1922: How Charlie Taught Me To Laugh at Failure

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From a 1922 issue of The American Magazine:

How Charlie Taught Me To Laugh at Failure

So-called misfortunes test a man’s wits and sharpen his courage — as I have found out a few times for myself

by W. S. Rogers

It was a steel-cold morning, and we were standing on the sidewalk beside what had once been our factory. The roof of the crazy old building, which the underwriters would not insure, had fallen in during the night. The red-hot stove had finished the job. Not a stick was left.

“Don’t you know that everything I have on earth is in there?” I went on, indignantly: “My drafting instruments, my tools, my other suit — they’re all gone, and there isn’t a penny of insurance.”

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Logic: Made For Machines, Not People

I happened to tune into The Passion of Ayn Rand movie on cable today, and came across this delightful little scene that just about sums up everything that’s wrong with logic.

For those who don’t know, Rand got the screwy idea in her already-screwy head that it was logically justifiable for her to have a sexual affair with her acolyte, Nathaniel Branden, and that both her husband and Branden’s wife should approve.

Since I expect a DMCA takedown of that — despite being permitted under Copyright Fair Use — here’s a transcription.

What’s Up With Me And Twitter?

I’ve just about dropped Twitter from my life.

The reasons don’t matter.

I’ve Protected my account to discourage new Followers. I see that as an act of mercy — and a way to deflect new spammers.

Should any out-in-the-world emergency arise, I’ll tune in to Twitter.

Should I want live coverage of events — CES, Apple, Tech Company of the Moment introduction — I might tune into Twitter (although Twitter Search might satisfy for that).

For those who might say, “But now you’re out of The Conversation!” — um, no. I’m holding my own, right here (and here).

That is all.

Nook Media Is Killing Itself In The Womb

Barnes & Noble Reports Holiday Sales Results

The NOOK segment, which consists of the company’s digital business (including Readers, digital content and accessories), had revenues of $311 million for the nine-week holiday period, decreasing 12.6% as compared to a year ago. Digital content sales increased 13.1%, while NOOK device unit sales declined during the holiday period as compared to the prior year. Digital content sales are defined to include digital books, digital newsstand, and the apps business.

“We entered the holiday with two great new products, NOOK HD and NOOK HD+, both highly rated media tablets of phenomenal quality,” said William Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. “NOOK device sales got off to a good start over the Black Friday period, but then fell short of expectations for the balance of holiday. We are examining the root cause of the December shortfall in sales, and will adjust our strategies accordingly going forward.”

What’s killing Nook Media?