Black Lives Matter … the 1852 version.

So, I’m listening to Uncle Tom’s Cabin on Audible. How long until it gets canceled for use of the “N” word? Looks like Paypal might try to charge me $2500 for reading something they don’t approve of https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2022/10/the-2500-fine-read-it-and-weep.html. I’ve canceled Paypal. But that said, read it (while you can?). If you can get past contemporary hangups about the “wrong” words being used you will find one of the most powerful statements in all of human history that “Black Lives Matter”.

Can I get the job done by doing nothing?

Over the years you pick up useful ideas from people. One of the most useful “project management” ideas I’ve ever encountered is Can I get the job done by doing nothing? Use the code you already have. Use existing slide decks. Time is scarce. Don’t waste it creating something new when something you already have will do the job. Don’t spend hours getting a slide deck to %100 perfection when what you really need to do is talk over some ideas and the existing material is sufficient to spark conversation.

Marcus Aurelius was right

I’ve been reading Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. I’m trying to have a positive effect on the things and people I can actually change (myself and my own reactions in this moment). Below are some quotes along those lines from Longfellow, Bob Dylan, the Apostle Paul and Reinhold Neibuhr, some of classics of “Don’t worry, be happy”. Now if I can just internalize some of this…

Figure 1: “The cannon thundered in the South,” by George Jones is licenced under CC SA 4.0

Figure 1: “The cannon thundered in the South,” by George Jones is licenced under CC SA 4.0

New Cars

Cars have changed. Back in the day you could “pop the clutch” to start a car by letting it roll down hill, putting it in first gear with your foot on the (manual) clutch, let the clutch out (“popping the clutch”) and often the car would start. Handy if you had a car with a dead battery at the top of a hill.

Cars are full of electronics now, and that can be good, and it can be very bad…