Figuring out this gallery’s story was initially a struggle. It floated in the back of my mind for weeks until a flood of oxytocin brought it to shore. I went to the book shelf one day and cracked open: Do/Design: Why Beauty is the Key to Everything.

The first chapter page is arresting. If you manage to finish reflecting on it, you’re stuck wondering why there are even any more pages to this book.

—

When a skateboarder makes it to a famous skate spot, the first thing that goes through their head is imagining all the unbelievable things that have been done there. The more legendary the spot, the closer your jaw is to the floor.

But there’s more. What is it like to actually roll up to it; the ledge, the gap, the rail, the stairs, the drop? Wind up about 20 feet, drop your board down and ride up to a visceral fantasy.

It’s beautiful.

Checking out the Maloof course before the contest delivered a tingle and goosebumps. Sometimes it’s the anticipation that gets you. It wasn’t about what had already been done, it was knowing who was there to do something—it was those same people who transform architecture into things of legend.

Walking around, I’d step up to the set of stairs and imagine what it would be like do a frontside flip down it. Or looking at one of the down ledges and imagining all the tricks I’d never want to try because it would scare the shit out of me.

Some tricks are beautiful on their own. Sometimes it’s the style that does it. Then there are the beautiful minds. And if you’re lucky, you get two or all three of those things.

Torey Pudwill’s back lip up, around, and down the ledge was one of these for me. Where did that idea come from and how the hell did he actually do it?!

When you create like that, it tends to stick around. That is the stuff of legend.

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It’s a matter of perspective(s), isn’t it? The way we relate to it?

Our perspectives seem to work both for and against us in profound ways. The biases we bring along influence our problem solving abilities—as do our past experiences, our tendency to uncover patterns, the time frame within which we’re working.

Remember that cliche about when we—ass-u-me? That’s what happens we don’t have the right model(s); information with a frame for understanding. Or haven’t structured, or organized, our process. Solutions seem a preferable outcome so shouldn’t they also be plausible, clear from bias?

There’s a Coursera course called, Model Thinking, that helps formalize this process—at least for some types of problems. There are four reasons offered why someone might want want to take this class:

• To be an intelligent citizen of the world
• To be a clearer thinker
• To understand and use data
• To better decide, strategize, and design

Over 180,000 people have signed up…Social proof, engage!

Useful models are inspiring, which is fantastic because we use models all day long and most of the time we don’t even realize it. But it sure would be nice realize it and be more intentional.

Perhaps then my first international experience would have been a bit more…pleasant.

It’s uncomfortable when you can’t relate

Can you recall the last time you weren’t able to relate to someone or something? It’s uncomfortable! The inability to empathize or connect even on a basic level is unsettling. Relating to someone or something usually takes some experience. I used to think it just took “showing up”. But that’s a whole other kind of experience.

I went to Prague in 2012 and it was my first time outside of North America. It’s a beautiful city with lots to explore. And one of the strongest memories I have was not being to communicate with most people.

One day, I had built up an appetite after walking by hundreds of storefronts and soaking in everything I could from these new surroundings. I paused on the sidewalk when a pub menu caught my attention between stomach rumblings. I decided to poke my head in to see what it was like. The space was dark and there were just a handful of people sitting at the bar and a couple at tables.

“Table for one”, I asked. “Sorry, no, closed.”

What just happened? It was the middle of the day, there were customers inside, and I was refused service.

It’s possible something was going on that I wasn’t aware of but it felt different. It was as though the language I used set off the bar’s defense system. Red alert!

If only I had learned a few more Czech words beyond: ”please”, “thank you”, and “beer”.

Despite an otherwise incredible experience, I couldn’t shake the fact that communication, one of humanity’s most basic and essential abilities, was just…not happening.

As a Communicator, I was incapable of letting this go.

Despite an otherwise incredible experience, I couldn’t shake the fact that communication, one of humanity’s most basic and essential abilities, was just…not happening.

As a Communicator, I was incapable of letting this go.

I made a pact with myself when I got home. For at least three months prior to future trips, I would study the native language when English isn’t it.

The opportunity arrived sooner than later: Germany the following year. Lovely…their English is so good that I stand to learn a thing or two.

Repeating the Czech pub discomfort seemed unlikely but I studied anyway. And WOW—what a massive difference.

At a minimum, most people I spoke with seemed to appreciate the effort. I was able to read menus, signage, transportation instructions, lots of things. It was an entirely different experience and better than I could have imagined.

I had given myself access to relate.

Models open up the world (and also keep them closed)

Language (and what it represents) is truly one of our great barriers. It’s disappointing because beyond barriers are exciting new worlds. If we only knew…

In 2014, other languages called: Complex systems.

Taking the Intro to Complexity course from SFI was just like coming back from Prague. I couldn’t let go. The cosmic door was blown from its hinges. All these new ideas and concepts should have been overwhelming but instead I filed a permanent address change for my jaw after it emigrated to the floor.

I fell in love with complex adaptive systems and the eyes of everyone I shared the subject with had more glaze than a Krispy Kreme donut.

Network science, a discipline within the study of complex systems, was particularly fascinating. It helped explain issues that I was unable to articulate doing social network analysis two years prior.

It was clear that the language of maths could no longer be a disappointing grade on my high school report card. Linear algebra, statistics and probability, and graph theory, topics I knew little to nothing about suddenly became foundational. Dammit. You wouldn’t have a spare couple of years, would you?

The languages and models of experience are beautiful. And the pull to explore them, irresistible.

Model Thinking, the course

Hopefully the topics in the Model Thinking course, while both familiar and foreign, add new perspectives and become a resource; more ways to relate.

Success looks like shifting some unknown unknowns to known unknowns, and known unknowns, to knowing a little bit. That would be a wonderful outcome.

And knowing a little bit opens up new worlds. Which ones? No idea. This is a Mild Goosechase after all. Week One starts today.

Cover Photo by Greg Rakozy on Unsplash

If ever there was a hike to satisfy all a hiker’s desires, this one comes as close as any. A loop hike with many fabulous changing faces throughout the seasons, Heather-Maple Pass features ridgelines blanketed in wildflowers in summer, lakes ringed with golden larches in fall, and before the highway closes for the season, a dramatic place to experience early winter’s snows.

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I also felt like I should know this city a bit better by now than I do. Most trips are by car or bus here so it’ll be good to use the ‘ol feet. Though the bus was mighty useful for getting to the initial destination.

First stop: First Ave/ Lander St. in SoDo

The Starbucks Center building was constructed in 1912 by the Union Pacific Railroad in a successful attempt to lure Sears, Roebuck and Co. to Seattle.

The building was known as the SoDo Center as of 1990 until 1997 when Starbucks renamed it.

Do people still call it the SoDo Center the way we Chicagoans still refer to the Sears Tower? Pretty sure no one knows what the Sears Tower is actually called now…

Filson has some serious history in this town. They supplied gold prospectors with gear in the 1890s are still around making nice stuff.

I was pretty close buying a ticket and going in. It was hot out and I was thinking about The Sandlot. Maybe next time.

Pioneer Square

I’ll never understand outdoor table tennis. The park was really nice though.

Chinatown/International District

There was a big chess game goin on.

Capital Hill

35th North Skateshop

Vancouver used to be a mythical place with great skateboarding in a land far, far away.

Downtown

That tree reminds me of Christmas in Rockefeller Center

Belltown

Lower Queen Anne

As of July 2018, 65 colossal metal appendages have made Seattle crane capital of the US for the third year in a row. Chicago is #2 with 40. Though according to the Seattle Times:

Seattle still pales in comparison to the type of construction going on in other parts of the world. Dubai has an unbelievable 1,182 cranes while Sydney has 346. In North America, Toronto leads with 97 cranes.

Source: Seattle tops the nation in tower cranes for third straight year as construction reaches new peak/Seattle Times

I’ll give’em credit for the shakes.

There’s a Mr. Rogers documentary that’s playing right now. Supposed to be good!

West Seattle

Made it to West Seattle for a jam sesh with the boys.