News From Tartary: A Journey Through Time and Terrain

 

Sometimes, a book comes along that’s more than just a story—it’s a portal to a world and era that feels almost unimaginable today. News From Tartary by Peter Fleming is one of those books. Written nearly a hundred years ago, it chronicles a 2-person “expedition” from what was then Peking (now Beijing) all the way to Kashmir, traversing vast, politically unstable, and little-known regions of Central Asia. As someone fascinated by travel, history, and the people that undertake these travels, this book gave me plenty to think about.… Read the rest

Setting Up BirdNET-Pi on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W: Lessons, Fixes, and Eventual Success

When I first heard about BirdNET-Pi, I knew I wanted to give it a try — a way to automatically detect and identify bird species from my backyard using a simple Raspberry Pi without shelling out several hundred dollars for a dedicated device seemed like a good idea.

I decided to set up BirdNET-Pi on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W, thinking it would be a relatively straightforward process. While it was a rewarding project, it also came with a few unexpected challenges, from tricky WiFi issues to microphone compatibility problems.… Read the rest

Exploring Urban Sketching: A Review of Archisketcher

If you’re interested in the world of urban sketching, you’re in for a good read with Simone Ridyard’s book, Archisketcher. This book serves as a good gateway into the art of sketching architecture and capturing the essence of urban landscapes. Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who has dabbled in drawing, this book offers good insights and advice that can help you advance your skills.

Why Urban Sketching?

Urban sketching is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to engage with your surroundings.

… Read the rest

Exploring the Depths of Gary Snyder’s Earth House Hold

When I dive into a book like Earth House Hold by Gary Snyder, it’s definitely a challenge to my normal viewpoints and day to day thoughts. This book, which falls outside the typical areas of nonfiction reading that I do, provides a unique blend of nature, spirituality, and human observation that captivated me. In this post, I’ll share my insights and reflections on Snyder’s work, which is as much a personal journey as it is a broader commentary on society and the environment.… Read the rest

The Singularity Is Nearer Book Review & Insights

This review goes into ‘The Singularity Is Nearer’ by Ray Kurzweil, exploring some pretty fascinating predictions about technology’s future and its potential impact on humanity. This book review aims to unpack what I found to be the key points and insights that will shape our understanding leading up to the singularity and beyond.

Introduction to the Book

The book builds upon the foundational ideas presented in its predecessor from 2006, ‘The Singularity Is Near.’… Read the rest