iPod Earbud Addiction
Posted on July 10, 2008 by S Running
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I’ve noticed an epidemic of people wearing their iPod earbuds to do just about everything. Even during situations that require higher degrees of concentration, like studying, writing and programming. Go to any coffee shop and you’ll see it. As much as I enjoy music and can do many things with headphones, I feel that people are harming themselves by constantly reaching for their mp3 player when they need to focus. Case in point—imagine you are a high school student with dreams of getting into a prestigious college. You are sitting down one Saturday morning to take the dreaded SAT exam. Even if it were allowed, would you really want to strap on some headphones during the test? Unless you don’t want to attend the college of your choice, this probably isn’t the wisest move. When people are doing math homework, reading a history book, or writing a term paper, however, they don’t seem to equate decibels with lack of concentration. Trust me, your concentration is being affected. Next time you’re sitting down to do some serious work, maybe try it without the headphones. Save your battery for the gym.
A Designer’s New Year’s Resolutions
Posted on December 27, 2007 by C Johnson
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As yet another year yawns before us and we stare at the blank pages of 2008 wondering just what we’ll be adding to them in the months to come, we are reminded the ghosts of new years resolutions past and make it our resolve to, this year, really follow through. No, seriously. We really do mean it this time.
Honest.
So we’ve planted our tongue firmly in cheek and gathered a list of resolutions that might well resonate with our neighbors in the design community.
New iPhone Retailing for $200 Less
Posted on September 6, 2007 by C Johnson
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Well, we all knew the bomb would drop sooner or later. I just don’t think any of us realized how big a bombshell it would be or how soon it would drop! Yesterday, Steve Jobs announced an 8GB iPhone with a 2-year wireless plan retailing for $200.00 less than the original iPhone. (Incidentally, if you were a front-of-the-queue iPhone adopter, your phone isn’t even 100 days old yet!)
7 Steps to Understanding Your Co-workers
Posted on September 4, 2007 by C Johnson
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Confession: I am a selfish person.
Newsflash: so are you.
Now don’t go getting your knickers in a twist over it—that wasn’t meant maliciously. In fact, if your feathers are ruffled well, it only goes to prove Scott Young’s recent blog about human behavior: no one thinks more about you than you do. (Not even your mum!) Scott’ Young’s blog is aimed at presenting his thoughts on how to get the best out of life, and his recent seven “rules” to understanding behavior are meant to explore the underlying factors behind “personal clashes” and “emotional upsets.”
That’s MY Girlfriend…
Posted on June 28, 2007 by C Johnson
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If you’re like me, then the words ‘how do people come up with this stuff’ are never far from your lips when perusing the blogosphere. Sometimes it’s said in horror, sometimes in envy, but always in very real awe over what some of our fellow bloggers are able to dream up.
Gmail Fears Follow-up
Posted on June 20, 2007 by C Lin
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Last month I posted my concern about having a Gmail account. After the post, a co-worker mentioned to me that her Gmail had been hacked into. How is that possible? It worried me a little.
A few days ago, someone sent me the CNN report on Google having the worst privacy policies. I’m not sure what this means for me and my future Gmail use. But it does make me wonder how my information will be used and whether or not I will be getting more spam in my inbox.
Read more about Google’s Privacy Issues
I Want My Moleskine
Posted on June 4, 2007 by C Lin
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A lot of my classmates in art school and even a couple of co-workers not only prefer Moleskine notebooks, but are Moleskine enthusiasts. Apparently they are not the only ones. I found the story of a travelling Moleskine project where notebooks are sent to various places around the world and anonymous individuals fill their pages. The pages are then scanned and posted on the blog. Also Paul Saffo, a fellow enthusiast, collaborated with Steve Derricott to fashion a custom leather Moleskine cover. P.S. If you’re wondering how to pronounce the word ‘Moleskine’, check out the Wikipedia entry.
Also, check out the travel blog and results of the custom cover here:
The Wandering Moleskine Project
Custom Leather Moleskine Cover
That’s Entertainment
Posted on May 23, 2007 by C Johnson
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Corey Serin is a 24-year-old California suburbanite who has managed to run up a dept of nearly $200,000 in credit debt in addition to his failed financial exhibitionism in the real estate market where he bought 8 homes intended to be resold for profit.
So what does he do? What else? He starts a blog.
His website iamfacingforeclosure.com launched last year wherein he shares his financial troubles and then some. He posts his bank statements, financial spreadsheets and is blatantly honest over his cheating on mortgage application as well as his outright refusal to get a job: forcing his wife to clean homes to pay for food and rent.
The Paris Hilton Effect
Posted on May 17, 2007 by C Johnson
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The digital age has re-defined the meaning of celebrity—it’s fast, cheap, easy and accessible to seemingly anyone. Tabloid empires have been built by cashing in on the celebrity craze and, sadly, now even the most respected news publications have begun to fashion similar tactics. The LA Times recently ran a story blasting the media frenzy surrounding the recent Paris Hilton trial. It appears as though now even the most respected news journals (i.e., The Times) have succumbed to the phenomena of supposed celebrity—that is to say, the attention garnered by namesakes like Paris Hilton. Names that translate into ratings—big, fat, juicy, delectable ratings. The sort of ratings enjoyed by rag television and celebrity gossip magazines. The ratings and numbers that stalwarts of the publishing industry covet, causing jittery editors (panicked over the recent migration of readers to the internet) to adopt the tactics of their less respectable counterparts.
Life Takes Visa. But Should It?
Posted on May 10, 2007 by C Johnson
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Monopoly has their “Wizard of Oz”, “I Love Lucy” and “Simpsons” editions. The Game of Life has a “Monsters Inc.”, “SpongeBob Squarepants” and “Pirates of the Caribbean” editions: to name the few. All of them switch up their currency: American Dollars, Clams, Pirate booty, etc., but the common denominator is, of course, currency. Cash, bucks, quid, whatever the heck you call it, everything is paid for with tangible money.
