Month: December 2012
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My year in film, 2012
I have done my annual book review for a number years now, but this year I thought I would do films too. Around this time last year I was introduced to a movie social network/tracking site that I really like: Letterboxd. Check out their cool 2012 Year in Review. If you want an invite, just…
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My year in books, 2012
This year was a good one for books. I originally set 2012’s goal to 30. I thought with a new baby on the way I wouldn’t have as much time for reading. On the contrary, there was lots of manual labour giving me more time to listen to audiobooks. Since I didn’t read any more…
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From bits to atoms — a review of Makers
Makers: The New Industrial Revolution by Chris Anderson Like others have mentioned, this book is pretty repetitive and drawn out. It is written in the shadows of his previous two books, but Anderson doesn’t seem to mind — cross-promotion abounds. Probably the most ingratiating bit is his constant construction of catchphrases. He writes as if…
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Microcosmographia Academica
The Microcosmographia Academica is a satirical pamphlet on the bureaucratic politics of the “tiny academic world” published in 1908 by Trinity College, Cambridge professor FM Cornford. It is a short and savage excoriation of groupthink, inaction, sycophancy and other procrastinative tendencies found in academia or any group of humans finding themselves in a hierarchy. Cornford…
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It is your mind that changes you — a review of Hitch-22
I purchased Christopher Hitchens’s bestselling memoir as soon as it was available in 2010. It took until now for me to read it. I sincerely regret the belatedness. Now, with just a few days until the first anniversary of his death on 15 December, I can say I have somewhat made amends by reading Hitch-22,…
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The untapped talent well in Kelowna
In a constrained startup environment pushing for change it is important to identify and connect the “capable” members of a community. What I mean by “capable” is a bit nuanced, but effectively they are the “DO-ers” of society. If given the proper opportunity, these people could do great things, whether that means community engagement, creating…
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How I read
After listening to The Incomparable #116 (“Very Well-Read Hobos”) I was surprised that the panel did not mention — what is to my mind — the greatest appeal for reading digital books: guilt-free, searchable annotations. While toiling away on my master’s thesis I had to travel to and from Japan (for family reasons). I did…