David Herrold

Consumption versus creation

Posted by Dave | Filed under Personal, Productivity

I consume a lot.

On a regular basis I consume podcasts, RSS feeds, emails, phone calls, text messages, books, magazines, TV, movies, radio, social networking noise, music, advertisements and occasionally sky writing.

It’s comforting to know I am not alone in my maddening consumption of information.

The population of th United States consumes an staggering amount of information every day. Luckily our brains are the most sophisticated recorders of video, audio and text known to man. While we’re awake our surroundings are meticulously captured and stored for later recall (although, certainly not perfect recall in my case).

I was half-listening to a podcast the other day while I was doing a little work at home. After typing away, not really paying attention to the podcast, I heard the phrase “I want to create more than I consume.” I must have heard this between mouse clicks or browser refreshes, because I heard it clearly and it stuck in my head for a couple days.

I considered the ramifications of creating more than I consume on a daily basis. The idea was so completely foreign to me I didn’t know where to begin.

As I write this post, I am listening to a podcast, watching my Twitter & FriendFeed streams, answering some emails, and trying to figure out what to make for dinner tonight. This is ridiculous, now that I think about it.

And probably means several things.

One. I am doing none of these things very well because you can only stretch your attention so far, right?

Two. I have a very short attention span.

Three. My rate of consumption far exceeds my rate of creation.

Is it honestly possible for us to create more than we consume? If you are a painter, is it possible for you to paint more pictures than you are able to see in a lifetime? Not comfortably – without locking yourself in a room with brushes, canvas and a steady supply of coffee.

Regardless of the possibility, the idea is an interesting one.

How much do you create?

(Photo by reflexer on Flickr)

Tags: consumption, creation, Productivity, time management

Mars Phoenix has landed!

Posted by Dave | Filed under Science, Technology

I’ve been following the progress of the Mars Phoenix lander for a few days as is got closer and closer to Mars. I’m happy to report that is has landed safely on the north pole of Mars. It will eventually send photos, and data from ice core samples in an attempt to learn more about our mysterious red planet.

Congratulations to the ground crew and everyone involved. Nice work.

Learn more here:

UPDATE: Images from the lander here.
UPDATE 2: According to a NYTimes article Twitter’s @MarsPhoenixe is actually Veronica McGregor, news services managers at NASA’s JPL facility in CA.

Of course, the messages are not coming from Mars. Instead, Veronica McGregor, the news services manager at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., has been playing the part of Phoenix each night after she gets home from work, forwarding questions to the science team and then posting answers.

NASA mission site
Follow mission updates on Twitter
Wikipedia entry on the Mars Phoenix

Tags: jpl, mars phoenix, marsphoenix, nasa

Radiohead in-studio performance of In Rainbows

Posted by Dave | Filed under Music

Link to Pitchfork video page

Pitchfork gathered all the “Scotch Mist” in-studio performances of In Rainbows the band released last year into one video (so you can watch the entire album). This is good stuff. Enjoy.

Tags: Music, radio head, radiohead, video

Blackberry Bold (9000) preview

Posted by Dave | Filed under Communication, Hardware, Mobile, Technology

Video link

The Blackberry 9000 Bold previewed in the video above features several useful upgrades (like wifi and video recording) that may create even more competition for the iPhone in the coming months.

According to the video, it will also feature some interface and application upgrades. I like the upgrades to the clock/alarm application and the ability to delete apps from the home screen makes that process MUCH easier.

The OS seemed very responsive and quick to open and close applications as well as saving data.

Looks like a great phone. I can’t wait to see the final release.

Tags: Blackberry, blackberry 9000, blackberry bold, bold, rim

My Tweetwheel

Posted by Dave | Filed under Communication, Social Networking

Tweetwheel is visual representation of the connectedness of your Twitter friends. How many of your Twitter followers are connected?

My Tweetwheel. (may take a little time to load)

Tweetwheel (via Bob Lee’s tweet)

Tags: Social Networking, tweetwheel, twitter

Microsoft still single and seeking hot, young wife

Posted by Dave | Filed under Business, Technology

Microsoft ended it’s aggressive courtship for Yahoo today. According to the New York Times, a $4 dollar difference in stock price was the sticking point. Yahoo wanted $37 and Microsoft wanted $33. You can read the story here.

Microsoft’s decision to walk away is the latest chapter in a three-month-old standoff that began when Microsoft made an unsolicited offer to acquire Yahoo in an effort to compete more effectively with Google in Web search, advertising and services.

Yahoo rejected Microsoft’s offer repeatedly, saying it undervalued the company. Microsoft at times threatened to lower its offer, originally valued at $44.6 billion, or $31 a share.

In a letter to Mr. Yang that Microsoft released Saturday evening, Mr. Ballmer said that it would not make sense for Microsoft to pursue a lengthy proxy fight. “Our discussions with you have led us to conclude that, in the interim, you would take steps that would make Yahoo undesirable as an acquisition for Microsoft,” he wrote.

I can’t say I’m disappointed in the outcome. I was a little pessimistic about old media meeting new media and the potential impact of Microsoft owning properties like Del.icio.us and Flickr. I use both sites pretty frequently and wouldn’t want to see them squandered or misused by Microsoft in any way.

That might sound pessimistic, but I still view Microsoft as mainly an old media company and Yahoo and a new media company. One existed before the birth of the internet, the came after.

Hopefully this is put to rest so I can get back to posting cat photos on Flickr.

Tags: microsoft, yahoo