Nate Shivar

ZipCar Review: 5 Notes on Renting a Daily Car

We went several years owning a Nissan Leaf and a mid-size SUV. But when the SUV was in the shop…

Kubota Garden in Seattle, Washington

Looking over the pond at Kubota Garden in Seattle, Washington

Casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

The last collection of detective stories written by Arthur Conan Doyle is still surprising, fun, and better than most detective fiction today.

Private Equity Is Coming for Youth Sports

Youth sports aren’t what they used to be.

How Fraudsters Are Bilking the Government Out of Billions of Dollars

Fascinating podcast episode from Odd Lots -> How Fraudsters Are Bilking the Government Out of Billions of Dollars

Red-cockaded woodpeckers’ recovery in southeast leads to status change from endangered to threatened

Habitat restoration FTW -> Red-cockaded woodpeckers’ recovery in southeast leads to status change from endangered to threatened

Sloth was not the right answer

Love this post about the intersection of politics & culture -> Sloth was not the right answer

Murals in Cabbagetown, Atlanta, Georgia

Cabbagetown in Atlanta has devoted entire blocks to massive murals.

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch is a doorstop of a book that is readable, fascinating, and approachable.

Ruby Beach in Olympic National Park

So lovely, peaceful, but full of energy, but also not the place to sunbathe.

Mt. Rainier National Park Needs To Calm Down

Mt. Rainier has too much beauty for one place.

Longmire Cabin In Mt. Rainier National Park

The Longmire settled the land around Mt. Rainier in cabins that still exist today.

Atlanta Skyline From Grant Park

Why hello Atlanta!

TIL That Beach Logs Do Kill

Mother Nature doesn’t want you goofing off on the Pacific Coast beaches.

Murphy Ave, Beltline, and MARTA

Walking around Atlanta where there’s constantly changes coming.

Creek in Olympic National Park

Some of the creeks in Olympic NP look like are from a storybook.

How To Have a National Park All To Yourself

Our National Parks (along with every other tourist destination) suffer from overcrowding. Even some places with infrastructure and thoughtful visitors…

Health Is Not That Hard – Behavior Change Is

Exercise regularly, eat a nutritious diet, eschew cigarettes, limit alcohol consumption and nurture meaningful relationships.

Mt. Rainier

Mt. Rainier is one of those rare places that’s truly difficult to overhype.

Barack Obama on Connected Disconnection

We live in a time of such confusion and rancor, with a culture that puts a premium on things that don’t last: money, fame, status, likes.

TIL about Mimetic Desire

Mimetic Desire is the idea that we want what other people want. Beyond the absolute basics of bodily need, our…

How Will You Save Small Midwestern Towns without Mass Immigration?

Thoughtful post on a hot topic -> How Will You Save Small Midwestern Towns without Mass Immigration?

TIL about Taste Games and Status

One of the favorite reads this year was Status Games. It’s a brilliant tour of how humans cooperate in groups…

Chattahoochee River at Florence Marina State Park

At Florence Marina State Park, the Chattahoochee River pools into the Walter F. George Reservoir (aka Lake Eufaula).

TIL Narcissism of Small Differences

The Narcissism of Small Differences is the idea that the more a relationship or community shares commonalities, the more likely…

4 Reasons To Re-Brand a Half-Marathon as a Pythian or Dekatrion

I’ve been able to run several Marathons, Half Marathons, Trail Half Marathons – along with shorter races. I love them…

Watson Mill Bridge State Park

Watson Mill Bridge is a small, classic State Park with a huge covered bridge.

3 Reasons Why Meat Reducatarianism Is Underrated

In the developed West, we could all eat less meat. It’s better for our health, our wallet, our local environment,…

Who died and left the US $7 billion?

Fascinating financial story about the largest single tax payment ever -> Who died and left the US $7 billion?

What Excessive Screen Time Does to the Adult Brain

Fascinating findings from Stanford’s longevity lab -> What Excessive Screen Time Does to the Adult Brain

Private Equity Ruins Tech Companies

Short & sweet context post on WordPress drama -> Private Equity Ruins Tech Companies

5 Reasons Why Mosquito Spraying is a Scam

It’s late summer in Georgia, and mosquitoes are everywhere. Specifically, there are Asian Tiger Mosquitoes everywhere – the invasive, pesky,…

Midtown Atlanta Skyline from Piedmont Park

There are so many angles in Piedmont Park to frame Atlanta’s Midtown Skyline.

3 Reasons Why Gardening Is Underrated

I’ve always been intellectually interested in gardening, but once I finally got around to doing it properly, I discovered a…

7 Lessons on Lumber & Leaving An Entire Industry

My first corporate job was with 84 Lumber. I started right after college – a few weeks before graduation. It…

Historic Entrance at Mammoth Cave National Park

I had no idea that this is what the main entrance to Mammoth Cave looked like. It’s so insane.

3 Reasons Why RSS Is Underrated

RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is, like email, one of the foundational technologies of the old Internet. It allows anyone to…

Governments are bigger than ever. They are also more useless [Because Almost All The Money Goes To Old Age Care and Not Investment]

There’s yet another fake fight brewing in the United States (and across the rich world) about government spending and borrowing….

Blighted by Margaret Stagmeier

Blighted by Margaret Stagmeier is a book about the housing crisis that plagues American cities, with a specific focus on…

Grassy Mountain, Georgia, USA

One of the best views in Georgia. The tower platform is locked, but you can climb the steps to check…

3 Reasons Why Walking Is Underrated

I think some people own dogs and do the 10,000 steps thing just to have an excuse to walk. Walking…

Last Look at The Zoo Atlanta Panda Bears

This picture is my last visit to see the panda bears in Zoo Atlanta. They were recalled to China where they will live out their lives there. It’s a little bittersweet.

Magic Pill by Johann Hari

I loved the nuance & storytelling of this book. Very complex topic.

Waterfall in the Raven Cliffs Wilderness

Raven Cliffs Wilderness is one of the best hikes in Georgia.

3 Reasons Why Replacing Traditional Lawns Are Underrated

Replacing a lawn puts the land to work, requires less work, and brings in (mostly) good plant species.

4 Notes on Visiting Little Ocmulgee State Park

Little Ocmulgee State Park is one of Georgia’s oldest State Parks in middle Georgia. It has a lake built by…

3 Reasons Why Beginner Botany Is Underrated

I stumbled into a whole new world of knowledge when I downloaded the Seek app and bought Sibley’s Guide To…

Beyond The Bake Sale by Anne Henderson

Beyond The Bake Sale by Anne Henderson is a book on world of educational partnerships, specifically focusing on how schools…

Piedmont Stream in Victoria Bryant State Park

Rice Creek is a lovely and surprisingly strong stream flowing through the rolling hills in Victoria Bryant State Park.

3 Reasons Why Public Domain Magazines Are Underrated

Public domain magazines and newspapers are often overlooked as valuable resources, but they offer a wealth of information and benefits…

Testing Out WordPress -> Mastodon Integration

I posted a picture on Mastodon a few months ago – and now I’m replying to it from WordPress!

Shanghai Free Taxi by Frank Langfitt

Shanghai Free Taxi by Frank Langfitt offers an insightful glimpse into the rapidly changing landscape of contemporary China. Langfitt, a…

Green River in Mammoth Cave National Park

I was blown away at the beauty above ground at Mammoth Cave National Park.

3 Reasons Why Credit Unions Are Underrated

A few years ago, I switched to a local credit union after my local bank merged with a giant out…

Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

Slow Productivity by Cal Newport challenges the frenzied pace of the modern workplace, suggesting that our relentless rush to be…

Cloudland Canyon, Georgia, USA

One of Georgia’s most impressive land forms. It’s always worth a trip.

3 Reasons Why Public Domain Software Is Underrated

Public domain software refers to software that has been released without any copyright restrictions, meaning anyone can use, modify, redistribute,…

Expand The House & Pass The Equal Representation Amendment

The US flag and the House of Representatives both used to change regularly to reflect the nation’s growth. Since the Reapportionment Act of 1929, the number of Representatives has been fixed at 435, despite significant population growth. This discrepancy leads to unequal representation and inefficiency. A possible solution is to expand the House to better represent the current population.

Beach at Little Ocmulgee State Park

3 Reasons Why Astronomy Is Underrated

Looking at the moon and stars has always been so magical…and so daunting to me. To be focused on the…

Loserville by Clayton Tutor

“Loserville” by Clayton Tutor examines Atlanta’s turbulent relationship with its professional sports teams. Beginning in the 1960s, the city’s leaders used sports to redefine Atlanta’s image, but struggled with poor team performances and weak support. Despite this, sports have significantly contributed to Atlanta’s identity and development.

Beach at Hard Labor Creek State Park

3 Reasons Why Public Domain Databases Are Underrated

The first time I found data.gov…I was blown away. There was more original, raw data about all the things than…

American The Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson

“American The Beautiful? by Blythe Roberson is a travel book across America’s National Parks but falls short in style and pacing, resembling TikToks instead of traditional travel writing. Despite extensive park visits and commentary on America’s contradictions, the lack of context and background detracts from the experience, unlike works by Bill Bryson.”

Atlanta BeltLine – Westside Segment

3 Reasons Why Town Mascots Are Underrated

Japan has them. US cities have them via their sports teams. And there should be more of them!

Health benefits of pedestrian and cyclist commuting: evidence from the Scottish Longitudinal Study

This study, based on a large representative sample followed up for 18 years, provides robust evidence of lower risk of…

Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia, USA

3 Reasons Why Radio Is Underrated

It’s a hundred years old, but should be better than ever.

Status Game by Will Storr

“Status Game” by Will Storr offers a nuanced exploration of how humans organize in social hierarchies, striving for status through various games. It discusses the impact of prestige, dominance, and humiliation games on society, relationships, and leadership. Storr emphasizes understanding these dynamics to foster cooperation and mitigate conflicts.

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