Evan Walsh

Twitter is tracking you on the web →

2012-05-17T22:38:25-07:00

Dustin Curtis writes about Twitter’s new decision to recommend accounts by tracking your browsing history outside of Twitter.

The conversation continued outside of Twitter with a Twitter employee, which I have archived here for your reading pleasure.

My father and I just discussed this earlier in a roundabout discussion that started with the recent Facebook IPO. I expressed my concerns about privacy in this day and age to him. My father said he wished my generation would just “turn off” because it is all “too much”. I wasn’t inclined to agree with him then and I’m not saying I do now. However, technology is good and technology is bad.

How can we trust it to be used well by the corporations that we so willingly buy into with our attention and our identity? Do we continue to give ourselves away for free and hope our data is used for us and not against us? I don’t know. Disconnecting is hard, but it may be the right thing for some.

Hard questions.

We Stopped Dreaming →

2012-04-16T20:26:31-07:00

I dare you to not be inspired by this.

An Invocation for Beginnings →

2012-04-09T12:12:44-07:00

Ze’s back.

Our Culture of Exclusion →

2012-04-08T12:58:32-07:00

I’ve had these same thoughts before, but it’s even more of a problem for me.

You see, the startup/Rails/whatever community I’m in is generally quite encouraging of drinking alcohol at social events. I feel quite excluded because I am:

Under 21
Not interested in drinking

I’ll elaborate later as to why I am not interested in drinking, but I’ll summarize it now as I am not interested in breaking the law or putting myself in the position to allow sin into my life.

Therefore, I find myself less and less interested in attending conferences in the future, even though I’m a huge fan of listening to smart people talk. If anyone else has a different point of view, I’d be glad to hear it. I don’t want to condemn an entire category of events, but it’s hard not to.

LONE SURVIVOR →

2012-04-01T15:59:57-07:00

It’s described as “a psychological survival adventure game by Jasper Byrne”. I just bought it a little while ago and I can barely play it for long stretches because it’s so terrifying to me. For a 2D pixel game, that’s quite a feat.

"Everybody Needs Toucan Stubs" →

2012-03-16T18:42:55-07:00

There are few videos that are consistently funny to me every single time. This is one of them. It’s good.

A new you that you can love

2012-03-15T19:37:02-07:00

So, any regular visitor to this site (are there any?) will notice a new design. It’s a bit more of what I like, in the end. I like a lot of whitespace, but my site has, historically, been light text on a dark background.

My inspiration for this design comes from a few different sources. A long-time hero of mine, Garrett Murray, had an awesome design a few years ago which was the first thing that sparked me to even want to redesign my blog. He has never ceased to impress me with his work, even after all these years.

Also, my favorite TextMate theme was a huge influence. The Code School theme by AstonJ, found here. It’s a stellar theme.

I got a new job that I start on Monday. I’ll write after I’ve started and describe how I went from unemployed to rockstar wizard hotshot. Or whatever.

Sneaker by io sect →

2012-02-04T20:58:49-08:00

I’ll have a full review coming soon, but having listened to this EP a few times, I can highly recommend it.

If you like cyberpunk, dance music, or things that are awesome, check this out.

A technical examination of SOPA and PROTECT IP →

2012-01-18T12:09:55-08:00

A long read, as the kids call it, but worth it.

If you can’t be bothered, here’s the conclusion from the analysis:

It is my strong belief that both PROTECT IP and SOPA:

Will not stop the piracy they are targeting

Contain language that is highly ambiguous and extremely broad making them ripe for abuse, and

Introduce regulation and enforce censorship on what should be a free and open internet.

CodeRunner →

2011-12-12T18:57:09-08:00

I haven’t played much of this game, but I’m already thoroughly impressed.

From the website:

CODERUNNER™ – A real-world espionage adventure for your iPhone. Take to the streets, guided by GPS and the voice of your handler to real locations on an undercover mission of hacking, spying, sabotage and murder. Play it anywhere in the world!

Podcasts that I like

2011-12-01T12:57:35-08:00

I’ve been listening to podcasts for a while and I want you to listen to them too. Here’s a list of my favorites.

Back to Work

Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin talk about how to be better at life, especially in regards to your job and any other kind of work you do.

Favorite episode: Brick Building Full of Lies

Roderick on the Line

Again, I’m a huge Merlin Mann fan, so it’s hard to not recommend this one as well. He and John Roderick just want to help you. Why won’t you let them help you?

Favorite episode: Everybody Knew What Mr. Finnell Did

Judge John Hodgman

Deranged millionaire John Hodgman renders judgement on any dispute set before him. He’s a genius of wit and I can’t recommend this one enough.

Favorite episode: Out of REC-order

You Look Nice Today

This is the canonical Great Podcast That Some Might Not Understand. Basically, it’s absurd, well-edited humor. And it comes in at the middle. So, buckle up.

Favorite episode: Razzledazzle

The YoGPoD

This one isn’t quite for everyone. It helps if you’re already a fan of the Yogscast guys. Simon and Lewis are such a terrific duo and it’s quite entertaining to just listen to them discuss anything. Also, don’t miss Simon’s voices. They’re solid gold. It updates sporadically, so don’t expect weekly episodes.

Favorite episode: Dungeons & Dragons Part I (sorry, no permalink)

Father Said →

2011-11-29T17:28:52-08:00

Skrillex shows up as 12th Planet drops one of his tracks. I’m doubtful he’s actually singing the words, but it’s massive no matter if he’s faking or not.

No choice

2011-11-29T16:42:20-08:00

I’ve always been fascinated by guns. Rather, I’ve always been fascinated by video games containing guns. Perhaps that’s the macho side of my personality, which usually lends itself towards less masculine tendencies at times.

Anyway, guns. Right. Games that allow one to shoot a virtual target are quite interesting. I’ve had moments where I clear a room of digital baddies and it feels good. I feel like an unstoppable force. And that’s a good feeling. However, the thought of holding a real gun frightens me.

Most gun games don’t allow you to be frightened. You are given a gun and the game points at a group of representations of humans, and says “kill”. Sometimes, though, if you’re lucky, you do get a choice. The game puts a gun in your hand, points at a single man, and says “choose”.

I never planned on being changed by a video game. Can you plan on an altering event like that? Seems sort of silly to even try. However, I chose to play a game because all I knew was that it was good.

You are Ethan Mars, father of two, then one, then maybe zero. You are asked the question that’s been running through my mind ever since I played the game: “How far will you go to save someone you love?”

Would you drive the wrong way against traffic? Would you crawl through broken glass? Would you kill a man? Would you cut off a finger? Would you kill yourself?

Choices in video games don’t come often or with many consequences. You’re given a choice between one path or the other and it may affect the closing cutscene. If you mess up too much, you’ll just roll back to the nearest checkpoint and you can try again and again and again until your companion finally leaves and you put a bullet between the eyes of your nemesis.

Heavy Rain doesn’t give you that luxury. If you mess up and one of the characters gets murdered by a deranged criminal or the like, they’re just…gone.

The story goes on without them. And so do you.

Your son is gone and if you mess up, he’ll stay gone forever and you’ll probably go to jail, the scapegoat for another man’s crime.

You can end up killing everyone that loves or trusts you, if you’re not careful. And the game goes on.

Moral choices are a trend in “serious” games, currently. You’re given a chance between right and wrong. But, usually it’s very clear. You can save the town and win their respect or destroy it and gain wealth beyond your normal ability. That’s normally the choice.

What do you choose when you’re told to kill a man or your son will die? What do you choose when you find out the man has children and you realize you’re no better than the evil you’re opposing?

I’m a Father, too, but, I have no choice.

Ethan was wrong, as he pulled the trigger on a man he never knew. He had a choice. He had a million choices.

Destroy All Software →

2011-11-14T20:49:04-08:00

I was looking for some next-level screencasts and I’ve been quite satisfied with these. Definitely a buy.

The power of the grid can be so intoxicating →

2011-11-09T00:10:35-08:00

A beautiful short film of Khoi Vinh discussing his interest in the grid. He’s been a design hero of mine for a while.

Ya bimbo

2011-11-08T23:14:39-08:00

If you’re familiar with the Internet startup world, you’ve probably heard the term “pivot” being thrown about. What does pivot mean?

Eric Ries says:

“I want to introduce the concept of the pivot, the idea that successful startups change directions but stay grounded in what they’ve learned.”¹

I’m kind of obsessed with stuff like this, even though starting a startup still eludes me (for now). I talk about all this to talk about this: I’m in the middle of a pivot.

Now, how does a person pivot? How do you change direction and stay grounded? Well, I’m not totally sure as of now. I’m trying to understand, though. You see, I sort of had my hand forced in all of this. Let’s go back to the beginning and then we’ll go back to the end.

The beginning before the end, I guess.

I was in college as of this time last year. I was attending Herron School of Art & Design with an intended major of “Visual Communication Design”. VC, in the school’s parlance. I thought it was what I wanted to do. I was doing what I thought society wanted me to do because I thought society was right.

Then, summer came. And I became restless.

I dropped all my classes and I went looking for a job. I wasn’t going to let an institution tell me I could be successful. And I found a job. I actually made quite a lot. My contracted, yearly salary was $45,000.²

Woah. Like, mad woah. That was more money than my mind could handle. It was like telling me “You will make 10,000 gold bars a year.” I was taken aback and I threw myself into my job. I worked too many hours and let my life sort of become consumed by all this.

Lemons.³

Then my mom got cancer. And my job wanted me to move to Austin.

I found all of that out in a span of a few days and I was supposed to leave quite soon after hearing all this news.

Sometimes, you come to a fork in the road. And either road is the scariest thing you’ve ever had to do ever. That’s where I was about a month ago. So, I took the fork that seemed right.

I was unhappy with my job. I felt unfulfilled for various reasons that aren’t important for your purposes. So, I quit.

No job. No education. No problem?

I’m scared now. More scared than I’ve ever been. Listless doesn’t even describe it. But, every day, I feel a step closer to truly becoming the person I want to be. One’s own vision for one’s life shouldn’t be set in stone. I thought I was going to be a video game design when I was young. Then I pivoted to web designer. Then web developer. And now, I will stick with web creative⁴ for now. I’m on my way to becoming something I won’t regret as much.

“So many people forget why they even wanted money in the first place, seeking it blindly and fanatically.”⁵

Lessons Learned: Pivot, don’t jump to a new vision
↩
Why does no one like talking about their salary? Is it a big secret that people make money? I get the whole shame bit, but I guess I’m a bit over it. So there. 45k.
↩
Combustible lemons, in fact.
↩
I’m aware how dumb this sounds.
↩
Some guy on Reddit said this and I saved it, but neglected to save the link. Sorry, friend. Email me?
↩

You know this boogie is for real

2011-11-05T02:46:33-07:00

Well, hello. I’m back again.

It’s a bit late to write anything right now, but I have a lot of plans for you. So get excited.