Interesting Links 3

I read a lot of articles each week. I bookmarked a lot of them in the process, intending to write about or cite them. I've decided to clear out my bookmark list by posting them here. Some of the links below are old by Internet standards and some are new. I don't necessarily agree or disagree with what is written, but I at least found it interesting. You might, too.

Creativity and Writing

• Why I Write Longhand by Jordan Mechner

  Even after trying a thousand different software tools and finding that elusive, perfect writing or note taking application, it still leaves you just as productive and creative as if you just used a fifty cent pen and a scrap of paper.

Office Life Undeath

• The Library and the Bazaar by Matt Blodgett

  Why can some talkative people and some silent people get things done, but others can't? The productive ones are kept apart, and no one is near an air hockey table.

• Why We (Still) Believe in Private Offices by David Fullerton

  Somehow, only smaller companies seem to understand that to do computer work, you actually need time alone to work on your computer.

• People Hire Clones of Themselves by Matt Blodgett

  Terrible managers hire terrible employees. Great managers hire great employees.

  People tend to unconsciously assume, "If I hire someone like me, then I know they'll be good, because I'm good."

  If you hate your boss's incompetence, and that boss is instrumental in expanding the company, start looking for another job. It's only going to get worse.

Meta

• Link Post Guilt by Gabe Weatherhead

  Gabe Weatherhead makes a good point about link posts like the one you are currently reading. It's the same idea that I believe goes along with DVDs and books that a person has but doesn't use very often or at all. They are a display of your tastes and interests.

  A link post is like a book recommendation. It actually means something when it comes from someone I already respect. It also tells me a bit about the person making the recommendation.

Life in General

• The Days are Long but the Decades are Short by Sam Altman

  This is good list of lessons you only learn by turning thirty. When I read this, I wished I could send it back to my younger self.