First, I want to say that I am amazed that the US Postal Service can deliver a letter for about 50 cents to anywhere in the US in a few days. To me this is a remarkable service for an unbelievably low price. That said, my experience with the package delivery from USPS is anything…
Author: Steve Ainslie
Deep Work
This week I’ve been listening to Cal Newport’s podcast’s Deep Questions. Cal is an author and Computer Science Professor who writes about “the impact of technology on society, and the struggle to work and live deeply in a world increasingly mired in digital distractions”. His podcast focuses on eliminating distractions and doing meaningful work. I…
Mr. Unfunny
My whole life I have wanted to make comics. The graphic images and gripping stories in Spiderman, The X-Men, The Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Aquaman sucked me into a world better than anything I could imagine. Unfortunately, I learned I have absolutely no ability to write imaginative, compelling fiction. My next desire would be to…
Daily Death Report
When I was a child, I’d read the paper at breakfast with my Aunts Es and on weekends mornings with my Uncle Bob. I would start with the comic page, then I’d hunt for the single pane comics buried within the paper. Eventually, I’d make my way to the political comic on the editorial page….
Back To Normal
I guess this is normal now. The news continues to report Covid, RSV and flu statistics on a daily basis to stoke fear and capture attention. Some people are still wearing facemasks to the grocery store, the swimming pool and in their car when driving alone. I, and many others, are still somewhat leery of…
I May Never See You Again
My wife used to hate saying goodbye to people. She said it made her sad to think she might not see them for a long time. So she would say, “Until we see each other again! I love you.” I liked that about my wife. She was a special kind of person. I, on the…
Niche Internet
On a recent Sam Harris Podcast, Cal Newport said he believes that the existing click-driven, “engagement and addiction” business model of the Internet is nearing the end of its life cycle. He suggested that the next phase will be more niche focused, with many sites that serve a much smaller number of users, reminiscent of…
Going To The Dogs
Some of us who own dogs decline invitations, leave social events early or avoid get-togethers saying “I have to get home to take care of the dogs.” I’ve done this. My family members have done this. My wife used to do this. Friends do this. People who want us to join them will try to…
Photogenic
I ran across some old photos yesterday from my high school years. The ones I kept were my favorite people and memories of those years. What stood out to me was that nobody looked as good as I remembered. In my mind’s eye, my friends and I were youthful and beautiful. We were a happy,…
Mira Mira
Anytime I went to the beach in Florida, if there was a Hispanic family near us, the kids would be running around shouting “Mira! Mira!” incessantly. I never needed this translated because it was obvious what they were saying. They wanted their parents, siblings, cousins and anyone around to “Look at me! Watch me!” They…