Blog

Life
Great week off work. Needed the break and stayed away from checking mails which was good for the brain. Enjoyed the good weather – Scotland looks great in the sun, bugs and all. Also enjoyed the World Cup. Well played France, unlucky Croatia and something I didn’t expect to say…well done Russia. All the talk of violence turned out to be…all talk.

Media
Gave up and deleted some unwatched The Handmaid’s Tale. Plodding and miserable – there’s enough of that in real life without spending hours watching a drama which looks to have no hope.

Finally watched Ready Player One. While some of it was good, I found so much to dislike. The race for the first key was tiresome, the relationship between Art3mis and Parzival was rushed, there was some changes to the plot which didn’t work for me and the ending was just too saccharin sweet…but it’s Spielberg so probably no surprise. Just read the book and skip the movie. Or watch this homage from Gunship.

Links

• “I Was Devastated”: Tim Berners-Lee, the Man Who Created the World Wide Web, Has Some Regrets | Vanity Fair
  Berners-Lee has seen his creation debased by everything from fake news to mass surveillance. But he’s got a plan to fix it.
  I fear it’s too late. Big business won’t let him.
• Stacking the Bricks: How the Blog Broke the WebDisagree.
• YouTube Debuts Plan to Promote and Fund ‘Authoritative’ News | WIRED
  The video platform is less focused on getting rid of conspiracy theorists than on trying to elevate journalism it considers valuable.
  Noble aim’s but it will take a lot to kill the fake news that is awash on YouTube.
• The best photos of the 2018 World CupGreat images from a really entertaining World Cup.
• How Facebook’s Rise Fueled Chaos and Confusion in Myanmar | WIREDZuckerberg has a lot to answer for.
• Simon Pegg: ‘I was lost, unhappy and an alcoholic’ | Culture | The GuardianHonest and brave interview with Pegg.
• Why Does Every Soccer Player Do This? – The New York TimesWhy indeed.
• The App Store turns 10 – AppleNice retrospective on 10 years of the App Store. Remember before the App Store when software cost money?
• 10 years of the App Store: The design evolution of the earliest apps | 9to5MacLoved this post on the App Store and how design has evolved on some day 1 apps.
• Hell for Elon Musk Is a Midsize Sedan – BloombergHell is probably calling a diver a pedo on Twitter! Musk is the Trump of the tech world.
• The full story of Thailand’s extraordinary cave rescue – BBC News
  It’s a remarkable story of friendship and human endurance – and it all began with a birthday party.
  Speaking of the Thailand rescue, this is a great summation of the whole story.
• What’s It Like To Be In The Room With Donald Trump? How Theresa May Deals With The Deal-Making PresidentYou can’t deal with him. Stable genius my fucking arse.
• Trump and Scotland – BBC News
  The people who hit back at the president
  This is how you need to deal with people like Trump.
• A Complete Guide to Getting What You WantA long read to finish with but a good one.

Life
Scorchio week, well it was for Glasgow. I like nice weather but it’s a bit too hot for me. Also a good week at work with some positive news after a lot of hard graft…although you wouldn’t know it looking at the loons on Twitter. Just shows you should ignore much of the opinions on there or at least question if they are truthful and from a reliable source.

Media
The World Cup is eating up much of my time…and it’s been a cracker.

Reporting Trump’s First Year – loved this. First episode showed behind the scenes at the New York Times.

The Handmaids Tale – well made but it’s just so fucking grim. If it doesn’t reveal it’s hand soon I’m bailing.

Westworld – season 2 finale answered some questions but also posed quite a few more. Loved it.

Links

• The Brexit Short: How Hedge Funds Used Private Polls to Make Millions – BloombergSurprise surprise
• ‘Where is the geezer?’ Danny Dyer rages at David Cameron over Brexit | Film | The Guardian
  EastEnders star becomes unlikely icon for remainers after tirade against former PM
  It’s that last ‘twat’ from Dyer. Brilliant.
• Speak for England, Danny Dyer. You’ve blown the lid on Brexit | Marina Hyde | Opinion | The GuardianHe’s not far wrong…and Corbyn has a lot to answer for as well.
• Neil Hamilton’s Ukip supergroup – alt-right Led Zeppelin or white supremacist A-Team? | Life and style | The Guardian
  An Infowars starlet, a former Breitbarter, an anti-feminist vlogger and a man who taught a dog to do Nazi salutes have joined the disgraced politician in the far-right party. What’s the worst that could happen?
  I thought this was a spoof…but it’s not! Dear oh dear.
• Where Is Barack Obama?Obama feels like a lifetime ago.
• The 919 Tribute Tour: On-board record lap, Nordschleife. – YouTubeWhat a lap. What a driver.
• Apple is rebuilding Maps from the ground up | TechCrunchMuch needed but have a small fear that they will be great in California. They are currently well behind in the UK.
• ‘It’s nothing like a broken leg’: why I’m done with the mental health conversation | Society | The Guardian
  Must read – best of the week for me.
• Cindy Otis on Twitter: “Today seems like the right time to do a thread I’ve been thinking about for a while on how to handle the seemingly never-ending deluge of depressing and disturbing news. My tips are based on my time as a CIA military analyst in …Great thread with practical advice on looking after yourself and getting away from the news and social media which can be all too negative.
• Below the Surface – Archeologische vondsten Noord/Zuidlijn AmsterdamThe Dutch drained a canal and put everything they found online and made it easy to browse too. Brilliant.
• The Dunning-Kruger Effect: we are all confident idiotsFound myself nodding away to this one.
• Apple Engineers Its Own Downfall With the Macbook Pro Keyboard | iFixit
  Why is Apple seemingly unable to fix their MacBook Pro keyboards? Here’s our two cents.
  One grain of sand shouldn’t cause this much damage. Bad design.
• AI, Ain’t I A Woman?Powerful. How can AI get the obvious so consistently wrong…is it the programmers?
• Store Robbery – CTV Edmonton News
  Slow burner but stick with it. Total WTF towards the end.
• Winners of the 2018 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest – The AtlanticSome inspiring photo’s and more from the air than ever.

Life
A bit of sun and warmth…makes watching the World Cup in the house all the more enjoyable 😂

Media
Just over a week into the World Cup and I’ve really enjoyed it. Been the best start to a tournament in years.

Mario Tennis Aces on the Switch is a really nice game. Tough multiplayer!

Also giving Fortnite a proper go. Who knew that the most popular game in the world actually plays well.

Links

• Glasgow must review heritage planning following fire, says MP | UK news | The GuardianTotally agree. So many fantastic buildings are left to rot…or mysteriously go on fire.
• Attacking Private Networks from the Internet with DNS RebindingWow. Is nothing safe?
• Above Avalon: Apple Is Figuring Out What’s NextReally smart look at where Apple is heading.
• Here Are the 14 Habits of Highly Miserable People | AlternetThis needs to be read by so many people…including me! A guide on what not to do.
• The Pool – News & Views – Of Course The BBC Are Backing Alan Sugar. To The Media, White Feelings Come FirstHard to disagree. Some people have a teflon coating.
• America’s inhumane child separation policy & our border concentration campsShocking. Kottke’s article is a good summary of how the story broke and a policy quickly unravelled.
• Stop talking about Godwin’s Law: real Nazis are backI only came across Godwin’s Law last year and I can’t agree more. The going’s on in America and also across Europe is worrying and the press needs to get real on the threat.
• The GPS app that can find anyone anywhere | Technology | The GuardianWhat a smart idea – love it!
• Photos: Soccer Fields Around the World – The AtlanticGood look at the amazing places that football is played throughout the world.
• Paul McCartney Carpool KaraokeMaybe the best Carpool so far? Loved it.
• Dancing in Movies on VimeoA compilation of movie dancing. So well put together. Do yourself a favour and find 8 minutes to watch this.

Life
Enjoying the World Cup so far. Good games, couple of surprising results and no fan trouble either.

Tragedy at the Glasgow School fo Arts with a second fire in 4 years this one far worse than in 2014. Hopefully the building can be saved and/or restored…it’s too important to lose.

Media
Westworld season 2, episode 8. One of the best so far.

Links

• The 25 best game trailers from E3 2018 – The VergeSome great trailers, but this felt like an E3 waiting for new hardware rather than one delivering for current consoles.
• Cyberpunk 2077 – official E3 2018 trailer – YouTubeCyberpunk was the standout game for me but by all accounts it’s at least 2020 before anyone will play it and probably on the next generation of console and high end PC’s.
• Rogue Amoeba – Under the Microscope » Blog Archive » On The Sad State of Macintosh HardwareWhen you see a post like this laying out how old the current Mac hardware is it’s hard to recommend a Mac to anyone. Shameful. I do hope Apple updates some of the Mac’s in the next few months.
• Tesla workers say they pay the price for Elon Musk’s big promises | Technology | The Guardian
  There’s something not quite right with Tesla.
• Oil Industry Copes With Climate Impacts As Permafrost Thaws : NPRWow. Didn’t know this was going on. Climate really is fecked.
• Andy Murray column: How I’ve recovered from lowest point of career – BBC SportGreat to see him back. 6-8 hours of rehab every day isn’t fun.
• George Lucas reveals his plan for Star Wars 7 through 9—and it was awful | Ars TechnicaThanks goodness we got Force Awakens instead as this sounds complete shit.
• Banks close 2,900 branches in three years, says Which? – BBC News60 branches a week! I knew banking was changing but not at this rate. For some communities with no banks, especially for the elderly or poor, what do they do?
• Listeners Labelled This Call From A Ukipper To James O’Brien The Greatest Call Ever – LBCWow. It would be funny if it wasn’t so tragic.

Life
Quiet week enjoying the weather and then an almighty thunderstorm on Saturday cleared the air. Looking forward to seeing what E3 brings us this week.

Media
Pacific Rim Uprising. Crap. Don’t waste your time with this one.

Links

• WWDC 2018: Apple’s Software Chief Details How iOS Apps Will Run on Macs | WIRED
  In an exclusive interview, Apple’s Craig Federighi explains how developers will be able to get their iOS apps working on Macs.
  Considering it was to be a quiet WWDC there was a lot to like. No hardware but plenty of software to keep us interested including, finally, some interesting Mac updates.
• The Midlife Unraveling | Brené BrownGreat read. Can happen to us any time.
• Anthony Bourdain and the Power of Telling the Truth | The New Yorker
  Helen Rosner writes about Anthony Bourdain, who died on Friday, at sixty-one, and his ability to speak truth to power, especially when supporting his partner, Asia Argento.
  Sad week but liked this post about Bourdain the most.
• Underpaid and exhausted: the human cost of your Kindle | Technology | The GuardianWe all want cheap gadgets but the cost is getting to be too high.
• Your Phone Is Listening and it’s Not Paranoia – VICEToo many stories like this for it not to be true.
• G-7’s Iconic Photo Shows Its Success, Depending on the Angle Amazing photo. Politics right now is wild.
• First Man – Official Trailer (HD) – YouTubeGreat cast and a film about the race to the moon – whats not to like?
• THE GIRL IN THE SPIDER’S WEB – Official Trailer (HD) – YouTubeMore a scene than a trailer but Claire Foy looks amazing.
• Widows | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX – YouTubeWhat a cast and a fantastic director. Can’t wait for this.

Life
Better week, good weather although could do with being a wee bit cooler. Never liked too much heat. Also enjoying Linode and a wee bit of scripting. Likely move all online accounts to Linode over the coming weeks.

Media
Finally caught up on Kenny, a documentary on Kenny Dalglish. Loved it and well worth catching while still on iPlayer.

Also enjoying the new Chvrches album, really good.

Links

• How Fortnite conquered the world | Games | The GuardianDidn’t expect this when Fortnite first came out. Bit random, clone of PUBG and wasn’t sold on the accuracy of it all. Roll on a few months and its the daddy and PUBG are suing. Wow.
• What It’s Like When Elon Musk’s Twitter Mob Comes After YouSad. Musk is a genius but on Twitter at least is coming across like a Trump or Assange.
• Internet Trends Report 2018
  Internet Trends 2018 Report – Mary Meeker, Code Conference May 30th, 2018.
  Geek out on this report. Summary…smartphone growth flat, China is the market to be in. Love seeing this every year.
• We bought 5,000 Panini World Cup 2018 stickers and still didn’t complete the album
  Got, Got, Need
  World Cup is only days away and this is the best take on it so far.
• Richard Madeley cuts off Gavin Williamson after he repeatedly dodges question on Russia – YouTubeDetest Madeley but fair play to him. Williamson is one of the worst politicians in years and thats saying something.
• How Apple Programmer Sal Soghoian Got Apps Talking to Each Other | WIREDGreat profile and a nice read before WWDC hits.
• Looking for Life on a Flat Earth | The New YorkerI just don’t get this.
• Why You Should Stop Being So Hard on Yourself – The New York TimesLove this, so much rings true.
• Eerie silence falls on Shetland cliffs that once echoed to seabirds’ cries | Environment | The GuardianShocking decline over the last 10-20 years.
• At times I can’t tell where I end and my migraines begin | Eva Wiseman | Life and style | The GuardianThis describes exactly what a migraine feels to me. They are so impacting but like the author sometimes it’s easier just to try and get through it….shouldn’t do it.
• Bye, Chrome: Why I’m switching to Firefox and you should tooAgreed.
• How Instagram’s algorithm works | TechCrunchClever and all that, but let me pick chronological if I want to. Fuckers.

Life
Shit week with no sleep and some crap news. Onwards.

Media
Patrick Melrose…difficult to watch in places, Benedict Cumberbatch is pretty amazing throughout. Spotted the Barras and a couple of other Glasgow streets stepping in for New York.

Champions League final. Ramos is a nasty wee shite. Bale was quite magnificent. Robertson kept Liverpool in it. Karius was crap. If ever a game showed why Liverpool need a goalkeeper this was it.

Links

• Patrick Melrose captures heroin addiction perfectly – my memories flooded back | John Crace | Society | The GuardianNever taken drugs and felt the TV show was over the top…clearly not.
• Second Life: Rethinking Myself Through Exercise, Mindfulness, and Gratitude – MacStoriesReally great read and some advice worth following.
• Red Giant | TANKLoved this. Less than 3 mins, give it a try.
• Google’s File on Me Was Huge. Here’s Why It Wasn’t as Creepy as My Facebook Data. – The New York TimesSame for me. Facebook data was weird and full of stuff that wasn’t mine either.
• Irish abortion referendum: Ireland overturns abortion banWonderful wonderful result. Slowly but surely religion is losing it’s grip. NI next!
• How TV Studios Are Scrambling to Keep Talent in the Age of Netflix | Hollywood ReporterToo much TV…this will pop eventually.
• Technology is driving us to distraction | James Williams | Opinion | The GuardianSee it everyday. People on phones constantly, the need to reply to messages even thought they are crap. Let it go.

Life
Long and messy week ended with some Ramen, shopping and more work but hopefully thats the last out of hours stuff for a while.

Media
Westworld still weaving it’s magic. Four episodes in and it’s great while also a wee bit confusing but it’s good to watch something that makes you think.

Finally got the photo’s from last weekends Caterham racing at Knockhill online. Full album can be found here on Flickr. Yep, still using that old thing.

Links

• Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle [PHOTOS] – Variety
  After all the hype I’m glad the wedding is out of the way, but there’s no doubting it was a pretty special day.
• Five years later, Sony looks back at how the DualShock 4 Share button happened – PolygonTime flies – five years since the DualShock…although I hardly use the share button.
• How gamers with disabilities shaped the Microsoft Adaptive ControllerIn other controller news, the new Adaptive Controller from Microsoft is a pretty special device. Sony have won this generation but kudos to Microsoft for trying to make gaming playable for everyone.
• John Carmack – Steve Jobs My wife once asked me “Why do… | FacebookThese notes are amazing.
• Daring Fireball: The End of Third-Party Twitter Clients?Twitter seem hell bent on forcing it’s community to use official apps only. Shame…a backwards step.
• Why Instagram Makes You, Me and Selena Gomez Feel BadKind of harsh on Instagram…follow the right people and it’s a really healthy place to be.
• How North Korean hackers became the world’s greatest bank robbersWho knew…great read.
• Germany Acts to Tame Facebook, Learning From Its Own History of Hate – The New York TimesFighting a losing battle?
• A breakdown of Black Panther’s visual effectsAgree with Kottke, so many film and TV shows using visual effects and in many cases they are hard to spot.
• Above NYC – Filmed in 12KYou need a fast machine and plenty bandwidth…but this is well worth it. Stunning.