Cool Tools, A Catalog of Possibilities by Kevin Kelly

[Ego]

Cool Tools, A Catalog of Possibilities by Kevin Kelly has been on my nightstand for a few weeks.

http://kk.org/cooltools/archives/13307

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=332hGlHLfMA

It is a giant book. One you can get lost in. Before going to bed I flip open a page find myself reading about how I should clone my passport before traveling or how I can turn my bike into a cargo hauler with a cheap rack.

As a minimalist, I am surprised how much I am enjoying it.

[jacob]

Sounds interesting.

Looks like its on pre-order until Dec. How did you get it?

[Ego]

He used one of our product recommendations on the website and in the book, and sent us a review copy. When I'm finished perusing it I'd gladly send it to you. We don't have room to keep it and it wouldn't be right to sell it. If you'd like it, send me a PM with an address.

[m741]

There's of course also the blog (kk.org/cooltools). I read it regularly. It's 90% useless for me, but there's some interesting stuff there. I use it for gift ideas for family members mostly.

[jacob]

I just received my copy. Thanks again Ego!

As a recovering gadgeteer [from a wasted youth], it's quite fun to peruse and I think also useful in that I seem to already own several of the cool tools described therein. I've had those for years and feel no need to replace them. Looking them up here is certainly faster than browsing forums for "best" suggestions.

Aside from "tool", there's also "cool". For example, I didn't know that it's possible to launch a beer can sized object into LEO for only $12,500. Now I feel like launching a case of Natty Ice

Overall, I still find myself oohing and ahing over all the cool entries instead of actually reading them. Hopefully, that'll come. Compared to having them all on a blog, it's nice to just flip the book open and look at something. It's the neanderthal version of random browsing.

[Ego]

Kevin Kelly on the Tim Ferriss Podcast. He talks about how traveling and living in Asia on an ultra-low budget

"One of the many life skills you want to learn at a very young age is the skill of living ultra-thrifty, minimal....."

http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/tim-fer ... e/35204813

[plantingourpennies]

That catalog seemed really familiar!

It looks like Kevin Kelly also edited the Whole Earth Catalog after Stewart Brand left in the early 80's, and was also a founder of the WELL:

http://kk.org/biography.php

Member of the long-now foundation as well...interesting guy.

[fips]

Member of the long-now foundation as well...interesting guy.

Thanks for hinting at the Long Now Foundation. Haven't heard of them before .. now I am torn between admiring them for their goal and doubting their efficiency in achieving it. Nevertheless, interesting organization, especially the long bets.

And the link to Kevin's biography let me re-discover quantified self.

So yes, this guy must be interesting

[Ego]

He's got a new book coming out soon. Looks interesting.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... 9/kkorg-20

[Ego]

Kevin Kelly's recent talk at Long Now has been posted for non-members on their website.

The Next 30 Digital Years
http://longnow.org/seminars/02016/jul/1 ... tal-years/