🖋️ LongForm
Want to reduce the noice and just focus on things with a little more meat - the this category is for you. Like so much on this site we have a ‘WIP’ as i take some out - and put some in - but safe for at least starting in 2026.
We Don't Need No Edukashun - Actually - We Do.
A Posterity Post
I had cause to add a comment on a post that featured this image.

It is funny - but I think it is funny for all the reasons that the commenters were not seeing ….
A university is to educate .. not train. If you are wondering about the difference, ask yourself if you prefer your children to attend sex education classes or sex training classes.
Sadly most institutions have moved to thinking of themselves as trainers .. so they are ‘workplace ready’. Witness a presentation I sat in just last week where someone from an educational facility was telling us how they are currently revamping their syllabus so that their students could learn how best to work with Ai (sic) … see Stephen Fry’s latest missive.
I stood up and asked her which University she thought the people making Ai had taught them what they know.
(Apparently .. that’s different).
As for philosophy .. oh and let’s throw in ethics, humanities, liberal arts, critical thinking, hell, even english .. are (should be) all on the rise in education, because it is very clear that we need them …badly.
I get the picture .. funny.
But the humor doesn’t lie in the kid having it wrong and dreaming what might be .. it’s in the dad having it wrong and thinking the future is anything like the past.
The Instigators, 2024 ★★★

Average score for an average movie. Casey? Never been overly bothered, but Matt is capable of so much more.
🎥 Wolfs, 2024 - ★★★★

Wolfs … not Wolves. Not sure why. Need to look it up. Other than that .. all good. They have a good relationship IRL … it comes through in the movie.
Wolfs, 2024 - ★★★★ (contains spoilers)

This review may contain spoilers.
Wolfs … not Wolves. Not sure why. Need to look it up. Other than that .. all good. They have a good relationship IRL … it comes through in the movie.
The Crafting of Craft.
🖇️ Talking about knowing what you’re talking about - nobody who knows what they are talking about would confuse me with a real programmer.
That said, I just read 🔗 Going the Extra Mile — Beyond CSS, most of which is well above my technical pay grade - but still I was fascinated by the attention to detail around ‘crafting Craft’.
Consider - a whole post (well 75%) devoted to the process behind getting a check box ‘just right’ and the remaining 25% explaining ‘push away’, which I knew had to be coded in some way - but who knew there is a phrase for it?
Great read - even if you aren’t technical you get the idea of their focus on good design - Steve would have been proud of them
“When you’re a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers, you’re not going to use a piece of plywood on the back, even though it faces the wall and nobody will ever see it. You’ll know it’s there, so you’re going to use a beautiful piece of wood on the back. For you to sleep well at night, the aesthetic, the quality, has to be carried all the way through.”
💬 Steve Jobs
… which probably explains why they won app of the year and were name called (not once - but twice) in this year’s WWDC.
The article ends with …
All of this for what? Will all users see the difference? — Probably not. Was it worth it? — Absolutely. These are the minor details that often go unnoticed when present, but become conspicuous when missing. We strive for having as many of those details as possible, making the experience great but at the same time — seamless.
Kudos to Craft - a Great App and a serious tool for writing documents in the 21st Century.
Pageless Writing Apps
🔗 Lex raises $2.75M for its AI writing tool that helps writers get past blocks.
The AI stuff is cool, but there was one thing about this app that made me want to keep using it: It has no historical baggage. I find it odd that many modern word processors like Google Docs and Word retain a bias toward pagination — the UX is intended for printing documents onto letter-sized paper. Lex, in contrast, does away with all that.
💬 TechCrunch
Been exploring 🔗 Lex.page for a couple ‘ months. I even pay - but not yet used it enough to know whether I am going to continue to pay.
That said, the above quote is interesting and I agree with the ‘historical baggage thought - but they are hardly at the vanguard of that kind of thinking!
It as if the writer has never heard of;
- Craft
- Ulysses
- IAWriter
- Drafts, et al
Let alone, Obsidian, Roam and Notion
Side note - Craft. Most definitely a personal favorite. And I am increasingly using it to share thoughts, ideas, minutes, reports to specific audiences - most often under ‘loose’ password control.
Cant wait to get my hands on the new stuff they have in Beta - though even that still wont solve what I really really want!
Adding to which their own foray into AI support, I just want to tie apps like that into a single world - and not have different versions of different LLMs spread around various apps. ANNOYING.
People Don't Read Anymore - Except When They Do.
🔗 Raw data: Book and newspaper consumption - Kevin Drum
There is a mantra in the world that people ‘don’t read’ (anymore?).
And on top of that - if they do - (very) short form - definitely not books.
I have long thought this to be wrong.
They certainly might not read your stuff. Or my stuff, but they do read - BUT - they read what interests them , what engages them and definitely not limited to stuff that appears at the top of lists.
Kevin’s short analysis on the data says that today we are spending twice what we spent on physical books 40 (or so) years ago. As he says - buying is not reading (👋🏼 to the Unlibraries) .. but beyond physical books there are ebooks, blogs, newsletters … yup - we definitely aren’t reading any more - except when we do.
The Journey From ‘Word’ To ‘Catalyst’
Prompt:
Write a 5 paragraph article on the topic ‘word’
Response:
The Power of the Word: A Catalyst for Change
Words are more than mere strings of letters; they are the building blocks of communication, carrying the weight of meaning and emotion. From ancient oral traditions to modern digital communication, words have shaped human history and culture. They have the power to inspire, educate, and connect people across distances and generations. The impact of words is profound, making them a vital tool in expressing ideas, sharing knowledge, and fostering understanding.
Historically, words have been instrumental in shaping societies and movements. The speeches of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Winston Churchill rallied people to action, inspiring hope and perseverance. In literature, words have captured the complexities of human experience, from the existential musings in Dostoevsky’s novels to the poetic reflections in Maya Angelou’s works. These words not only entertain but also challenge societal norms and provoke critical thinking, demonstrating their power to influence thought and behavior.
In the realm of business and technology, words play a crucial role in branding and marketing. The right words can convey a company’s mission, attract customers, and differentiate products in a crowded market. In a world where digital presence is paramount, the words used in websites, social media, and advertisements are key to building a brand’s identity and connecting with the audience. The choice of words can evoke emotions, build trust, and foster loyalty, highlighting the strategic importance of language in commerce.
Words also have a significant impact on personal development and relationships. They can uplift and encourage, or they can wound and alienate. Positive affirmations and constructive feedback can boost confidence and foster growth, while harsh criticism and negative language can have the opposite effect. In relationships, words are the means through which love, empathy, and understanding are expressed. The way we communicate with others, the words we choose, and the tone we use can strengthen or strain connections, underscoring the importance of mindful communication.
In essence, words are a catalyst for change, capable of shaping our world in myriad ways. Whether in public discourse, personal interactions, or creative expression, the words we use carry immense power and responsibility. As we navigate an increasingly interconnected world, the careful and thoughtful use of words becomes ever more critical. By harnessing the power of words wisely, we can inspire positive change, foster deeper connections, and contribute to a more understanding and compassionate world.
Prompt:
Please distill this article to a single word … (pasting previous output into the prompt)
Response:
Catalyst
So there you have it.
‘Word’ is a ‘catalyst’.
‘Word’
🎥 SAS: Red Notice, 2021 - ★★★

It is what it is. Of a kind. Set up for a sequel that prolly won’t be made. Netflix calls it something different. Don’t know why.
SAS: Red Notice, 2021 - ★★★ (contains spoilers)

This review may contain spoilers.
It is what it is. Of a kind. Set up for a sequel that prolly won’t be made. Netflix calls it something different. Don’t know why.
🎥 A Most Wanted Man, 2014 - ★★★★½

The only reasons it’s not 5 stars is that I find it hard to give 5 stars because 5 stars means it can’t be improved. Now .. how could this be improved .. I have no idea, just wonderful. Quite wonderful. The original book coming from one of ‘my Johns’ (LeCarre), provided a solid foundation. Cast GREAT. PSH .. magnificent. Cannot be,I eve it’s taken me 10 years to get to it.
Death Is Not Free
🔗 It’s time to ask once again why it costs so much to die in Aotearoa.
I for one did not know this and come to think of it - I don’t know what the ‘cost of dying’ is in other countries either.
In New Plymouth, for example, it could cost over $7,200 for a burial … represent(ing) the burial plot itself.
Umm - burial?
Once you’ve covered the expense of the burial, there are a number of additional costs that can make the actual cost of dying far greater – the figure often cited in the media for an average funeral is $10,000.
Rough dollar translation … take 60% of those numbers for the US dollar.
Meanwhile in California …

Then again the average Californian income is three to four times that in New Zealand.
We Are Being Forced To Conform
It’s 18 months old - but 🔗 this post from TimUrban resurfaced this morning, where he talks about how long it took to write his book, reminding me of a post I have had parked for a while now. Time to unleash it.

The title of this post was originally ‘Are We Being Forced To Conform?’ I changed it because as I read it before publishing, I think I answered my own question. We are.
It all started as I was 🖇️ building on this post which was about flavor (🔗the original Substack and how it reminded me of Rick Beato’s piece on people not understanding something being ‘📼 🔗 out of tune’). Small potatoes really - a little bit o' fun.
At the time - over on Substack I commented on the flavor post
I couldn’t work out which bit to highlight so read the whole thing it’s the food version of Rick Beato talking about people not understanding what ‘out of tune’ means … and we wonder why the world is being turned upside down?
Then I started thinking more about a thread that emerged over on Micro.Blog, where @manton commented that he had started and been noodling a post for months before scrapping it and starting again before he published a post he had been noodling on Gaza.
🔗 The comments on the original post are informative
I think 🔗 this is the post that Manton finally settled on., which on the whole assumes a reasonably fair and neutral position that everyone applauded .. and what is really not to love? (A lot IMHO - but that is for another post.)
What follows is the nub of my worry …
The French have (had?) an expression
vive la différence
.. that in my life I have used a lot, despite the fact that according to the OED, there are around 0.3 occurrences per million words in modern written English of the word ‘vive’ - let alone ‘vive la différence’. But heh - vive la différence 😂
The phrase is used to express appreciation of diversity. Maybe that is why it has fallen out of use? Should I stop using it too?
When I was a lad I learned about standard deviation and how oft times populations fell into some kind of ‘normal distribution’ with the vast majority sitting within ‘±3𝜎’.
It seems to this bear that no matter what our private beliefs and personas might be - the crowd is forcing us into only sharing the parts of our personas that fit the vanilla of modern life, with the result that on the face of it, society is forcing conversation in ‘the town square’ to something more like ±𝜎 - and you keep anything outside of that to yourself - for fear of retaliation.
Consider 🔗 this post from @pratik for example.
Sadly the Internet has been weaponized and far from creating a place to be educated about the differences of people and countries and life - we are being forced into submission. It’s a place where ignorance is not so much celebrated as ignored - and ignored because on the whole it isn’t recognized, and if you do anything counter to the noise - expect to be piled on because 🔗 you are either with us, or against us.
Our Way - Or The Highway
The Road Less Taken .. ‘Less’, by Bob, not to be confused with ‘Not’, by the other ‘Bob’.
Bob L agrees.
Rick’s video is referenced in para' 4.
Over The Space of 45 Minutes
I know the ‘series’ ended - but that doesn’t mean I don’t still take the pictures.
It All Started Here

15 Minutes After That

and 30 Minutes After That

Solving Big Questions - One At A Time
There are many deep questions in life that have been answered (case in point … sandwiches), but some remain.
This is my contribution to one such remnant.
This Way

Or This Way

Solved

/end
💬 5 Reminders
It’s Saturday - so just sorting out things that I saved and never did anything with - but these 5 - I dunno - good reminders.
In case anyone is confused …

… or stupid.

A solid reminder that I need from time to time.

The idea behind this one often resurfaces in my mind (not the precise words mind), but I find the essence to be a good reminder of the importance of stepping away. It isn’t really what he is asking about - but still right.

He’s talking about WeWork and Uber.

🎥 Find Me Falling, 2024 - ★★★

Cute - ish … without Harry, wouldn’t have bothered. Been a while since I’d seen him … anywhere. Hallmark anyone?
What Is A High-performing System?
I thought I would ask ChatGPT 4o
A “High-performing System” refers to a well-organized and efficient framework or setup that consistently delivers optimal results. This concept can apply to various contexts, such as organizations, technology infrastructures, or even processes. Key characteristics of a high-performing system include:
- Efficiency: Resources, including time, energy, and materials, are used effectively, minimizing waste and maximizing output.
- Integration: Components or subsystems work together seamlessly, ensuring smooth operations and coordination.
- Reliability: The system consistently performs well under various conditions, maintaining a high standard of quality and dependability.
- Scalability: It can adapt to increasing demands or changing circumstances without a significant drop in performance.
- Innovation: The system incorporates the latest technologies and methodologies, staying ahead of the curve in its field.
- Adaptability: It can respond and adjust to new challenges, changes in the environment, or shifts in requirements quickly and effectively.
- Sustainability: The system maintains its performance over the long term, often incorporating eco-friendly or resource-conscious practices.
In essence, a high-performing system is about creating and maintaining a setup that maximizes productivity, efficiency, and quality, while being adaptable and sustainable.
🎥 2 Guns, 2013 - ★★★½

An older one. Couple o’ great action stars .. one of them a great actor .. but somehow the movie wasn’t great. Not bad, but not great.
