One of my enduring favorite expressions is, "Hope is not a strategy." And yet, I've seen in both sports and tech, people quite often believe that it is. In both fields, there's an often unshakeable belief that the latest innovation or "breakthrough" will either make up for fundamental inadequacies or will unlock progress at some … Continue reading Architectural Astronauts
Be Relentless
2020 was the year that I actually retired from being a professional triathlete. Until 2020, there was no pursuit that was more important to who I was and how I thought of myself than sport. Work was what I did, but sport was who I was. I cannot imagine a better company to have left … Continue reading Be Relentless
I Hired A Coach To Help Me Game Better
I hired a coach - two different ones, actually - to help me become a better Apex Legends player. And, at least based on the limited sampling of data I have available to me, it's helped. I win more fights that I used to always lose. And I have a greater understanding of why I … Continue reading I Hired A Coach To Help Me Game Better
The Art of Computer Game Design
[I originally wrote this for an internal presentation at Zwift. After reading Daniel Noah Halpern's book about Tom Caldwell, the head of design at Riot Games, and about game design more generally, I decided to update it and post it publicly.] Chris Crawford originally published The Art of Computer Game Design in 1984. In 2011, … Continue reading The Art of Computer Game Design
Making Magic
In this last of my three part autobiographical series, I'd like to explore the influence of engineering, both as a discipline and as a way of thinking, in my life. My maternal grandfather, Al Demont, was an electrical engineer. He was one of two young men in the Worchester Polytechnic Institute class of 1931 - in the midst of The Great Depression - to get a job, working for the General Electric corporation. He worked for GE for over forty years until he retired, working on everything from consumer appliances to military technology (during WWII). When I think of engineers, I think of my grandfather.
Game Theory
Gamification is an unfortunately overused and abused word. It's come to be a substitute for basically anything that abuses the brain's dopamine reward system. But that's not how I think about games. When I think about games, I think specifically about puzzles and problems to be solved. In Part 2 of my miniature autobiography, I'd like to talk about games as an influence on my life and professional career.
Great Characters Matter
Why did I decide to stay in the Gaming industry rather than the Cycling - or Fitness - industries? In terms of professional experience, I certainly have more in the latter than in the former. But in terms of passions, my heart really does lies in the former. There are two things I'll share about myself, one of which will probably surprise no one, and the other of which might surprise most. The first is that I am a loner...
1X Friction Profiles
[I wrote this content for Diamondback in 2017 when I was sponsored by them. As November 2020, you can still find it on the Diamondback blog, but you're never sure whether these things will stick around. So unless I've posted something on Slowtwitch, where I have control over whether or not it sticks around, I … Continue reading 1X Friction Profiles
Reflections On Zwift
Today is my last day as a Zwift employee. As I look back over the past three years, and the more than five years that I've been a Zwift user, I wanted to share my thoughts on what Zwift has meant to me. Even though I'll continue to ride on Zwift, it will inevitably be … Continue reading Reflections On Zwift
Marching Forward. Big Gears. Big Gainz.
March was all about cadence, though the highlight was really getting to spend a morning at the track with Coach Greg, who was in town for the annual Zwift company-wide weekly meeting. It was nice to spend time with him both to confirm the things that we're doing right and what we need to work … Continue reading Marching Forward. Big Gears. Big Gainz.
Jordan Rapp 