⦿ Field Notes 2 // Travel with meaning, productivity, and software bloat

Welcome back to Field Notes - I’m glad you’re still here.

Last week, I was walking one of Austin’s long, sunwashed roads on an early coffee run. The recent heatwave, which had been punishing on my British body, was finally easing - it was only 20 degrees at 7am, and the air felt breathable again.

For once, I wasn’t rushing. I noticed the way the street seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance in both directions, how the grass stayed impossibly green despite the climate, and how an older man jogged past me with a wave and a nod.

During that small moment, I felt a remarkable sense of calm.

Maybe it was the novelty of being in a new city. Maybe it was the friendliness of the locals. But more than anything, I realised the difference was that I was fully present. No internet connection meant no emails, no podcasts, and no social feeds. Just my senses and a bit of space to think and reflect on my surroundings.

It struck me that while where we live matters, how we live matters more. And that kind of clarity can be a choice. Things have ramped up again since I got back to the UK, but that morning in Austin reminded me of a desire to be more present, live more purposefully, and spend a little more time off-grid where I can.

This month on the blog

Things that left an impression

Field notes from the world of technology and design in the past month:

• An old IEEE blog post resurfaced that warns of the dangers of software bloat and makes the case for leaner, more efficient, and more secure code

• I enjoyed Alex Hutchinson’s discussion about the perils of repetition on Modern Wisdom. It’s easy to believe that momentum will guarantee success, but building a habit doesn’t necessarily mean the solution is optimal

• Rockstar gave us another peek at Grand Theft Auto VI - although we’ll have to wait until at least 26th May 2026 to get our hands on it

• And at the risk of going slightly meta, I also read fantastic articles on engaging writing and choosing effective titles for blog posts

That’s all for now - I’ll see you next month!