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Cool tools really work.
A cool tool can be any book, gadget, software, video, map, hardware, material, or website that is tried and true. All reviews on this site are written by readers who have actually used the tool and others like it. Items can be either old or new as long as they are wonderful. We post things we like and ignore the rest. Suggestions for tools much better than what is recommended here are always wanted.
George Kosmopoulos codes mobility solutions at Cowboy in Brussels, with two kids and an artist wife - Mimi Kunz. Built unsuccessful apps, teaches web development, practices BJJ, and thinks a lot about resilient futures while drinking too much coffee. Currently wondering if any of this counts as building something meaningful.
PHYSICAL
The collection of “The Culture” books by Iain M Banks- When reading a lot, one cannot re-read too much. This series though is constantly re-readable. It’s adventures from the perspective of an Utopia dealing with the rest of the universe. Somehow, the author manages to make adventurous stories in a variety of worlds and there’s always some depth to discover and ponder over.
Micra Leatherman Keychain Multitool - This is the leatherman I have on my keychain. I thought it’d be mostly useless accessory that would make me look good and since then it has been used and overused.
Haflinger Slippers - I’m running up and down my house with my kids in my arms and so I found that I needed solid slippers and these do the job. I never fall with them and I am always comfortable.
DIGITAL
Bedtime mode on my Android phone - It’s like a reverse alarm for when I’m tired and somehow end up scrolling. My phone goes grey and tells me it’s time to go to bed.
Connections - I love this game! It’s simple and smart at the same time and I play it every evening with my wife. When we have friends in the evening I take out pens and paper and we do it as a group
INVISIBLE
Finite games are played to win seriously with defined rules and endpoints, and infinite games are played for the purpose of continuing play itself with fun. — James P. Carse
Life is an infinite game, one of the only ones - the rest is finite games and you can always not play finite games.
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