I Have a Few Questions
Very thought-provoking -> I have a few questions by Morgan Housel
4 reasons Why Georgia Cracked Down on Wildlife & Animal Practices Circa 2014
The 2014 National Strategy for Combating Wildlife Trafficking didn’t sit on a shelf – it led to real, tangible change.
I Went from Reading 40 Books a Year to Reading 0
Very interesting post -> I Went from Reading 40 Books a Year to Reading 0
How To Compose a Successful Critical Commentary
If you disagree w/ someone and want them to actually listen – express their position better than they can; list any points that you agree with; say what you’ve learned from the position; only then can you express disagreement.
5 Initial Lessons from Buying a Cow & Calf
I now own three cows. I’ve quickly learned that cows have a lot of variables…and they are the odd asset with living personalities.
5 Reasons Why Wool Is Underrated
If wool wasn’t already invented by sheep, it would be a magic material.
8 Pros + Cons of the RankMath SEO WordPress Plugin
RankMath is a stable, feature-rich SEO plugin for WordPress, but it has a pricey Pro version and some modules may underperform.
8 Pros + Cons of the WP All Import & Export WordPress Plugin
WP All Import & Export is a powerful WordPress plugin for bulk data management, offering reliable imports, scheduling, and extensive compatibility, but it has a steep learning curve and high upfront cost.
7 Pros + Cons of BrightLocal SEO Software
BrightLocal is a specialized local SEO tool with an intuitive interface, reliable data, and affordable pricing, but lacks broader SEO features.
7 Pros + Cons of LowFruits SEO Software
LowFruits SEO software is affordable and simplifies keyword research, but it lags behind bigger tools like Ahrefs in data freshness.
Bluesky and ensh***ification
Yup. This post is right on -> Bluesky and enshittification
What I want from Mozilla
Well-done post -> What I want from Mozilla
Empire Flippers Review: 7 Pros & Cons of Selling My Website via Their Brokerage
In September 2021, I sold the shivarweb.com website on the Empire Flippers marketplace. Shivarweb.com was a website that not only…
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
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.
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.
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…
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…
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
Coming home – Creating On Your Own Website
A persuasive & well-written post on doing creative work on your own website -> Coming Home
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,…
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…
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….
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!
Threads’ Deeper Fediverse Integration
Threads made it possible to reply to posts via ActivityPub enabled social networks – including WordPress!
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.
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…
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…
3 Reasons Why Radio Is Underrated
It’s a hundred years old, but should be better than ever.
3 Reasons Why Online Libraries Are Underrated
Most everyone in the US has access to an online version of their library. But I can almost guarantee that…
3 Reasons Why Adopting a Tree Is Underrated
No, I’m not talking about some official program. I’m talking about literally noticing a single tree, naming it, and declaring…
What’s with the hostility towards personal publishing?
CJ Chilvers wrote a good reminder about personal publishing on the Open Web in a world of AI writers.
3 Reasons Why Tech Sabbaths Are Underrated
A Tech Sabbath or Tech Sunday is simply picking one day per week to severely limit your use of modern…
5 Reasons Why I’m (Temporarily) Switching Back from an Electric Car in 2024
I have owned an all-electric car for more than seven years. Even though I’ve only put ~21,000 miles on the…
No, People Are Not Watching 4-Hour YouTube Videos
News outlets have been breathlessly reporting a trend in 2024 around ridiculously long YouTube videos. Today, NPR ran a story…
3 Reasons Why Personal Websites Are Underrated
Personal websites and blogs are not as cool as they were in the early 2000s, but they have never been…
Whitley Gap Shelter on the Appalachian Trail
One of the best short day hikes in Georgia is up to Cowrock Mountain from Tesnatee Gap. However, the hike…
Why Is Australia So Athletic & Good At Sports?
The Olympics are coming this summer. And there will be one thing for sure – Australia is going to win…
Cemetery in Bainbridge, Georgia, USA
I love old cemeteries in the South. Bonaventure in Savannah and Oakland in Atlanta are obviously the best. But there…
3 Reasons Why Libraries Are Underrated
I love libraries and will never pass up a chance to visit. But I’m still finding out awesome things about…
Some blogging myths
Julia Evans has an excellent post on blogging myths.
Is Mangools Legit? 9 Pros & Cons of Using Mangools SEO Tool Suite
I’m a huge fan of Mangool’s SEO tool suite. They have incredibly cost-effective pricing, especially for agencies, small blogs, and…
7 Best Mangools SEO Use Cases for Small Website Owners
I’m a huge fan of Mangool’s SEO tool suite. They have incredibly cost-effective pricing, especially for small websites. I’ve been…
9 Ways Mangools Outperforms Other SEO Tools (like Ahrefs & SEMrush)
I’m a huge fan of Mangool’s SEO tool suite. They have incredibly cost-effective pricing, especially for small blogs and local…
9 Unlikely Tips for Using Mangools SEO Effectively
I’m a huge fan of Mangool’s SEO tool suite. They have incredibly cost-effective pricing, especially for small websites, agencies, and…
9 Ways I Use Mangools for Small Blogs & Local Businesses
I like to use Mangools for bulk keyword research, general competitor research, and understanding keyword intent.
The Death of The Follower & The Future of Creativity by Jack Conte
This is a long presentation from Patreon CEO Jack Conte, but absolutely essential watch for anyone who creates anything on…
Blogging Principles I Use
I’ve run this site for more than 14 years now. I haven’t published consistently for years at a time, but…
Progression of The Web with Trail Websites
There is a lot of digital ink being spilled by whether the Web is dying, dead, or being reinvented. I…
3 Reasons Why Open University Courses Are Underrated
Unless you need a piece of paper proving that you know something, skills and knowledge are wide open now.
Best Campfire Firewoods
One of the most useful pages of Bushcraft by Dave Canterbury was this chart on the burnability (word?) of different…
Who I’m Voting For in the May 2024 Primary Election in Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia
Here is the problem that I run into every 2 years. I’m sold on the idea that voting in every…
What To Read In Addition To Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt has created a lot of chatter and concern among parents and policymakers. With the United…
Don’t Install Sod
Sod is held together with plastic netting. The netting reduces shipping costs and makes for a more consistent, better-looking product…
3 Reasons Why Public Domain Books Are Underrated
While Amazon and the book publishing industry are pushing the latest, greatest bestseller, there are more books in the public…
3 Reasons Why Public Domain Music Is Underrated
Public Domain Music exists and should be used more.
5 Types of Birds at the Birdfeeder
I’ve had a birdfeeder (I bought this one) for 5 years now. I’ve now seen the same patterns and species…
5 Ways To Run Your Dishwasher Better
As a homeowner, I’m slowly understanding just how frustrating the entire consumer appliance space is. The technology of cleaning stuff…
How To Fix a Leaking Drain Hose on an LG WM3570HWA Washing Machine
I woke up on a recent morning to find water running on the floor from my LG Washing Machine. Here’s…
Morgan Housel on Billionaires, Money, Kids & What Money to Give To them
I was listening to a podcast episode with Morgan Housel, who has managed to write two of the best personal…
Elon Musk’s The Algorithm
There is a lot of digital ink spilled by Elon Musk. I’m less interested in him as a person than…
3 Reasons Why Community Recreation Centers Are Underrated
Community rec centers are often overlooked – they get drowned out when their own (admittedly) poor hours & communication go…
10 Initial Notes On Using Mastodon
In December 2023, I signed up for Mastodon. It had been a full year since the crazy, impulse Twitter migration….
Functional Truck
An actually functional truck, as seen in the neighborhood. For context, Americans are buying ridiculously massive trucks that don’t even…
Rise of Dopamine Culture
Rise of Dopamine Culture was one of the better blog posts I’ve read this month. I’m sure it’s a bit…
Forest Service Staffing
I do a lot of hiking, backpacking, and recreation in Georgia’s Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. It’s beautiful and amazing. But it’s…
3 Reasons Why Podcasts Are Underrated
Podcasts are trendy but they are still underrated in so many ways.
4 Things I Didn’t Know About Backyard Birds Until I Got A Feeder
Red-bellied woodpeckers are the backyard big guy. Cardinals are the consistent friends I take for granted. But Bluebirds are the…
Georgia’s 12 Seasons
I’m definitely enjoying the daffodils, peach blossoms, and camellias during Fool’s Spring
How Do I Find New Music Now That I’m Old & Irrelevant?
One of my takeaways from Tom Vanderbilt’s You May Also Like was that for various reasons, everyone’s taste in music…
How To Take Better Photos for Your Website (or anything Really)
Photography is like gardening. Knowing a few basic things can get you 80% of the way there…but most people who…
3 Reasons Why Wandering Around Is Underrated
Spontaneity is memorable. And there’s not much spontaneity anymore. We have to engineer it. And walking around aimlessly is a…
5 Unexpected Things I Learned About YouTube While Running an Ad Campaign
There is a lot of information on YouTube about what it is like to be a YouTuber – the expected…
SEO in 2024
A satire of where Google is pushing website owners with their “E-EAT” guidance.
How To Prevent Shin Splints for Regular Runners
Last year, I registered for the Atlanta Marathon. But after running 16+ miles for 3 straight weekends, I decided to…
4 Best Ways Anyone Can Help Preserve & Protect Wilderness & Public Lands
I got to talk with the US Forest Service’s Wilderness & Trails Technician for the Conasauga District in the Chattahoochee…
‘Enshittification’ is coming for absolutely everything
It’s rare for a single word or theory to explain what is going on, especially about something as complex as…
Formula for Consistently Prompting ChatGPT (or Any LLM AI)
I’ve been using ChatGPT a lot in the last year. I feel like humanity was given an internal combustion engine…
How To Make a Decision
I loved this Blinkist summary from How To Decide by Annie Duke.
3 Reasons Why Commuting by Bike Is Underrated
Getting around on a bike is underrated and totally the future of smart transportation.
How to Buy Happiness
Eric Barker is one of my absolute favorite authors. I loved reading Barking Up The Wrong Tree and Plays Well…
Habit Change
I was reading the Blinkist summary of BJ Fogg’s book Tiny Habits. He’s the world’s expert on human behavior and…
LLM AIs Have Turned Into a Classic Moral Panic
A “moral panic” refers to a widespread fear, often irrational, that emerges within a society over a perceived threat to…