I’m the kind of guy who buys a car and keeps it forever. When we got our Model 3 over five years ago, I thought I’d be handing the virtual keys to our daughter in a decade. Well, it’s totalled. That started our search for another electric vehicle. We left the ICE world behind and didn’t consider hybrids—we’re firmly in the EV camp. After a week of driving ICE cars in Europe, we were reminded why we won’t go back. ...
Sitting in a coffee shop in Vienna feels like stepping into a timeless tradition. The air is filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the subtle sweetness of pastries. The décor blends classic and modern—high ceilings, chandeliers, and plush seating paired with sleek, minimalist touches. It's the kind of space that invites lingering, whether reading, writing, or simply watching the world go by through the large windows. Last week, as I sat in a Viennese coffee shop flipping through a newspaper, I was reminded of how difficult it is to be in this setting without thinking back to a time before Europe was shaken. Vienna once held a special place—at the heart of an empire, a nation-state, a fragile tape holding together two sprawling royal domains, and ultimately, a melting pot of ideas that would erupt into the 20th Century. ...
After travelling most of my life, I have been on a crusade to reduce my tech baggage. There was a time when I would have multiple laptops, games, and a litany of cables. International converters further complicated this during times of 110/220, requiring separate blocks. Like clothing, I overpacked what was actually used and needed. This trip, I decided to attempt just a tablet with a keyboard. I found that with Android and work MDM profiles, it was easy enough — additionally, turning off my work profile limited work notifications on PTO. ...
At times, I've felt a twinge of disappointment that I don't read as much or as often as I'd like. The giants of philosophy, history, and technology had devoured volumes by this stage in their lives, a feat that seems beyond my reach. But then, I realised that my approach to media consumption is unique and satisfying in its own way. For the past seven days, I have made it a point to note when I am listening to a podcast or audiobook, watching a YouTube documentary, or mindlessly scrolling through some technical post. The truth is that I consume information nonstop, but in different forms. Leopold von Ranke had no opportunity to have a group of intellectuals follow him around, piping various topics into his ears from around the globe in all his free time. His sphere of information was a fraction of what I could blare into my ears or burn my eyeballs with. ...