Complete parity with the sighted may seem like an impossible goal, but maybe the only thing holding us back is a lack of imagination. — By David W. Stoesz Anyone who walks in a city knows the common annoyances — sidewalks closed to make way for construction equipment, cars turning right into the pedestrian right-of-way, signals that only change if you hit a button, people with golf umbrellas, etc. But what if you can’t see…

You look like you’ve got a great idea. Here’s how to pitch us. — Who we are The Slowdown is a publication on Medium that features thoughtful journalism about technology, culture, and creativity — and the weird and wonderful ways they intersect. Stories about the future of work, tech for social good, internet culture, media trends, design, and creative process are right in our wheelhouse. Our publication…

Meeting the needs of those who have the most trouble improves things for all of us. — By David W. Stoesz I’m directionally challenged. Like, REALLY challenged. I confidently drive in the opposite direction after stopping for gas. For the first few weeks at any job, I make my way back from the bathroom with hesitation and uncertainty. I regularly go in the wrong door in my…

Four strategies to reverse the damage of digital overload. — By David W. Stoesz There’s a good reason we find social media so compelling. We’re social beings. We evolved to be alert to information about the group and our status in it. Knowing how to navigate social information was a matter of survival, according to British anthropologist Robin Dunbar. Allying…

When it comes to the cloud, what’s true and what’s not? Over many conversations and many years in the cloud biz, we’ve heard a lot of misconceptions about the cloud. So let’s bust them here and now. Myth #1: The cloud is just storage The cloud’s storage capabilities are truly next-level, and maybe that’s how a lot…

Feel like everyone’s got this cloud thing figured out but you? Here’s an explanation of what it is, why it matters to your business, and how to make your move. — The cloud in its most basic form — networked computing and remote operations and storage — is as old as the internet itself. What’s (relatively) new is the business model that calls for things like servers and basic IT infrastructure to be purchased from cloud providers. …

Find your velocity to avoid burnout, deliver better results, and love working with your team again. — We don’t need another hero The Agile Manifesto tells us that maintaining a constant, predictable pace of work is a key characteristic of a successful team. Turns out that heroic efforts, long hours, and cut corners does not a happy team make. On the other end of the spectrum, you can consistently hit your goals…

The life and times of Silicon Valley’s most notorious buzzword. — Synergy. Best of breed. New normal. There are plenty of corporate buzzwords out there, many distorted beyond recognition by overuse, misuse, and, ultimately, abuse. But few have histories filled with as much turbulence and dispute as “disruption.” Today, the word hardly means anything at all. It’s invoked willy-nilly to imply…

The life and times of Silicon Valley’s most notorious buzzword. — Synergy. Best of breed. New normal. There are plenty of corporate buzzwords out there, many distorted beyond recognition by overuse, misuse, and, ultimately, abuse. But few have histories filled with as much turbulence and dispute as “disruption.” Today, the word hardly means anything at all. It’s invoked willy-nilly to imply…