My first business was based on an invention of mine that looked amazing—an optical device that animated still images to people in motion. For the business, we installed them on subway tunnel walls to show ads to riders between stations, sharing revenue with the subway system, before everyone had animation devices in their pockets. Outside the business, I also explored the medium as an art with properties unlike any other,[…] Keep reading →

On January 9, 2001 the Wall Street Journal published New Motion-Picture Advertising May Enhance London Subway Rides by Sarah Ellison, on the technology I conceived of. We launched later that year in Atlanta, then soon after New York City, Philadelphia, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Budapest, Athens, Mexico City, Chicago, and more, eventually reaching the Heathrow Express. News coverage of our launches Our launches got a lot of press. The technology was[…] Keep reading →

Most of us tell and believe similar stories on the environment, something like the three below. Do they sound familiar? A while ago some scientists figured out that we’re destroying the planet. Everything I do is bad and I have to stop or they say I’m killing future generations. Every now and then they tell me it’s worse than they said before. There have been some big storms and droughts,[…] Keep reading →

As a proud member of Flight Free USA, where I’ve pledged another joyful year of not flying, I’m extending to you the invitation they extended to me. I just watched it. It’s touching and honest as a documentary and she is honest, genuine, and authentic as a leader and person. After years of people asking me, confused, why I would act in service of the environment, asking me why I’m[…] Keep reading →

I’ve written how I pick up litter every day in the northwest corner of Washington Square Park on top of the other litter I pick up daily. For the twenty-one years I’ve lived here, walking through that corner after dusk means someone approaching saying, “smoke smoke, weed, smoke smoke.” Since the pandemic that corner has evolved to harder drugs. I saw a guy smoking something other than cannabis a couple[…] Keep reading →

I can’t believe how much today’s ride tired me out. I’ll only post the high-level details before going to sleep. I recently got a new used bike—a touring bike designed to carry enough to go bike camping. The summer between high school and college, a friend and I rode from Philadelphia to Bar Harbor, Maine and back—about 1,500 miles. For years I used bikes as my main commuting vehicles, until[…] Keep reading →

I saw her speak at West Point about a year and a half ago. In a room including colonels, generals, and cadets, she riveted the audience with humor, stories, wit, and insight. My favorite insight was her sharing her friendship with Scalia. Their nearly opposite politics didn’t stop them from things like he would secretly pass her notes while hearing cases to try to make her laugh. Her sharing contributed[…] Keep reading →