Feature Creep: Built-in Microwave

Ned and Meg discuss the concept of embedding failure, which we read about in one of our favorite books, Pragmatic Thinking and Learning by Andy Hunt (2008, The Pragmatic Bookshelf). In section 7.3, the author discusses approaches to failure. We talk about adding failure deliberately into our own work process/life process to ensure that we continue to learn and grow. Failure is great, come enjoy it with us!

Our guest Damon tells stories about his family, including several about his beloved Great Grandmother, Mittie Era Blevins. She was a tough lady, and that’s usually a virtue, but sometimes not so great. Take a walk down memory lane, back to when people didn't whine about shit.

Ned and Chris chat about design and walk a winding path through their own thoughts! Meg wasn’t here for this one but you’ll enjoy it nonetheless. Thanks for listening!

Hey! Don’t you tear down my fence, you clueless jerk! In this episode Ned and Meg discuss GK Chesterton’s Fence, the importance of context when making strategic decisions, John Muir, the critical shortage of wigs on Mars, tomato enzymes, nano-bio-bots, Trent Reznor and open source phones. It’s a real hoot! Join us.

The one where we discuss making a game about ethics, or something. We discuss the possibility of creating an ethics game where the classic conundrums in moral philosophy become the mechanics of the game itself. You have to make choices about trollies, organ transplants, whatever -- either way in this game, somebody’s gonna die!

... And the discussion from Design Volume 3 continues! Listen as we round out our conversation about design principles and challenges. We reach stunning final conclusions and settle the following matters once and for all, no need to ever think about them again: adapting to technology, being well rounded, keeping a holistic perspective, being multidisciplinary, understanding how much you don’t know, uniqueness, Tesla trucks, and butts. Thanks for listening!

Wherein Ned, Meg, and Chris discuss design challenges and guiding principles. Thrilling topics include the necessity for specificity—say that a few times fast—tight deadlines, moral and financial expediency, balancing thinking and doing, imposing and thriving within limits, and staying relevant. We had so much to talk about we had to split it into two episodes, so be sure to listen to Design Volume 4 next. Super Great!

Wherein we discuss having to deal with the unique nightmare of owning a lifetime supply of stuff you probably never even need once.

We have four folks crammed into this podcast about design, including three people who work in design and one who is just real opinionated about things! We talk about the evolving process of design, spaceships, profit motives in design, decision fatigue, and the Oregon Trail. Guests who are becoming regulars include Damon and Chris, plus Ned and Meg keep showing up cause they’re supposed to be steering this thing.

For once, it actually starts with a real live anticommunist conspiracy. Yeah, for real! And then Bill O’Reilly barges in. We have so many questions like, how do we reconcile this insanity, who do we support in the war, when are they excommunicating Starfucks? How do people who love Christmas and obsessively support troops of any kind reconcile this worldview? Happy Whatever, audience!