Management as Systems Thinking: A Philosophy Overview
An introduction to my core management philosophies, treating leadership and organizational design through a systems thin...
ManagementLeadership
Read Article →Complete archive
2025
Writing Again
Returning to long-form writing after years focused on social media. Moving beyond time-bound news commentary toward deep...
WritingReflection
Read Article →2014
Microsoft should buy Xamarin for a lot of money
Microsoft's developer bribery strategy for Windows Phone is short-sighted compared to acquiring Xamarin. A Xamarin acqui...
2011
Of Tragedies and Anniversaries
I've always had a weird and complicated relationship with 9/11. On the ten year anniversary of the attacks, I reflect on...
2010
Rethinking My Blog
After migrating through multiple platforms and writing 1,100 posts over seven years, Twitter fundamentally changed my bl...
Blogging
Read Article →One Year after a Cancer Diagnosis
On the one year anniversary of the day I was told my cancer had spread, I spent the day at the very same hospital on reg...
HealthCancer
Read Article →2009
Why Paying to Pitch is Necessarily a Scam
Why Paying to Pitch is Necessarily a Scam...
EntrepreneurshipRants
Read Article →9/11
9/11...
Personal
Read Article →Entrepreneurship, Ambiguity and Risk
Entrepreneurship, Ambiguity and Risk...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →The Crash-Test Solution: Using physics to predict economic downturn
The Crash-Test Solution: Using physics to predict economic downturn...
Business
Read Article →Adversity
Adversity isn't a bad thing - and sometimes it's a blessing. Just as you need to push yourself when working out to see g...
StartupPersonal
Read Article →The End of the Billable Hour
The End of the Billable Hour...
BusinessLaw
Read Article →The Barnacle and The Boat
The Barnacle and The Boat...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →The Death of Sampling
The Death of Sampling...
CopyrightMusic
Read Article →Haystacks: The real reason behind the Facebook TOS changes
Haystacks: The real reason behind the Facebook TOS changes...
LawBlogging
Read Article →Subjective Truth
Subjective Truth...
BusinessNotches
Read Article →Cancer
Cancer...
Cancer
Read Article →2008
The Death of AutoTune
The Death of AutoTune...
Music
Read Article →Dissecting Yammer: Building for the Enterprise
Dissecting Yammer: Building for the Enterprise...
BusinessInnovation
Read Article →The Innovation Bubble: Copycats and “me too” startups
The Innovation Bubble: Copycats and “me too” startups...
Venture CapitalEntrepreneurship
Read Article →You don’t change the world with a marginally better mousetrap
You don’t change the world with a marginally better mousetrap...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →Revisiting (and rethinking) the Twitter “Pay to Listen” business model
Revisiting (and rethinking) the Twitter “Pay to Listen” business model...
StartupBusiness
Read Article →The Exaggerated Death of Voicemail
The Exaggerated Death of Voicemail...
ProductivityBusiness
Read Article →You shouldn't start a tech company in Silicon Valley
While Silicon Valley has certain inherent advantages, there is also an often overlooked downside to starting your techni...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →Google is “fast becoming just another company”
Google is “fast becoming just another company”...
StartupFacebook
Read Article →Technology really only matters when it creates new possibilities
Technology really only matters when it creates new possibilities...
RantsGadgets
Read Article →Explaining copyright with a drawing
Explaining copyright with a drawing...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →Serial Entrepreneurs and High Valuations
Serial Entrepreneurs and High Valuations...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →Simultaneous Discovery and its impact on stealth mode
Simultaneous Discovery and its impact on stealth mode...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →Free can make you a lot of money
Free can make you a lot of money...
StartupIntellectual Property
Read Article →The Challenges of Scaling Twitter's Follower Model
The Challenges of Scaling Twitter's Follower Model...
Software DevelopmentRants
Read Article →Twitter's problems are the result of architecture, XMPP may be the answer
Twitter's problems are the result of architecture, XMPP may be the answer...
TwitterTechnology
Read Article →Finding structure when you have no boss
Finding structure when you have no boss...
EntrepreneurshipProductivity
Read Article →Students copy honor code
Students copy honor code...
Things that amuse me
Read Article →Innovation, Disruption and The Economics of Free
Innovation, Disruption and The Economics of Free...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →Dealing with Review Integrity
Dealing with Review Integrity...
Notches
Read Article →Notches, a platform for reviews
Notches, a platform for reviews...
NextNYNYC
Read Article →Time Management? It's the Attention, Stupid
Time Management? It's the Attention, Stupid...
Productivity
Read Article →Being better than free when copies are ubiquitous
Kevin Kelly argues that when digital copies are abundant and worthless, value shifts to non-copyable elements like immed...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Putting kids where retailers won't go
Putting kids where retailers won't go...
Friday FunThings that amuse me
Read Article →Taking the Plunge and Rediscovering Passion
Taking the Plunge and Rediscovering Passion...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →What exactly is "User Generated Content"?
What exactly is "User Generated Content"?...
BloggingWeb 2.0
Read Article →Scoble, Facebook and Data Ownership
Scoble, Facebook and Data Ownership...
PrivacyIntellectual Property
Read Article →2007
Passion and its role in evaluating new product ideas
Passion and its role in evaluating new product ideas...
Software DevelopmentStartup
Read Article →Why Notches isn't "Anti-Stealth"
Why Notches isn't "Anti-Stealth"...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →How do you get started raising venture capital?
How do you get started raising venture capital?...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →Justice Department says ISPs are like the Post Office
Justice Department says ISPs are like the Post Office...
Net Neutrality
Read Article →Unlocking the iPhone
Unlocking the iPhone...
TechnologyGadgets
Read Article →September 11th
September 11th...
Personal
Read Article →More about raising too much venture capital
More about raising too much venture capital...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →Distinguishing between a platform and a destination
Distinguishing between a platform and a destination...
EntrepreneurshipBusiness
Read Article →Professional bloggers get journalist rights
Professional bloggers get journalist rights...
BloggingIntellectual Property
Read Article →The Full vs. Partial RSS Feed Debate
The Full vs. Partial RSS Feed Debate...
BloggingCopyright
Read Article →Facebook: Lawsuits, IPOs, and Acquisitions
Facebook: Lawsuits, IPOs, and Acquisitions...
StartupFacebook
Read Article →What exactly is an iPhone application?
What exactly is an iPhone application?...
TechnologyApple
Read Article →What's the best state to incorporate in? Probably Delaware
What's the best state to incorporate in? Probably Delaware...
NextNYStartup
Read Article →Valuation: Sometimes you *can* take too much money
Valuation: Sometimes you *can* take too much money...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →iPhone impressions
iPhone impressions...
TechnologyApple
Read Article →Twitter is, or will be, a Messaging Platform
Twitter is, or will be, a Messaging Platform...
TechnologyBlogging
Read Article →There's no such thing as Web 2.0
There's no such thing as Web 2.0...
TechnologyEntrepreneurship
Read Article →Refocusing Net Neutrality
Refocusing Net Neutrality...
TechnologyThings that bother me
Read Article →Understanding the Cablevision DVR lawsuit
Understanding the Cablevision DVR lawsuit...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →How Microsoft can crush Google
How Microsoft can crush Google...
TechnologyNextNY
Read Article →Getting the first penny
Getting the first penny...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →Net Neutrality, Abuse of Market Power, and Conflicts of Interest
Net Neutrality, Abuse of Market Power, and Conflicts of Interest...
TechnologyThings that bother me
Read Article →More on the Music Industry's Slow Death
More on the Music Industry's Slow Death...
CopyrightDRM
Read Article →Choosing a corporate entity for your startup
Generally speaking, tax and liability are the two driving factors when choosing a corporate structure for your business....
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →The Dark Side of Drag-Along/Tag-Along Rights
Drag-along and tag-along clauses are pretty standard terms in a stock agreement - and while they serve a very real purpo...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →The Pros and Cons of OpenID
The Pros and Cons of OpenID...
TechnologyWeb 2.0
Read Article →Exploring the Startup Culture in NYC
Exploring the Startup Culture in NYC...
TechnologyEntrepreneurship
Read Article →Outsourcing and Startups
Outsourcing and Startups...
EntrepreneurshipSoftware Development
Read Article →Why do VCs only invest in C-Corps?
Because of their structure and certain tax implications, VCs and angels will typically not invest in anything other than...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →OpenID gaining momentum
OpenID gaining momentum...
TechnologyBlogging
Read Article →An Introduction to OpenID
An Introduction to OpenID...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →How is IP split between separating founders?
How is IP split between separating founders?...
EntrepreneurshipBusiness
Read Article →On Syndication ... and why formats don't matter
On Syndication ... and why formats don't matter...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →Equity-Based Compensation
Equity-Based Compensation...
EntrepreneurshipStartup
Read Article →Sometimes piracy isn't about getting it for free
Sometimes piracy isn't about getting it for free...
TechnologyMusic
Read Article →Understanding the Option Backdating scandals
Understanding the Option Backdating scandals...
EntrepreneurshipBusiness
Read Article →Wisdom
Wisdom...
Social BehaviorBusiness
Read Article →Fair Use and RSS
Fair Use and RSS...
CopyrightBlogging
Read Article →The Lost Art of Note-Taking
The Lost Art of Note-Taking...
Tablet PCProductivity
Read Article →Managing IP Issues with Software
Managing IP Issues with Software...
Software DevelopmentProgramming
Read Article →If you can read a file, you can copy it
If you can read a file, you can copy it...
TechnologyAJAX
Read Article →Web 2.0 is more than a buzzword
Web 2.0 is more than a buzzword...
Web 2.0AJAX
Read Article →JSON and XML
JSON and XML...
TechnologyAJAX
Read Article →Net Neutrality: The Electicity Analogy
Net Neutrality: The Electicity Analogy...
TechnologyNet Neutrality
Read Article →A player's right of publicity in sports statistics
A player's right of publicity in sports statistics...
SportsTrademark
Read Article →Abandonware and Unlocked Cellphones
Abandonware and Unlocked Cellphones...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →2006
A look at Apple and Microsoft strategies
A look at Apple and Microsoft strategies...
AudioRants
Read Article →Stanley
Stanley...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →Taxing Virtual Economies?
Taxing Virtual Economies?...
TechnologyGaming
Read Article →Buzzwords say all the wrong things
Buzzwords say all the wrong things...
BloggingWeb 2.0
Read Article →The Role of Copyright in Fashion
The Role of Copyright in Fashion...
CopyrightTrademark
Read Article →Five Years Later
Five Years Later...
Personal
Read Article →Intro to Cryptography Course
Intro to Cryptography Course...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →The First Sale Doctrine and the Textbook Industry
The First Sale Doctrine and the Textbook Industry...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →YouTube isn't all about copyright infringement
YouTube isn't all about copyright infringement...
CopyrightYouTube
Read Article →Nullable Value Types and the Null Coalescing Operator
Nullable Value Types and the Null Coalescing Operator...
Software DevelopmentC#
Read Article →Google launching Adsense for Radio
Google launching Adsense for Radio...
TechnologyWeb 2.0
Read Article →Garter admits 'mistake' in RedMonk C&D
Garter admits 'mistake' in RedMonk C&D...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →The Changing Media and the Significance of Blogging
The Changing Media and the Significance of Blogging...
TechnologyWeb 2.0
Read Article →When lawsuits and police raids backfire
When lawsuits and police raids backfire...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →You can either fight change or embrace it
You can either fight change or embrace it...
RantsBusiness
Read Article →Gartner sends a cease and desist to remove a link
Gartner sends a cease and desist to remove a link...
TechnologyThings that bother me
Read Article →The problem with regulating what you don't understand
The problem with regulating what you don't understand...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →PubSub 'days are numbered'
PubSub 'days are numbered'...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →More on the Web 2.0 Trademark
More on the Web 2.0 Trademark...
TechnologyAJAX
Read Article →Does the First Sale Doctrine apply to DVDs?
Does the First Sale Doctrine apply to DVDs? ...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Understanding AJAX
Understanding AJAX...
TechnologyAJAX
Read Article →The Web 2.0 Trademark Debacle
The Web 2.0 Trademark Debacle...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →Commercial Skipping
Commercial Skipping...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Is Apple following Palm's footsteps?
Is Apple following Palm's footsteps?...
TechnologyInnovation
Read Article →Entrepreneurial Proverbs
Entrepreneurial Proverbs...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →Netflix sues Blockbuster over business method patents
Netflix sues Blockbuster over business method patents...
PatentIntellectual Property
Read Article →MPAA, P2P and digital downloads
MPAA, P2P and digital downloads...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Redefining the Generalist
Redefining the Generalist...
RantsPersonal
Read Article →Death by Risk Aversion
Death by Risk Aversion ...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →Abandonware
Abandonware...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Some tips on getting your inbox to zero - and keeping it there
Some tips on getting your inbox to zero - and keeping it there...
TechnologyProductivity
Read Article →Trademark Attribution for Dummies
Trademark Attribution for Dummies...
Web 2.0Trademark
Read Article →Trade dress, literally
Trade dress, literally...
TrademarkIntellectual Property
Read Article →The Hidden Costs of Outsourcing
The Hidden Costs of Outsourcing...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →Tower Records to offer free podcast service
Tower Records to offer free podcast service...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Balthesar's "Rich-Media Application" patent
Balthesar's "Rich-Media Application" patent...
TechnologyAJAX
Read Article →Innovating on behalf of your customers
Innovating on behalf of your customers...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →Why you should care about privacy even if you're not doing anything wrong
Why you should care about privacy even if you're not doing anything wrong...
RantsSecurity
Read Article →If history tells us anything, Blu-Ray will probably fail
If history tells us anything, Blu-Ray will probably fail...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →Does skipping commercials infringe copyright?
Does skipping commercials infringe copyright?...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Surprise: RIAA trying to undermine important exceptions to copyright exclusivity
Surprise: RIAA trying to undermine important exceptions to copyright exclusivity...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Copyright issues with Google News
Copyright issues with Google News...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Making the consumer feel great about a purchase
Making the consumer feel great about a purchase...
RantsPersonal
Read Article →The problem with - and promise of - Web 2.0, AJAX and other awful buzzwords
The problem with - and promise of - Web 2.0, AJAX and other awful buzzwords...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →The Hyundai Effect: "India is getting expensive"
The Hyundai Effect: "India is getting expensive"...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →Contrary to popular belief, CDs are not going away yet
Contrary to popular belief, CDs are not going away yet...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Managing Exceptions in Framework Code
Managing Exceptions in Framework Code...
TechnologyAJAX
Read Article →Let's get 3 things straight: Copyright, Trademark, and Patent
Let's get three things straight: Copyright, Trademark, and Patent are not the same!...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →2005
Apple to launch new content distribution system
Apple to launch new content distribution system ...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Rethinking the Exclusive Reproduction Right in the Digital Context
Rethinking the Exclusive Reproduction Right in the Digital Context...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →The patented comb-over technique... literally
The patented comb-over technique... literally...
Intellectual Property
Read Article →America's Finest News Source reports "RIAA Bans Telling Friends about Songs"
America's Finest News Source reports "RIAA Bans Telling Friends about Songs"...
CopyrightThings that amuse me
Read Article →The Illustrated Guide to Cryptographic Hashes
The Illustrated Guide to Cryptographic Hashes...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →Non-Conventional Communication: The value of unstructured and informal content
Non-Conventional Communication: The value of unstructured and informal content...
TechnologyProductivity
Read Article →Should we apply product liability to software?
Should we apply product liability to software? ...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →Herding Racehorses, Racing Sheep
Herding Racehorses, Racing Sheep...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →What do you think about LINQ?
What do you think about LINQ?...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →Cronyism
Cronyism ...
Intellectual PropertyLaw School
Read Article →John Dvorak on Creative Commons: Will this nonsense ever end?
John Dvorak on Creative Commons: Will this nonsense ever end?...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Linking can be illegal in Australia
Linking can be illegal in Australia...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →Innovation in the Post-Grokster Era
Innovation in the Post-Grokster Era...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →More on Software Subscriptions
More on Software Subscriptions...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →Software as Service: Thoughts on Newsgator's subscription model
Software as Service: Thoughts on Newsgator's subscription model...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →Grokster Reversed in Unanimous Decision
Grokster Reversed in Unanimous Decision...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Is there more to the Apple Tablet rumor than we know?
Is there more to the Apple Tablet rumor than we know?...
TechnologyTablet PC
Read Article →Location-sensitive to-do lists
Location-sensitive to-do lists...
TechnologyProductivity
Read Article →Segmenting the market: Drivers are paying tolls to avoid traffic
Segmenting the market: Drivers are paying tolls to avoid traffic...
Business
Read Article →RSS is not e-mail, but it is information
RSS is not e-mail, but it is information...
TechnologyProductivity
Read Article →Family Entertainment and Copyright Act (FECA) 2005
Family Entertainment and Copyright Act (FECA) 2005...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →More on the Goldilocks Theory... or, 'Go ask the Locals'
More on the Goldilocks Theory... or, 'Go ask the Locals'...
Programming
Read Article →The Goldilocks Theory
The Goldilocks Theory...
ProgrammingSoftware Development
Read Article →The Paradox of DRM: What is the value of control?
The Paradox of DRM: What is the value of control?...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Clarifying my position on Copyright
Clarifying my position on Copyright...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →The Internet supplements, but does not replace, Brick and Mortar
The Internet supplements, but does not replace, Brick and Mortar...
In the future, music wants to feel free
In the future, music wants to feel free...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Digital Rights Management
Digital Rights Management...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →Constitution + Copyright and Orphan Works
Constitution + Copyright and Orphan Works...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →Copyright Exceptions and Defenses in the Digital Age
Copyright Exceptions and Defenses in the Digital Age...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →Syndication and Copyright: Is there an implied unrestricted license with a full-text RSS feed?
Syndication and Copyright: Is there an implied unrestricted license with a full-text RSS feed?...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →Did you hear the one about the lawyer and the software engineer?
Did you hear the one about the lawyer and the software engineer?...
TechnologyRants
Read Article →When you buy a CD, what are you getting?
When you buy a CD, what are you getting?...
TechnologyIntellectual Property
Read Article →When should a Blogger be treated as a Journalist?
When should a Blogger be treated as a Journalist? ...
RantsIntellectual Property
Read Article →Are sport stats copyrightable?
Are sport stats copyrightable?...
CopyrightIntellectual Property
Read Article →More on Autolink: Copyright protects the holder, not the consumer
More on Autolink: Copyright protects the holder, not the consumer...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Are there legal implications of the Google's new AutoLink feature?
Are there legal implications of the Google's new AutoLink feature?...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →A few items to satisfy the right brain
A few items to satisfy the right brain...
Design
Read Article →Of Dog Sniffs and Packet Sniffs
Of Dog Sniffs and Packet Sniffs...
TechnologyPrivacy
Read Article →An Apple Tablet? Old news!
An Apple Tablet? Old news!...
TechnologyTablet PC
Read Article →Non-infringing uses of BitTorrent
Non-infringing uses of BitTorrent...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →2004
Arguing from the other side
Arguing from the other side...
RantsThings that amuse me
Read Article →What power does a judge really have?
What power does a judge really have?...
Intellectual Property
Read Article →The Anatomy of a Hack: How a Criminal Might Infiltrate Your Network
The Anatomy of a Hack: How a Criminal Might Infiltrate Your Network...
Security
Read Article →Who's reading your e-mail?
Who's reading your e-mail?...
TechnologyPrivacy
Read Article →Joel on "How Microsoft Lost the API War"
Joel on "How Microsoft Lost the API War"...
TechnologySoftware Development
Read Article →More on Blog Disclaimers
More on Blog Disclaimers...
TechnologyIntellectual Property
Read Article →The RIAA's Fuzzy Math
The RIAA's Fuzzy Math...
TechnologyIntellectual Property
Read Article →The Personalities of Core Law Courses
The Personalities of Core Law Courses...
Law School
Read Article →Word of Mouth
Word of Mouth...
MarketingSocial Behavior
Read Article →Degrees of friendship
Degrees of friendship...
FacebookSocial Behavior
Read Article →All about the ingredients
All about the ingredients...
2003
Personal expression and professional affiliation
Personal expression and professional affiliation...
ISPs don't have to disclose user identities to the RIAA
And while we're on the topic of MP3s......
CopyrightLaw
Read Article →Making Change
Making Change ...
Stealing Music?
Stealing Music?...
TechnologyCopyright
Read Article →Quality Begets Quality
Quality begets quality...
ProgrammingSocial Behavior
Read Article →It's all about XML, stupid!
It's all about XML, stupid!...
BloggingProgramming
Read Article →XML, Syndication and "What's in a name"?
XML, Syndication and "What's in a name"?...
BloggingProgramming
Read Article →Metaphors for and Stories about Network Authentication
Metaphors for and Stories about Network Authentication...
Debug the simple things first
Debug the simple things first...
Scalable solutions and total cost
Scalable solutions and total cost...
More laziness
More laziness...
Laziness is next to Godliness?
Laziness is next to Godliness?...