In this video, I talk about the concept of text expanders and explore why they are an essential tool for anyone looking to enhance productivity and save time.

A text expander is a program that allows users to assign triggers to specific blocks of text, which are then automatically expanded when the trigger is typed. I highlight the versatility and benefit of text expanders in various professional fields, including writing, marketing, data input, customer service, medical professions, social media marketing, and academia.

I also discuss the significant time-saving potential of consistency, flexibility, ergonomic advantages, and cross-platform compatibility provided by text expanders. However, I do touch on the potential privacy concerns associated with text expanders, urging you to be cautious and select trusted and audited solutions.

I begin by emphasizing the simplicity and functionality of text expanders.

By using trigger words or phrases, individuals can streamline their writing process and reduce repetitive typing. Whether it’s filling out addresses, sending standard emails, or inputting data, text expanders can significantly enhance efficiency and reduce the time spent on mundane tasks.

I talk about the diverse range of professionals who can benefit from using text expanders. Writers can save time by using boilerplate phrases, marketers can streamline their outreach efforts, and customer service representatives can provide quick responses with pre-defined answers. Medical professionals can utilize text expanders for standardized codes and forms, while social media managers can respond to common queries and comments promptly. Even academics can benefit from text expanders when writing frequently cited phrases or references.

One of the key advantages of text expanders is their ability to save time. I share personal anecdotal evidence of the significant amount of time saved by using a text expander. By automating repetitive tasks, individuals can reclaim valuable time and channel it into more meaningful activities.

Another benefit of text expanders is the consistency they provide. Since text expanders ensure pre-defined responses and templates are inserted accurately, typographical errors and inconsistencies are minimized. This attention to detail enhances professionalism and reduces the likelihood of miscommunication in written forms.

Text expanders also offer flexibility and customization options. Users can create their own triggers, choosing phrases and shortcuts that make sense to them personally. This flexibility makes it easier to remember and use the tool consistently, thereby maximizing its benefits.

Furthermore, text expanders reduce strain on wrists, hands, and forearms, as less manual typing is required. By utilizing pre-defined text snippets, individuals can minimize repetitive motions, leading to fewer instances of discomfort or injury associated with extensive typing.

Finally, I cover the cross-platform compatibility of text expanders. Whether using a Mac, Linux, or Windows machine, text expanders can be seamlessly integrated into different operating systems, ensuring consistency and ease of use across platforms.

However, I urge you to be mindful of privacy concerns when selecting a text expander. While reputable programs do not compromise user data, I advise anyone with privacy concerns to opt for open-source solutions that have undergone audits, reassuring users that their keystrokes are not being logged or sent to external servers.

In conclusion, text expanders are powerful tools for increasing productivity and efficiency in various professional settings. By automating repetitive tasks, ensuring consistency, providing flexibility, reducing strain, and offering compatibility across platforms, text expanders have proven to be invaluable assets for individuals seeking to optimize their workflow. However, users should exercise caution and choose trusted solutions to address any potential privacy concerns.

a²+b²=c² 

Even if you slept through most of your high school math classes like I did, you still might recognize this as the “Pathagorean Theorem.”

Useful for figuring out the length of the hypotenuse of a right angle triangle when you know the lengths of the other two sides.

In case that’s not confusing enough, here it’s demonstrated with water:

I didn’t say that explains anything, but it IS a cool demonstration of the math in practice.

For 99.9% of the world this is where their interest of Pythagoras begins and ends.

But, man are they missing out.

Turns out that Pathagoras was weird.

Super weird.

Like, start a secretive cult with none of the fun stuff weird.

And I love it.

I’m about 3/5ths of the way through a book by a German author, Walter Burkert.

He’s exploring the influence that a man had on the entire history of Western thought & science. It’s a tough job for someone who lived several hundred years before Aristotle, never wrote anything down, and preferred to keep his secrets to himself.

The version I’m reading is the first edition translated into English, and it’s pretty easy to follow along with insofar as the English is concerned.

It’s the Greek that gets me.

As far as I can tell, the Greek is left untranslated.

Entire paragraphs are included, and there are oftentimes more footnotes on the page than actual paragraphs.

If I didn’t know any better I’d say I’m stuck in my own “House Of Leaves” nightmare.

It’s strange to me that there are copious footnotes about the research done to verify the authenticity of the particular phrase, and choose to leave it as-is.

Even with that speed bump, it’s still fascinating stuff.

Especially reading it with the eye of a magician.

It’s like a scholar trying to figure out a 2000 year old set list of a magic show based on the Facebook posts of audience members if they waited 400 years to share anything about it.

That alone is enough to keep me moving forward seeing what hints he can unravel.

Secondly, the ideas hidden away in the Pathagorean “Academy” are so wonderfully weird and insightful that I’d be a fool if I stopped reading.

There are so many parallels to art, magic, performance, and the ideas I explore within the space of my mind reading show.

I expect a lot of this will be incorporated into my routines and give new life to some of the more standard approaches I take with a couple pieces I’ve wanted to revamp.

I will post a full review with my thoughts once I finish the book which should be soon considering how captivating it is.

Until then.