January 2012
57 posts
WatchThe dilemma of choices. Worth watching.
I wrote about this a few months ago.
“Lessen your choices and your actions will quicken as well. You will not have to...”
– Patrick Rhone
Clarity is better than cleverness. →
Enough: Ep 11 - Final Choices, Sensible Defaults... →
Patrick Rhone’s Enough podcast is great. In this episode Patrick speaks about two of my all time favorite posts.
patrickrhone / journal — Final Choices
patrickrhone / journal — Sensible Defaults
1 tag
Managing information | Jonathan Buys →
I use a simple hierarchal structure of folders, where the topmost folders are the largest portions of my life, (Home, Work, College, and Farmdog currently) followed by further topical or task-based folder names. I then use plain text files to store the data, either in Markdown, or just as plain text without markup. I find that this structure maps directly in my mind to how I think about how the...
Principle of the least software →
Use only the software that you need. No more, no less. Choose one application for each task, and become an expert on that application.
Right on the center.
“Man is an over-complicated organism. If he is doomed to extinction he will die...”
– Ezra Pound
Things I am *not* buying
I love gear. I buy good quality stuff when I need so I don’t have to spend time and money getting another piece.
However, sometimes I come across gear that makes me go wow! gotta have that!. I’m working very hard not to give in to temptation. So, here’s the list of things I would love to have but I am not buying. The reason? Well, I have no use for them, they are too expensive...
“Principle I: By setting limitations, we must choose the essential. So in...”
– Leo Babauta. The Power of Less
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Mini-GRC to help those in need
Mini-GORUCK Challenge Boston, February 2012
This event will be held in honor of a very brave girl, Charlotte Grimm. The event will also give the participants a little taste of what the GORUCK Challenge is like.
The main purpose for holding the event is to raise money for the Children’s Cancer Research Fund and to honor Charlotte Grimm. Charlotte, the daughter of Justin, a fellow GORUCK...
Say Less →
When you say less, you emphasize more.
You may not be able to say more, but what you do say will be heard.
Half attention becomes full attention.
Scanned writing becomes writing that is read.
Discarded opinions become opinions that are taken into consideration.
Saying less increases the emphasis on what is said. Saying more increases the time, effort, and expense...
Learning to Sit Alone, in a Quiet Empty Room | Zen... →
Can you sit alone in an empty room? Can you enjoy the joy of quiet?
Enough – The Book →
Patrick Rhone gave us Minimal Mac, two of my all time favorite posts: Final Choices and Sensible Defaults, the fantastic and highly recommended book Keeping it Straight and the hilarious and informative podcast Enough.
Next is the soon available Enough – The Book. Check the essays at the page. You will not be disappointed.
Thank you Patrick.
“Less is more and more is lazy.”
– Jason McCarthy, founder of GORUCK in this interview
Self Sufficient Training | Zen to fitness →
For me though the real benefit of outdoor training comes from making the most of the environment and having it all at our disposal for free. Gym’s these days have become like industrial zoo’s for humans with people (usually) working out mindlessly either on a cardio machine or spending hours lifting weights. It is rare to see someone be creative with their workout and do something which...
“Stressing about doing it the “right way” is what makes you better at “it”.”
– 35
It’s Just Stuff — Shawn Blanc →
minimalmac:
To excerpt a single paragraph would not do it justice. Required reading.
“How you climb a mountain is more important than reaching the top.”
– Yvon Chouinard (via givemeaquote)
2 tags
More than just a physical challenge and minimal...
When Jason McCarthy - a former Special Forces operator - created GORUCK and later the GORUCK Challenge (GRC), he had in mind something bigger than a company building and selling the toughest backpacks in the market or a physical challenge like no other (at least in the civilian world).
Before I continue with the reason for this post, let me introduce the company and the Challenge. As as side...
“The smartest thing you can do is to surround yourself with people smarter than...”
– Noah’s 35 things I learned in 35 years
(much like Rule 30)
Cutting the Cord on Cable | Kevin Sintumuang for... →
I’m quitting you, cable.
This will go easier if we can just admit it: We’re not right for each other anymore. I’m cutting the cord, getting rid of that white coaxial cable of yours and that clunky, dusty set-top box it’s connected to. This antenna, laptop and Roku box are moving into the living room with me because, well, they’re cheaper and slicker than you...
“Simplicity, simplicity, simplicity! I say let your affairs be as one, two, three...”
– Henry David Thoreau
“Follow your dreams aggressively. Put your ass in gear and your mind in neutral:...”
– Richard Marcinko (founder of SEAL Team Six)
The Restart Page →
Pure geek awesomeness.
“Why do we assume that simple is good? Because with physical products, we have to...”
– Jony Ive (From Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson)
(via The Russians Used A Pencil which was sent to me by Wells Baum)
Less is better →
David Heinemeier Hansson from 37signals was interviewed by Brad Umbaugh of UX Magazine back in 2009. What he said then is still very interesting and relevant today.
One of the big themes in Getting Real is the notion of less software. I think way too many companies and teams try to overachieve by building a ton of software, by building tons of flexibility into their software, including tons of...
Go Small Or Go Home: In Praise of Minimalism →
My father came to mind. His possessions never occupied a greater place in his life than seemed due. As a boy I used to sit on the bed watching him as he went through his end-of-day routine. Cuff links, handkerchief, pocket knife, wallet – each used on a daily basis, each set in their proper place on top of his dresser. Yes, my dad had “things,” but only what he needed and nothing more. ...
“A minimalist values quality, not quantity, in all forms”
– Leo Babauta
Minimalism Begets Manliness | The Art of Manliness →
Some of the most influential men in our collective history subscribed to a philosophy of minimalism. The greatest thinkers and doers of our civilization intuitively grasped the incredible benefits of keeping things simple. They quickly recognized the awesome power of reduction and used it as an invaluable tool for the construction of their lasting legacy. Throughout their careers, they...
