Browser 53 Linkage (2_25_12)

February 25, 2012

Stacks of Books

I know after my post on the reading-writing connection you have’t been doing any internet surfing and are instead broadening your mind and vocabulary with 19th Century Shipping Trades and Romance Serials. Right?

Thought so. You’ll be happy to know that I finished my book (highly recommend “A Visit from the Goon Squad” btw) and then scoured for the best of the week to share – because I care that much. (and now have a starting stock of 53 tabs of linkage to cull through for your next linkage edition. Oh Browser 2, you myth!)

Because of all your hard enjoyable work reading, we have lots of videos and inspiration this week. Starting with the funniest/geekiest/best fair-use video I have seen… well ever.

Intentional Enjoyment

Side hurting funny Star Wars.

Inspiration

A No Excuses, Kick in the Pants, Get Off your Tukus and Climb Your Mountain call: “Our purpose behind this… If you are unsatisfied with whatever conditions, circumstances are in your life then you have the choice to create the life that you want… Saying ‘Hey I’m capable of living more.'”  – Kyle Maynard a quadruple amputee who climbed Kilimanjaro. (worth waiting through the commercial)

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Why Reading Makes You a Better Writer

February 22, 2012

Graffiti BridgeYou’ve been saying something that you think is profoundly true for a while. You feel like you unlocked a great secret, hack or have an inside track on the universe.

Then either you can’t express it well or someone with a larger soap-box comes along and says it before you can,

You have a moment of “ah-ha! I really am so brilliant!” and then “Damn! but now I can’t take credit because he said it first.”

This affirmingly frustrating situation happened to me recently.

Good writers read.

I re-tweeted Jeff Goins the other night (MT=Modified Tweet, I changed his a little):

@CoffeeBooksBeer: Hear, Hear! MT @jeffgoins: Good writers read. It’s just that simple. http://t.co/5ocIVqPd

His article makes the case that reading makes you a better writer. Not exactly groundbreaking material here and I promise that isn’t my entire brilliant idea.

I got a response saying simply: “data?”

At first I was going to dismiss it (troll?!) but I reconsidered. Sure, there is abounding anecdotal account of reading influencing great writers but is it a truism or actually true? Is there data to show causality?

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Race for the Linkage

February 4, 2012

I have 44 “To Read/Watch” tabs open in my browser from the week so the ones I have actually gotten to and can recommend is more brief. We start, as always, with the best:

“So long as we have a monetization model of information that prioritizes the wrong stakeholders — advertisers over readers — we will always cater to the business interests of the former, not the intellectual interests of the latter.” – Maria Popova

Click for her commentary, stay to read similar denouncement of media changes from 1923

Information

An Untappd code of ethics which I enjoy that there is such a thing and I agree with the “rules” (you can find me here if you are interested.)

I still love the muppets, sesame street, classical music and the beauty of geometry. All to be found here.

Writing Rules that are made for breaking.

Great =/= Expensive. Esp in digital age. I wish RIAA would learn this.

Inspiration

Perspective: Intentions, decisions and Outcomes

INterest – one I neglected of which a 16-year old Pollock was reminded lovingly by his dad. “In other words to be fully awake to everything about you & the more you learn the more you can appreciate & get a full measure of joy & happiness out of life.”

Super Bowl Preview: This never happened at my C-league hockey games – would have been incredible (even if sponsored by Bud). For the love of Sport.

Intentional Enjoyment

Go to at least page five of this photo collage of edited signs and “vandals.”

Recap of the death of Superman and what it means – hilarious.

 

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State of the Linkage (1_27_12)

January 28, 2012

Uncle Sam I Want You - Poster

Since most people seem to be talking SOTU this week these links trend toward the political — that is what I’ve been reading this week so that is what you are getting. And hey did you know that “Uncle Sam” dates to the war of 1812 and barrels of meat delivered to the front lines? (via Dinner Party Download on iPod for BikeRide) – look it up. History is neat! Which brings me to…

Information

“Hark a Vagrant!” – It’s history only funnier.

The importance of curation in the rising tide of information.  (and I use both News.me and Percolate – like the former a little more as my click-thru seems to be better and it comes a little earlier… and if for no other reason then they have an incredible, almost snobbish, love of coffee.)

I confess I didn’t actually watch the SOTU – instead I read this live-annotated version. (just as good without waiting for applause)

I wish that Jed Bartlet was real and that he had delivered a rebuttal if no the speech itself. Instead, at least we have his Twitter persona (@Jed_Bartlet – he is good) and this education-centered response written in character.

RedHeadWriting on Politics says everything I would love to be able to say so well summing up what is wrong with the US political system and how Entrepreneurs are better than our elected officials.

Finally, the non-political but uses flame-worthy headline. Sitting is Killing you. Redeeming factor is they provide solutions, though getting a yoga-ball to sit on isn’t one of them. Hmmm… future blog post…

Inspiration

Motivation and gut check. (much needed for me right now as I am WAY behind in my Italian.

Ditto. The reminder: What are you working on today to build your “overnight success”?

If anyone is wondering what to get me for my birthday, I suggest this book of photographs of photographers with their iconic images (love on so many levels)

Music meets astrophysics – this reaches a new level of geekery that seems magical.

Loving the mundane to make it extraordinary.

How do you change? “Small Steps Sparks.” Or maybe no steps at all.

Intentional Enjoyment:

This makes me laugh every time I open it. The Ostrich Nap-enabler. Yes this exists… for you know… naps at your desk. (via @brainpicker)

And hey! Check out my Pinterest board of Random Bits of Fun in pictures.

Bonus-that-doesn’t-fit-cleanly-but-I-love-so-much

RedHeadWriting is on fire this week (maybe it is the decongestants) and provides this much needed bitch slap on over-reliance on communication through technology.

 

Had a good/bad/indifferent reaction – share it in the comments and start a conversation! Or if you read something interesting this week I’d love to have return linkage!

Image via Flickr under CC License: “Uncle Sam I Want You – Poster” by DonkeyHotey

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