cMonkX Podcast

From UX Burnout to 3D Passion: My eBay Hustle, New Mics, and the Quest for Simpler Tech...Alright, so you know how life just gets… complicated? Especially when you're a bit of a geek and love your tech. Well, I've been on this kick lately, trying to strip things back, find some simplicity, especially with this podcasting thing. Used to overcomplicate it, but now? Recording straight to my phone with this new Shure mic – it's just, well, gold.But this quest for simplicity has kinda snowballed. I'm talking a full-on tech purge. I've been listing SO much old gear on eBay – old computers I’ve clung onto for years, cameras, microphones… you name it. And you won't believe what I discovered about my ancient Canon G7X Mark II! It's like, suddenly a hot commodity.Why all this? Well, partly to clear my head and my space, but also to fund what might be my next big creative leap: diving deep into 3D design and Unreal Engine. Feeling a bit, I don't know, like the UX world is shifting with AI and all that, and maybe it's time to really lean into something new.So, in this episode, I'm just rambling, thinking out loud about all this stuff – my changing relationship with tech, why holding onto skills still matters (hello, calligraphy!), the surprising ease of selling on eBay, and what this all means for the future. Plus, a little cautionary tale about a very angry electric skateboard battery. You know, the usual.If you're a fellow tech enthusiast, creative, or just someone trying to figure out their next move in this crazy world, maybe you'll find some common ground in my musings.Chapter Marks:(0:00) Intro & The Joy of Simple Podcasting(0:57) Why My Phone is My Best Friend (and My Past Tech Struggles)(1:29) Tech Making Us Dumber? AR Glasses & The Future of Skills(3:30) The Great eBay Tech Purge: Decluttering for a New PC(5:33) Why I'm Selling (Almost) Everything(9:13) My Surprising Canon G7X Goldmine & Old Tech Value(11:11) From UX to 3D Design: AI, Career Shifts & New Passions(14:05) Funding My 3D Dream: The eBay Hustle Continues(16:12) The (Almost) Explosive Skateboard Battery Incident(17:16) Navigating eBay & Shipping Surprises(19:52) What This Means for the Podcast & Connecting with Fellow Geeks(20:50) Final Thoughts & Looking Ahead

Hey everybody, welcome back to the show. So, today's episode is something a bit different, a bit more laid-back, recorded right here from my home studio – finally got that new microphone set up, sounding better, right?I had this idea... you know how our digital lives accumulate clutter? Well, I decided to tackle my Reddit account. I've been on Reddit for years, subscribed to so many subreddits, and honestly, I don't even know what half of them are anymore or why I joined them.So, in this episode, I'm doing it live: scrolling through my massive list of Reddit communities, deciding what stays and what goes. But it's more than just unsubscribing; it's a real-time reflection. Each subreddit is like a little snapshot of a past interest, a previous version of myself. We're talking everything from 3D modeling and specific artists like Basquiat, to comedy legends like Alan Partridge, travel spots like Bali, deep dives with Anthony Bourdain, tech stuff like Binance, even some weird corners like 'Accidental Renaissance' photos and 'Birth of a Fetish' (yeah, really).It's a journey through old hobbies, past curiosities, and a look at how interests evolve. Think of it as a digital decluttering session mixed with a personal archaeology dig. Maybe it'll inspire you to look at your own online subscriptions, or maybe you'll just enjoy listening to me ramble and rediscover parts of my digital history. It's long-form, it's unscripted, it's just me and my Reddit feed. Let me know if you find any gems in here you recognize!Chapter Marks:(00:00) Intro: Back Home & Better Sound (New Mic!)(00:33) Today's Plan: Pruning My Reddit Subscriptions(01:09) The Importance of Audio & Why I Upgraded(03:00) Diving In: The Reddit Pruning Begins(09:03) Subreddit: 3D Modeling (Keeping)(10:44) Subreddit: 80 Level (Keeping)(11:14) Subreddit: Accidental Renaissance (Keeping, with story)(13:16) Subreddit: Alan Partridge (Keeping)(14:30) Subreddit: All That Is Interesting (Unsubscribing)(15:20) Subreddit: AMA (Ask Me Anything) (Unsubscribing)(16:15) Subreddit: Angry Upvote (Keeping)(17:00) Subreddit: Answers (Unsubscribing)(17:31) Subreddit: Anthony Bourdain (Keeping)(19:02) Subreddit: Apollo App (Unsubscribing)(19:09) Subreddit: Aquariums (Keeping)(20:35) Subreddit: Art (Unsubscribing)(21:06) Subreddit: Ask Reddit (Keeping)(22:18) Subreddit: Ask Reddit After Dark (Keeping)(22:29) Subreddit: Asshole Design (Unsubscribing)(23:39) Subreddit: Bali (Keeping)(24:25) Subreddit: Basquiat Art (Unsubscribing)(25:20) Subreddit: Battle Stations (Unsubscribing)(26:21) Subreddit: Be Amazed (Unsubscribing)(26:58) Subreddit: Beat Me To It (Keeping)(27:53) Subreddit: Berlin (Keeping)(28:22) Subreddit: Berlinner Memes / Berlin Picks / Berlin Social Club (Decisions)(29:10) Subreddit: Best Of (Unsubscribing)(29:38) Subreddit: Better Every Loop (Keeping)(30:14) Subreddit: Binance (Unsubscribing)(30:24) Subreddit: Birth of a Fetish (Unsubscribing)(30:57) Wrapping Up Part 1 & Final Thoughts on the Process

Hey you...Just closing the (very squeaky) door behind me tonight. This one's mostly about trying to clear my head, dealing with some of those thoughts that seem to chase you, especially late at night.You'll hear the dishwasher in the background, maybe some tea being made (Sweet Kiss, if you're wondering – needed some comfort). It's a bit raw, maybe some oversharing, but I figured I'd just hit record instead of letting the anxiety win.We touch on trying to disconnect from phones, the weirdness of selling old tech on eBay, figuring out where this podcast even lives now (heads up, moved off Substack!), and just... coping mechanisms, I guess. Journaling, doodling, this recording – finding ways through.Maybe you feel like this sometimes too. If you're out there listening in the real world and need to connect, well, here I am for this half hour or so.Hope it resonates, or at least provides some company.(00:00) Intro and Anxiety(00:36) Oversharing and Connection(07:11) Moving to Spotify(08:39) Old Podcasting Days(11:12) Nostalgia for the Past(14:17) The Light Phone(18:50) Quitting Smartphone Addiction(21:12) Anxiety and World News(22:30) Toxicity of News(23:18) Outro and Connect

Kind of processing things out loud today... thinking about this design career, what actually leaves a mark, and feeling this pull towards making podcasts more seriously. It's a bit of a ramble, includes a walk outside (mic and all), and ends with a hint about a really personal new project I'm starting. Chapter Marks:(00:00) Feeling Adventurous at Home(02:02) Why Raw Style, Free-Form Podcasting Feels Right(03:33) Clear Skies, Clear Thoughts?(05:50) The Realization About Design & Legacy(08:15) Overcoming the "Radio Voice" Doubt(09:55) Committing to This Podcasting Thing(11:15) Platform Problems (Substack etc.)(20:07) Stepping Outside (Audio Shift)(21:03) A New, Personal Project: Single Fatherhood(23:55) Why Share This Now? / Final Thoughts

In this episode, I share my thoughts on the frustrating state of Berlin's public transport and how it initially fueled my virtual city project, Lelit District, built with Unreal Engine. I delve into the intriguing concept of vibe coding, where AI assists in code creation, hinting at the future of coding. However, the current limitations of vibe coding and the rapid advancements in AI are leading me to question the long-term relevance of traditional coding and even the direction of Lelit District.I discuss the possibility of a future where AI handles the complexities of code, allowing creators to focus on higher-level concepts. This realization prompts a personal reflection on my creative journey and a consideration of shifting my primary focus to video. I revisit old travel footage, recognizing video as a more organic and direct form of expression and communication.Join me as I explore:* The challenges of coding Lelit District in Unreal Engine and the allure of AI-assisted vibe coding.* My evolving perspective on the future of coding and the potential displacement of traditional software development.* The rapid progress of AI in various creative fields, including code generation.* My growing appreciation for video as a more natural and rewarding medium for storytelling and communication.* The decision to potentially step back from intensive software development to embrace the authenticity of video creation.* The idea that in the future, genuine experiences and the ability to share them organically will hold significant value.This episode examines the tension between the evolving landscape of AI in coding and the enduring power of human-driven, organic forms of creativity, ultimately leading to a decision to prioritize video as a primary means of expression.