Experts
Jason Kottke
Founder, Kottke.org; Fmr. Web Designer
Recent Activity
I'm here to interview you, who are you?
For an interview with Gerard Butler (aka the head Spartan in 300), Esquire sent Cal Fussman in cold. He was given an address and a first name and told to go get the story. We agree that the balcony upstairs is the best spot. There's a magnificent view of L. A. Gerry hits a button and an awning lowers. His assistant, who has the aura of someone who could be running a Fortune 500 company, sets down a fruit plate and some water."Whatever you do, I get the impression that you do it well."Gerry seems not to comprehend that I truly don't know what he does."I went more for the energy than for something big and bombastic. It was great when my mom came over and stood on the balcony. The boy did good."Just then, a small gift balloon that says MOM rises directly in front of us, out above the trees."Where the fuck did that balloon come from?" he says. "I've had some of the craziest synchronicities in my life.""Where are you from?""You don't even know where I'm from. This is unbelievable." By his own admission, Fussman "really hadn't seen many movies" before six months ago. There's something a touch New Journalism about this interview...or perhaps it's just the opposite. Tags: Cal Sussman Gerard Butler interviews
July 14, 2009, 10:45 AM
Video that showcases the world's fastest people in several disciplines: clapping, sprinting, undressing, Rubik's Cubing, gun shooting, and stamper. The stamping champ is kind of incredible and if you haven't seen the cup stacker, check her out and here's one that's even faster. Stacking gear is available if you'd like to join in. Tags: video
July 13, 2009, 11:36 PM
Frank Ahearn used to be a private investigator but now uses his PI experience to charge up to $30,000 to help people disappear. There are three key steps to disappearing. First, destroy old information about yourself. Call your video store or electricity company and replace your old, correct phone number with a new, invented one. Introduce spelling mistakes into your utility bills. Create a PO Box for your mail. Don't use your credit cards and the like.Then, create bogus information to fool private investigators who might be looking for you. Go to one city and apply for an apartment. Rent a car in another one.The next, final step is the most important one. Move from point A to point B. Create a dummy company to pay your bills. Only use prepaid mobile phones and change them every month. It is nearly impossible to find out where you are unless you make a mistake. Tags: Frank Ahearn how to
July 13, 2009, 11:27 AM
Updates on previous entries for Jul 12, 2009*
No one knows how to make a pencil orig. from Jul 09, 2009District 9 orig. from May 06, 2009* Q: Wha? A: These entries have been updated with new information since they were first published.
July 13, 2009, 1:10 AM
The Mad Men season two DVDs (and Blu-ray) are out on July 24; both are deeply discounted for pre-order at Amazon. Tags: Mad Men
July 12, 2009, 12:43 AM
Jason Kottke is a blogger and former web designer. Educated at Coe College, Kottke began his career as a web designer in 1986. He worked on design projects for companies as diverse as Charles Schwab, Target, and the University of Minnesota. He designed the now-ubiquitous typeface Silkscreen in 1999, which has since been adopted by Adobe, MTV and Volvo. He has served on the Advisory Board for SXSW Interactive since 2000. In 2005, he announced he had left his web design job to work on his blog full-time. The site is now supported by paid advertisements. Kottke lives in New York City.
