00: Beginning

It's time I began working on a small piece of the Internet. I've benefited so much from the knowledge community it has assembled and given so little back. The reality is that writing here will serve me far more than anyone else. The debt grows, but the intention remains.

As for its name – a mantra that informs many of my efforts is "sushi, not fish stew." It means good writing (or good anything) should, like sushi, exhibit extreme simplicity and deep focus. It should remove the clutter to show the true nature of the thing. This can be a call to restraint and craft for those already publishing, but it can be a paralyzingly high bar for those that are not.

So welcome to my blog, where I will create fish stew in my effort to begin. I will ignore many rules of both the Internet and good craft. As opposed to a focused niche, I will wander. As opposed to clearly refined theses, I may share some fuzzy thoughts or partly digested primary sources and experiences. I will write frequently, but not regularly. I will read religiously and think rigorously.

I will be honest – with myself and anyone willing to join me on the journey. I aspired to sushi, and I could not begin, at least not in public. I am hoping that good fish stew has worth in the world enough. Maybe, together, we'll find our way to something better.