I’m not a fan of New Year’s resolutions – I think it’s easier and more responsible to take every day as an opportunity to grow as a creative and as a person. New Year’s resolutions often fail because people aim too high and feel like any misstep disqualifies them until the next year rolls around. that said, it’s nice to take any opportunity to reflect and make new goals.
on that note, I really like this approach from Adafruit w/r/t community building in the new year around their CircuitPython project. I’m excited to see what comes of their open call for feedback.
resource roundup!
ok one resolution I do think that everyone should aim for is learning how to document well and putting in the effort! even if you’re just making a project by yourself for fun, sharing your well-documented code is a great way to passively help and inspire other coders. ok I am terrible at this myself, but I promise to try harder if you do.
Jessica Joseph is my newest code crush, and I’m already digging her new beginner-friendly series on machine learning and python. everyone loves to throw around machine learning as a buzzword, and it’s nice to see someone breaking down their own learning in an approachable way. you can, and should check out more of her work here.
cool project alert! this app by Zach Lieberman uses Apple’s ARKit and openFrameworks to visualize sound. you can see more of his daily digital sketches on his Instagram.
this issue of to www or not to www came up not too long ago for a client of mine… I had set up the DNS record for the bare domain alone and it caused a bunch of issues when the client sent out a press release with the www without telling me. ?I’m not a hard supporter of one way or the other, but communication is important!
I’m loving these cute examples of using HTML5 Canvas to create ambient backgrounds. they make use of particles in a way that is pretty hackable for more fun ideas. I’ve been playing a lot of the new Smash Bros. on Switch and all I can think of is turning those pipelines into a sea of Pikachus doing their skull bash attack….
opportunities:
Afrotech Fest, a tech festival by and for Black people of African and Caribbean heritage, has an open call for submissions for their 2019 event in London. even if you have never given a talk before, they encourage submitting your idea for consideration and offer some great resources for how to prepare. deadline is January 13, apply here.
School of Machines, Making & Make-Believe in Berlin is offering two full diversity scholarships per class for each 4-week program next year! applications will be accepted until January 15. topics include AR, VR, MR, data, bots, and more. more info here.
eyeo festival isn’t until June 3-6 this year, but applications are open for student volunteers. speakers and more will be revealed when the full website launches on January 7, and then tickets will be on sale on February 4.
and… Theorizing the Web 2019 is live!
Theorizing the Web is an event held annually since 2011 for critical, conceptual conversations about technology and society. We believe social theory has a larger role to play in our conversations about technology. While there are plenty of individual arguments, datasets, and policy proposals out there, what often gets overlooked are the larger frameworks, histories, and literatures.
their call for papers is open until January 20. you should submit! just fill out this form with your proposal.
just for lulz:
this is honestly how my brain feels after too many hours of Smash:
*~housekeeping~*
as always, submit to the open artist call if you have anything in the works that you are excited about! and if you have an event or opportunity to promote (anywhere), please send me all the details. the next newsletter will cover the week of January 7 to 13, but I’m happy to promote events farther in the future as well and keep them on the calendar.
I’ll also be in the Bay Area for the next 3 months for work. time will be tight, but HMU on Twitter if you want to sync up!
