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Why I love Twitter

Carl Setzer

Been thinking about the mighty Twitter. Why do I like it so much, yet others I know hate the platform? One key thought: chaos. For me, the beauty of Twitter is it’s chaos. This manic, crazily shifting feed of information delights me. Yet I understand how this could be a hard style for others.

I specifically, deliberately follow smart and creative people without millions of followers. The people I follow will grab anything a celebrity would say (that’s interesting) early enough for me to still be in the front of the thought curve. I value unique thinking over most anything else.

Twitter is more global. Maybe it’s my follower curation, but my list does a great job of giving me a global view, more so than I’d ever see reading a US based news org.

If I need order, I have Google or Bing. And Facebook gives me a good look into the macro interests of our culture. Twitter trend to be where I see the cutting edge thinking, the leading stories. And I love that.

Evening quietude

Carl Setzer

Too early, no,
It’s not morning
Until I’ve slept.
Sunlight collapsed into darkness
Hours back. Dawn comes soon
I guess. Light drifts in
Leisurely from points
Nearby, but sparse.

Words drift, too,
Flickered from bluish screens
Across my unweary eyes.
Slowly luring my mind
Free of thought, embracing
Dreams sweet embrace.
Silence lingers.

This darkened evening

Carl Setzer

Rain flows, gently calming the night air. Dampness seeps deeply, my marrow aches. Light’s brilliance rippled with moistened air, speckles distort those beams, glimmering gems, fluttering upon crisply chilled air.

Thoughts upon this evening’s stroll

Carl Setzer

My feet fall upon  pavement. The sound changes to a quiet thud when I leave pavement for grass, earth. My eyes move skyward, this sky lacks light. Save for the stars. Stars glow, brutal furnaces flickering gently, silently. They strangely beckon me, who can not reply. Upon this rock,  far from the center of anything, galaxy-wise, much less regarding the universe. Away, away they sit, gentle blue glowing spots upon the once blue sky. Watching me, calmly. Do they see this once boy, walking under the few remaining wisps of cloud, stretched thinly, not quite hiding the ancient eyes.

Orion’s gaze the most familiar. Memories from boyhood, back upon the grass, eyes drinking deep those ever present dots. Staying upon the shapes my parents, their parents, all humanity that’s ever been, they’ve all seen the same shapes. Though they, too, change, their slowness taxes the mind to consider. My life barely a suffer. Humanity’s entire experience too recent to register.  Pale blue dreams across the winds of history.

Is Smartphone The Right Term Anymore?

Carl Setzer

I remember using the term “smartphone” long before the iPhone. Devices like the BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and the Treo: these were the original “smartphones”. However, these guys are a league separated from today’s devices. As I consider it, the main difference seems to be accessing the web. Today’s smartphones interact with the web as well as desktops, or closely so.

The modern devices easily seen mis-named in comparison. I wonder of a new name is justified? Well, who am I to decide? Plus, even if I were to craft the most brilliant name, would it get traction? Would it get adopted?

Changing the World Through Design

Carl Setzer

A couple of months back I stumbled upon the Design Matters podcast. I’d utilize my commute to explore new and interesting ideas, and this is one that resonated well. Then my FM transmitter (which was how I played my podcast through the Prius’ radio [no aux jack in my Prius…a 2005…none…in 2005 <wish I could all-cap 2005 here>…] died. I fell behind while I made my way through the holidays lacking one (I’ve been told that my propensity to buy stuff I need makes me a hard gift-shopper-for during the holidays. I really do try to be amenable to generosity).

Currently, I’ve made my way back to November 2013 and have now discovered Dawn Hancock. Her blending of design, sustainability, social entrepreneurship just sings to me. One key thing driven home during my time at Starbucks: the power of these inter-related themes. This is transformative, and a key part of deep innovative thinking.

She was a TEDx Speaker in 2010 (Chicago). Here’s the video. Enjoy!

Depression

Carl Setzer

Life slowly withers.
Weeks blur into months, years.
Endless, death barely avoided.

Exhaustion claims easily,
More than its due.
Dreams attract more than before
Slumber’s taste sweeter, too.

Once I thought it’s simply age.
A body grown weary by tasks.
Now I know, this beast consumes
Quietly, chewing my soul

Silently.

Thoughts on PayPal President’s Staff “Reaming”

Carl Setzer

After reading this piece, where the President of PayPal vents about HQ staff refusing to utilize the company’s product and tools, I get David Marcus’ point. There is a danger, though, with the confrontational leadership statement. Sounding whiny and entitled trends to disconnect you further from your audience, in this case, your employees. Scolding tones need to be used with caution and thoughtfulness.  Undermining your connection or weakening team trust is hard to repair.

Ultimately, it’s really hard to gauge the effectiveness of one communication without seeing the larger context. Arm-chair quarterbacking is easier that doing the work.

A Current Look At “Stand By Me”‘s Setting

Carl Setzer

Wil Wheaton posted this video yesterday. This chap videos the locales where famous movie scenes were shot, then integrates the current footage into the movie. And he does it well. It’s 15 minutes, and well worth your time.

As a fan of the film, and also having living along the Oregon coast (Astoria), this really hits home. The feeling is a blend of nostalgia, tinged with a little sadness at all the change. Anyway, watch this for yourself.


Stand by Me 1986 ( FILMING LOCATION ) from Herve Attia on Vimeo.