Excursions

I’m surprised to see the number of blogs run by blot here. I can see the attraction of a simple file-system based posting mechanism.

I guess people just do not want to handle any overheads, be it with hosting or posting. Plain files always win.

As planned, I got a /now page setup for my site. I do not want to load it with too much of text.

This is what I intend. A small write-up on what’s on my mind. Followed by a list of things that are keeping me busy.

And finally, to keep it updated. Hopefully weekly.

So unlocked one more pin with my latest post. Can I say it wasn’t intentional? Planned? 🤗

I recently read a great essay by Michael Harris where he dwells into his present-day struggles to read patiently, the old way. With focus.

Paragraphs swirled; sentences snapped like twigs; and sentiments bled out. The usual, these days. I drag my vision across the page and process little. Half an hour later, I throw down the book and watch some Netflix.

I completely empathise with this. I had realised early last year how difficult it had become for me to read, surrounded by the all-time connected gadgets. A ping here. A notification there. And out I was from my reading flow. Into the swirl of unnecessary, untimely, inconsequential “information” blurbs. What followed was a tap-swipe-scan-stare routine through the varied app icons scattered across the screen. Away from the book, the narrative.

That was also the time when I realised something had to change. First of all, the underserving notifications had to be purged.

Second, I had to start reading in a place where I am not surrounded by any connected device. So I take my kindle, walk to my balcony or to my terrace or to the garden and settle there. Without my phone. Or my iPad. Anyone needs my attention, they have to come fetch me. And I realised I was back to being more earnest while reading. Reading more regularly, speedily. Reading more. Period.

And it indeed is important that I read more for me. I realised the slackness in reading also affected my ability to pen words. I stopped writing. I knew the reason, but Michael puts it perfectly.

In Silicon Valley, they have a saying that explains why an algorithm starts producing unwanted results: Garbage in, garbage out. The idea is that an algorithm can only work with the information you feed it. Aren’t writers — all creators — algorithmic in that way? Our job is to process what we consume. Beauty in, beauty out. Garbage in, garbage out.

So maybe that change into a cynical writer can be forestalled — if I can first correct my reading diet, remember how to read the way I once did. Not scan, not share, not excerpt — but read. Patiently, slowly, uselessly.

I just couldn’t agree more. Fortunately or unfortunately, we are stuck in this information world. There is no steering clear of the frivolous interruptions we are assailed with from all sides. All I want is to pluck the opportunities I grant others to interrupt me.

There are days when her doll becomes her life. Whatever she does, it stays by her side. For her, it becomes “she”. For us, she becomes her.

Today’s one such day.

I sincerely hope the “Reply All” option is higher on @manton’s list of to-dos — I need it throughout the day, multiple times 🤞🏽

I am surprised I never tried VS code earlier. I think there’s something about dev tools that we do not want to change them often - I‘ve been a Sublime Text/BBEdit user.

Makes me think what other Source Code Editors does the community prefer?

I’m really impressed with Visual Studio Code. It works great on Mac (and of course is cross platform), has perfectly useful editor, debugger. Syntax highlighting/code completion‘s without any issues.

Integrated terminal’s amazing. Plus it’s fast, smooth. And free & open.

I plan to get a “Now” page setup for my site. I debated a lot if I would be able to keep it updated regularly. I don’t think I can if I keep it as a page for users.

Rather I want to use it to keep track of my current focus — it might be reading list, trainings or project.

The sheer number of modules available in Node can overwhelm you at times. Think of any utility, small or large, there must exist a module on Github.

It’s been that kind of day today.