#1 - why flushBuffer()?

Dear reader - do you ever feel like your mind has too many tabs open?

The first person who subscribed to this newsletter asked me: why ‘flushBuffer()’?

Which is a reasonable question, since the first and only person who I sent the link to was my sister Lulu, who (a)does not have a background in computer science; (b)is perpetually ready to root for any of my experiments, no questions asked; and (c)was also sitting conveniently across from me as I sent her the link.

Fair enough. She can ask that.

While programming, any data that you have accumulated for some purpose is stored in a buffer (or buffers, depending on the usage and quantity of data), if it has not already been properly dealt with. Flushing a buffer pushes out all the accumulated data into the respective files in your system - or is discarded, if it wasn’t so useful after all.

When a lock-down forces you to sit with your thoughts longer than necessary, to peer closely at inhabitants of your headspace, I found myself facing a brain in disarray - a lot of fragmented information, some tenuous connections that were begging to be linked and explored, and a lot more questions tumbling out when I tried to lift the lid off of any of it.

I’ve been living on the internet full time for 9 years now, and the relationship has been passionate, life-altering, illuminating, but also tumultuous and increasingly toxic. This is me attempting to flush the buffers on my system, thinking out loud and sharing what feels worthwhile, as I figure out how to rebuild a more mindful and intentional usage of the internet.

So, now you know.

Does this sound like your cup of tea? Still interested in staying along?