Alex Payne — On the iPad

The thing that bothers me most about the iPad is this: if I had an iPad rather than a real computer as a kid, I’d never be a programmer today. I’d never have had the ability to run whatever stupid, potentially harmful, hugely educational programs I could download or write. I wouldn’t have been able to fire up ResEdit and edit out the Mac startup sound so I could tinker on the computer at all hours without waking my parents. The iPad may be a boon to traditional eduction, insofar as it allows for multimedia textbooks and such, but in its current form, it’s a detriment to the sort of hacker culture that has propelled the digital economy.

I can say for sure that I wouldn't be writing code if it weren't for the Apple ][ I cut my teeth on as a kid. I still miss that box.

Remembering a classic video:

Pac Man Junkie

Wayyy back in the day, when I was taking 'Writing to the World Wide Web', I was part of a group assignment to define Ethos, Logos and Pathos. The website still exists. It's almost fourteen years old and ranks wicked high in Google for some reason. It gets referenced a bunch, linked to, etc, etc. AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHY. Anyway, there used to be a copy of it on this site as well, and it's coming up in searches here also. I might rebuild a local copy, but for now here's a link

According to Aristotle, rhetoric is "the ability, in each particular case, to see the available means of persuasion." He described three main forms of rhetoric: Ethos, Logos, and Pathos.

In order to be a more effective writer, you must understand these three terms. This site will help you to better understand their meanings and show you how to make your writing more persuasive.

That class pretty much defined my future. I learned a lot, worked with great people, and have a lot of great memories.

If you only watch one video that has Glenn Beck crying in it, make sure it's this one.

If you only watch one video about supervans this year, make sure it's this one