Category: ruminations

Categories
How-to ruminations Someday

What I care about vs. what I write about

I’m disappointed with the misalignment between what’s important to me and what I write about here.  Here, I acknowledge and explore that.

What I care about: meaningful, exciting, or useful ideas

I have a list of substantial, interesting topics I’ve meant to write about.  Some are still relevant, others have drifted behind me as missed opportunities (e.g., I meant to discuss the August 2018 Ann Arbor Democratic primary elections).  Some are years old, others freshly sparked from recently conversations.

Some of these topics are explored in abandoned drafts.  Others manifest on paper as just a single bullet point, albeit with hours of associated reflection and many references ready to go in my head.

These more meaningful topics demand focus and time, which I have in only limited supply.  Such posts are also probably better when well-researched, which requires more time – though I’m growing suspicious that the burden of assembling links may not be worth it if it paralyzes me.  And I question whether it’s my place to write on them. Is my opinion valid? Do I know what I’m talking about?

What I then write about: trivial, dull matters.

Meanwhile, as these ideas languish, look at some of the blog posts I did manage to write in 2018.  I ranted against the TrailKeg, a thneed.  I wondered if old yard sign frames could be welded into a Papasan chair.  I wrote a how-to based on what I learned when configuring a specific model of solar panel monitoring gateway.

Continue reading “What I care about vs. what I write about”
Categories
ruminations

Should I stop flying?

Summary: I like riding in airplanes and to me, it’s normal.  And I’m under social pressure to fly.  But when I confront the science of climate change, air travel seems immoral.  Should I stop?  Will I stop?

I’m writing this because it’s been on my mind and:

  1. Posts & articles are typically about “this thing I did” not “something I’m considering.”  I want to show that making decisions is messy.
  2. If I decide to stop flying, which may seem drastic, this will show I was considering it…
  3. … and if I keep flying, this will show I considered it – which could make me look thoughtful, or more likely, weak and unprincipled.

Why

The climate situation is dire.  I can’t overstate this.  Read coverage of the most recent (Oct 2018) IPCC report and/or Joseph Romm’s book Climate Change: What Everyone Needs to Know.  Humanity is on pace to destroy the world.  And the worst polluters are well-off Americans like me.  Because we do high-carbon luxury things that most of the world can’t afford.  Flying is one of the most-polluting activities.

Continue reading “Should I stop flying?”
Categories
ruminations

Things I want to do in 2018

Somewhat belatedly, here’s what I plan and hope to do in 2018.

R Development

Early in 2018, I’d like to finish up a couple of ongoing open-source software projects:

  1. (DONE) Release janitor v 1.0.  I have worked hard on this, it’s 99% done as of this writing, and I enjoy the benefits of the new tabyl() functions every day – but until it’s on CRAN, the impact is limited.
  2. (DONE) Participate in Kaggle’s March Mania challenge, ideally updating my how-to resource.

Then perhaps a break would be healthy, during which I spend more of my free time away from code and the computer.

Making things

I used to build things.  Including complex projects like my electric home brewery.  I’ve fallen out of that.  In 2018 I’d like to again build some small physical things:

  1. A keg washer like Colin’s (DONE)

Writing

I’d like to finish drafts and ideas I have accumulated.  Including:

  1. My proposal for a Maple Road Bike Highway (DONE: The North Maple Cycle Track)
  2. Several cargo bike posts
    1. The cargo bike changed my life
  3. My process for lime-softening well water for homebrewing

Activism

I’ll probably get involved in campaigns given what a busy year it looks to be politically.  Which means I should focus on other things before the fall.

I’m especially interested in the voting access and anti-gerrymandering ballot initiatives, the gubernatorial race, and of course Ann Arbor City Council.

To spread the joy of practical biking, I’d like to lend my cargo bike to at least 3 people/families this year.

Physical activity

  • I hope to again log 1,200 miles on a bicycle. (DONE, 1232)
  • I want to ride:
    • To Dexter and back
    • To Ypsi and back. (DONE 2x in July, including once with a kid on the back)
  • And get both kids riding pedal bikes. (DONE and it’s beautiful)

Things I won’t do

Taking things off my plate to make room for others.  A small example: I’m not entering the National Homebrew Competition this year.  Perhaps I’ll keep vegetable gardening to a minimal level.

I’ve been taking a break from following Ann Arbor news, though that may change during election season.

And the best for last:

Expecting another child this summer is the biggest event of the year.  But unlike resolutions and plans above, that one will by default get all the attention it needs.