Dieter Rams is a German industrial designer whose design approach is “Less, but better”. He believes good design: Is innovative – The possibilities for progression are not, by any means, exhausted. Technological development is always offering new opportunities for original designs. But imaginative design always develops in tandem with improving technology, and can never be anContinue reading “Ten Principles for Good Design from Dieter Rams”
Category Archives: quotes
Notes of Civility
A letter on civility from Anton Chekhov to his older brother, a drunk painter and writer, from Letters of Note. To my mind, civilized people ought to satisfy the following conditions: 1. They respect the individual and are therefore always indulgent, gentle, polite and compliant. They do not throw a tantrum over a hammer or a lostContinue reading “Notes of Civility”
be an enthusiast
“I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. He taught me that if you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it at full speed ahead. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is noContinue reading “be an enthusiast”
I have (had) a Tumblr
I started this a long time ago to save images, music, and text that was hard to track on my laptop and invariably slowed it down. I refer to it as my inspiration board, or, The Board. As a warning, it is ~2% NSFW. Here is the link: http://cathxrine.tumblr.com/
Bukowski’s Movitational: Move On, Regardless
I have not read a lot of Bukowski mainly because I always remember an interview clip of Bukowski verbally and physically abusing his wife. This motivated me a few days ago after a ran across it on a lit quote feed I follow: Regardless “The nights you fight best are when all the weapons areContinue reading “Bukowski’s Movitational: Move On, Regardless”
the first draft
It is hard to make time to write, and even harder to start writing. I want the first draft to be the only draft, as if my word is scripture, my pen commanded by a higher being. These ridiculous expectations stem the flow from thoughts to paper and creates a truly jumbled and terrible wasteContinue reading “the first draft”
“When children have nothing to do now, they immediately switch on the TV, the computer, the phone or some kind of screen. The time they spend on these things has increased. But children need to have stand-and-stare time, time imagining and pursuing their own thinking processes or assimilating their experiences through play or just observingContinue reading
Art, Freedom, and The Kiss–A Tribute in Syria
“If you can not please everyone with your deeds and your art, please a few” Gustav Klimt (1862-1918) is an Austrian painter and first president of the Vienna Secession ( an artists’ union), whose goal was to rid itself of classical oppression and motto was “To every age its art. To art its freedom”. The majority of hisContinue reading “Art, Freedom, and The Kiss–A Tribute in Syria”
We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us. -Winston Churchill
I’m simply becoming
I’m startled I became a writer. I don’t think I can control my life or my writing. Every other writer I know feels he is steering himself, and I don’t have that feeling. I don’t have that sort of control. I’m simply becoming. Kurt Vonnegut
the rules of the game
You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. Albert Einstein
principles of liberty
The idea that governments should define “marriage” or give permission for marriage is inconsistent with the principles of liberty. Wake County Libertarian Party, North Carolina
Startups Are Enjoyable Work and Pain
Startups are not fun, they are stressful and quick-moving but they come about from a necessity to DO MORE and that is what makes them so enjoyable. A successful startup is building on an amazing number of failures, of dumb ideas and fitful nights obsessing over tiny details. Learning to manage time and duties, finding outContinue reading “Startups Are Enjoyable Work and Pain”
Colson Whitehead’s Rules for Writing
The art of writing can be reduced to a few simple rules. I share them with you now. Rule No. 1: Show and Tell. Most people say, “Show, don’t tell,” but I stand by Show and Tell, because when writers put their work out into the world, they’re like kids bringing their broken unicorns and chewed-upContinue reading “Colson Whitehead’s Rules for Writing”
An Open Letter to Todd Akin from Eve Ensler
This open letter is an important read for all men and women, especially women, especially men with daughters or who plan on having children and especially those who are planning on voting Republican. The decisions made in the next 4 years regarding women’s health will affect you and your daughters and sisters and mothers someday soContinue reading “An Open Letter to Todd Akin from Eve Ensler”
What makes a book a classic?
Definition of a classic book, as according to Italo Calvino’s in “Why Read the Classics?” from The Uses of Literature. 1. The classics are those books about which you usually hear people saying: ‘I’m rereading…’, never ‘I’m reading….’ 2. The Classics are those books which constitute a treasured experience for those who have read and lovedContinue reading “What makes a book a classic?”
Elevator motors…
Elevator motors consume more energy than any other single piece of equipment in a high-rise building.
I Look Good I Feel Good I AM Good Pop made me repeat this in mirror every day before walking 3 blocks to school. It works.
Mantra
Cool. Calm. Collected.
Gandhi’s List of Blunders
This list contains “the seven blunders that human society commits, and that cause all the violence,” according to Mohandas Gandhi. He gave it to his grandson in 1947, 3 months before he was assassinated. Wealth without work. Pleasure without conscience. Knowledge without character. Commerce without morality. Science without humanity. Worship without sacrifice. Politics without principles. 60Continue reading “Gandhi’s List of Blunders”
Lesson Plan
Perhaps we could endeavor to teach our future the following: How to focus intently on a problem until it’s solved. The benefit of postponing short-term satisfaction in exchange for long-term success. How to read critically. The power of being able to lead groups of peers without receiving clear delegated authority. An understanding of the extraordinaryContinue reading “Lesson Plan”
Catherine R. Hofmann 