San Francisco '25ers

why I came here

When the whole world is mediated thru digital instant technologies no place is particularly special. Everywhere is the same. Except...perhaps...the place where the technology comes from?

So I came to San Francisco to see what all the fuss is about. And I'm far from the only one doing this. We are the San Francisco '25ers.

most futuristic thing I've seen

Two guys with rfid chips embedded in their hand.

I saw one guy use it like a badge to swipe in at an office. The other guy had two (one on each hand), one of which connected us on LinkedIn, and the other one Rickrolled me.

I don't want to get an rfid embedded in my body, but I have bought a roll of 50 rfid stickers which I'm excited to play with. There's something very satisfying about physically tapping something and getting haptic & sound feedback. Much more satisfying than a QR code.

least futuristic things I've seen

Mouse in my hotel room. Really felt in that moment transported back to Jack Kerouac's San Francisco.

small talk in San Francisco

People will ask "What are you building?" as casually as you might ask about the weather.

"Nothing" is a totally acceptable answer, though. Often the person who asked isn't even building anything either.

fast city

In Portland, ME, on an average run I would pass people slightly more often than I would get passed.

Here, I don't think I have yet passed a single runner. And people of all ages just scream by me along the waterfront.

Fast walkers, too. Though this might have more to do with the areas I'm walking around, which don't necessarily feel unsafe but aren't places you want to linger.

big city feel

I don't know what I expected but San Francisco really feels to me on par with the New Yorks and the Londons. Not as big, obviously. But that same big city...I dunno what. It's here.