Client: Signal Inc.

Objective: To create a one color logo that symbolizes a workplace initiative to increase quality control at the individual level.

And me and my family survived.

I read the article last night in bed and while I was reading it, I distinctly felt a burst of anxiety. “What if it really does mess up stuff?” “What if my iPhone stops working?”

The strongest waves from the flare were scheduled to hit our area between 1 and 5am. It was getting close to midnight when I read it and I contemplated staying up to check my phone to see if anything would break. I also wondered if I slept on my phone if I could use my body to block any damaging radiation rays from hurting my phone.

I also wondered if I should hurry up and go order that sweet .22cal pellet gun I wanted. You know, just in case I had to go shoot some food for breakfast.

So where does all this irrational thinking come from?

One Second After.

In this book, we’re told a story about life following the detonation of an Electromagnetic Pulse. The book, though mediocre, was thought provoking. (Excluding the parts about the marauding band of cannibals.)

And I suppose, as evidenced by my thoughts last night, the book had some impact on me. My takeaway? Buy the pellet gun – because it’ll be fun to have. And maybe that I’m a little too concerned about my phone.

The offense: Google has not provided equal and fair treatment to similar issues (defamation and hate mongering).

Specifically, in the past Google has included a disclaimer to accompany search results that produced hate sites directed towards Jews. They’ve chosen not to do this for Rick Santorum who is also the target of hate-related material.

First off, I’m a really big fan of Google. I generally respect the company and I love their products. I’m heavily integrated into just about everything Google offers in both my personal brand and in my workplace.

So what do I do when confronted with information that Google is doing something that I’m opposed to?

I’m sensible enough to understand that not every business operates in a way that I can always endorse. I’ll usually contact the place about it or just vote with my wallet – I won’t give that business my money.

But I’m faced with a more nuanced and significant choice when considering boycotting Google.

I resent the fact that I rely on a business in the ways I rely on Google.

I don’t like the thought of giving up all the convenience, fun and usefullness Google provides to me – mostly free of charge.

I don’t even like the simple fact that I have to make a difficult choice!

In the end. I want to know that I can take a stand for something that I believe in regardless of the degree of personal cost.

If [when] I remove myself from Google – they won’t feel a thing.

But I’ve got to think that like one lit match in the darkness, my action may help to shed some light to anyone looking.

The thing you should consider is that the concept of a central site as an all-in-one information source only works in a few instances.

I would even propose that if you’re actively engaged in three or more web communities, you could forego a personal site altogether.

To be vital on the web, you have to go to where the people are. Few will seek you out. But if you diverge yourself into many channels, the chances for making a meaningful encounter will increase greatly.

And remember to keep it up. Out of sight = out of mind.

I’m figuring out how to apply this on my own site. I’m thinking my site will get much, much simpler. Maybe a single page. Maybe it will become even more like an index to the other places on the web where I work and play.