is right, a very small number of people with a clear vision can build something with huge impact. I’m not talking about making huge numbers show up in their bank accounts.” – Dave Winer

(I like to think of this as fermentation)