Curtis C. Chen's Blog, page 22
March 19, 2014
I Like Signage
One of the many reasons I loved Star Trek: The Next Generation was its art direction and set design--in particular, the signage. Here are a few examples, courtesy of Ex Astris Scientia:
Of course, the text shown on these signs consists of various jokes, including song lyrics and references to other TV shows and movies. But in the world of the series, I love the idea that everything on the Enterprise-D was clearly labeled, and even a new crew member would be able to easily find what they were looking for by checking a map, asking the computer, and/or reading signs.
In the bachelor pad apartment I had right after college (which I shared for a time with this roommate), I made my own paper-and-tape signs for a lot of things. I labeled which switch was the light and which was the fan in the bathroom; I labeled what that one random switch on the wall by the kitchen did; I even put a sign on the bottom of the toilet seat cover to remind guests to put the lid down after using it.* And in our current home, we have signs showing where the trash and recycling bins are in the kitchen. (Some guests still get confused, but that's another story.)
Why so many signs? Because each label I can read is information I don't have to remember. We can debate about whether it takes more mental effort to read a couple of words than to recall the same fact, but the point is, I'm used to reading signs. Reading signs and interpreting their meaning is how I survive in the world. I'm doing it several times a minute while I drive, I do it every time I look for the restroom in a new bar or restaurant, and basic literacy is a requirement for using Twitter. Signage is civilization.
More than that, signage is inclusive. Putting up a sign is an implicit welcome to people who aren't intimately familiar with the culture of your place, who may not understand all the "unwritten rules" or traditional etiquette. Posting a sign means you acknowledge that the people who visit may not have studied the complete local history before stopping by--and that's okay.
I don't like not knowing the rules when I meet people or go to a new place. I don't like people not telling me the rules but acting like I should know them anyway. You don't want people in your club? Fine. Just make it clear that it's a private thing. Don't be a dick by pretending like anyone can come in, then treating the uninitiated like they're second class citizens. Everyone was a newbie once, and of course nobody's going to know what your rules are if you don't make the rulebook available.
Maybe it makes you feel more important if you have the power to make other people feel bad. And maybe you'll eventually alienate so many people that they go away and make a bigger, better organization without you, and you become the underprivileged. At which point you'd better hope those unwashed masses don't hold a grudge.
So that's why I like signs, I like FAQs, I always look for the "about" page when visiting a new web site, and I always read the fine print. Because even if you were pressured by threat of legal action to put it there, even if it's written in dense legalese, and even if most of it is boilerplate, it's inviting me to learn about you. And that's a friendly gesture.
~CKL
* Closing the lid entirely bypasses the inane "leave the seat up or down?" question that often divides women and men. It also prevents pets and small children from accidentally falling into the bowl.
Of course, the text shown on these signs consists of various jokes, including song lyrics and references to other TV shows and movies. But in the world of the series, I love the idea that everything on the Enterprise-D was clearly labeled, and even a new crew member would be able to easily find what they were looking for by checking a map, asking the computer, and/or reading signs.
In the bachelor pad apartment I had right after college (which I shared for a time with this roommate), I made my own paper-and-tape signs for a lot of things. I labeled which switch was the light and which was the fan in the bathroom; I labeled what that one random switch on the wall by the kitchen did; I even put a sign on the bottom of the toilet seat cover to remind guests to put the lid down after using it.* And in our current home, we have signs showing where the trash and recycling bins are in the kitchen. (Some guests still get confused, but that's another story.)
Why so many signs? Because each label I can read is information I don't have to remember. We can debate about whether it takes more mental effort to read a couple of words than to recall the same fact, but the point is, I'm used to reading signs. Reading signs and interpreting their meaning is how I survive in the world. I'm doing it several times a minute while I drive, I do it every time I look for the restroom in a new bar or restaurant, and basic literacy is a requirement for using Twitter. Signage is civilization.
More than that, signage is inclusive. Putting up a sign is an implicit welcome to people who aren't intimately familiar with the culture of your place, who may not understand all the "unwritten rules" or traditional etiquette. Posting a sign means you acknowledge that the people who visit may not have studied the complete local history before stopping by--and that's okay.
I don't like not knowing the rules when I meet people or go to a new place. I don't like people not telling me the rules but acting like I should know them anyway. You don't want people in your club? Fine. Just make it clear that it's a private thing. Don't be a dick by pretending like anyone can come in, then treating the uninitiated like they're second class citizens. Everyone was a newbie once, and of course nobody's going to know what your rules are if you don't make the rulebook available.
Maybe it makes you feel more important if you have the power to make other people feel bad. And maybe you'll eventually alienate so many people that they go away and make a bigger, better organization without you, and you become the underprivileged. At which point you'd better hope those unwashed masses don't hold a grudge.
So that's why I like signs, I like FAQs, I always look for the "about" page when visiting a new web site, and I always read the fine print. Because even if you were pressured by threat of legal action to put it there, even if it's written in dense legalese, and even if most of it is boilerplate, it's inviting me to learn about you. And that's a friendly gesture.
~CKL
* Closing the lid entirely bypasses the inane "leave the seat up or down?" question that often divides women and men. It also prevents pets and small children from accidentally falling into the bowl.
March 17, 2014
SnoutCast #203: Stacy Costa
This month, we talked to the world's only female
[ Download mp3 ]
Show length: 49:49
File size: 47.8MB
Our conversation topics included (but were not limited to):
The Puzzle Instinct , a book by her mentor, Marcel DanesiThe variety of Clues in the "Research Matters" Virtual Scavenger HuntHow this may or may not be the company which hired Stacy to write puzzles for their cereal boxesThat guy who cheated at a sudoku competition (and was eventually disqualified)"Memory & Imagination: The Role of Enigma," a University of Toronto Continuing Studies class Stacy will teach this fallThe Toronto Star's That's Puzzling! magazine, compiled weekly by Danesi & Costa
Follow @Stacy_A_Costa on Twitter for more!
What Else?
Sign up to play DASH 6 on April 26th in a city near youCheck out Puzzled Pint on April 8th in Portland, Seattle, London, Missoula, or ChicagoFind more events on Puzzle Hunt Calendar
Tell us we're wrong on the Internet! E-mail podcast@snout.org or post a comment at www.snout.org/podcast.
Music: instrumentals from "Code Monkey" and "The Future Soon" by Jonathan Coulton
[ Subscribe to SnoutCast / iTunes link ]
[ Download mp3 ]
Show length: 49:49
File size: 47.8MB
Our conversation topics included (but were not limited to):
The Puzzle Instinct , a book by her mentor, Marcel DanesiThe variety of Clues in the "Research Matters" Virtual Scavenger HuntHow this may or may not be the company which hired Stacy to write puzzles for their cereal boxesThat guy who cheated at a sudoku competition (and was eventually disqualified)"Memory & Imagination: The Role of Enigma," a University of Toronto Continuing Studies class Stacy will teach this fallThe Toronto Star's That's Puzzling! magazine, compiled weekly by Danesi & Costa
Follow @Stacy_A_Costa on Twitter for more!
What Else?
Sign up to play DASH 6 on April 26th in a city near youCheck out Puzzled Pint on April 8th in Portland, Seattle, London, Missoula, or ChicagoFind more events on Puzzle Hunt Calendar
Tell us we're wrong on the Internet! E-mail podcast@snout.org or post a comment at www.snout.org/podcast.
Music: instrumentals from "Code Monkey" and "The Future Soon" by Jonathan Coulton
[ Subscribe to SnoutCast / iTunes link ]
March 12, 2014
I Love My Wife
Nine years ago today, I married my best friend.
A few fun facts about our wedding:
Our invitations included custom-made Fluxx cards.
As part of our ceremony, The Richter Scales sang "Pencil Boy," "Storybook Love," and "Up the Ladder."
We had pyrotechnics on stage.
There was a mini-puzzle hunt.
Instead of dancing, we had a game show called "Win Curtis and DeeAnn's Wedding Presents!"
All our friends and family made it a wonderful day.
Happy Anniversary, DeeAnn. I love you.
A few fun facts about our wedding:
Our invitations included custom-made Fluxx cards.
As part of our ceremony, The Richter Scales sang "Pencil Boy," "Storybook Love," and "Up the Ladder."
We had pyrotechnics on stage.
There was a mini-puzzle hunt.
Instead of dancing, we had a game show called "Win Curtis and DeeAnn's Wedding Presents!"
All our friends and family made it a wonderful day.
Happy Anniversary, DeeAnn. I love you.
March 5, 2014
I Am in the One Percent
...of unsolicited stories which were accepted for publication in Cohesion Press' upcoming military horror anthology SNAFU. Just signed the contract last night! Here's the cover:
Per the official announcement: "Out of a total of just over 1100 submissions, only 11 made it into the final ToC." That means I'm in the top ~1% of unsolicited submissions, and that ain't nothing. Plus, according to the back cover copy, I may also be one of "some of the best writers working in the field today." Aw, shucks.
In related news, I've been reading Weston Ochse's SEAL Team 666 , and I can understand why (1) he's an internationally best-selling author and (2) the book was immediately optioned by Metro, with The RockDwayne Johnson attached to star.
Per the official announcement: "Out of a total of just over 1100 submissions, only 11 made it into the final ToC." That means I'm in the top ~1% of unsolicited submissions, and that ain't nothing. Plus, according to the back cover copy, I may also be one of "some of the best writers working in the field today." Aw, shucks.
In related news, I've been reading Weston Ochse's SEAL Team 666 , and I can understand why (1) he's an internationally best-selling author and (2) the book was immediately optioned by Metro, with The RockDwayne Johnson attached to star.
March 4, 2014
More Information Than I Required
If it weren't for robo-calls to the wrong phone number, I would have absolutely no idea what was going on in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Thanks, imperfect automation!
Download MP3
Download MP3
February 26, 2014
February 19, 2014
I Spent an Hour Watching Veronica Belmont Play Octodad
And I regret nothing.
http://youtu.be/mJIOat97hsY
Speaking of games, have you seen The Doubleclicks' latest music video? It's pretty awesome.
http://youtu.be/mD3uXPkjDi0
Finally: just let it go, everyone.
http://youtu.be/1us197eB6gQ
Okay, I'm done for now.
http://youtu.be/mJIOat97hsY
Speaking of games, have you seen The Doubleclicks' latest music video? It's pretty awesome.
http://youtu.be/mD3uXPkjDi0
Finally: just let it go, everyone.
http://youtu.be/1us197eB6gQ
Okay, I'm done for now.
February 17, 2014
SnoutCast #202: Erin Rhode
This week, we talk to Erin Rhode, leader of the writing team ("Alice Shrugged") for the 2014 MIT Mystery Hunt. See also: Erin's Q&A from the recent GC Summit!
[ Download mp3 ]
Show length: 51:50
File size: 49.8MB
What Else?
Go watch all the GC Summit 2014 talk videosPlay DASH 6 in a city near youFind more events on Puzzle Hunt Calendar
Tell us we're wrong on the Internet! E-mail podcast@snout.org or post a comment at www.snout.org/podcast.
Music: instrumentals from "Code Monkey" and "Tom Cruise Crazy" by Jonathan Coulton
[ Subscribe to SnoutCast / iTunes link ]
[ Download mp3 ]
Show length: 51:50
File size: 49.8MB
What Else?
Go watch all the GC Summit 2014 talk videosPlay DASH 6 in a city near youFind more events on Puzzle Hunt Calendar
Tell us we're wrong on the Internet! E-mail podcast@snout.org or post a comment at www.snout.org/podcast.
Music: instrumentals from "Code Monkey" and "Tom Cruise Crazy" by Jonathan Coulton
[ Subscribe to SnoutCast / iTunes link ]
February 12, 2014
I Less Than Three Portland
(Today's "The I in MEAT" blog post is brought to you by the perfect texture, The Doubleclicks, and the Twitter.)
Back in 2007, DeeAnn and I went all in on what we called "the writer move." In particular, we decided to stretch our savings by moving out of the San Francisco Bay Area to a more affordable city--meaning we had most of North America to choose from.
Some places we ruled out right away, for various reasons. Seattle was also too expensive (and still is). Canada would require proof of rabies vaccination for our cats, which in itself wasn't a problem, but we didn't want to risk losing them to international quarantine or for some other obscure medical reason. And flying the cats anywhere also seemed like asking for trouble. But that still left forty-eight of the United States to choose from.
To narrow down the wide field of candidates, we created a big spreadsheet and researched data which were important to our lifestyle. Some of those properties included:
Winter comfort (January windchill and annual snowfall)Summer comfort (July heat index and average rainfall)Cost of living estimate, averaged from five different sourcesDistance to nearest airportDistance to nearest VA hospitalNumber of Trader Joe's stores within 15 milesNumber of Thai restaurants within 5 milesPercentage of population identifying as religiousPercentage of population identifying as Democratic
Here's a link to the full spreadsheet, if you're curious about the details. Note that we gathered this data seven years ago, and much of it will be out of date now:
http://goo.gl/p3tl1O
We took trips to visit our top two out-of-state candidate cities, shown in black text on that spreadsheet: Cary, North Carolina (in the Research Triangle) and Portland, Oregon. (Our fallback was Sacramento, California, which area we were already familiar with from all our Hogwarts Game scouting in 2006.) Cary had a fantastic farmer's market, but the neighborhoods weren't remotely walkable. And Portland... well, we live here now.
It took us a little while to adjust, but now we couldn't be happier with our home. (And no, I am not saying that ironically.) The move also inspired me to ask for 37 Postcards back in 2010, and that was pretty amazing, too.
If you're thinking about relocating, and you have some latitude in your selection criteria, Internet research is an excellent place to start. We started with information from Sperling's Best Places, then supplemented and corroborated that with data from various other online sources which we judged reliable and relevant. Your mileage may vary.
Back in 2007, DeeAnn and I went all in on what we called "the writer move." In particular, we decided to stretch our savings by moving out of the San Francisco Bay Area to a more affordable city--meaning we had most of North America to choose from.
Some places we ruled out right away, for various reasons. Seattle was also too expensive (and still is). Canada would require proof of rabies vaccination for our cats, which in itself wasn't a problem, but we didn't want to risk losing them to international quarantine or for some other obscure medical reason. And flying the cats anywhere also seemed like asking for trouble. But that still left forty-eight of the United States to choose from.
To narrow down the wide field of candidates, we created a big spreadsheet and researched data which were important to our lifestyle. Some of those properties included:
Winter comfort (January windchill and annual snowfall)Summer comfort (July heat index and average rainfall)Cost of living estimate, averaged from five different sourcesDistance to nearest airportDistance to nearest VA hospitalNumber of Trader Joe's stores within 15 milesNumber of Thai restaurants within 5 milesPercentage of population identifying as religiousPercentage of population identifying as Democratic
Here's a link to the full spreadsheet, if you're curious about the details. Note that we gathered this data seven years ago, and much of it will be out of date now:
http://goo.gl/p3tl1O
We took trips to visit our top two out-of-state candidate cities, shown in black text on that spreadsheet: Cary, North Carolina (in the Research Triangle) and Portland, Oregon. (Our fallback was Sacramento, California, which area we were already familiar with from all our Hogwarts Game scouting in 2006.) Cary had a fantastic farmer's market, but the neighborhoods weren't remotely walkable. And Portland... well, we live here now.
It took us a little while to adjust, but now we couldn't be happier with our home. (And no, I am not saying that ironically.) The move also inspired me to ask for 37 Postcards back in 2010, and that was pretty amazing, too.
If you're thinking about relocating, and you have some latitude in your selection criteria, Internet research is an excellent place to start. We started with information from Sperling's Best Places, then supplemented and corroborated that with data from various other online sources which we judged reliable and relevant. Your mileage may vary.
As Seen on Facebook
Presented without comment:
Ladies and gentlemen, the Pacific Northwest.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Pacific Northwest.
