Hello there! 👋
The leaves are changing, it is still quite warm, we experienced another atmospheric river, and then went through a nail-biting election where climate-deniers almost won! We’ve had elections in Japan, elections in BC, and of course a whopper of an election next week. How’s your electsomnia doing?
I got back from Germany on the 10th (see blog below). It was a lovely first experience in “Middle Europe”. Previously I had only been to the edges: Lisbon and Istanbul. Germany was a pretty easy travel experience — I didn’t get sick once! It is easy to get around, they have poutine, and of course Germans speak very good English. I spent most of my time meeting people, mostly non-Germans residents, asking them about how Berlin has changed over the past few years. Soon I will write about my findings.
Since getting back though, I have had some Very Good Things happen that I have to keep under wraps for now. Suffice it to say, I have made excellent progress on this next chapter. It’s going to be busy few months but I am super happy and content with life right now.
On that final sweet note 🍬 Happy Halloween! 🎃
/ck
PS. I will be in Seattle next month, if you are around come out!
PPS. Just got back from Trick-or-Treating!
🖋 From the Blog
CITED is back and taking on "economics"
A very enjoyable “extremely nerdy podcast” returns, which sends me on a book recommendation tear.
Causal Islands Berlin
Impressions after the conference. Let’s just do things!
🧭 Elsewhere
I have not written a trip report from Germany yet, but here are my photos 📸
🚲 Mannheim
👩🎤 Berlin
and every Germany photo in one big album 🇩🇪
Yasss Crokinole! Takes me back! Link →
We held an #atproto “Dark Council” (because lighting) at the HQ of the legendary Chaos Computer Club crashed spaceship Link →
A worthy 🦋 Bluesky pitch Link →
A thread of quirky pizzas from Pizza Hut Taiwan Link →
Open Source Pledge went live Link →
Duralex is a worker-owned cooperative now! Link →
📖 What I’m Reading
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
(100% Complete)
I am a huge fan of the writing of Ta-Nehisi Coates, ever since I read his breakout book Between the World and Me (my short review). Considering the ongoing tragedy in Palestine, I leapt on this new book which has stirred up some controversy (which I don’t think is deserved at all, tbh). This book is TNC exploring what it takes to be a writer, and even the purpose of writing. He reflects upon the craft as he experiences three locations in the field, the last of which is Palestine, which confronts him with a humanitarian disaster making him second-guess the Black Nationalist movements of the past. In this way the book is more of an extension of his earlier work like We and The Case for Reparations. The book is short enough that I would recommend it widely, but I will especially recommend it for those who write. The first chapter is an amazing lecture on the power and purpose of writing that I will return to. I found this discussion with Trevor Noah to be a very good digestif after finishing the book. TNC is in a comfortable and welcoming environment on that show, and they share a lot together between the American, British, and South African black experience. This interview with Ezra Klein is good too, but focuses way more on the Palestine aspect of the message, and not the real point of the book. Both were good to help me process the content of the book. The text of the book is just enjoyable to read in the moment.
Connect with me on GoodReads → or on Bookwyrm →