So far, all the female Maddox-type Androids look the same. — In Episode 8 of Star Trek: Picard, we learned that Dahj and Soji are not the only two female Maddox-type androids. …

Rational bureaucrats will always and everywhere seek to increase their budgets… — Lately, I’ve been thinking of how the “budget-maximizing model” applies to the field of political consulting. Unfamiliar with the model? Here’s a primer from Wikipedia: According to the budget-maximizing model, rational bureaucrats will always and everywhere seek to increase their budgets in order to increase their own power, thereby contributing…

Star Trek: Picard, Episode 8 raised some questions. — In Episode 8 of Star Trek: Picard, we learned a lot more about the backstory of Cristóbal Rios — captain of La Sirena and clearly someone carrying a lot of emotional baggage. Indeed, Rios’ story arc has been one of the highlights of Picard, and I’m looking forward to seeing…

In hindsight, it seems clear that it was always going to come to this. — Throughout Star Trek: Voyager, one of the central threads of Seven of Nine’s story arc is how Captain Janeway, the Doctor, and later Chakotay all help her to rediscover and reconnect with her humanity. On Voyager, Seven’s story arc is one of personal growth and redemption — and frequent…

How “time blocking” is reshaping my approach to work. — “I find that the key is to think of a day in units of time — each unit consisting of no more than 30 minutes.” Hugh Grant, About A Boy When you’re a freelancer, managing your time isn’t just an essential thing. It’s nearly everything. This week, I’m swapping out…

People online are people offline, too. — Yesterday, Makena Kelly reported in The Verge that Pete Buttigieg is organizing a “digital door-knocking” effort where volunteers are contacting self-identified Buttigieg supporters via Twitter in crucial battleground states. Here’s how she describes it: As part of its efforts to get out the vote, the Buttigieg campaign has amassed roughly…

Trying to force others to need you will always end badly. — Freelancers and consultants think that they should work to get clients on retainer to stabilize their revenue. Full-time employees think that they must become “indispensable” — often by cultivating a unique skillset or by retaining institutional knowledge. Agencies learn to keep their strategies, tactics, and often their results to themselves…