Really interesting article from Jake Lodwick regarding company acquisitions and how he believes An Acquisition Is Always a Failure. Strong words, indeed. However, he backs it up by saying:

An acquisition, or an aqui-hire, is always a failure. Either the founders failed to achieve their goal, or - far likelier - they failed to dream big enough. The proper ambition for a tech entrepreneur should be to join the ranks of the great tech companies, or, at least, to create a profitable, independent company beloved by employees, customers, and shareholders.

There's definitely a part of me that thinks it's a lot easier to think so altruistically after you've made a big sale and don't have to worry about a dwindling bank account but, regardless, the message is still a good one to remember. If your idea is good enough for acquisition, it's probably good enough to continue pursuing as you were. It's what got you noticed in the first place, right?

I don't think my brain could ever work in this way but I love the mission statement over at Pattern Makers:

AUGMENTING THE ROLE OF PATTERN IN GRAPHIC DESIGN THROUGH TACTILE EXPLORATION

The calendar collection is filled with designs that you stare at, exploring every little facet available.

via Lions and Vultures

do you like bands influenced by Radiohead grooves? Then you'll love this. I say that in the most positive way.

The work of Joshua Petker really runs a wide gamut. Haunting watercolor, defaced vintage portraits, ships, death, and whatever you'd like to call these delightful pieces. I love that it's serious art but it's still got a sense of humor to it - a balance that is much harder to come by thanks to the Internet. Take some time to browse every set he has available, you'll be better off for it.

via Ferris.

When Keegan sent me a link to check out the incredible design of The Build, I scoffed! This isn't a website! It's a movie playing in a browser! But then I realized, this is the future of websites. A few years ago something like this would never have been possible. This is a fully immersive site with near seamless transitions between sections, incredibly well done lettering and, maybe most importantly, interesting content. Even the credits are cool. I don't think every website is going to go this direction as we move forward but I'm happy to see that some are.

Tettix is going to have a hard time outranking the work he did on the Cool Pizza Soundtrack with any other endeavor (seriously, it's a silly name but it's a worthwhile download). However, his Solace soundtrack is worth taking note of - as it's for an imaginary game.

Solace is a game you will never get to play. A world built from the music up. Each song inspired a different piece of concept art/screenshot. I see the composition and concepts of the game with great clarity. But you can imagine whatever you like.

Every track has it's own associated "gameplay art" to go along with it. At first you with the game would exist but then you realize it would never match up to the experience you create in your mind - so just enjoy it for the proper soundtrack.

There are plenty of worthwhile insights from Fred Wilson on his blog but this nugget on Why We Spend So Much Time on Policy Stuff in regards to his venture capitalist backings is particular intriguing. Mostly for this pullquote from Om Malik:

the challenges of the connected future are less technical and more legislative, political and philsophical. The shift from a generation that started out un-connected to one that is growing up connected will result in conflicts, disruption and eventually the redrawing of our societal expectations.

Read that again. Think about what side of that line you fall on and how you're going to wrangle your brain into shifting expectations.

via Kevin.

Animal

tl:dr version - one of my favorite podcasts is back from the dead. go enjoy it.

You may or may not be familiar with the podcast A Life Well Wasted. If not, you should dive in as soon as possible. It's a mixture of Radiolab's production style, This American Life's earnestness and intrigue but focused (broadly) on videogames and videogame culture. If you read this site with any regularity, you will enjoy it. I promise.

If you are already familiar with it, you know it went away for some time so creator Robert Ashley could focus on his music project I Come To Shanghai (a worthy endeavor if ever there was one). Turns out, he's figured out how to manage both the creative endeavor of the band and the creation of new episodes of the podcast because he's returned with Episode Seven - a look at work.

I suggest you subscribe to the feed, as you really never want to miss an episode.

There are many awesome things about Cat Tipi. Let's review:

• 1) It's an actual product, not an April Fools prank.
• 2) "Tipi" is a legit spelling and not just a clever way of writing "teepee." Who knew?
• 3) They have a blog filled with cats emerging from Tipis. Thank you.

That's just the broad overview of why they should be enjoyed. If you need more evidence, just partake in more product shots.

There was a time when General Lee would attend Comic-Con and document some greatness. Unfortunately, Comic-Con has really raged to such a size that it's almost impossible to get in anymore. But you know what's not overrun by companies and still has plenty of nerd costumes? Wondercon. And Lee was there to capture it properly. So, head over to his Wondercon 2013 set and enjoy the madness.

GoAtlassian

If you didn't catch it in the sidebar already, please take some time to check out these recent works from Hanksy. If you're not aware, Hanksy started out as a Banksy parody but is now just a street artist championing the Art Of the Pun. With titles like "The Walken Dead", "Weird Gal Yankovic" and "Cage Against the Machine" you know you're in good hands.

morrmusic

how did I not know he made these??

YouTube

aamon17

baffledtiger

JAMS. Enjoy.

Another week, another playlist! Let's get to it.

• The Most Well Trained Cats Ever? - they're certainly, undeniably, calm. Use this for your zen breathing exercises.
• Thanks F**kwit - excellent bit of NSFW sidewalk road rage.
• The First Honest Cable Company - videos about how terrible cable companies are feel pretty tired on the whole but these guys get into the Oligopoly angle of things and, for that, I applaud them. Beware some NSFW language here as well.
• An Ode to Movie Mainframes - I want a supercut of all supercuts regarding terrible computer usage. Imagine an hour of Mainframes and This blended together.
• Guy Fieri Comes to Williamsburg - I love how angry people are at first and then, as they hear more details, they come around to the idea.
• Jurassic Park: Really Clever Girl - so dumb but still perfectly amusing.

Have a great weekend! Enjoy this little guy.