The dangerous truth behind the first-mover disadvantage
In 1975, an engineer at Kodak invented the digital camera. Almost immediately, executives began devising the best way to destroy it.
For over a century, Kodak had dominated the market by selling cheap cameras, then charging a premium for film and printing services. Even if a competitor released a better…
KOALATY WRITING
The psychological reason why you’re burned out — and what to do about it
When I first started writing, I felt invincible. Ideas swarmed through my mind so quickly my fingers could hardly keep up.
I knew building an audience would be a long-term game, and I was prepared to spend months — perhaps even years — slaving away until the world finally recognized…
There are plenty of worms for everyone
Are you still struggling to build an audience? Poor you. I gained 100K followers by eating Christmas dinner. That’s right — I have an extra 100 kilos following me around after just one meal.
I know you’re jealous.
In case you wanted to know my secrets to success, I’m going…
Expensive brain examinations got you down? Here’s how you can save!
Because I’m tall, I hit my head a lot. During my most recent encounter with the kitchen cupboards, I found myself in the emergency room getting a CT scan checking for brain damage.
But with the rising cost of health care, hospitals are now looking for a more affordable way…
KOALATY WRITING
Parents have an extra difficult time excelling as writers — but there’s hope
When The Guardian asked Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Ford for his best writing advice, he replied, “Don’t have children.”
Ford went on to explain that kids are everything writing is not. Creative people live carefree lives, but children require stability. …
Ninjas are doomed. Can anything be done to rescue them?
For centuries, little was known about ninjas. Official records rarely confirmed their existence, making ninjas a fascinating mystery. But in 2012, Jinichi Kawakami came forward as the last surviving ninja grandmaster. …
KOALATY WRITING
Still trying to make your readers think? You’re working too hard.
In 2010, Nestlé announced their plans to use cocoa from CCN51, a genetically altered tree that could produce seven times more beans than normal. Numerous connoisseurs predicted Nestle’s downfall, especially since chocolate made with this cocoa tasted like rusty nails or dirt.
But to everyone’s surprise, Nestlé’s sales skyrocketed. What…
The US Department of Energy’s attempts to communicate with future civilizations were anything but successful
“This place is not a place of honor. No highly esteemed deed is commemorated here. Nothing valued is here. What is here was dangerous and repulsive to us… This place is best shunned and left uninhabited.”
In 1990, a team of geologists, linguists, scientists, and archaeologists suggested etching these words…
The true story about how pirates of the Caribbean hijacked the metric system
In the late 1700s, Massachusetts was using feet, gallons, and pounds. But just one state over, New Yorkers were using roedes, okshoofds, and ons to measure goods.
Communication was quickly becoming a nightmare. Since each state decided its own system of measures, people near borders found it impossible to conduct…
Philip S. Naudus
High school teacher by day, koala by night. My wife is a cartoonist with a Ph.D., and she co-authors all of these articles. Contact: heylink.me/psn
