Several Short Sentences About Writing

Home-Made: Contemporary RussianFolk Artifacts Previous projectNext project Zoom Vladimir Arkhipov 205x125 mm hardback 304 pages ISBN: 0-9550061-3-5 Published in 2006 Reprint available here This book contains highlights from Russian artist Vladimir Arkhipov’s collection of unique artifacts. Objects made by ordinary Russians inspired by a lack of immediate access to manufactured goods during the collapse of the Soviet Union. The archive includes hundreds of objects created with often idiosyncratic functional qualities made for both inside and outside the home, such as a tiny bathtub plug carefully fashioned from a boot heel; a back massager made from an old wooden abacus; a road sign used as a street cleaner’s shovel; and a doormat made from beer bottle tops. Featuring over 220 individual artifacts of Soviet culture, each accompanied by a photograph of the creator, their story of how the object came about, its function and the materials used to create it. See Home-Made Europe.

Hell Yeah or No what’s worth doing Useful wisdom. Simple profound mental models to guide your decisions. Overwhelmed? If you feel anything less than “hell yeah!” about something, say no. We say yes too often. By saying no to almost everything, you leave space and time in your life to throw yourself completely into the few things that matter most. After Derek Sivers’ “hell yeah or no” rule was adopted by podcasters, bloggers, and investors, he compiled related ideas into this useful, profound, and surprising book around the themes of what’s worth doing, fixing faulty thinking, and making things happen. Examples: Be proud to be a slow thinker. Goals shape the present, not future. Assume you’re below average. Life has no speed limit. What’s obvious to you is amazing to others. Relax for the same result. The first 15,000 early buyers of ‘Hell Yeah or No’ have posted hundreds of 5-star reviews at sive.rs/n — but it is now being released to a wider audience.

Work isn’t war Corporate language is filled with metaphors of war. Companies “conquer” the market, they “capture” mindshare, they “target” customers, they employ a sales “force”, they hire “head-hunters”, they “destroy” the competition, they pick their “battles”, and make a “killing”. That’s an awful paradigm and we want nothing to do with it. Work isn’t war. We come in peace.

Shape Up

Finite and Infinite Games “There are at least two kinds of games,” states James P. Carse as he begins this extraordinary book. “One could be called finite; the other infinite. A finite game is played for the purpose of winning, an infinite game for the purpose of continuing the play.” Finite games are the familiar contests of everyday life; they are played in order to be won, which is when they end. But infinite games are more mysterious. Their object is not winning, but ensuring the continuation of play. The rules may change, the boundaries may change, even the participants may change—as long as the game is never allowed to come to an end. What are infinite games? How do they affect the ways we play our finite games? What are we doing when we play—finitely or infinitely? And how can infinite games affect the ways in which we live our lives? Carse explores these questions with stunning elegance, teasing out of his distinctions a universe of observation and insight, noting where and why and how we play, finitely and infinitely. He surveys our world—from the finite games of the playing field and playing board to the infinite games found in culture and religion—leaving all we think we know illuminated and transformed. Along the way, Carse finds new ways of understanding everything, from how an actress portrays a role to how we engage in sex, from the nature of evil to the nature of science. Finite games, he shows, may offer wealth and status, power and glory, but infinite games offer something far more subtle and far grander. Carse has written a book rich in insight and aphorism. Already an international literary event, Finite and Infinite Games is certain to be argued about and celebrated for years to come. Reading it is the first step in learning to play the infinite game.

Underdo the Competition LISTEN NOW In business, the idea that more is better often leads companies to engage in an endless race to add more features while losing sight of what truly matters to their users. Consider the iconic success of the iPod. By excelling at one thing, done exceptionally well, it attracted legions of unwaveringly loyal fans. This same philosophy is why the team at 37signals consistently aims for simplicity, recognizing it as the secret sauce for creating unforgettable products. In this episode, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson sit down with Kimberly Rhodes to discuss the art of “underdoing” the competition as outlined in their book “REWORK.” From Basecamp’s high-level simplicity to the disruptive potential of their new product line, “ONCE,” the conversation explores the success of products that have rewritten the rules through simplicity, focusing on the small details that elevate products to greatness. Check out the full video episode on YouTube. Key Takeaways Simplicity is the key to crafting unforgettable products. Why prioritizing value at the simpler end leads to success. Mere imitation without significant differences leads to failure—why challenging industry giants like Gmail requires radical differentiation AND originality. Small details = big impact. Learn from Tesla’s success, where even seemingly insignificant details contribute to a unique user experience. Explore how 37signals is poised to offer radically simplified versions of existing products at better prices under the “ONCE” umbrella. REWORK is a production of 37signals. You can find show notes and transcripts on our website. Full video episodes are available on YouTube and X (formerly known as Twitter). If you have a question for Jason or David about a better way to work and run your business, leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850 or email, and we might answer it on a future episode.

Think Small, Make Difference The proverb “if you think you’re too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito” highlights the impact of even the smallest entities. A mosquito, despite its tiny size, can cause significant discomfort and annoyance through its persistent biting. Similarly, individuals may underestimate their own ability to make a positive impact due to perceived limitations. Lessons from the Mosquito Persistence: Mosquitoes are relentless in their pursuit of a target, demonstrating the importance of sustained effort in achieving goals. Determination: Despite being small, mosquitoes can inflict significant harm, illustrating the potential for small actions to have a substantial impact. Unpredictability: Mosquitoes can appear and disappear unexpectedly, reminding us that even small entities can have a profound effect when least expected. Applying the Wisdom Believe in yourself: Recognize that your actions, no matter how small they may seem, can contribute to a larger impact. Focus on your strengths: Identify your unique abilities and utilize them to make a positive difference. Take consistent action: Persistent effort, like the mosquito’s biting, can lead to significant outcomes. Conclusion The proverb “if you think you’re too small to make a difference, try spending the night in a closed room with a mosquito” serves as a reminder that even the smallest entities can have a substantial impact. By embracing persistence, determination, and unpredictability, individuals can harness the power of small actions to create meaningful change.

Find the best accountants, CPAs, and tax strategists

I asked my 250,000 Twitter followers if they have a CPA, accountant, or tax strategist who they love. Then, I called all of them. Asking how much they charge, how they operate, and other questions only a neurotic person calling +100 accountants would ask. Why do this? Well, because I’m a nerd, and I needed an accountant. Then I thought, what the hell, how about I make this into a site other accountant-seekers could use. Welcome to Sam’s List. You can: See who’s endorsed an accountant (and why) Contact an accountant Publicly ask an accountant a question on their profile page Get matched with an accountant And research accountants Easy peezy. Please…if you have a good CPA or tax strategist, add them to the list…because I’m always searching :). God bless us accountant seekers, Sam

Jason Fried challenges your thinking on fundraising, goals, growth, and more

The overview effect is a cognitive shift reported by some astronauts while viewing the Earth from space. Researchers have characterized the effect as "a state of awe with self-transcendent qualities, precipitated by a particularly striking visual stimulus". The most prominent common aspects of personally experiencing the Earth from space are appreciation and perception of beauty, unexpected and even overwhelming emotion, and an increased sense of connection to other people and the Earth as a whole. The effect can cause changes in the observer's self concept and value system, and can be transformative. Immersive virtual reality simulations have been designed to try to induce the overview effect in earthbound participants.

phenomenon astronaughts experience when they see the earth from space and feel insignificance

The phenomenon astronauts experience when viewing Earth from space is known as the **Overview Effect**. This term, coined by space philosopher Frank White, describes a profound cognitive shift that many astronauts report during their journeys beyond our planet. ## The Overview Effect ### **Cognitive Shift** When astronauts see Earth from space, they often undergo a significant change in awareness. This experience can lead to a heightened sense of connection to humanity and a deep appreciation for the planet's beauty and fragility. Many describe Earth as a "tiny, fragile ball of life" suspended in the vastness of space, which fosters a sense of unity among all people, transcending national and cultural boundaries[2][3][10]. ### **Emotional Responses** The Overview Effect elicits a range of emotions. Astronauts frequently express feelings of awe and wonder, recognizing the interconnectedness of life on Earth. For instance, Chris Hadfield shared that while taking pictures of Earth, he began to refer to distant countries as "us" instead of "them," highlighting a newfound sense of global community[5]. Others, like Edgar Mitchell, described being overwhelmed by the beauty and complexity of the universe, prompting them to reflect on their place within it[2][10]. ### **Significance vs. Insignificance** Interestingly, while some astronauts initially expect to feel insignificant when gazing at Earth from space, many report the opposite effect. Instead of feeling small and inconsequential, they often feel a profound connection to something much larger than themselves—what some have termed "cosmic consciousness." This realization can reinforce their sense of significance within the broader context of life on Earth[3][4]. ## Impact on Perspective The Overview Effect often leads astronauts to engage in philanthropic efforts or environmental activism after returning to Earth. They become more committed to protecting the planet and advocating for global cooperation[2][4]. This shift in perspective not only influences their personal lives but can also inspire others to appreciate and protect our shared home. In summary, the Overview Effect encapsulates a transformative experience that reshapes astronauts' perceptions of themselves and their relationship with the planet. It fosters a deeper understanding of Earth's fragility and interconnectedness, ultimately inspiring many to contribute positively to society and the environment upon their return. Citations: [1]

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The first ONCE product is here - Campfire!

Something happened to business software. You used to pay for it once, install it, and run it. Whether on someone’s computer, or a server for everyone, it felt like you owned it. And you did. Today, most software is a service. Not owned, but rented. Buying it enters you into a perpetual landlord–tenant agreement. Every month you pay for essentially the same thing you had last month. And if you stop paying, the software stops working. Boom, you’re evicted. For nearly two decades, the SaaS model benefitted landlords handsomely. With routine prayers — and payers — to the Church of Recurring Revenue, valuations shot to the moon on the backs of businesses subscribed at luxury prices for commodity services they had little control over. Add up your SaaS subscriptions last year. You should own that shit by now. SaaS still makes sense for many products, but its grip will slip. Installation and administration used to be hopelessly complicated, but self–hosting tech is simpler now and vastly improved. Plus, IT departments are hungry to run their own IT again, tired of being subservient to Big Tech’s reign clouds. Once upon a time you owned what you paid for, you controlled what you depended on, and your privacy and security were your own business. We think it’s that time again. Introducing ONCE, a new line of software products from 37signals. Pay one time, own forever. We write the code, you get to see it. We give you the software, you get to host it. Simple and straightforward, not enterprisey and bloated. For one fixed price. Once. So far there are two ONCE products: Campfire: A group chat system similar to Slack or Teams, but simpler. Writebook: The easiest way on earth to publish a book online. In the early 2000s, we were among the early pioneers leading the industry into the SaaS revolution. Now, 20 years later, we intend to help lead the way out. The post–SaaS era is just around the corner. Stay tuned.