#28 / Finding Balance Digital Work Through Grassroots Satisfaction
Hello my friend! š
This weekend, a big thing for us was doing chores, like cleaning up the garden and mowing the lawn. The weather had been bad recently, so we hadnāt touched the lawn for over a month. The grass was nearly knee-high! Early Sunday morning, I rented a gas lawn mower, and it did the job great. In less than half an hour, I got the lawn into decent shape. Then I just had to trim the edges and snip here and there, and it was all good.
Back when I lived in China, I didnāt have a yard or lawn, so I never had to worry about this kind of housework. But now, itās part of my routine. Itās actually pretty cool because you feel really good after you finish the chores. You get to see the real, tangible results of your work, which is different from the stuff you do online. I think we all need that kind of hands-on satisfaction to balance things out, especially those of us who work in the digital world.
Hereāre a few things Iād like to share with you today š
Book Recommendation: āThe Dream Machineā
Reduce my workout time from 45 mins to 30 mins
David Kelley on 60 Minutes Show
Racial Issues in Australia
From Design to Gameplay: Exploring UX Principles in Path of Exile 2
Book Recommendation: āThe Dream Machineā
Strictly speaking, I finished only one book in the entire month of June, but it gave me a tremendous sense of accomplishment: āThe Dream Machineā, a significant work that narrates the exploits of J.C.R. Licklider, the father of modern computing, the internet, and artificial intelligence. I used to think that Intelās chips marked the beginning of modern computing, but now I realize we need to go back at least another ten years. The relationship between computers, artificial intelligence, and humans that we understand today was essentially laid out by Licklider in his 1962 paper āMan-Computer Symbiosisā.
One could say that Shannon established information theory, McCarthy founded the field of artificial intelligence, Engelbart pioneered human-computer interaction, and the geniuses behind ARPANET created the network. Licklider, however, weaves through the entire history of modern computing, leading or inspiring countless experts, including those mentioned above, much like Gandalf the White in āThe Lord of the Ringsā.
His three papers not only laid the theoretical foundation for modern computing and inspired the development of the internet but also revealed the optimal mode of cooperation between humans and artificial intelligence: symbiosis. At the recently concluded Figma Design Conference, a guest speaker ended their talk with a citation from his paper, seven decades after its publication, underscoring its enduring relevance and forward-thinking vision.
Only now do I realize that what we thought of as the starting points of computing, such as graphics processing, the first generation of personal computers, and object-oriented programming, are actually the culmination of an even more exciting era.
Reduce my workout time from 45 mins to 30 mins
Iāve learned a method that can shorten workout time by 30ā50%. The specific approach is to maintain the total number of repetitions per exercise but perform each set to failure. For instance, if you plan to do 4 sets of 10 reps for a particular exercise, totaling 40 reps, you start by doing as many reps as possible until failure (letās say 18), then rest for 20ā30 seconds before starting the second set, and so forth, until you complete 40 reps. I tried this with a leg and shoulder workout, reducing the time from 45 minutes to just under 30 minutes. It seems sustainable for long-term practice.
David Kelley onĀ 60 Minutes Show
Ā In a 2013 episode ofĀ 60 Minutes, the spotlight was on David Kelley, a well-recognized figure in the design world and the founder of the design firm IDEO. Riding the wave of the personal computer and internet boom, IDEO thrived in that era. Their concept of ādesign thinkingā has since become the gold standard in product design and user experience.
From the video, we learn about Kelleyās collaboration with Steve Jobs. Remarkably, it was Kelleyās team at IDEO that designed and launched Appleās first commercial mouse. The interview highlights that while Jobs could sometimes be challenging to work with, he possessed the rare ability to ignite creativity and foster challenges among creators.
Ultimately, David Kelley founded IDEO. Collaborating with institutions like Stanford, Kelley emphasized the need to involve diverse decision-makers in the design process. This approach wasnāt just limited to designers but extended to product users, offering varied design insights.
The video is packed with insights, and the interviewer, a seasoned media professional, ensures viewers can extract a lot of valuable lessons.
But hereās a fun fact: David Kelleyās daily ride? Itās a pickup truck styled after Japanese anime. He shuttles between Silicon Valley and Stanford in this unique vehicle, serving as a source of inspiration to both designers and entrepreneurs.
Racial Issues in Australia
Ā While having dinner with Australian colleagues a while ago, I chatted with Asian co-workers from various backgrounds (Chinese, Indonesian, Filipino, and Indian) including programmers from Perth, Canberra, and other cities about living and working in Australia. From what I gathered, nearly every Asian colleague has experienced some form of racial discrimination. Most of the incidents involve drunk individuals or young drug users on the streets trying to provoke those of Asian descent. Such encounters are even more common in major city areas, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.
Currently, unless you are a citizen of the country, itās not advisable to confront these drunkards directly, even if just verbally. This holds true even if you have permanent residency but are on some other type of visa. Engaging in a confrontation can risk your visa getting revoked, making the ordeal quite not worth it.
In contrast, instances of racial discrimination in New Zealand seem to be relatively fewer (at least to my knowledge). The occasional incidents that do occur are highlighted by the media. Those considering migration should take into account these challenges and decide if they can adapt to such circumstances.
However, from my personal experience, the majority of Australians exude a natural ease in their demeanor. They are generally approachable and easy to communicate with, even if youāre meeting them for the first time. This trait stands out more distinctly when compared to most other Asian countries.
From Design to Gameplay: Exploring UX Principles in Path of Exile 2
Get ready for an unexpected exploration of gaming through the lens of a designer. From cognitive load to reducing friction, discover how UX principles are revolutionizing Path of Exile! š£ļø
This video is a thrilling insight into the gaming industry, particularly focusing on Path of Exile, seen through the perspective of a UX designer.Ā Why:Ā The chance visit to ExileCon unveils the incredible application of UX principles in gaming, where every detail is tailored to enhance the playerās experience.Ā How:Ā By examining the gameās elements such as cognitive load reduction and inventive ways to reduce friction, weāll explore how these UX principles have been brilliantly implemented to engage and mesmerize gamers.
Have a great one and see you soon!
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