Handy Devices for Changing Your Perspective

A recurring theme in this blog is about connecting the unconnected. But how do you know when unconnected things can be connected? Sometimes it helps to change your perspective. Here are a few metaphorical machines that can help you do just that. The Windback Machine, as in, “to wind back the hands of time.” You … Read more

From Entropy to Order

Let’s unpack the concept of entropy, which is an abstract term loosely connected to the idea of randomness. The term “entropy” appears in different fields of study with different meanings. In thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, entropy describes the disorder or dispersion of energy in a system. In information theory, entropy measures the uncertainty of information … Read more

The Thrill of Creating Complexity

I’m fascinated with this idea that simple things can interact to create complex results. Think about that for a moment. Sometimes you can combine things in such a way as to create properties that are greater than the properties of the things being combined. They adopt heightened characteristics when they interact. Nature is full of … Read more

Changes, Sudden Changes

When observing singular links, you see one thing joining to another thing to create some new thing. Sperm joining egg creates a zygote. A spark joining gunpowder creates ignition. A hot poker from the fireplace joining water creates steam. In each of these cases, the joining process suddenly creates something new. Take a moment to … Read more