New Editor, Same Deal
Over 220 of the most interesting folks from around the world applied as candidates for the position of curating this collection of cool stuff. The range of skills offered was impressive, and reassuring. It was a hard decision. In the end one of those candidates convinced me that his version of Cool Tools would be a lot of fun. Since I couldn't imagine who I'd rather curate Cool Tools than science fiction author, blog master, and raconteur extraordinaire, Bruce Sterling, he gets the assignment.
The deal is the same. Cool Tools only runs positive reviews of stuff that works. We love tried and true tools, rather than flimsy and faddish gadgets that only look good on the screen. Most of our reviews come from you, the reader. To keep the quality high, the reviews sharp and reliable, Bruce Sterling will edit the reviews you submit.
Bruce is taking over from the low-key but amazingly professional Steven Leckart. Steven is now more visible writing over at Boing Boing Gadgets, which to my mind now has much of the flavor of the early original Boing Boing. Thanks, Steven. You did a fantastic job! (The "Random Item" was one of his ideas.) One of these days we should meet. (For two years we've only communicated by email and phone.)
So to return to your regularly schedule programming, send Bruce a favorite cool tool. A cool tool...
1) Is not commonly known, or if known, not appreciated for this particular use.
2) Really works over a long time period.
3) Is significantly better than the competition.
4) Assists individuals (verses institutions) in self-empowerment and self-learning.
5) Is not one you've invented, sell, or promote.
The ideal Cool Tool review begins: "Over the years I've tried dozens of tools to accomplish X, but this one is by far the best thing. After using this tool every day for 2 years, it continues to amaze me. The problem it solves for non-professionals is this..." and it goes on to say why this item is so wonderful compared to other choices and why most of us here at Cool Tool might be interested in at least knowing about it.
Just so you know.
Do you have a favorite problem solving tool? Send your rave about it to Bruce Sterling, bruces@well.com.
Favorite (15)
Jeremy D Pavleck
Well, I thought I was perfect for the editor job and applied. Was bummed I wasn't picked, but holy crap how can I even come close to Mr. Sterling?! Makes me feel a little better now hehe.
Nice work Mr. Sterling, now review the awesome Swiss Army Knife CyberTool 41 and the PicoPad!
thomas marban
terrific! congrats kevin & bruce
Michiel
Next time, please let us know someone like Mr. Sterling contacted you, so we won't have to bother writing haha.
I'm sorry you didn't give someone who isn't already successful a chance, but not at all surprised. I'm looking forward to what's coming!
Joe D
I first read this as "Bruce Sterling will eat the reviews you submit. "
So make'em delicious, ok?
Greg
I'm sure Mr. Sterling will do a fine job. However it's disappointing that such a high profile person was chosen. If the current editor editor Steven Leckart himself had to go up against a celebrity author, could he have gotten the job? Supposedly it was a hard decision, but how hard is it to pick a well know name in this celebrity obssessed culture?
Danilo Campos
Having to compete with Bruce Sterling for this gig is like trying to get a weekend job at Best Buy and seeing Billy Mays filling out an application ahead of you.
Thanks for an awesome blog. Cool Tools remains a favorite daily read. We're in great hands with Bruce.
Jeff from craziestgadgets.com
Welcome Bruce. Great man for the job KK.
I bet your application looks something like this: "Hi, this is Bruce Sterling, when do I start?"
Matt Katz
Big fan of both cool tools and BruceS.
I'm a little worried that Bruce has too much going on to really devote to Cool Tools, and I hope I'm wrong.
Bruce - proper linking, none of this strange personal format you do over at wired!
Looking forward to more amazingness from CT!
Moon
Cool, Maybe we can get some gadgets from a different universe!
Please???
Moon
Hey, why is the item at the bottom of the post a HEMP Caribe Hat??
Is this a sly editorial comment?
:D
Alex Gray
Congratulations, Bruce Sterling. On honor simply to have been considered for the same gig.
Looking forward to your take on Cool Tools!
Andy
I wish I had applied to the job (as it at occurred to me) simply so I could say, "Freakin' Bruce Sterling got it." :-)
Todd
Holy crap! bruce is awesome!
pt
love it - this is the best mashup ever.
Daniel Mick
Whoa. That Bruce applied to the position along with a perfect but unknown candidate like myself speaks to the power of Cool Tools! I look forward to ever more Cool Tool reviews.
Franky Stainz
Bruce Sterling is now the nemesis of Franky Stainz.
Franky Stainz
Khaaaaaan!
(Six A's. That's how mad I am).
Greg
It's normal to apply for a job, and compete against a lot of qualified candidates. The reality is that anyone in the the course of their career will apply for many more jobs than they are hired for. Still this has the feel of being unsportsmanlike. The job was pitched to Cool Tools readers as a part-time job with modest compensation, but with the benefit of offering some good exposure. Exactly the kind of job someone looking to build a portfolio or ehance a resume would take as a career building move. It hardly seems like Mr. Sterling was the type of candidate originally envisioned for this job. I suppose once Mr. Sterling showed interest, the very nature of the job changed. Imagine answering an open audition for a small community theater production, then being told later that after seeing many fine auditions, the director has decided to go with Brad Pitt. While you would understand that Brad Pitt auditioning for the role was a game changer, it wouldn't make it feel any more fair.
Julian
Whoopie-do...
I, for one, am not impressed.
I would like to think there were at least a handful of other individuals more qualified.
How does grinding out an unceasing stream of lame SF pulp qualify one to be the penultimate choice as a tool review editor?
We need someone like J. Baldwin.
Alex Merz
Julian: there is only one person on earth like J. Baldwin, and his name is J. Baldwin. Sterling is not J. Baldwin, but his work on Viridian sits squarely within the Whole Earth/CoEv paradigm. This is going to be fun.
DerekSmith
Welcome Bruce, I look forward to reading you.
Although you have a considerable reputation, you have quite an act to follow.
Steven, it has been great reading your work, thank you for the great job you have done hand holding us reviewers and good luck in your future role.
Steven Leckart
@DerekSmith:
Thanks so much for the kind words. It's been a pleasure and an absolute privilege to be a part of this community.
Julian
Alex,
Wrong.
There are alot of people like J. Baldwin.,especially here in Wyoming.
I know a number of them personally. Happen to be one myself.
Patia
I have no idea who Bruce Sterling is, but apparently he is a better man than I. Oh, wait, I'm not a man. Anyway, congratulations. I look forward to continuing Cool Tools.
Paul
Gee, I come back from paddling my Cool Tool Klepper kayak around a Moazambican island for five days and this is what I find. What's so uncool about a journalist from far-flung Africa? Oh, hang on ... Feel an Abe Books moment coming on.
Anyway, well done, Bruce. I will remain loyal.
Rob
Unbelievable choice-- I first heard about Bruce from reading Schizmatrix Plus and (nonfiction) The Hacker Crackdown. He's a fantastic choice and I wish him the best.
I do hope that, like Steve, Bruce maintains the commitment to publishing stuff that is practical and really works, rather than stuff that is new, trendy, politically in or just "cool". But I have no doubt that he will.
Hank Roberts
Oboy.
Bruces, I'm looking forward to reviews of engineered intestinal flora and fauna along the lines you've laid out in _Caryatids_. Please hurry.
I congratulat you on answering the question how the move toward a global atmosphere upgrade can be accomplished. Who'd have thought ....