The three stages of expertise ... (from Simon Wardley)

Copied in it's entirety from Simon Wardley's 'Bits or pieces?' blog:

The three stages of expertise ...

are "I know nothing", Hazard, and "I know nothing" (see figure 1).

Figure 1 - The three stages of expertise.

I've been in all these stages in many areas of my life. Which stage are you in?

Technorati Tags: experience, learning, practice

Arthur C. Clarke - a limerick remembrance

Arthur C. Clarke gave us stories.
With science facts and fictional mores.
So when we do build our Hal,
(that uncooperative pal)
We should put him in geosynchronous orbit.


-----
Inspired by a Twitter from Jim Benson this morning. I'd like better, but am going for immediacy.

Technorati Tags: culture, free-association, poetry

It was a quiet and stormy day.

Yesterday was an unusual day. The weather was stormy and changable. Air pressure was quite low, winds were brisk, rain showers came through quickly, and the sky successively cleared and clouded. Fortunately, the worst of the wind, rain, and tornado activity missed us. You would think that the raw energy of the weather would energize the day, but, in fact, something else happened. Our seven-month old puppy (who is full of energy and enthusiasm) pretty much took the day off. She slept, and didn't eat or drink much. Very different behavior. My weekly call with my good friend Dennis was also unusual. It's common for us to be forceful and verbal, eager to share stories and discuss whatever this week's topics might be, and fly off on the many tangents that arise. Yesterday was different. Our conversation was quiet, there were pauses between our exchanges. It wasn't a low energy call, but it was subdued in some way. I had the feeling that if we were face-to-face we would have sipped our coffees and been quiet ... together. Quiet, in the way close friends can be. But it's strange to be silent on a phone call. That's like dead-time on the radio -- a no-no. Or so it seems.

I wonder if we can be together in quiet ways online. I think it has something to do with intimacy. What do you think?

Technorati Tags: communication, culture, practice, relationship

There are a few simple questions ...

My pal Orcmid sent me a link to a post by Luann Udell titled "A SIX-YEAR-OLD CAN DO IT…You Can, Too! " As I was saving this link in my del.icio.us list I added the following note:

This post reminds me that there are a few short simple rules of life available. For finding motivation: just ask "why" (like you did when you were young) and don't stop until you have an answer that's right. For getting things done: just say "no" and when needing help turning down another important, interesting, and juicy task or project, just ask "why".

I'm going to start with "why?"

Technorati Tags: practice, learning, puppy

Random reflection on a Monte Blanc Pen

The Monte Carlo Pen.

No inkling of what's to come,

Take a chance, write now.

Technorati Tags: poetry, writing

Poetry Moment: Thinking about the mystery...

SATRE: COURTING SIMONE

What if
the mystery proves
to be nonresponsive?

What if the mystery
doesn't see
or hear
or feel?

What if we are made
in the image
of oblivion?

What if we
are alone?

What if I
pray to you?

-CONSTANCE CAMPBELL

(The Texas Observer, Vol.99 #16, August 10, 2007) p. 19

I laughed out loud after reading the first verse. This is one of the best poems I've read in a long time.

From The Texas Observer: "Constance Campbell lives in Austin. Her poems have been published in Texas Poetry Review and Lilliput Review.")

p.s. You do subscribe to The Texas Observer, don't you? No? You should.

Technorati Tags: art, Austin, culture, poetry, practice

Could've saved money years ago on a new car ...

but I wasn't told about a certain option that seems to be on all cars in showrooms, but apparently does not have to be in the car when it's sold.

Now I may be all wrong here, but I've noticed an increasing number of new cars on the road that seem to be missing what I think is a crucial piece of equipment. I use this equipment every time I drive. In fact, I can't get three blocks from my home without using it at least once. But there are so many cars out there, and they're in driving situations where this option might be a life-saver (literally). But I guess they saved a ton of money by refusing to have it installed. I can't see any other reason that explains their driving behavior. I know that if the car were equipped they'd be using it. I just never knew it was an option. The equipment I'm talking about is ... the turn signal.

Technorati Tags: driving, experience, practice, cars

SXSW - close encounters

I've been near but not in SXSW-land until yesterday, when I scored a trade-show badge from Jeff Barringer of Club Kingsnake. I met Jeff at last year's interactive fest in a conversation about civility on blogs. He's managed an online interactive pet website for years, startin' from scratch and makin' it work. I learn something every time we talk.

This year Jeff and his staff are busy meetin', greetin', and otherwise beatin' the live music experience drum(s). Definitely worth visitin' in person (if you're at the trade show today it's booth I14), and stayin' in touch online. The online site has a wealth of cool personal and inside reports, interviews, and commentary on this year's south by experience.

And just before I left the trade show I noticed that Jon Lebkowsky (of World Changing notoriety, among many other things) was doing a live interview of Bruce Sterling. (I need to find the online link for these interviews.) This was one of the more generative conversations I've listened to in a long time. It left me wondering what world we're gonna build once we're done twittering and flittering from place to place and thing to thing. What practices and patterns will we find workable ... and, maybe even more important, what will we be workin' on?