Newest New Cool Editor
It was a mighty fine experiment: Take an original fast-forward science fiction writer, who has been subscribing to Cool Tools from day one (before it was a blog), who edited the final issue of the Whole Earth Catalog's zine (the original model for Cool Tools), and who had worked with me many times before (appearing on the cover of the first issue of our zine Wired) -- take this fellow and turn his creative mind towards the utilitarian workaday routine of Cool Tools. That was the idea a month ago in hiring Bruce Sterling as editor of Cool Tools.
Well, that fine experiment did not work out. Bruce Sterling is retiring from his very energetic stint as Cool Tools editor. Some kind of personality mismatch. These things are always mysterious, even when they work. No big deal. Only thing is to move on. I am really looking forward to working with Bruce again because if you want "think different", if you want true originality, street level honesty, entertaining insight, and a remarkable stylist, Bruce Sterling is your guy. Really. I learn something from Sterling in every encounter with him, and I am easily bored. Sterling has never bored me.
Cool Tools is boring in that workaday jeans and boots sort of way. Utilitarian. WYSIWYG. No "skins." So we are going to stick to our workaday useful ways. The newest new Cool Tool editor, Elon Schoenholz, is not boring but not flashy either. Elon was one of the 200 candidates rounded up in the casting call last month. He has experience as a editor and reviewer at Consumer Guide, Mountain Bike magazine, a weekly paper, and is currently a professional architectural photographer. His home site is here.
As always, most of the reviews on this site are written by readers (and every one of them by actual users). This site is only as good as the material that flows into it. The job of Elon, or Bruce, or Steven, or Charles, or myself, is only to sift, edit, tidy up, and to head off misunderstanding before the review is posted. Send Elon a rave about your favorite cool tool; address to elon at schoenholz dot c o m.
To reiterate what is wanted:
Cool Tools publishes only 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. 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.
Favorite (15)
derrick
Huzzah! Brucie's gone!
Andy
I'm a little disappointed that Bruce's tenure didn't work out -- I was actually kind of excited, what with the whole Veridian thing and whatnot. But I think KK makes a good point about Cool Tools actually being about the boring in life: the Honda Accords, the Netflixes, the Leathermen, the McMaster-Carrs. Boring is what you want to get the goddamn job done. Boring is what "really works over a long time period". Boring gets bad press, but that's where the design gems are. There's a lesson in that. Something Buddhist, no doubt.
Moon
I don't like the new guy! What's up with that hat?? That's not a cool ANYTHING!
/I only have to get rid of 198 more people and I'm in! Bwahahahahaha!
Welcome aboard! We're a good group!! :D
Margrreet
I enjoyed the mix of cool tools that Bruce selected in his brief tenure as editor. Don't know anything about him outside this context but I liked the way he did the job. So there.
And the new guy? He gardens or farms? He wears a real live utilitarian hat. And he likes to show off something real? (Like, vegetables?) I have hope.
Spiny Norman
I admire Sterling, especially his nonfiction and the Viridian project. The Difference Engine is also a favorite. As Cool Tools Editor? He had to go. Well done, Kevin.
Wayan
I am sad that Bruce didn't work out, but I can't say that I will miss him.
Cool Tools is not about cool things like Gibson bags or extra oxygen dispensers, its about the Gentle Leader leash, Sno-seal, and Glacier gloves - all things I've bought because of Cool Tools that are not actually "cool" in the flashy way Bruce seemed to think. But cool in the way only a site called "Specialty Bottle" can be, and cool in the best way possible - items I still recommend to others on a daily basis.
Welcome to Elon Schoenholz. Any man who can hold a beet and carrot with pride looks like the right Cool Tools editor to me.
Shawn
I am purchasing two of the items reviewed in the past month. The Gibson bag thing did come way out of left field, though...
Feeny
I think that we all have our ideas on what is a 'cool tool' is but I did feel that Bruce wasn't on quite the same page as Kevin. I wish him luck in his other projects and I'm excited to see what Elon brings to us!
Wally
I always thought a "mission statement" was stupid, but in this case, it's always good to remind all of us what cooltools are, because, if anything, it will save you a lot of editoral wading thru headaches. god I hate my grammar skills.
Andrew Pollack
A very tough call, Kevin, but well made. I'll continue to buy, read, and enjoy Bruce's books; but his choice in tools wasn't a good match for this site. For what it's worth, I wouldn't let him take out my appendix either. We all have areas we're best suited for.
MR
Yeah, the Gibson bag somehow reminds me of dentists trying to learn to ski after buying the most expensive clothes and gear. The real skiers of my youth were the guys in jeans with their chewed-up Salvation Army reject gear. I'd like to recommend my computer/everything bag but it has no name, was purchased for $1 at a thrift store and by the way, works perfectly.
jess
Welcome, Elon. I hope everyone will chill-out and give the new guy a chance.
Louis Bullard
Sad to say that the only thing I will remember of Bruce's stay is the Gibson bag. I'm sure you had an excellent reason for hiring him, Kevin, but I am glad that you are taking another tack at this time. Welcome, Elon!
Good Choice Kevin
Makes sense. Was not a fit. Next!
Duncan
Well I'm sad to see Bruce go. I loved the flavour he brought to CT and had no idea people were bagging him out on the comments. Pun intended. (I had missed the Gibson Bag, but surely one bad apple would not have coloured so many specs ...?)
Jeff
Bruce sterling is fantastic, nuff said.
MisRulia
I'm quite disappointed with this outcome, personally. I was very much looking forward to seeing what Bruce did with the place. His own fanbase would've followed him here to some extent, which would in turn have broadened the range of reviews submitted. Bruce would also have inevitably challenged long time readers' expectations in major ways. Unfortunately he pushed too far too soon. The Gibson briefcase review was hilarious (as was the comment thread that followed, albeit unintentionally so in the case of most posters), but he really should've waited a month or so and published it only once he was solidly established here. C'est las vie! With luck, Bruce will still follow through on his promised Cruel Tools theme on his own blog.
Adam Glinglin
Quick question - does Cool Tools do requests?
I'm looking for a pair of prescription goggles / glasses that I can wear in the water - surfing, whitewater rafting, etc.
I've been reading for ages and I keep hoping someone will submit such a tool.
Moon
Apparently,they do, Adam Glinglin!!
I have a request. Does somebody have those gold bars that I was promised?
/Worth a shot.
Kevin Kelly
@Adam: Prescription swim goggles are not hard to find. I just bought a pair recently from club swim, called optical pro. I think they cost $10. My wife got a pair, too, because at -8.0 she is blind underwater unless she wears her contacts. This solved that problem. Try swim outlet: http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/7030.htm
Ron
Elon is a superstar! I'm excited to hear he's joined the cooltools team.
willibro
I'm sorry to learn that Bruce has moved on, and welcome Elon to the post.
Deven
Sounds like Cool Tools should be renamed Interesting Useful Tools. It's a Sterling/Elon difference, not just semantics.
Adam Glinglin
@Kevin Kelly. Those look great, I've seen some things on surfing sites too.. but is the prescription built in, or the lenses interchangeable? My problem is my prescription in each eye is radically different - so the goggles I've seen where both eyes are -8.0 or whatever would still blind me in one eye. The link you provided seems like that type.
I would like something that are a bit more like glasses, but for use in surfing / whitewater rafting - if anyone knows an excellent brand- please submit something to Cool Tools!
Re: Bruce Sterling - I think Bruce is amazing, but I don't think his futurist mindset was necessarily a good match for Cool Tools.
Someone like my girlfriend who gushes over the Lehmans catalogue at stuff
( http://www.lehmans.com/ ) seems like a better fit.
Bobby R
Bruce was sterling. Seems the popular vote was for zinc. C'est la vie!
Welcome, Elon!
EyePul
Thanks for the active helming of an awkward situation, KK; Bruce's talents may not have been well matched to the editorial needs here, but I'm sure he'll recover. =)
Welcome to Elon. You've got an eager audience awaiting you.
Curtis
I'm glad for this decision. After many years of reading Cool Tools, I found myself just never clicking on it under Mr. Sterling. Steven was very good at what he did; Elon looks to be made of the right stuff too.
Thanks, Kevin, for being so attentive to this project. It has been one of the very best things the internet has brought into my life. It's such a cool tool.
Mansi
Welcome, Elon! I look forward to reading your posts!