CURRENT MISSION

Continue to hone my technical and creative skills in order to make becoming a digital nomad a reality.
To work towards understanding the breadth and depth of the human experience.

ABOUT ME

I'm a researching, developer, and science and technology generalist with sustainably minded tendencies. I aim to be perpetually curious, kind, and patient. I take great pleasure in the small joys of life and the beauty of the natural world. I wish to become familiar with as many concepts, thoughts, ideas, and cultures as possible. At times I can be dangerously indecisive.

PHILOSOPHY

Be good to yourself, others, and the environment.

I believe anyone not struggling to find food, water, or a place to sleep, has responsibility to know themselves and know the world to the best of their ability. These things play back into each other perpetually.

I believe complacency is the greatest tragedy.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I've hosted a few folks at my house in Harrisonburg and in San Francisco. I stayed with a few different hosts on a 10 day US cross-country trip.

While travelling through Asia I used the 'hangouts' feature of the couchsurfing app frequently to meet locals and other travelers, but didn't stay with anyone (turns out hostels are extremely affordable :) ).

Interests

One of my primary interests is learning- I find myself drawn in all directions though I particularly enjoy physics, cosmology, society, technology, and philosophy.

I play guitar (travelling with a guitalele!) and occasionally write music. I love being outdoors (hiking, biking, skiing, canoeing etc.). I'm also an amateur photographer (@tim.borny on insta, though I don't post a lot).

Big pictures, thresholds, and cross-sections.

• photography
• education
• running
• guitar
• hiking
• skiing
• teaching
• philosophy
• physics
• science
• trekking
• learning
• cosmology

Music, Movies, and Books

I love BBC's Planet Earth, Life, and Human Planet. I like a lot of Wes Anderson films (the Darjeeling Limited, The Royal Tenembaums, Isle of Dogs etc), as well as movies like American Beauty, Her, Inception, and Children of Men.

I don't watch a lot of shows, but I think some of the best television being produced today is Black Mirror and Westworld. Rick and Morty is good for a laugh.

I find that good musicianship, interesting melody, and mellow tones appeal to me across almost all genres.

Some books that rank among my favorites include Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Cradle to Cradle, The Omnivores Dilemma, A Short History of Nearly Everything, and the Stranger.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Quit my job in silicon valley, shed my belongings (aside from one bag), and left for Southeast Asia.

Teach, Learn, Share

I will more than happily delve into conversation (and occasional monologue) on a wide range of topics from music theory and politics to physics, cosmology, technology, and a broad range of sciences both social and natural.

I would love to learn about whatever it is that you are most passionate.

What I Can Share with Hosts

A laugh, a story, a beer...

I like to think I'm a gracious guest and I try to be very conscious of my host's time and other commitments. I don't take being accepted as a guest lightly and always try to display my gratitude, whether it be though a six pack, a meal, or paying it forward.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Peru, Thailand, Viet Nam

Countries I’ve Lived In

United States