How Lego’s Smart Brick works

This episode of The Vergecast explores the intersection of technology and creativity, focusing on the surprising relevance of the Lego Smart Brick and modern productivity systems. Sean Hollister joins to discuss the Lego Smart Brick, a customizable electronic brick, and debates whether it aligns with Lego's core values of open-ended creativity. The conversation highlights the tension between pre-programmed functionality and user programmability, questioning if Lego will allow users to customize the brick's functions. Casey Newton then joins to discuss productivity, detailing a system centered around daily journaling, task management, and a unique "blips" system for capturing and revisiting ideas. Newton emphasizes the importance of active thinking and adapting systems to individual goals, using Claude Code to build a website. Finally, the hosts answer a listener question about upgrading e-readers, weighing the benefits of newer models against the sustainability of older devices.