As a designer and fan of simplicity and modernism, I have come to greatly appreciate both white space and haiku. So, I created this quick poem to capture that essence. I hope you enjoy!
Author: Carl Setzer
A blogger blogging from just north of Seattle.
YouTube Video Unboxing of an iBook G3
I just stumbled upon this video with iJustine and Marques with MKBHD from 2018. I don’t know where they found an unopened iBook G3 in 2018, but that’s particularly cool to me.
Anyway, what’s particularly fun for me: I had one of these! I loved this! And I enjoyed the odd stares from my techy friends. That was especially true when I used the handle. Though that was convenient, especially when I was moving a short distance (didn’t need/want to load it into my backpack), in hindsight, it was rather weird.
Kinda weird that I’ve lived so many of these historic tech moments. I’m not old!
Today’s Haiku : July 12, 2020
each moment grace
talking with friends of fears
as the rain falls
My Design Sensibility
white space my best friend
crisp clarity is my goal
not one extra word
Such is my ascetic: minimalism, concise clarity. Inspired by modernist and Swiss Style, I prefer crisp fonts, lots of free, open white space.
An Ad For An Ad Blocker? Is That Meta Or What?
Just saw this on the bottom of an article I was reading:
I found it quite amusing, for what it’s worth.
A Friday Morning Haiku Near Seattle
these grey morning skies
echoing my memories
birdsong calming me
These grey, cloudy mornings are a part of my soul.
Haiku, July 9, 2020
dawn hidden by clouds
songbirds boldly chattering
gentle summer’s breeze
A morning after a restless night. Coffee far too late, perhaps. My ears attuned to the night, hearing so very much, sleep came with difficulty to late to be useful. Once I woke, the morning calmness and quietude spoke to me.
Social Media, Platforms and Control
I’ve been kept in the loop about the different groups encompassing the #StopeHateForProfit initiative and their meeting with Facebook a few days ago (here’s a recap of the situation if you need it). Other folks have written about Facebook’s strategy and risks, so I really have nothing to add there. However, one element has given me pause. What happens if the site collapses?
No, I don’t think that Facebook is going to fail simply due to this issue. However, there are a huge number of challenges that Facebook faces, from privacy to a lack of public accountability. All of that makes me wonder what the breaking point will be? Ultimately, I believe Facebook’s Waterloo will be a combination of all the issues facing it, along with the natural conservatism that comes with huge success and an IPO, and the creation of a challenger. And I have something of a fatalistic view: that the end will come for it. Not that it will suddenly vanish. It’s a well-run business. However, I expect it will simply fade from relevancy once the new thing appears (i.e.: MySpace).
For me, this speaks to the importance of having my own website, my own place on the interwebs. One where I control everything. My own personal brand, I guess. Mainly, though, where my presence is independent of decisions made by some random group of individuals.
I realize that, in many ways, this is a fantasy. This site is hosted by a company, built on WordPress…external factors that I don’t have much control over. However, I can move my site to another host. I can port my blog from WordPress to some other platform if need be. Everything on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc, will simply vanish if those sites end.
Now, maybe this makes sense as I’m currently studying web development and design. As I was told many years ago, “having your own domain is the height of being a nerd” (I own that with delight). So, I guess this might be my inner geek. But I see deep value in having my own site, using it as a hub to the rest of my internet presence. And I see the value for you, too.
Wednesday Morning Haiku
These peaceful moments
Walking in my neighborhood
Sunlight upon clouds
Graceful Sunlight: A Haiku
the motion of light
falls gracefully on petals
gentle summer breeze