AI Vibe-Coded Software Is Not Tech Debt
As originally coined by Ward Cunningham, the phrase “tech debt” is an analogy for a process for making “incremental growth both feasible and desirable”. It is …
Software Is Farming
Many businesses fundamentally misunderstand the nature of software. They treat creating software like they are making a better insulated mug, or writing a book, …
AI Does Not Exist (And It’s Not Going Away)
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 This is simply the best exposition on AI.
It reminds me of Daniel Schmachtenberger’s commentary on why we’re creating a future that nobody wants. …
Great Software Design
I found myself agreeing with every “great software design” statement in this post.
Great software design looks underwhelming.
Great software design …
✊🏽 Resources for the Resistance
Like many Americans, I am deeply troubled by America’s slide into an authoritarian and fascist government. I have started collecting the following resources as …
Origins of Totalitarianism
Go for information that has a long half-life, not something that’s going to be contradicted in the next week.
This quote by Ryan Holiday grabbed me and …
What are you most pulled toward?
. . . a recognition of what is your dharma which is, what are the problems you feel most pulled to and you can’t turn away from . . . pour your whole devotion …
Underestimating the Obvious
Once something is obvious and working, people tend to underestimate it. (source)
I experienced this first-hand in my very first software role. I was using …
ChatGPT wraps up with an avalanche of cliches . . .
An example of just how bland AI output is compared to a creative human.
Here is a wonderful article capturing why we need humans doing creative work in a world …
Not all solutions require technology
“Our paper books have lasted hundreds of years on our shelves and are still readable. Without active maintenance, we will be lucky if our digital books last a …
Five Life Hacks I Know at 44 but I Wish I Knew at 24
Passing life hacks to your past self is pretentious. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need to do this. Be grateful for the wisdom you have accumulated. …
Hemingway’s Four Rules for Writing [Software]
Hemingway swore by these four rules for writing prose (source):
Use short sentences
Use short first paragraphs
Use “vigorous” English
Be positive, not negative …
Ten Papers a Software Engineer Should Read
There’s no such thing as “self-taught.”
Self-directed, maybe. But not self-taught.
As someone who didn’t learn software engineering through a university, I am …