I have always hated jargon. Why do we use made-up words and silly phrases? What are we trying to prove? What’s wrong with speaking clearly? Everyone should hate these made-up words as much as me. Before I teach you how to get gangster with jargon, first lets identify 4 different kinds of jargon: Jargon that […]
Summer 2019: Fun Changes to the Website and the Blog 🎉
We recently launched Version 3 of smithhousedesign.com, and we want to tell you about what we changed and why.
Aunt Becky Goes to Jail, Rigging the System Makes Everyone a Loser
Earlier this year a bizarre news story broke about Hollywood celebrities bribing officials to admit their children into top universities. The most famous name attached to the scandal is Aunt Becky on “Full House,” IRL the ever-pretty actress Lori Laughlin. She and her husband Mossimo (1990s fashion icon) apparently paid their child’s way into the […]
2020 VW Bus: It’s Okay to Believe
The Problem of Inspiration
Inspiration has never been more accessible. With Instagram and Pinterest, we are flooded with inspirational quotes juxtaposed with a selfie or an epic sunset. This trend spilled over into YouTube, where armies of pretty people are ready to inspire and life-coach you to achieve new heights in life. We are in a Golden Age of inspiration. All this inspiration is so lovely, yet so useless.
Bold People Need Encouragement Too
Today’s singular American Tale goes something like this: be bold, step out and be you, and your reward is glory and success. It may be the last awesome, inspiring story that our culture knows how to tell. Tragically, this story is rarely true, and it even neglects what it means to be human.Â