A nurse friend was recently describing a system at her hospital that summed up what I call the complexity trap. She works with seriously ill patients that need to be monitored 24/7. Humans used to do this continuous testing and assessment, but over the decades a collection of machines was gradually introduced to save labor … Continue reading The Machine That Goes Ping
I took these photos at midday as I went about my usual chores. The forest fires that have been burning across California sent ash over San Francisco turning the sky a freakish shade of orange. Birds sat on the ground looking confused. The streetlights remained on since their sensors indicated it was still night at … Continue reading Blade Runner Meets Old Testament
I’ve been having two distinct conversations with opposite camps for years. One camp prefers a suburban life of quiet domesticity and private space. The other craves interaction in a vibrant public realm. The two camps don’t like each other. The suburban folks feel under assault as economic pressure and political shenanigans plot to destroy their … Continue reading The Acropalypse
There’s a lot of talk on the interwebs these days about the mass exodus from big cities. The riots. The looting. The arson. The migration of frightened people seeking safety in the hinterland… Roll the video loops of terrified white ladies clutching their pearls. The financial district is dead. The towers are empty. You can … Continue reading The Diagonal Slice
Granola Shotgun 