# Town Hall #5: Outdoing Myself [^note]: [Subscribe to Taylor's Town Hall via email](https://newsletter.taylor.town). Big news first: I'm starting a tech conference for [outland](https://outland.sh)-ish ideas! [Outland 2023](https://outland.sh) will be on August 26 in Palm Springs, California. It's going to be a blast! Tickets go on sale next month, so [sign up for the mailing list](https://news.outland.sh). And I've still got a few open slots for speakers, so [email me](mailto:taylor@outland.sh) if you know of anybody with outland-ish ideas! In other news, I'm [allocating 500 hours](/learn-foreign-languages) to learn Spanish. I've already made tremendous progress in ~3 hours, thanks to [Paul Noble's audio course](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01D1VJNQQ). I've also started life-coaching strangers! I have no idea what I'm doing, but I feel like I'm making a positive impact. [Let me know](mailto:hello@taylor.town?subject=Life) if you'd like to try a free 12-week life "sprint" with me! --- ## New Writings - [How to Learn a Foreign Language in 500 Hours](/learn-foreign-languages) - [How to Cultivate Joy](/cultivate-joy) - [Deflect External Acceptance](/deflect-external-acceptance) - [How To Stop Being Fake](/stop-being-fake) - [Some thoughts on prime numbers](/this-guy-codes) --- ## Open Questions _If you have questions or answers, [send me an e-mail](mailto:hello@taylor.town)._ - How many engineers should a company hire (given expected profit, project complexity, and risk tolerance)? - I think the tech layoffs were avoidable. To my ignorant mind, the VC growth model seems to poorly allocate labor and capital. Does anybody have any opinions or resources on this? - How many software bugs are caught by staging environments? Are staging environments safety nets that are worth their costs? --- ## Recommendations [^note]: _You may skip to [software](#software), [books](#books), [purchases](#purchases), [images](#images), [videos](#videos), [podcast episodes](#podcast-episodes), or [music](#music)._ ### Software {software} - [rewind.ai](https://www.rewind.ai): This program records your screen and runs OCR so that you can search _everything_ you do on your computer. It's nifty. - [DiffusionBee](https://diffusionbee.com): Free and easy stable diffusion! - [DALL•E (iOS Shortcut)](https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/02257226c5d34b01b8b04eee1293f710): Generate images with DALL•E from an iOS shortcut. I edited this shortcut to automatically copy to my clipboard. - [GPT (iOS Shortcut)](https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/7f88764cd3d249a0aabd27a01cb6d0f0): Generate GPT text from an iOS shortuct. I edited this shortcut to accept dictation or typed text. Also, make sure to update it to use `da-vinci-003`. - [jackMort/ChatGPT.nvim](https://github.com/jackMort/ChatGPT.nvim): "a Neovim plugin that allows you to interact with OpenAI's GPT-3 language model" - [jameshiew/nvim-magic](https://github.com/jameshiew/nvim-magic): "pluggable framework for integrating AI code assistance into Neovim" ### Books {books} - ★★★★☆ _The Way of Kings_ by Brandon Sanderson :: If Sanderson's _Mistborn_ is _The Chronicles of Narnia_, then _The Stormlight Archives_ is _The Lord of the Rings_. It's magical, political, and finely crafted. Brandon Sanderson knows how to write payoffs. This book alone contains 383,000 words, so clear your schedule before reading. - ★★★★★ _Norwegian Wood_ by Haruki Murakami :: This book should be labeled with an extreme trigger warning. It covers death and sex and more death and more sex and a whole lot of depression. Imagine blending together _Catcher in the Rye_, _The Great Gatsby_, _The Perks of Being a Wallflower_, _Scott Pilgrim_, and a smut novel. I think I learned a lot about selfishness and happiness from this experience. I wish I read this when I was 19. - ★★★★☆ _Interview with the Vampire_ by Anne Rice :: Imagine _The Count of Monte Cristo_ meets _Faust_ meets _Twilight_ -- it's an epic tale with deep philosophical underpinnings... and vampires! This book is worth reading if you want to dramatically ponder death, love, and evil. - ★★★★☆ _God's Debris_ by Scott Adams :: From few axioms, _God's Debris_ forms a surprisingly coherent religion, philosophy of science, and practical life advice; a worthwhile ~90-minute read. - ★★★☆☆ _The War of Art_ by Steven Pressfield :: If you need inspiration or a swift kick-in-the-butt, read this book. Since reading, I've been unable to make my usual excuses that divert me from my art and career and health. For me, every page contained a mixture of timeless wisdom and awful advice. This book is overall charming and pragmatic. - ★★★★☆ _Hyperion_ by Dan Simmons :: _Hyperion_ is unusually refreshing sci-fi. It's 6-8 interconnected short stories with drama, horror, mystery, and awe. Some sections didn't age well, but the writing is incredible in some parts, and some of its ideas are downright brilliant. - ★★★☆☆ _Artemis_ by Andy Weir :: This book is a well-researched sci-fi MacGyver adventure story. It's got great characters and a fast plot. Solid book. ### Purchases {purchases} - [peepy](https://itemlabel.com/products/orange-fuzzy-catpy) - [2018 Fuji Touring Bicycle](https://archive.fujibikes.com/2018/Fuji/touring-2) - [Align II MIPS helmet (mint)](https://www.backcountry.com/specialized-align-mips-helmet) - [Arboretum](https://www.amazon.com/Renegade-Game-Studios-RGS00830-Arboretum/dp/B07CRQ8YHX/ref=asc_df_B07CRQ8YHX/) - [eyeglass repair kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07V7DH3Y6) - [clear stadium backpack](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLMH5H3Z) - [clear stadium f\*nny pack](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMTKJJN2) - [colored fuzzy socks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LVKTW74) - [grey fuzzy socks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JG9YHPG) - [wooden baby playpen](https://www.amazon.com/Conababy-Playpen-Playpens-Toddlers-120x160x61cm/dp/B0BKQKJFFK/ref=sr_1_7) - [L-Citrulline Malate Powder](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J5MUZ6I) - [Whey Protein Powder](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QQA0GSY) - [Micronized Creatine](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002DYIZEO) - [Continuity Camera Mount for iPhone](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5S7X6BN) - [tiny waffle iron](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B097Y871PP) ### Images {images} - [very bad cat](/kek5gp3sorba1.jpg) - [tree lights](/jfjkmydy7yea1.jpg) - [tiny lion](/bk1fbwyy2jaa1.jpg) - [netflix and meow](/qz6h12or34ea1.png) - [texadermy](/glghlwyyvwfa1.jpg) - [pensive starfish](/1zkmwy25l8ba1.jpg) - [raw knees](/rliem3tv1vfa1.jpg) - [swiss mac](/gyo7vcqjgwca1.jpg) - [comfort quest](/cvr4prp876ca1.jpg) - [snout](/v1mrrte4tiy71.jpg) - [a stoat observation](/trklxey5uwf81.jpg) - [sleep at the office](/ct1ncftkifca1.jpg) - [minivan-truck](/9kmz09b67kfa1.png) - [working under pressure](/dm4cr8c6k5da1.jpg) - [giant isopods eating doritos](/d2rafnsystea1.png) - [duck pound](/fa27a0qqizba1.jpg) - [tennis leek](/9fxdkdlhuc8a1.jpg) - [very handicapped](/cdyspbbrzwfa1.jpg) - [equations of anarchy](/23a613rpiqea1.jpg) ### Videos {videos} - [Bicycles Don't Need Traffic Lights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgacSmLBSIQ) - [Sympawny No.4 (Chubby Cat)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbK1Q_riyxA) - [Urbanism: Not Just a Big City Thing!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxNoPe5xSQM) - [I Fasted for 5 Days and Walked 7 Hours a Day](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcvTfIH-TTQ) - [Survivor Audition Tapes: The Ultimate Guide](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGVUTVUM7Ac) - [Norm Macdonald's Turtle Joke](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIsgBAXQxR4) - [RARE Japanese Toshiba Typewriter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZcui85b4EE) - [Architecture Model Making Tips - Part 2](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGRIAIVEMzs) - [Log Cabin Building TIMELAPSE Built by ONE MAN (and Grandson)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfvd1UdnGlE) - [Robed 'Wizard' Taunts Police Struggling in Mud](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9l3bLAx4Ng) - [Skiers vs Snowboarders 1985](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPZDEWBzneY) - [The Most Philosophical Video Game Ever Made](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKaTWlZkb3s) - [My friend and I made up a case and sued each other on Court TV](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwiWG_jNY2o) - [Making a Game for FIVE Different Consoles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mE6_A1hRcQk) - [Inside a Floating House Hidden In The Woods](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCOC8Gkoofk) ### Podcast Episodes {podcast-episodes} | | | | --- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ★★★ | 99% Invisible :: _A Sea of Yellow_ | | ★★★ | Chemistry For Your Life :: _Is "dry cleaning" actually dry?_ | | ★★★ | Dan Carlin's Hardcore History :: _Twilight of the Aesir_ | | ★★★ | Deep Questions with Cal Newport :: _How Well Are You Living?_ | | ★★★ | Deep Questions with Cal Newport :: _The Lumberjack Paradox_ | | ★★★ | Endless Thread :: _Worm Wars_ | | ★★★ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _The Destruction and Rediscovery of Pompeii_ | | ★★★ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _The Passenger Pigeon_ | | ★★★ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _Tokyo Rose & Axis Sally_ | | ★★★ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _Why Does the Year Start on January 1?_ | | ★★★ | Software Unscripted :: _Bootstrapping a Compiler via WASM with Loris Cro_ | | ★★★ | Software Unscripted :: _Scaling Slack's Infrastructure_ | | ★★★ | The Memory Palace :: _Numbers_ | | ★★★ | The Memory Palace :: _Safe Passage_ | | ★★☆ | Chemistry For Your Life :: _How do snowflakes form and look so cool?_ | | ★★☆ | Conversations with Tyler :: _Paul Salopex on Walking the World_ | | ★★☆ | Conversations with Tyler :: _Rick Rubin on Listening, Taste, and the Act of Noticing_ | | ★★☆ | Cortex :: _A Barometer of Twitter_ | | ★★☆ | Deep Questions with Cal Newport :: _Developing Discipline_ | | ★★☆ | Deep Questions with Cal Newport :: _Escaping Your Tyrannical Inbox_ | | ★★☆ | Deep Questions with Cal Newport :: _Fight Burnout with Work Cycles_ | | ★★☆ | Epic Gardening Daily :: _Companion Planting for Pest Management_ | | ★★☆ | Epic Gardening Daily :: _Companion Planting for Soil Health_ | | ★★☆ | Epic Gardening Daily :: _Companion Planting for Weed Management_ | | ★★☆ | Epic Gardening Daily :: _Companion Planting to Improve Pollination_ | | ★★☆ | Epic Gardening Daily :: _Southern California Gardening_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _Limnic Eruptions: The Rarest Natural Disaster_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _Sherman's March to the Sea_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _Snake Oil_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _The City of Troy and the Trojan War_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _The Carrington Event_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _The Glorious Revolution_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _The Invention of the Airplane_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _The Morgenthau Plan_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _The Statue of Liberty_ | | ★★☆ | Everything Everywhere Daily :: _Zeno's Paradoxes_ | | ★★☆ | Freakonomics Radio :: _Do You Know Who Owns Your Vet?_ | | ★★☆ | Freakonomics Radio :: _Should You Trust Private Equity to Take Care of Your Dog?_ | | ★★☆ | Permaculture Podcast :: _Around the World in 80 Plants_ | | ★★☆ | Quanta Podcast :: _High-Temperature Superconductivity Understood at Last_ | | ★★☆ | Radiolab :: _Games_ | | ★★☆ | Software Unscripted :: _Scratch-Building an Operating System with Steve Klabnik_ | | ★★☆ | What's Your Problem :: _The Fake-Meat Frontier_ | | ★★☆ | YAGNI :: _Staging servers w/ Justin Duke_ | ### Music {music} | | | | ----- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ★★★★★ | Benjamin Alard :: _Johann Sebastian Bach: The Complete Works for Keyboard, Vol. 4 "Alla Veneziana"_ | | ★★★★★ | Dirty Projectors :: _Bitte Orca_ | | ★★★★☆ | Aesop Rock :: _Spirit World Field Guide_ | | ★★★★☆ | Blümchen :: _Herzfrequenz_ | | ★★★★☆ | Chick Corea :: _Light As a Feather_ | | ★★★★☆ | Deerhoof :: _Breakup Song_ | | ★★★★☆ | Esperanza Spalding :: _Emily's D+Evolution_ | | ★★★★☆ | Glassjaw :: _Worship and Tribute_ | | ★★★★☆ | Jeff Buckley :: _Grace_ | | ★★★★☆ | MONO :: _Rays of Darkness_ | | ★★★★☆ | Perturbator :: _Dangerous Days_ | | ★★★★☆ | Poil :: _Sus_ | | ★★★★☆ | Quadrupède :: _Tobogan_ | | ★★★★☆ | Russian Circles :: _Enter_ | | ★★★★☆ | TTNG :: _13.0.0.0.0_ | | ★★★★☆ | Wild Nothing :: _Nocturne_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Andrea Motis :: _Do Outro Lado do Azul_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Flybear :: _Soon... - Single_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Helloween :: _Helloween_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Kimbra :: _Vows_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Niechec :: _[Self-Titled]_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Osamu Sato :: _LSD Revamped_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Oso Oso :: _basking in the glow_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Perturbator :: _I Am the Night_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Popol Vuh :: _Hosianna Mantra_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Sewerslvt :: _if you’re out there i miss you ｡ﾟ･ (>﹏<) ･ﾟ｡ - EP_ | | ★★★☆☆ | St. Vincent :: _MASSEDUCATION_ | | ★★★☆☆ | The Cabs :: _Kaiki Suru Kokyu - EP_ | | ★★★☆☆ | The Cure :: _Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me_ | | ★★★☆☆ | YURiKA :: _TV アニメ「リトルウィッチアカデミア」第 2 クールオープニングテーマ "Mind Conductor" - EP_ | | ★★★☆☆ | Yung Bae :: _Bae_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Akron/Family :: _S/T II: The Cosmic Birth and Journey of Shinju TNT_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Apparatjik :: _Square Peg In a Round Hole_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Archaeologist :: _Winter's Wake - EP_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Architecture in Helsinki :: _Moment Bends_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Boards of Canada :: _Geogaddi_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | CHANCE デラソウル :: _Virtual Girls Band a.k.A. Sparkle_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Cookiee Kawaii :: _Club Soda, Vol. 2_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Crown the Empire :: _The Fallout_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Devendra Banhart :: _Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Dirty Projectors :: _Lamp Lit Prose_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Eat Your Heart Out :: _Mind Games - EP_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Giraffage :: _No Reason - EP_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Hella :: _There's No 666 in Outer Space_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Horse the Band :: _R. Borlax_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | KEN mode :: _Success_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | King Mothership :: _The Ritual_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Laryssa Okada :: _Manifold Garden (Original Soundtrack)_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Leprous :: _Aphelion_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Massive Attack :: _Mezzanine_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Moon Tooth :: _Phototroph_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Morphine :: _Good_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Nu:Tone :: _Little Spaces_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Orchards :: _Lovecore_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Sewerslvt :: _Tortvred Lesbians Ripped Apart - EP_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Snail's House :: _Alien Pop III - EP_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Startle the Heavens :: _Find Yourself Here_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | Swod :: _Gehen_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | TNGHT :: _II_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | The Chicks :: _Gaslighter_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | The Frozen Autumn :: _Emotional Screening Device_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | The Human Abstract :: _Nocturne_ | | ★★☆☆☆ | VersaEmerge :: _Fixed At Zero_ | | ★☆☆☆☆ | Jaejoo Boys :: _유년에게_ | | ★☆☆☆☆ | Spiritualized :: _Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space_ | | ★☆☆☆☆ | The Impossible Nothing :: _Rock Beats Giant_ | | ★☆☆☆☆ | Various Artists :: _13 Ways to Live_ | | ★☆☆☆☆ | twenty one pilots :: _TOPxMM - EP_ |