11 Nov 2021, 11:54 a.m.

The Narrow Trash Talk Window

Sometimes I am playing a game in a competitive manner with friends. Our shared cultures sometimes include "trash talk," playful insults offered among players that are meant to express comfort and camaraderie and creativity while …

Read More
29 Oct 2021, 9:44 a.m.

New York City General Election 2021

A few resources that helped me decide how to vote in the New York City general election this year: Candidate ratings by the Judiciary Committee of the Queens County Bar Association and the New York …

Read More
13 Oct 2021, 11:25 a.m.

Some Recent Reading

I've recommended several short scifi/fantasy stories I've enjoyed by posting about them on MetaFilter. In addition, here are a few notes on some books I've recently read. I read the harrowing memoir Year of the …

Read More
05 Oct 2021, 11:25 a.m.

Well, It's October

Leonard and I today came up with the idea of an X-Files parody where monstrous agents investigate the human world, starring Molder (a Frankenstein's monster/zombie character) and Skully (a skeleton). Leonard's dialogue: Molder: They robbed …

Read More
27 Sep 2021, 13:04 p.m.

Prep For Shortages And Delays -- Meds, ID Cards, Books, Etc.

The global supply chain is dealing with a lot of shortages and delays, and there's no sign it's going to get better anytime soon. (Some explanations: thread, thread, NYT piece.) People are figuring out how …

Read More
27 Sep 2021, 11:17 a.m.

NYCH&H COVID testing -- great, so let's increase access

  [Below - slightly edited - is a letter I just wrote my city councilmember.] I'm a constituent in your district and I'm writing to thank the City for its free COVID-19 testing program, and …

Read More
21 Sep 2021, 11:33 a.m.

Police, The Future, and Biometric Security

I have tremendous respect for Troy Hunt and have learned loads about cybersecurity from him. That's why it surprised me so much to read his recent piece on biometric credentials. I agree with much of …

Read More
18 Sep 2021, 1:10 a.m.

It Can Be Hard To Talk About Learning And Teaching

Copied from a comment I made on MetaFilter in a somewhat contentious thread about explicitly learning and teaching tacit knowledge: Some fundamental assumptions I have about this topic, and about some opportunities and difficulties more …

Read More
25 Aug 2021, 10:46 a.m.

COVID-19: The Delta Variant, Better Masks, and Free Testing

I am concerned about COVID-19 trends; particularly if you are in the United States, you should be aware and make/modify plans accordingly. Some of this post is New York City-specific. Background: The COVID case numbers …

Read More
15 Jul 2021, 0:55 a.m.

Low Availability

FYI: I have some obligations, starting this week and going through mid-September, that will take me offline a lot and otherwise occupy me; I will have low and intermittent availability. Please email if you want …

Read More