The author reflects on a conversation with a friend about the concept of wilderness while climbing in Boulder. They discuss the idea of civilization encroaching on wild spaces and explore examples of urban rewilding, such as aband...
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Michael Bateman writes about the outdoors, media, and life on his blog Passing Time.
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The post discusses the fragile nature of creation compared to the ease of destruction, using the metaphor of children building a tower with blocks. It emphasizes the need for cooperation and competence in creative endeavors, contr...
The resurgence of Stoicism in modern self-help and pop psychology raises questions about its relevance and effectiveness. While Stoicism offers valuable insights on action and virtue, it often overlooks the importance of emotions ...
Strava users should avoid hiding their activity maps while posting publicly, as it promotes vanity and gatekeeping rather than community engagement.
The author reflects on five years of using a smartwatch to track health metrics, concluding that while data collection is extensive, it often reinforces pre-existing knowledge rather than providing actionable insights. Key finding...
Reductionist thinking undermines the joy of life experiences like skiing, as it focuses on negatives while ignoring the overall value and happiness they provide.
In a world overwhelmed by short-form video content, the author emphasizes the importance of intentional time management and reflects on significant literary influences on modern morality and culture.
The post discusses the science and beauty of sunrises and sunsets, explaining how atmospheric conditions affect their colors. It highlights the phenomenon of Rayleigh scattering, which causes shorter wavelengths of light to scatte...
The post discusses the shift from algorithmically-served content and passive consumption on social media to more private and curated forms of content sharing, such as group messages and email lists. The author highlights the impor...
The author reflects on a personal list of simple, fulfilling activities that promote community and physical engagement, contrasting them with the isolating effects of wealth and luxury. Drawing on David Brooks' concept of the 'Hai...
The post discusses the rivalry between tennis players Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, highlighting their different playing styles and the impact they had on each other's careers. It also mentions Novak Djokovic and the impact of t...
The text is about the author's observations of his roommate's daily pancake-making routine and the deeper meaning he finds in it, reflecting on the acceptance of imperfection.
The author hosted a 50k ultramarathon out of his backyard called Slos. The race was a senseless, masochistic endeavor, but it brought people together and created a sense of community. The event was a celebration of culture and val...
0Slos 50k: Countdown
2025-04-23 • marathon race boulder sanitas summer cookout
Boulder's backyard ultramarathon, Slos, is set to start soon. The race will consist of several laps of Sanitas, with a starting line, aid station, and finish line at 2530 9th Street, Boulder, CO 80304. The event will include a coo...
0My body is not a temple
2025-04-06 • diet tips backcountry skiing snacks
The author discusses his eating habits and how they differ between his everyday life and his athletic pursuits. He consumes unhealthy snacks during his athletic activities, despite having a healthy diet in his everyday life.
The text discusses the author's experience with backcountry skiing and how it has transformed his perspective on snow. It also delves into the work of contemporary artist Mary Royall and her practice of 'light foraging'. The inter...
The text discusses the feeling of losing relevance and being surpassed by younger generations in terms of knowledge and cultural awareness. The author reflects on his past experiences and the changing intellectual landscape, expre...
0Introducing: Slos
2025-02-16 • marathon california service level agreement race boulder
The text introduces a 50k race called Slos, which involves running laps of Mount Sanitas in Boulder, Colorado. The race is set to take place on May 3rd, 2025, and is organized by the author and his friend Jack. The event is descri...
0American Hedonism
2025-02-07 •
The text discusses the album 'American Hedonism' by Your Neighbors, exploring themes of sin, religion, and existentialism. It delves into the duality of Heaven and Hell, the seven deadly sins, and the pursuit of happiness. The alb...
0Book Review: Primates of Park Avenue
2025-01-06 •
The book is a study of motherhood in the Upper East Side of New York City. The author, Wednesday Martin, uses her academic background to style her move from downtown Manhattan to the Upper East Side as if she were traveling to a r...
0How I passed the time in 2024
2024-12-18 •
The post is a link post about the outdoors, media consumption, and life. The author shares the best media consumed in 2024, including short stories, essays, and music. The post also discusses the author's meetups with readers and ...
0Valuable, but not productive
2024-12-02 •
The author reflects on their college scholarship program, which included career workshops and activities. They discuss the focus on consulting and finance, and the pressure to pursue these careers. They express concern about the l...
The text discusses the author's experience with a podcast called All-In, where the hosts made a false claim about government spending and GDP growth. The author disproves the claim and questions the integrity of the podcast, ultim...
0The Illusion of Solitude
2024-11-01 •
The text discusses the illusion of solitude in the wilderness and how it is a cultural invention. It talks about the conflict between people valuing land for productive and extractive uses and those who value wild lands primarily ...