Lee LeFever
@leelefever.com
Author of The Art of Explanation co-founder of Common Craft. Currently: Vibes Project - An earnest effort to understand and explain coolness and nerdiness as human qualities. At home on Orcas Island, WA.
A study found that people define coolness in remarkable similar ways around the world. Congrats to one of the researchers, Caleb Warren, who is a Vibes Project subscriber. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/w...?
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/w...?
What Makes Someone Cool? A New Study Offers Clues.
www.nytimes.com
July 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
A study found that people define coolness in remarkable similar ways around the world. Congrats to one of the researchers, Caleb Warren, who is a Vibes Project subscriber. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/w...?
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/w...?
What does "The Rule of Law" really mean? This video (2.5 mins) compares it to "The Rule of Man" and explains why violent revolutions were fought to prevent individuals from ruling everyone. Please share. #NoKings
June 18, 2025 at 6:54 PM
What does "The Rule of Law" really mean? This video (2.5 mins) compares it to "The Rule of Man" and explains why violent revolutions were fought to prevent individuals from ruling everyone. Please share. #NoKings
Later this week, we’re going to publish a Common Craft video that explains the Rule of Law from a unique perspective. I'll upload the video here on BlueSky, YouTube, and other platforms. I hope you'll share it because we need more people to understand what it means to be ruled by laws.
June 16, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Later this week, we’re going to publish a Common Craft video that explains the Rule of Law from a unique perspective. I'll upload the video here on BlueSky, YouTube, and other platforms. I hope you'll share it because we need more people to understand what it means to be ruled by laws.
Loved this podcast episode about awkwardness. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Life can be so awkward. Here's how to embrace the embarrassing
Podcast Episode · TED Radio Hour · 04/25/2025 · 50m
podcasts.apple.com
April 26, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Loved this podcast episode about awkwardness. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
If you look a little deeper, beyond crude stereotypes of nerdiness, you can see people who are authentically themselves, even if that means standing apart from the mainstream. Read the series summary:
www.vibedna.com/p/key-points...
www.vibedna.com/p/key-points...
Takeaways: Welcome to the Nerdiverse Series
What did we learn about the qualities of nerds and nerdiness?
www.vibedna.com
April 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
If you look a little deeper, beyond crude stereotypes of nerdiness, you can see people who are authentically themselves, even if that means standing apart from the mainstream. Read the series summary:
www.vibedna.com/p/key-points...
www.vibedna.com/p/key-points...
New post for the Vibes Project. It has a personal story about vacuuming and a provocative quote from Brian Eno. www.vibedna.com/p/nerds-when...
Nerds: When Good Enough Isn't Enough
Part 5: The nerdy preference for completeness and precision
www.vibedna.com
April 16, 2025 at 6:45 PM
New post for the Vibes Project. It has a personal story about vacuuming and a provocative quote from Brian Eno. www.vibedna.com/p/nerds-when...
I like friends who don’t respond immediately to a group chat message, but then come in with a banger GIF. They were out there curating and I’m here for it.
March 29, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I like friends who don’t respond immediately to a group chat message, but then come in with a banger GIF. They were out there curating and I’m here for it.
The latest Vibes Project post features a quote from
@rands.bsky.social about the nerdy preference for rule-based systems. vibedna.com/p/how…
It answers the question: Why are nerdy people drawn to engineering, programming, games, and puzzles?
@rands.bsky.social about the nerdy preference for rule-based systems. vibedna.com/p/how…
It answers the question: Why are nerdy people drawn to engineering, programming, games, and puzzles?
https://vibedna.com/p/how…
March 27, 2025 at 5:02 PM
The latest Vibes Project post features a quote from
@rands.bsky.social about the nerdy preference for rule-based systems. vibedna.com/p/how…
It answers the question: Why are nerdy people drawn to engineering, programming, games, and puzzles?
@rands.bsky.social about the nerdy preference for rule-based systems. vibedna.com/p/how…
It answers the question: Why are nerdy people drawn to engineering, programming, games, and puzzles?
When I say the Vibes Project is about creating new perspectives regarding people we know (including ourselves), this is what I mean. This new post is about the nerdy preference for rational thinking and how that differs from mainstream expectations.
www.vibedna.com/p/why-nerds-...
www.vibedna.com/p/why-nerds-...
Why Nerds Don't Smoke
Part 2: How rational thinking helps explain nerds and nerdiness
www.vibedna.com
March 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
When I say the Vibes Project is about creating new perspectives regarding people we know (including ourselves), this is what I mean. This new post is about the nerdy preference for rational thinking and how that differs from mainstream expectations.
www.vibedna.com/p/why-nerds-...
www.vibedna.com/p/why-nerds-...
What does it *really* mean to be nerdy? Pop culture loves clichés, but the reality is far more interesting and unexpected. This post (the first in a new series) takes a fresh look at what’s behind the current ascendance and relevance of nerdiness. 4 minute read:
www.vibedna.com/p/welcome-to...
www.vibedna.com/p/welcome-to...
Welcome to the Nerdiverse (Series Intro)
There is more to nerdiness than meets the eye.
www.vibedna.com
March 6, 2025 at 6:28 PM
What does it *really* mean to be nerdy? Pop culture loves clichés, but the reality is far more interesting and unexpected. This post (the first in a new series) takes a fresh look at what’s behind the current ascendance and relevance of nerdiness. 4 minute read:
www.vibedna.com/p/welcome-to...
www.vibedna.com/p/welcome-to...
I’m confused about the movie THE MIST. It has decent ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes (over 7/70%). Yet, it’s objectively bad imo. Love the premise, but the execution is so bad. I don’t think I’ve seen a bigger delta between ratings and my experience. Maybe I’m missing something? 🤷
March 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
I’m confused about the movie THE MIST. It has decent ratings on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes (over 7/70%). Yet, it’s objectively bad imo. Love the premise, but the execution is so bad. I don’t think I’ve seen a bigger delta between ratings and my experience. Maybe I’m missing something? 🤷
A new Vibes Project series called Rethinking Nerdiness is coming soon. Here’s a preview of the intro. Subscribe for free at vibedna.com
March 3, 2025 at 7:20 PM
A new Vibes Project series called Rethinking Nerdiness is coming soon. Here’s a preview of the intro. Subscribe for free at vibedna.com
I'm using a number of AI platforms for the Vibes Project, including NotebookLM for organizing and accessing my research, a Custom GPT called the VibesBot, and more. More here:
www.vibedna.com/p/how-im-usi...
www.vibedna.com/p/how-im-usi...
How I'm Using AI
NotebookLM, Custom GPTS, AI-Generated Podcast, and a Chatty Friend
www.vibedna.com
February 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
I'm using a number of AI platforms for the Vibes Project, including NotebookLM for organizing and accessing my research, a Custom GPT called the VibesBot, and more. More here:
www.vibedna.com/p/how-im-usi...
www.vibedna.com/p/how-im-usi...
Is the notion of "coolness" more timeless than it appears? If so, we should be able to find people with similar qualities throughout history. Beau Brummell and the Dandys serve as solid examples of what I call proto-cool.
www.vibedna.com/p/beau-brumm... #VibesProject
www.vibedna.com/p/beau-brumm... #VibesProject
Beau Brummell and the Dandys
A look at proto-coolness in the time of wigs, stockings, and lace.
www.vibedna.com
February 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Is the notion of "coolness" more timeless than it appears? If so, we should be able to find people with similar qualities throughout history. Beau Brummell and the Dandys serve as solid examples of what I call proto-cool.
www.vibedna.com/p/beau-brumm... #VibesProject
www.vibedna.com/p/beau-brumm... #VibesProject
Bugs was cool in the 1940s, and to people who were shaking off generations of moral scrutiny, he was a welcome break from the syrupy-sweet characters like Mickey Mouse. This dichotomy is a symbol of how pop culture was changing at the time. My take: www.vibedna.com/p/bugs-in-a-...
Bugs in a World Full of Mickeys
The subversive allure of pop culture's coolest rabbit.
www.vibedna.com
February 5, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Bugs was cool in the 1940s, and to people who were shaking off generations of moral scrutiny, he was a welcome break from the syrupy-sweet characters like Mickey Mouse. This dichotomy is a symbol of how pop culture was changing at the time. My take: www.vibedna.com/p/bugs-in-a-...
This captures where I'm going with the Vibes Project: www.vibedna.com/p/lets-zoom-...
January 29, 2025 at 6:35 PM
This captures where I'm going with the Vibes Project: www.vibedna.com/p/lets-zoom-...
I've been thinking about the fear of shame and embarrassment. It's always in the back of my mind: what are people thinking? It's held me back forever, and I'm trying to overcome it because it makes nearly everything bland and unremarkable. It's time to say "Fuck that" and move on.
January 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I've been thinking about the fear of shame and embarrassment. It's always in the back of my mind: what are people thinking? It's held me back forever, and I'm trying to overcome it because it makes nearly everything bland and unremarkable. It's time to say "Fuck that" and move on.
Tech aside, the Chinese seem to have the edge on OpenAI in terms of naming their products. Who tf thought ChatGPT was a good one?
January 27, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Tech aside, the Chinese seem to have the edge on OpenAI in terms of naming their products. Who tf thought ChatGPT was a good one?
Reposted by Lee LeFever
Fans of great visual explanations may appreciate this piece on why bamboo scaffolding is still in use in Hong Kong.
H/T to our old pal in the UK, Kate Addison 💜
H/T to our old pal in the UK, Kate Addison 💜
Why Hong Kong uses bamboo scaffolding: visual explainer
An ancient practice, suitable only for people with nerves of steel, remains alive and well in a modern city full of skyscrapers.
multimedia.scmp.com
January 27, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Fans of great visual explanations may appreciate this piece on why bamboo scaffolding is still in use in Hong Kong.
H/T to our old pal in the UK, Kate Addison 💜
H/T to our old pal in the UK, Kate Addison 💜
Did rock 'n' roll emerge from traveling tent shows in the early 20th century? Levon Helm thinks so.
www.vibedna.com/p/the-possib... #VibesProject
www.vibedna.com/p/the-possib... #VibesProject
The (Possible) Origin of Rock 'n' Roll
Did rock 'n' roll emerge from traveling tent shows in the early 20th century?
www.vibedna.com
January 24, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Did rock 'n' roll emerge from traveling tent shows in the early 20th century? Levon Helm thinks so.
www.vibedna.com/p/the-possib... #VibesProject
www.vibedna.com/p/the-possib... #VibesProject
When I was doing research on the Roots of Cool series, I asked about the Yoruba term "itutu" in the r/Nigeria subreddit. I wanted to validate the connection between "ititu" and the idea of cool composure that is part of coolness today.
A kind user provided a nice summary and example:
A kind user provided a nice summary and example:
January 22, 2025 at 5:30 PM
When I was doing research on the Roots of Cool series, I asked about the Yoruba term "itutu" in the r/Nigeria subreddit. I wanted to validate the connection between "ititu" and the idea of cool composure that is part of coolness today.
A kind user provided a nice summary and example:
A kind user provided a nice summary and example:
Here’s the series finale: a summary of four qualities of “coolness”. If you’re curious, this is a good place to catch up: www.vibedna.com/p/part-5-the...
January 17, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Here’s the series finale: a summary of four qualities of “coolness”. If you’re curious, this is a good place to catch up: www.vibedna.com/p/part-5-the...
Later today, Part 5 of the Roots of Cool series will be published. It's the final post of the series and summarizes the history and origins of four qualities of coolness that go back 100s of years. You can read the first 4 posts here: www.vibedna.com/p/series-1-t...
#VibesProject
#VibesProject
Links to Series 1: The Roots of Cool
The first series of the Vibes Project is on The Roots of Cool.
www.vibedna.com
January 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Later today, Part 5 of the Roots of Cool series will be published. It's the final post of the series and summarizes the history and origins of four qualities of coolness that go back 100s of years. You can read the first 4 posts here: www.vibedna.com/p/series-1-t...
#VibesProject
#VibesProject
Spent some time this morning catching up on all the #Severance fan theories. I can’t wait for the new season.
January 11, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Spent some time this morning catching up on all the #Severance fan theories. I can’t wait for the new season.