I am proud and lucky to call myself friends with a number of people who are doing excellent things. This is an incomplete list that I will continue to add to.
- Samo Burja recently launched a YouTube Channel to discuss institutions, civilization, and society. This is in addition to his Medium posts containing a wealth of insight.
- Aella and Hrothgar have built Askhole: A deck of high-quality questions that make parties more interesting, fun, and full of deeper connections.
- Sarah Constantin is finding ways to expand the human lifespan via The Longevity Research Institute.
Art
- Geoff Bradway makes great algorithmic 3D and plotter art. He just started selling one of a kind 3D printed jewelry in his new store, Advanced Artifacts.
- Sam Rosen funnels all of the best visual imagery out there into his curated art blog, Opulent Joy.
- Bradley Cox is one of the most talented photographers I know of, with real love for nature and beauty.
- Sharon Avraham is a creative and talented photographer as well. He’s also a deeply kind and loving human.
- Vera Gould is a big canvas acrylic artist with mesmerizing designs full of complex patterns and beautiful color.
- Christian is an oil painter with a vibrant and striking style. I was lucky enough to model for him when I visited Puerto Rico!
- I wish Gabriel Schama was a friend of mine, because his laser cut wood artwork is, by far, the best of its kind.
Writing
I’m lucky to know lot of writers with excellent work.
- Catching Shrimp with Bare Hands is a memoir about a young boy growing up in the insane landscape of the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War. That boy is my dad. Written by my mom.
- Utopia, LOL? is a fun sci-fi short story and finalist for the 2017 Nebula award. It’s written by my friend Jamie Wahls.
- Slate Star Codex is the go-to blog for weird fiction, pharmacological and psychiatric analyses of things, and interesting takes on the nature of internet discussion, written by psychiatrist Scott Alexander.
- 10 Months of Acid is one of the most interesting essays I’ve found on the internet. A journey into the nature of being by Aella.
- Crystal Society is Book 1 of a completed sci-fi trilogy by my friend Max Harms. This is the most realistic and interesting depiction of AI I’ve ever seen, as written by a true Transhumanist.
- A Song For Two Voices is the extended rational fanfiction of Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series. This is a niche thing, and a thing I’ve enjoying reading. Miranda writes an exceptional amount of poignant fantasy, and is working on the last book right now.
