John Carlsen
@johncarlsentechjournalist.com
Freelance tech journalist, neurodivergent, writer, DIYer, hiker. Formerly SafeWise, ASecureLife and TopTenReviews. Thoughts are my own.
https://www.johncarlsentechjournalist.com/
https://www.johncarlsentechjournalist.com/
While I hold some nostalgia from using the Sears catalog as a kid to make Christmas lists, the decline of Sears is an inevitable result of shareholder-first business strategies.
It's a cautionary tale that complacent pursuit of profit mustn't outweigh innovation.
And no one is listening.
It's a cautionary tale that complacent pursuit of profit mustn't outweigh innovation.
And no one is listening.
Sears, once America's largest and most important retailer, could very well be going into its last Christmas shopping season.
https://ow.ly/HAME50Xz6rK
https://ow.ly/HAME50Xz6rK
Could this finally be Sears' last Black Friday?
Sears, once America's largest and most important retailer, could very be going into its last Christmas shopping season.
ow.ly
November 28, 2025 at 4:10 PM
While I hold some nostalgia from using the Sears catalog as a kid to make Christmas lists, the decline of Sears is an inevitable result of shareholder-first business strategies.
It's a cautionary tale that complacent pursuit of profit mustn't outweigh innovation.
And no one is listening.
It's a cautionary tale that complacent pursuit of profit mustn't outweigh innovation.
And no one is listening.
As someone whose cat seems to collapse with a sock on his back, it's nice to see the other end of the spectrum.
November 25, 2025 at 4:20 PM
As someone whose cat seems to collapse with a sock on his back, it's nice to see the other end of the spectrum.
I picked up some UV flashlights for various hobby uses, but I completely forgot that they'd also reveal the fossil record of every time my cat has thrown up on the carpet. No, I will not be sharing pics.
But I just inadvertently gained a new testing tool for my reviews.
But I just inadvertently gained a new testing tool for my reviews.
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I picked up some UV flashlights for various hobby uses, but I completely forgot that they'd also reveal the fossil record of every time my cat has thrown up on the carpet. No, I will not be sharing pics.
But I just inadvertently gained a new testing tool for my reviews.
But I just inadvertently gained a new testing tool for my reviews.
This is the kind of chaos I NEED in my life.
2025 Component Abuse Challenge: Dawg Gone LED Tester
2025 Component Abuse Challenge: Dawg Gone LED Tester
Hackaday Article
hackaday.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This is the kind of chaos I NEED in my life.
Just noticed that my cat's bed bears a resemblance to Crater Lake. That is all. Carry on.
November 6, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Just noticed that my cat's bed bears a resemblance to Crater Lake. That is all. Carry on.
I've been trying out a few songs in Suno and I'm kind of amazed at the power of the model in resurrecting some of the lyrics I wrote in my teens as actual music. Further experimentation is required.
November 4, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I've been trying out a few songs in Suno and I'm kind of amazed at the power of the model in resurrecting some of the lyrics I wrote in my teens as actual music. Further experimentation is required.
I've got a few fun projects in the pipeline that I'm really excited about but won't share until they're finished, but I figured I'd share a thread of my favorite stories from the last couple of months.
October 29, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I've got a few fun projects in the pipeline that I'm really excited about but won't share until they're finished, but I figured I'd share a thread of my favorite stories from the last couple of months.
In case anyone's wondering, the Stray Snap & Switch Build Set from Five Below is an excellent example of how far non-Lego block brands have come a long way in the last few years.
October 29, 2025 at 4:45 PM
In case anyone's wondering, the Stray Snap & Switch Build Set from Five Below is an excellent example of how far non-Lego block brands have come a long way in the last few years.
Ok, I have thoughts about the new Google Home app layout. Mainly, what's with the one-device-per-line interface? News flash, list views are only helpful when they *reduce* scrolling.
Are they actively trying to make it worse for everyone who's not using the AI controls?
Are they actively trying to make it worse for everyone who's not using the AI controls?
October 29, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Ok, I have thoughts about the new Google Home app layout. Mainly, what's with the one-device-per-line interface? News flash, list views are only helpful when they *reduce* scrolling.
Are they actively trying to make it worse for everyone who's not using the AI controls?
Are they actively trying to make it worse for everyone who's not using the AI controls?
Got to see Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc tonight. So awesome to finally get more of this amazing story animated, especially on the big screen.
While I can see why people who've never watched the show might not be fully invested, fans have plenty to love.
While I can see why people who've never watched the show might not be fully invested, fans have plenty to love.
October 29, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Got to see Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc tonight. So awesome to finally get more of this amazing story animated, especially on the big screen.
While I can see why people who've never watched the show might not be fully invested, fans have plenty to love.
While I can see why people who've never watched the show might not be fully invested, fans have plenty to love.
Reposted by John Carlsen
Humor is so personal and it does not fail gracefully; if it's not funny to you, it's just not funny, no matter how much someone else is laughing. When one writes humor one accepts there are people for whom it is just not going to work - but those who laugh will love it for making them laugh.
I remember loving the humor in Redshirts so much I would stop and read portions out loud to my family. They never seemed to enjoy it as much as I hoped they would.
October 25, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Humor is so personal and it does not fail gracefully; if it's not funny to you, it's just not funny, no matter how much someone else is laughing. When one writes humor one accepts there are people for whom it is just not going to work - but those who laugh will love it for making them laugh.
I recently learned you can select text on Gboard and switch capitalization by tapping the shift button, which rotates through:
lowercase: the quick brown fox
Title Case: Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
UPPERCASE: I'M NOT SHOUTING
Sentence case: definitely not as useful.
How long has this been around?
lowercase: the quick brown fox
Title Case: Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
UPPERCASE: I'M NOT SHOUTING
Sentence case: definitely not as useful.
How long has this been around?
October 16, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I recently learned you can select text on Gboard and switch capitalization by tapping the shift button, which rotates through:
lowercase: the quick brown fox
Title Case: Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
UPPERCASE: I'M NOT SHOUTING
Sentence case: definitely not as useful.
How long has this been around?
lowercase: the quick brown fox
Title Case: Jumps Over The Lazy Dog
UPPERCASE: I'M NOT SHOUTING
Sentence case: definitely not as useful.
How long has this been around?
I wonder if veggie trays played any role in the development of deconstructivism? Maybe some chef got started in bland event catering (many do) and thought:
"Isn't this just a salad?"
"Isn't this just a salad?"
September 11, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I wonder if veggie trays played any role in the development of deconstructivism? Maybe some chef got started in bland event catering (many do) and thought:
"Isn't this just a salad?"
"Isn't this just a salad?"
It's been a while since I shared what I've been working on, so here's my latest article on cheap tech. This time around I visited dollar stores to see if anything's worth buying (and keeping). Most of the 10 products I got compared well with pricier alternatives but there were also a few duds.
Is Dollar Store Tech All Junk? I Bought 10 Gadgets to Find Out
I picked up 10 gadgets, each one for $10 or less, from Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Five Below and Daiso. Here's what I thought of the budget-friendly tech.
www.cnet.com
September 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
It's been a while since I shared what I've been working on, so here's my latest article on cheap tech. This time around I visited dollar stores to see if anything's worth buying (and keeping). Most of the 10 products I got compared well with pricier alternatives but there were also a few duds.
We're always urged to conserve water when residential (including irrigation) is less than 10% of the water used in our state according to the Utah Rivers Council.
Sure, we could stand to have fewer lawns in a desert state. BUT . . .
Sure, we could stand to have fewer lawns in a desert state. BUT . . .
Water is flowing out of Utah’s reservoirs at more than double the typical rate, officials announced. That has led to a "drastic decline" in reservoir levels.
Utahns urged to use less water amid ‘drastic decline’ at reservoirs
Water is flowing out of Utah’s reservoirs at more than double the typical rate, officials announced. That has led to a "drastic decline" in reservoir levels.
www.sltrib.com
August 23, 2025 at 5:04 PM
We're always urged to conserve water when residential (including irrigation) is less than 10% of the water used in our state according to the Utah Rivers Council.
Sure, we could stand to have fewer lawns in a desert state. BUT . . .
Sure, we could stand to have fewer lawns in a desert state. BUT . . .
I replaced the waveguide cover in my microwave after putting it off for probably 15 years. I wasn't sure if it would fit since my exact part hasn't existed for years. Pretty happy with the result.
August 20, 2025 at 5:37 AM
I replaced the waveguide cover in my microwave after putting it off for probably 15 years. I wasn't sure if it would fit since my exact part hasn't existed for years. Pretty happy with the result.
It's about time to rewatch YuYu Hakusho, one of the few anime that I always have time to go back to.
August 14, 2025 at 2:17 AM
It's about time to rewatch YuYu Hakusho, one of the few anime that I always have time to go back to.
Anyone remember Pepsi Twist, the lemon flavored one? I practically guzzled that stuff in high school.
You can't get it anymore, but I've found that True Lemon packets can achieve a solid imitation. I usually do a single packet when it's a can or two packets with bottles up to 20 oz.
You can't get it anymore, but I've found that True Lemon packets can achieve a solid imitation. I usually do a single packet when it's a can or two packets with bottles up to 20 oz.
August 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Anyone remember Pepsi Twist, the lemon flavored one? I practically guzzled that stuff in high school.
You can't get it anymore, but I've found that True Lemon packets can achieve a solid imitation. I usually do a single packet when it's a can or two packets with bottles up to 20 oz.
You can't get it anymore, but I've found that True Lemon packets can achieve a solid imitation. I usually do a single packet when it's a can or two packets with bottles up to 20 oz.
When I tested automatic plant waterers last year, I was initially happier with the flexibility of Onsast compared to the more limited options from Sancruz. Now, I've changed my mind and fully believe that Sancruz is more reliable and the best of the two. Here's why:
Do Automatic Plant Waterers Work? I Tried 2 to Find Out
These affordable devices aim to keep your plants hydrated when you're out of town or too busy to keep up. I tested two to see if they're worth a buy.
www.cnet.com
July 16, 2025 at 8:17 PM
When I tested automatic plant waterers last year, I was initially happier with the flexibility of Onsast compared to the more limited options from Sancruz. Now, I've changed my mind and fully believe that Sancruz is more reliable and the best of the two. Here's why:
Finished my first ever Gundam build. I doubt I'll make a regular habit of it as I have too many trinkets and hobbies already. Still, I can definitely see the appeal and it was very enjoyable.
July 15, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Finished my first ever Gundam build. I doubt I'll make a regular habit of it as I have too many trinkets and hobbies already. Still, I can definitely see the appeal and it was very enjoyable.
I've gotten into spicy dill #pickles over the last year and I have thoughts. So here's an impromptu tier list of the four brands I've tried.
July 6, 2025 at 7:59 PM
I've gotten into spicy dill #pickles over the last year and I have thoughts. So here's an impromptu tier list of the four brands I've tried.
There seem to be two types of people who have ADHD: those who over-pathologize that it's the worst ever and those who see a lot of upsides.
But the truth really is more complex than that. Sure, I can attribute my hyperfocus and creativity to ADHD, but it just as easily can derail my productivity.
But the truth really is more complex than that. Sure, I can attribute my hyperfocus and creativity to ADHD, but it just as easily can derail my productivity.
Having ADHD can pose challenges at work. But ADHD can also be a source of creativity and unique contributions. Experts share tips on how to thrive in the workplace and turn neurodiversity into a strength.
How to manage ADHD at work and turn it into a strength
Having ADHD can pose challenges at work. Common symptoms include trouble concentrating and sitting still.
bit.ly
June 28, 2025 at 3:48 PM
There seem to be two types of people who have ADHD: those who over-pathologize that it's the worst ever and those who see a lot of upsides.
But the truth really is more complex than that. Sure, I can attribute my hyperfocus and creativity to ADHD, but it just as easily can derail my productivity.
But the truth really is more complex than that. Sure, I can attribute my hyperfocus and creativity to ADHD, but it just as easily can derail my productivity.
Reposted by John Carlsen
Having ADHD can pose challenges at work. But ADHD can also be a source of creativity and unique contributions. Experts share tips on how to thrive in the workplace and turn neurodiversity into a strength.
How to manage ADHD at work and turn it into a strength
Having ADHD can pose challenges at work. Common symptoms include trouble concentrating and sitting still.
bit.ly
June 28, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Having ADHD can pose challenges at work. But ADHD can also be a source of creativity and unique contributions. Experts share tips on how to thrive in the workplace and turn neurodiversity into a strength.
My latest comparison for CNET—Best Dishwashers—has taken the crown of most intense project I've done since switching to freelancing last year. All of the time that I put into Best Smart Blinds seems like a trifle against this review.
Best Dishwashers for 2025
With endless models to choose from, finding the perfect dishwasher for your needs is no easy feat. We evaluated dozens of machines from top brands to find the best compact dishwasher, best smart dishw...
www.cnet.com
June 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
My latest comparison for CNET—Best Dishwashers—has taken the crown of most intense project I've done since switching to freelancing last year. All of the time that I put into Best Smart Blinds seems like a trifle against this review.