Hacker activists’ tactics might be questionable, but their causes are often noble. Access to information is a principle anyone who has experienced the benefits of an open internet would understand. I am astounded by the power of internet and technology as much as I am inspired by the people who use it inventively — to connect with others, to learn, to revolt, to find safety, to say the truth, to show where their talents are. We have the unique opportunity to make it easier for people to do what they want. Every recent project I have worked on or peripherally participated in is related to open data and leveraging the power of access to information and services. Access and open networks improve and literally save people’s lives.
: Aaron Swartz hits a Raw Nerve 
While that may be a way to protect private information today, I believe there will be further innovation in this area. I, for one, am looking forward to a day where I do not have to keep track of all of my accounts and password combinations in a Word document, but instead can log in to services seamlessly because they can sense and verify I am who I say I am.
: Passwords and the Digital Life 
The Internet needs more spaces like 750Words and the camera roll on my phone. Spaces where you don’t have to worry about constructing an identity, performing some version of that identity, and constantly checking for a red notification dot. I’m not suggesting that sharing and human connection aren’t immensely valuable; of course they are. But without places where we can be alone with our thoughts, unconcerned with feedback, the Internet starts to feel like a never-ending cocktail party. We need more space to recharge.
Brief Interruptions: An Internet for Introverts
If your message is ‘Shut the fuck up,’ then you can’t leave off ‘the fuck.’

I recieved this as feedback on a project I was working on late last year, and its been on my mind lately. The lesson was in not pulling punches, not tempering your message, not being afraid to state your mind and state it clearly.

I used to love debate. I took debate class as a speech requirement in high school, and ended up cleaning up our Greenhorn tournament as a suicide team (a potentially problematic term now that I think about it, that meant my partner changed school districts right before the tournament and I had to debate as a one person team - a fate that usually means you’re going to lose. Hence: suicide mission.) I won 4 out of 5 matches (and I dispute that 5th one), and was named top speaker. And I loved it. 

And in a sense I still do. But I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my hesitance to take a strong stand on things. Part of it is legitimate, I see the world in a lot more shades of gray nowadays, and I’ll argue things from several different points of view, which is an interesting exercise and a valuable skill, but doesn’t yield much in the way of answers. And I’m less and less sure that there ARE answers. Lately the more I learn, the less I feel I know, and it always leads me into rabbit holes of trying to see issues from every possible side.

However. It’s no secret that women tend to temper their opinions, and if any of that hesitance is hesitance learned then I’m challenging myself right now to break out of it. Screaming fucks from the rooftops.

(via dontoverthink)
Personally I’ve realized that situations can often force you into a spot where you need to be agile and that to succeed, in spite of other obligations, is a test to one’s character. I understand that while navigating this experience I was far from graceful, but I got what I signed up for, a worthwhile use of my time that has added value to my life professionally and personally.
_Todaro: The Unexpected Brand Lead of IxD13