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Observability: Long Past, Daunting Future
"Observed failure of certain organ systems of the body could predict behavior of the whole person, which could in turn predict behavior in the social body en masse." Steven Johnson, The Ghost Map (2007) Our observability timeline starts in the Paleolithic era, evolving over innumerable generations, encumbered by limitations of synthesis and instrumentation. That human timeline is now joined by our machine partners. 500,000 BCE, Proto-observability . A shivering Neand
Jan 187 min read


Program Head: AI Evolutionist
" And when he is out of sight, quickly also he is out of mind ." Thomas à Kempis c. early 15th century The “holiday season” closes, as bell ringing, horn blowing, and champagne spouting prompts us toward New Year reflections. This is a gratified sigh in the moment, at the end of the year, with major holidays and the once-traditional "Boxing Day" also behind us. Speaking of Boxing Day… it’s almost like the day’s history is taken, by discount stores and on-line shopping:
Dec 317 min read


Nexus of Familiar to Unfamiliar
"If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it's not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That's why it's your path." Joseph Campbell* Our life journeys are not linear. They wend along the road responding to personal, professional, and environmental dynamics. Our singular stories, epic to only ourselves, weren’t documented in ancient tablets or Gutenberg’s press. Yet, we created and lived tales of adaptation an
Dec 21, 20256 min read


Small Businesses, Discovered Dreams
That small town baker is not considered a major player or contributor to the AI evolution. And that is a mistake. A small business owner’s foray into AI is the manifestation of an innovator.
Nov 26, 20255 min read


Sellers, Marketers, Makers -- Innovation's Ancestry
“In many cases there are times when an invention is technologically possible –- and in which it may indeed appear necessary, as the telescope may have -- but without a market the idea will not sell, and in the absence of the technical and social infrastructure to support it, the invention will not survive.” [emphasis added] James Burke, Connection s (1978) His aim was historical research; but our lens focuses on the firm -- the place you dwell (mentally and physically)
May 31, 20216 min read


API Stewards -- Software Guardians of What's to Come
Libraries connect people. With knowledge. Through the pages of books. You integrate knowledge. With software. Through the gates of APIs. When you walk into a library for the first time, you are intimidated. However beautiful, the atmosphere is daunting, everything from imposing architectures to crowded old shelves. Conversations are whispers. Or ought to be. I've walked into small-town libraries whose unassuming, on-hand collection is less than 500 contemporary books. An
May 11, 20217 min read


TBM: Running your Practice, Part 3 -- Risk of Stasis
" The Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the Tortoise, lay down to have a nap. " Aesop's Fables We grew up and learned the adage, "Slow and steady wins the race.'' But in our digital environment we can't be slow. Was the lesson an anachronism? Not really. There's something deeper, at the heart of the fable -- beware overconfidence; don't lie down. Never be arrogant. That is time expended when it should be inve
Apr 5, 20216 min read


TBM: Running your Practice, Part 2 -- Levels of Maturity
Where do we stand now? Are we on the podium awaiting our bronze or silver or gold medal? Are we managing our Information Technology area...
Mar 11, 20214 min read