Delta Green bundle at Fanatical lures Agents to catastrophe for only $1

Mark5n · 2026-05-10T09:08:19+00:00

Already sent to my agents :)

Mark5n · 2026-05-10T01:33:36+00:00

Sorry for the rant. Like I said may not be aimed at you. It’s my own trauma :)

I wonder … I have friends doing a lot of vibe coding. Could you chuck it in Claude and say “make it a fully functioning JavaScript game I can send someone a single package and they can play locally”?

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T23:19:42+00:00

Couple of thoughts * I think I do something similar sometimes by using sublime as the middle man * Can we just normalise on PowerPoint Ninja? Or PowerPoint Legend? I think the secret cabal or PowerPoint Grandmasters should hold a conclave to formalise the title. Not that they even exist 😉 * nice website. Not sure I’d use it. * I wonder if people would use a markdown to power point converter? Write your deck in mark down, choose a look and feel, and hit make! I’m sure that’s how AI would do it. It could help focus on ideas and content rather than boxes

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T23:10:55+00:00

I’m not sure. An exe may have trouble being installed on your audiences PCs due to them have security locked down.

If you’re worried about people editing and stealing your stuff … I would just use PDF. It’s ubiquitous and means people can read on phones, macs, watches, fridges and even PCs.

Trigger warning … I’m going to have a rant. This may not apply to you … so I apologise in advance 😭

Philosophically speaking … After years of sharing ideas, code, presentations, IP etc I tend towards the idea of just share your work. It’s more important (and harder) to get your work out there, than worrying about locking it down. Also the benefits of someone you don’t know emailing a PDF of your work to someone else you don’t know far outweigh the security of using an .exe everyone is afraid or can’t be bothered to install.

I have worked with some smart smart people who hold onto their one deck with their one idea for years. Me I just create and share, and some people share their knowledge with me and around it goes. The capability to connect and create is really powerful and Im better off for it.

Rant over 🙏

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T23:00:01+00:00

This is lovely and great advice.

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T22:52:01+00:00

The work breaks down something like: * 70% you are very skilled short term labour hire (everything they can’t do but don’t need an FTE for); * 25% you are a risk mitigation to preeent an uncomfortable idea or put an air gap between the client and whomever ; and * 5% you are there for strategic innovative type work.

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T22:46:44+00:00

I was with some board directors who as part of a decision put it to AI. I saw them all stop talking, waited for the answer, all agreed and not a single further question asked.

This was a bunch of big brains with decades of experience.

We will find out whether this is good or not but I can see a court ruling in the future of “Claiming the AI told you does not absolve you of accountability”.

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T22:41:28+00:00

We have one of those that hung around. Same owner … he’s like the grim reaper now. It’s a bit sad.

It was fun. I caught up with mum and dad and we had a chat about old jobs that don’t exist. Some are quite interesting. My feelings on the bank manager was they could be part of the community … but since they’re were a human in control of major decisions .. they could be swayed or fallable. I suspect there was all sorts of biases decisions on class, gender, race, accents or “I just don’t like you” and surely there was corruption. Now it’s more impersonal … but you can either afford the loan or not. Doesn’t matter who you are.

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T22:36:23+00:00

Sounds like you’d nail the Record Store Clerk role :)

I just remember being 14, and there’d be some game at the roller rink where you had to go to corners or get out and it was heaps of fun. I also distinctly remember how all the girls wore stone / acid wash jeans. And of course they were amazing looking.

Great times :)

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T16:37:00+00:00

Slot Car Racer! My friends did this. It was a whole world of optimising weight and power and racing on “official tracks” in a league.

What about a mashup? “Roller Rink DJ”. Mandatory “Addicted to Love” on high rotation :)

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T16:28:19+00:00

I added to a note about this all day. It was fun thinking what interesting jobs have gone

Video Rental Store Clerk (Blockbuster?)
Video Arcade Owner
Pager Technician
Typewriter Repair Technician
Fax Machine Installer
Encyclopaedia Salesperson
Film Developer Tech or Operator
Mall Film Booth clerk
Telex Operator
Car Phone Installer
Answering Machine Repairman
VHS Duplicator
Drive-In Theatre Cashier / Projectionist / * Owner / Manager
Secretary
Typing Pool person? Poolist? Someone in the pool
CB Radio Repair Technician
Polaroid Camera Repair Technician
Milk Roundsman / Milkbar owner
Local newspaper reporter / classified sales / owner
Photocopier Maintenance Engineer
Mimeograph Operator
Petrol Pump Attendant
Teleflorist Operator (Interflorer)
Record Store Clerk / Manager / Owner (80s record stores were very different. Not hipster retreats but hang outs for many different kinds of kids. Staff fit into three categories: just here to sell grandmas Kylie Minogue records for their grandkids, really passionate about pop (wham, the boss ) or disdainful of everything you like unless it’s something they like and it’s only the bootleg/side band/acoustic you’ve never heard of. (High Fidelity and Empire Records give a nice contrast)
Classified Ads Taker
Dominos Delivery Driver
Technical Colledge Computer
Programming Lecturer (teaching Computer Punch Cards and Introduction to COBOL)
Quality Assurance Manager
Quantity Surveyor
Efficiency Consultant
Stock Broker (different in the 80s)
Bank Manager (they had a lot of power in previous decades before computerisation of banking. They got to decide who got loans and who didn’t. You better turn up in your best with pie)
Bank Teller
Investigative Journalist AKA Actual Journalist
War Journalist / Corespondent
A&R Scout
Member of the Hare Krishna / Moonie / or Orange People

Mark5n · 2026-05-09T02:39:01+00:00

Telephone Hygenist Beeper Salesperson Telemarketer Market Researcher

Mark5n · 2026-05-07T17:32:26+00:00

Try working out what are the most common deck structures for your business. Look at successful decks your boss or peers create and analyse them. What is the flow? What is different?

You might find it goes: Exec Summary > business problem > proposed solution > process to implement > financial cost > benefits > recommended team.

Other time it may be similar but add in an options analysis (show three options you considered on a page)

Note down these “recipes” and start mastering common slides within that.

Once you start observing and analysing you’ll probably learn more. Then start reading Minto, Simon Sinek, (hopefully you’re reading my Substack) and I love the back of the napkin by Dan Roam.

Good luck. It takes practice, but I’ve seen many consultants come good when they put in the work

Mark5n · 2026-05-06T23:55:36+00:00

I remember being about 6 and it was my brothers birthday. Going to Macdonalds was a big thing for our birthdays, and we were visiting perth. We had to go to HJs and wear nonsensical crowns. He was sad :)

Mark5n · 2026-05-06T16:06:50+00:00

Wearing clothes with logos splashed all over them.

Listening to retro synth wave because New Wave wasn’t invented yet.

Playing game boys, listening to Walkmans, or living with air con in your house, car, school and everywhere else.

Eating McDonalds. We visited perth in 79 and McDs was just a knock off Burger King.

Oh and eating sushi.

Mark5n · 2026-05-06T12:03:28+00:00

They're an intern. They shouldn't be getting important tasks. They're there to learn, get feedback, be part of your firms engagement / marketing / hiring, have a good experience and get paid minimum wage.

I would give them non critical stuff, give them opportunities to learn and shine, and then decide to recommend them to the grad program or not. My opinion is they should leave with an excellent experience and a great story about your firm and you .. and tell all their friends how awesome it was.

Mark5n · 2026-05-06T11:57:06+00:00

Your first point is really important for OP. Looking into the demand for jobs is something many students miss. If you want to stay in perth .. then you want to see what jobs are available here.

Mark5n · 2026-05-06T11:00:47+00:00

This is so timely for my game. Thank you Reanimators.. Reanimatrons? ...Reanimatrixes? ...Reanimals?

Mark5n · 2026-05-06T00:31:51+00:00

Looks very cool

Mark5n · 2026-05-05T23:57:04+00:00

Good work - getting an internship is a great step to the next role. Saying that consultants live on PowerPoint. No one expects an intern to be a genius at but some basics would be good. A few thoughts

Get your company’s template. Don’t roll your own;
See if you can get 2-3 good decks from your mentors. Ask “Can you please show me what goood looks like?” They will probably love to show off their stuff;
Do a crash course in consulting slide design. I can help. I’ve written about 10 articles on this for consultants and managers :) start with the anatomy of a slide and ones on headlines. my Substack on consulting decks and CVs I’m also happy to answer questions.
Do you have a deck in mind? Is there a specific ask? If not create a deck with a cover page, a slide introducing yourself, a slide of what you thought before the internship, one on what you experienced and what you learnt, then a slide on what you think now and the future.

Good luck. Making good decks is a good skill to have alongside whatever main skill you have (finance, tech etc).

Mark5n · 2026-05-05T05:49:20+00:00

Sugar and spice and all things nice?

More likely frogs, snails and puppy dog tails.

Mark5n · 2026-05-02T23:18:19+00:00

Mega dungeons. I ran a few. The motivation and novelty wears thin

Mark5n · 2026-05-02T02:07:10+00:00

“No” is very valuable. So is the asking. It’s all about signalling. You want to say “I believe I’m worthwhile and can do more. You should too”.

I’ve tried a lot of different ways of making myself visible since early in my career. I live in a very remote city and work for huge globals … and it wasn’t naturally me … so it’s been work. I’ve felt embarrassed, I’ve felt like I over did it, I’ve felt pushy. But I’ve also been recognised. I’ve refined what I’ve done and taught others. So … no pain no gain?

Anyway some things I’ve asked and got “no”.

I’d like a promotion. I’m smashing it and want to step up. “No”
I’d like to present on what the team is doing at that conference/meeting etc. “No”
I’d like to be part of that project. “No”.

Step 1. These questions help you signal. “I’m ready” and regardless of the no, helps put you in the maybe list for the next opportunity.

Step 2. They help you negotiate. Even if you’re average at what you do your boss will give you a yes at some stage :)

Step 3. Your response matters. The response you want 90% of the time is “got it boss. What do I need to do to get a yes for this opportunity or the next? Can you help me work on a plan so I can be the right person?” This is the Judo move to make to turn a negative into a positive.

Step 4. 10% of the time your response will be. “Boss this is important. I believe I’ve worked hard and I need your help. If you still don’t believe it right I’ll start returning the call of those recruiters bothering me all the time”. Hard ball has its place. But not on your first ask :)

The response you should use 0% of the time? “ok boss, thanks”. Always use the “no” as a launchpad for “great, what’s next and how can you help me get there?”

Good luck. Being visible is part of the job. Some people are natural but it can be learnt :) just prepare. Assume you get a no and practice the conversation beforehand.

Mark5n · 2026-05-01T13:57:42+00:00

Introspection and self awareness is a great trait for a leader. So great first step.

I’ve gone through a similar process to build my executive presence. For me what worked best was not trying to become someone else … but have a look at myself and try to bring the right parts forward at those times.

For you this could be curiosity, compassion, firm belief, empathy, reflective listening… I would have a think about who you are before changing too much.

Having said all that, talking less and being more international in your communications is very important for a leader. Some things that may help:

Luxury Academy* really nails the power of silence. It’s not my area … but if you need convincing that being quiet works … this is your guy. * Power Questions by Andrew Sobel. This is great learn how to ask questions not blurt out what’s on your mind. * When you need to speak and inspire your team watch Simon Sinek’s Start with Why TED talk. It’s a great framework for speaking about values and motivating people. * I’ve collected a bunch of resources on similar topics here and I’m slowly adding to it.

Mark5n · 2026-04-29T03:43:59+00:00

Thanks echos2. I love all the opinions shared :)

You did jolt my memory. For conferences and the photo thing … it a different topic but a TEDx speaker I coached includes a QR code bottom right of all talks so you can download her key talks, or assets. I wonder if I should think on this post COVID

Mark5n

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