I have the good fortune to live in an unusual little corner of London overlooking a decommissioned dock that is now used for training small children to sail, adults to kayak, and other healthy maritime pursuits. On hot days it attracts merry bands of revellers seeking a way to cool off, diving merrily into the … Continue reading
Author Archives: Caitlin McDonald
The Writer’s Lament
Every once in a while I get very upset with myself and with the world at large for not creating space to write. I feel guilty for not making time to blog more regularly and for not proactively pitching my work to Real Places like a Real Writer, and chagrined that I need to make … Continue reading
The Enya
With St Patrick’s Day on the approach, let me tell you about a little cocktail I invented with some charming Irish barmen. It was a friend’s birthday. We were on pub #2, or possibly #3, I’m not entirely sure. What I do know is that we were somewhere a hair north of Victoria Park in … Continue reading
My Postapocalyptic Resume
In these turbulent times, I think we all agree we’d like to be as prepared as possible for whatever comes our way. If some sudden catastrophe means we’re going back to bands of loosely organised communities with little or no central sociopolitical structures, I want to make sure I get in with the right group. … Continue reading
Snow
On the very last day when we were getting ready to go to the airport it begins to snow. A belated white Christmas for me and my family. Though we worry about flights and driving, I can’t contain my joy as the big fluffy white flakes swirl around us. I try to catch them as … Continue reading
Barbecue: Hospitality Felt Round the World
This is a story about small-town entrepreneurship and national journalism with a global reach. Shakedown BBQ of Grantville, PA is a small place with a big heart. There are only about six tables, all of which were occupied when I arrived with my aunt and her boyfriend on a chilly day shortly before Christmas. In … Continue reading
A moment of gratitude and a call for action
As we come to the end of year that has been full of unanticipated challenges, I’m drawn to reflect on the things I’m truly grateful for. One of those things is Ada’s List, a group which supports women in technology (and science, engineering and maths) by offering an exchange of opportunities, space to talk about … Continue reading
String, post-its and dancing bots: Mozilla Festival 2016
Yet another Mozilla Festival has come to an end. This year I presented for the first time, delivering a session on network evaluation methodology. The lead analyst for Mozilla’s Leadership Network, Arliss Collins, co-presented with me on Mozilla’s approach to network evaluation. Before the session we both agreed that as it was a methodology session … Continue reading
Nesta’s Future Festival
Nesta recently held the two-day FutureFest covering innovation in a range of areas like work, play, and love. With talks and roundtables interspersed with interactive, immersive experiences, there was certainly plenty to stimulate the curious mind. There were several sessions on the future of education. Most of these were slotted into the ‘Work’ theme of … Continue reading
What’s so Bad about the Internet? Reflections from the OII Connected Life Conference & the EU Referendum
Naturally the EU referendum came up for discussion during the Oxford Internet Institute’s recent Connected Life conference, but as an afterthought and an aside. I believe everyone present was nearly certain that Britain would vote to retain the status quo, and as subsequent reaction in the media demonstrated we were in good company. Even those … Continue reading
In a Merry Hour: Caitlin E McDonald 