Mathias Verraes
@mathiasverraes.bsky.social
Student of Systems
Consultant @ https://aardling.eu
Curator @ https://dddeurope.com
Author @ https://verraes.net
Consultant @ https://aardling.eu
Curator @ https://dddeurope.com
Author @ https://verraes.net
All models are reductions, but if yours fits in a 2x2 quadrant, you might have reduced too much.
November 4, 2025 at 12:36 PM
All models are reductions, but if yours fits in a 2x2 quadrant, you might have reduced too much.
Nobody complains when you make assumptions and they turn out right
October 30, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Nobody complains when you make assumptions and they turn out right
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
It's exactly how it started for me and I still can't believe I did it twice. Wonderful conference for speakers, even with less experience, very supportive team and nice people attend, so now you have no excuses :P
October 28, 2025 at 1:47 PM
It's exactly how it started for me and I still can't believe I did it twice. Wonderful conference for speakers, even with less experience, very supportive team and nice people attend, so now you have no excuses :P
If you're new my work on models: verraes.net/2022/09/crit...
October 28, 2025 at 8:55 AM
If you're new my work on models: verraes.net/2022/09/crit...
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
It's not that I don't agree, it's more like it's treated somewhat like a mystic text (we all nod solemnly at its profundity) and that it seems like we have little else to say about models. (The essay and talk you did with Rebecca is a rare exception.)
October 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
It's not that I don't agree, it's more like it's treated somewhat like a mystic text (we all nod solemnly at its profundity) and that it seems like we have little else to say about models. (The essay and talk you did with Rebecca is a rare exception.)
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
It is misused or misunderstood (I think) to create a narrative of absolute relativity of models.
October 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
It is misused or misunderstood (I think) to create a narrative of absolute relativity of models.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
There is also perhaps a certain facileness in how we talk about models which rubs me the wrong way, which has its roots in the multitude of models and their uses, and also that we seem to be naive about models in general.
October 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
There is also perhaps a certain facileness in how we talk about models which rubs me the wrong way, which has its roots in the multitude of models and their uses, and also that we seem to be naive about models in general.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
It's no deeper than the observation that a linear model is not useful for non-linear systems. But an excessive faith in the relativity of models seem to get in the way of that understanding.
October 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
It's no deeper than the observation that a linear model is not useful for non-linear systems. But an excessive faith in the relativity of models seem to get in the way of that understanding.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
The wrong model is much wronger than the right model.
October 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
The wrong model is much wronger than the right model.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
It's also that people seem to read weird things into it, like all models are equally wrong, or all models are equally useful, or all models are useful on the same parameters, or that models are uniformly wrong or useful irrespective of context. I could go on.
October 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
It's also that people seem to read weird things into it, like all models are equally wrong, or all models are equally useful, or all models are useful on the same parameters, or that models are uniformly wrong or useful irrespective of context. I could go on.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
To evaluate usefulness, we can't do analysis, we have to put the model to use and iterate. That's the antidote to perfection and paralysis: exist the model to daylight and see if people use it in productive ways.
October 28, 2025 at 6:02 AM
To evaluate usefulness, we can't do analysis, we have to put the model to use and iterate. That's the antidote to perfection and paralysis: exist the model to daylight and see if people use it in productive ways.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
Well, yes, the quote implies that we don't need to seek perfection, and we don't need to represent all elements from reality accurately in the model. But the second half of the quote tells us to evaluate not perfection (elegance, symmetry, realism...) but usefulness.
October 28, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Well, yes, the quote implies that we don't need to seek perfection, and we don't need to represent all elements from reality accurately in the model. But the second half of the quote tells us to evaluate not perfection (elegance, symmetry, realism...) but usefulness.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
Interesting, I always read it differently - to remember that there's something "as good enough for my situation/context" to avoid analysis paralysis and looking for perfection :D
October 28, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Interesting, I always read it differently - to remember that there's something "as good enough for my situation/context" to avoid analysis paralysis and looking for perfection :D
All of the sudden feeling an urge to go to Øredev
Heading soon to @Øredev, exploring how modeling can become a way of leading complexity. 🌿
From work ↔ collaboration ↔ conversation — new modeling fronts will be explored using relational methodology and sociotechnical architecture.
#Øredev #Leadership #sociotechnical_architecture #complexity
From work ↔ collaboration ↔ conversation — new modeling fronts will be explored using relational methodology and sociotechnical architecture.
#Øredev #Leadership #sociotechnical_architecture #complexity
October 27, 2025 at 11:53 PM
All of the sudden feeling an urge to go to Øredev
The quote "All models are wrong but some are useful" should not be read as an excuse to stick with your model. It's a call to actively search for more useful models.
October 27, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The quote "All models are wrong but some are useful" should not be read as an excuse to stick with your model. It's a call to actively search for more useful models.
That ceasefire lasted about as long as it takes to reload the canons.
Bully logic: "I will stop beating you, unless I feel you are a threat to me".
That's not a peace plan, it's an excuse for the next genocide.
That's not a peace plan, it's an excuse for the next genocide.
October 20, 2025 at 12:01 PM
That ceasefire lasted about as long as it takes to reload the canons.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
Related to the paper we discussed at the most recent Papers in Systems meetup, "Critically Engaging With Models" by @rebeccawb.bsky.social and @mathiasverraes.bsky.social
wirfs-brock.com/rebecca/blog...
wirfs-brock.com/rebecca/blog...
Rebecca’s Web – Critically Engaging With Models
Rebecca Wirfs-Brock On the Web
wirfs-brock.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Related to the paper we discussed at the most recent Papers in Systems meetup, "Critically Engaging With Models" by @rebeccawb.bsky.social and @mathiasverraes.bsky.social
wirfs-brock.com/rebecca/blog...
wirfs-brock.com/rebecca/blog...
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
What if an advertisement was your girlfriend?
October 14, 2025 at 5:10 AM
What if an advertisement was your girlfriend?
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
I think the thing that is different with chatbots is that they have been shown to have the capability of influencing people's beliefs and behavior. Obviously this isn't a linear deterministic thing, but still, not great.
October 14, 2025 at 5:00 AM
I think the thing that is different with chatbots is that they have been shown to have the capability of influencing people's beliefs and behavior. Obviously this isn't a linear deterministic thing, but still, not great.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
Imagine being fooled into entering a hologrammatic prison filled with make-believe personalities that know everything about you and can gaslight you into doing anything from buying products to making up a spiritual delusion to killing yourself
October 14, 2025 at 4:53 AM
Imagine being fooled into entering a hologrammatic prison filled with make-believe personalities that know everything about you and can gaslight you into doing anything from buying products to making up a spiritual delusion to killing yourself
I added three new tips to my article on "How to Read More Books". verraes.net/2012/12/2012... I've been growing that list since 2012!
How to Read More Books
An ever-growing list of tips that help me read more books.
verraes.net
October 15, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I added three new tips to my article on "How to Read More Books". verraes.net/2012/12/2012... I've been growing that list since 2012!
Bully logic: "I will stop beating you, unless I feel you are a threat to me".
That's not a peace plan, it's an excuse for the next genocide.
That's not a peace plan, it's an excuse for the next genocide.
October 15, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Bully logic: "I will stop beating you, unless I feel you are a threat to me".
That's not a peace plan, it's an excuse for the next genocide.
That's not a peace plan, it's an excuse for the next genocide.
Vibe codin' plus Ballmer peak equals what?
October 10, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Vibe codin' plus Ballmer peak equals what?
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Reposted by Mathias Verraes
Sometimes the constraint is Mb/s, sometimes it's WTF/s
October 8, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Sometimes the constraint is Mb/s, sometimes it's WTF/s