ornament & crime.
I reject the argument that ornament increases the pleasures of life of a cultivated person, or that it is beautiful. I prefer undecorated gingerbread. Modern people will understand.
craftsman
Sennett describes craftsmanship as "an enduring, basic human impulse, the desire to do a job well for its own sake". It's a great topic, which has come to my mind a lot with respect to software design. I have always viewed programming as a craft, amongst other things. There are reviews from The Times & The Guardian. I've ordered my copy. Grab yours.
lifestream.
I wrote a piece for the New Statesman this week on Leisa Reichelt’s notion of ambient intimacy. It's pretty short and doesn't delve too deep, but such are the limitations of print. You can read it in full here.
