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about trey

I’m an aspiring web developer and full-time student at The University of Texas. Recently, I’ve created the F8-winning Facebook application Extended Info, and returned from an exchange program in Singapore. Learn more »

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It’s always seemed odd to me that people say “100% all natural.” Aren’t the “100%” and the “all” redundant? ∞
President Bush made a guest appearance on Deal or No Deal (1m 49s) this week, but strangely enough, it matched its lowest Monday rating ever (374 words). via Reddit ∞
Instead of freaking out or getting angry, Julio Diaz gave his mugger a coat and then treated him to dinner (3m 12s). It’s a nice story, but I do have to wonder how many muggers are this impressionable. ∞
If you and your friends can agree upon the best track on an album, it’s probably not a very good album. ∞

The Unbearable Ambiguity of Predictions

Wednesday, March 5th, 2008, 8:21 pm EST

In philosophy, you learn that a lot of your basic assumptions about reality are depressingly incompatible or inherently meaningless. One of the clichés on which I rest many of my most meaningful decisions has been to live without regrets. Don’t do anything you’ll regret, and don’t avoid trying something you’ll regret having missed.

Well, Time is running an article, Can You Predict Happiness? (998 words), which basically overturns that. The idea may seem simple — people are far too distractable and moment-centered to predict how much they’ll enjoy something — but it has really fundamental consequences. I read this article a week ago, and yet I still keep thinking about it. Once you make a decision, even one you find important, and go with it, “the unchosen alternatives evaporate.” The good news about that is, when making a decision seems like a toss-up, you can be happy with either choice. That bad news is, if you take it to the extreme, it’ll render all of your decisions meaningless and arbitrary. You would have been fine going with that other career, that other spouse, that other life.

You know, maybe Hillary wouldn’t be so bad after all.

Update: John tipped me off to the fact that the experiment’s designer, Dan Gilbert, has done a talk on this very subject for TED. In twenty-one minutes, he clarifies it much better than either myself or the Times article does. ∞

Valentine’s Day mixes may be great, but if you really want your heart to sink, listen to Rufus Wainwright’s cover of “My Funny Valentine” (3m 24s MP3). Although it’s pretty, I wouldn’t suggest dedicating it to anyone — “Your looks are laughable, unphotographable” is not the best pick-up line. Full disclosure: My Funny Valentine was written for a 1937 musical, not by Rufus. ∞
Despite the lack of a leader instructing them, much less a developed brain, ants can build incredibly complex systems underground (6m 37s). via TED ∞
I’ve always wondered how movie theaters profit (871 words). There are the obvious rip-offs at the concession stands, which are very calculated (adding salt to popcorn sets you up for another rip-off, a drink). But, ticket sales are profitable, too, with revenue usually being split 50/50. Both of these explain why most movies are 128 minutes or less — the theaters demand it. ∞
Continental is the first airline to try out paperless check-in. Instead of a boarding pass (which we can now call a boring pass), you have a complex barcode on your phone or PDA. It’s not really going to save much paper, but it’s a little more convenient. ∞
There’s an article about the theory of reference (1696 words) which also talks about this “new” approach to philosophy called experimental philosophy. That’s funny — “experimental philosophy” used to mean something else (today it’s known as “science”), which brings up, once again, the theory of reference. Now I’m confused. ∞
Kayak acquired SideStep (709 words), my part-time employer, for $196 million. Hopefully Extended Info can be saved. (Update: it can.) ∞
When computers went down at a Whole Foods in Connecticut, instead of hassling the customers with some type of ad hoc system, the store quietly gave the groceries away for free (472 words). via reddit ∞
It’s funny how much effort we invest into goodbyes. If only the rest of our interaction was equally energetic. We squeeze all of our conversation into the short-term ones. We squeeze all of our future longing into the long-term ones. ∞
Not all the language in Singapore is British English. Some of it is interchangeable with American English, like “queue up” or “stand in line.” Some is American, like “soccer.” Some is just Asian or Australian. Whereas we Americans say “for here” and “to go,” I’ve learned the hard way that many Singaporeans only understand “dine in” and “take away.” ∞
(In a fun, British accent) “To top up, please key in the sixteen-digit PIN, followed by the hex key.” ‘Hex’ is so much cooler than ‘pound.’ ∞
Director Mauro Vecchi created an optical illusion-based music video for Erlend Øye’s newest band, The Whitest Boy Alive - Golden Cage (3m 54s). via Get Weird Turn Pro ∞
CollegeHumor created a television news version of your Facebook News Feed (1m 33s). via Valleywag ∞
As I see it, with just two semesters of school left, I’ve got to make sure I’ve tried everything on Design*Sponge’s Austin Design Guide. Now if only they’d publish one for Singapore… ∞