I see my mission in life as trying to do deeply meaningful things while having a good time. I'm really passionate about many causes and my work, but I also enjoy the outdoors and working with my hands. I feel I've lived a charmed life so far, and I want to help everyone have the opportunities I've had.

My "work" and "play" often come together, but I love getting out into nature as well. I love that I can go to the beach or take a hike in like 10 minutes in this city! Also, a good cup of coffee and artisan-anything is just a few blocks away - best enjoyed while a good book or doing some writing.

Also: I love building stuff. Last thing was a robot [1], but next I'm designing this futon made from steel scaffolding (yes this can work!)

[1] ...that loads robots that make robots. Yes, I'm meta like that.

I came to SF just over a year ago because this city is like the Alexandria of modern times. Such great people, so progressive and such a great influence on my mind and passions. I can't think of a place I'd rather live!

Right now, I'm in the process of starting another company - we use robots to make robots to make almost-anything. Long story - but I'm really passionate about making the process of ::making:: easier for everyone to access - which I think can transform our world.

Also, related to this, I run a bunch of events for everyone who make physical products - which is sort of my schtick.

- Building communities for a cause
- MCing events
- Making & fixing pretty much anything
- Endurance road trips
- Rebuilding civilization from memory

I'm way zanier than I look. I dress as sub-culturally ambiguously as possible so people will know me by my words.

Once I get to talking though - watch out - I'm high energy and really enjoy anything from a fierce debate to a heart-to-heart on life.

+ Recent Books I liked: Sketching for Industrial Designers, Anti-Fragile, Shaping Things, Concepts of Modern Mathematics, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, Notes on the Synthesis of Form

+ For fiction I'm into dystopia: 1984, Brave New World, Clockwork Orange, etc.

+ Movies: Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction, The Revolution Will Not be Televised, Fight Club, V for Vendetta, Citizen Kane

+ Music: Most commonly I listen to Nerdcore Hip hop, Electronica, Classical (Dvorak rules!), Indian Classical, and early 2000's Rap Music - (we have to have a trashy indulgence right?!?)

+ Audio: Anything NPR, but RadioLab and On the Media rule, also The Economist podcast is a great way to keep up with foreign policy (albeit of the establishment).

+ TV (laptop) Shows: The Daily Show, Colbert Report, Connections, Crashcourse / Numberphile series' on YouTube. If you like this Edu-Porn, try: http://TopDocumentaryFilms.com

+ Food: I like to order the weirdest thing on the menu wherever I go - which in southern China was a scary proposition!

Well - these are what I like the most:
- Good food
- Good conversation
- Laptop
- Smartphone
- My trusty hatchback
- Traveling

How can one person make the biggest impact for humanity?

How to balance focus and breadth in what I do.

With friends, talking about the future and meeting the great people of SF.

At some cultural / social event for cause.

Sometimes I like to stay in and just teach myself something like how to make sushi or linear algebra.

This is my blog: http://www.nickpinkston.com

- You're a strong, independent woman.
- You like to talk, but not small talk.
- You can teach me something cool!