Throughout history, major technologies were deployed before we fully understood how they worked. Driven by intuition and results, innovation often led while theory followed. Here are examples where applied practice came first and deep understanding came later. Innovation rarely waits for full understanding. As new technologies emerge, history reminds us that building often comes first—and …
Author Archives: Neal Mueller
Every New Tech Sparks Resistance
A protest, led by John Saxon, opposed the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics’ policy to integrate calculators at all grade levels, reflecting a broader 1980s debate on technology in education, with some states like New York later mandating calculator use by 1992, while California banned them in 1997 assessments. New technologies are often resisted …
Mount Everest Basecamp at Sunset
I summited Everest 18 years ago. This photo by Konsta Punkka appears (to me) to be taken from Pumori. It really brings me back. This photo was taken in April/May, when basecamp is fully built-out. Basecamp looks about the same size as when I climbed it. This may surprise those who think the mountain has …
Life without Wings: Celebrity Flight Bans and No Fly Lists
Curiosity led me to dig into why celebrities get flying bans and what losing flight access really means for travel to Europe; I know you’re thinking about it, getting to Europe on a boat takes 2 weeks. In 2006, Snoop Dogg and his entourage got into a fight with Heathrow security. British Airways banned everyone …
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“Behind the Music: 15 Incredible Facts From ‘We Are the World’ Netflix Special”
The Greatest Night In Pop, a Netflix special
Ideas for a sabbatical
Below is a slightly edited note I sent to my friend Matt Mullenweg, who’s taking a sabbatical and asked friends for advice on how to spend this valuable time. My suggestions are skill-focused, a framing I find useful. I’m interested in how you’d use the time. Feel free to drop me a note. — Sabbatical …
On aging and having kids
Do please consider how old you let yourself get if you want to see your kids have certain life events before you shuffle off this mortal coil. The trend of couples in developed urban areas waiting until their 30s and 40s to have children has implications for family dynamics and generational relationships. If a man …
A seaplane lands on the grass
A seaplane on the green, quite serene,A wheeled plane in the drink, makes you think!
A Splendid Torch
This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that …
