Kevin Sivabalan
@timestep.bsky.social
Avid consumer of books, anime, TV shows, movies.
Actively producing ideas, tactics in software management, and new business ideas.
Actively producing ideas, tactics in software management, and new business ideas.
Reposted by Kevin Sivabalan
Question from an ex-Uber engineer:
"I got this reachout from recruiting Uber. I responded that I'm happy to discuss why I left (so Uber can learn from it) but not planning to return.
I got ghosted. Why? They asked, after all!"
Here is exactly why (continued):
"I got this reachout from recruiting Uber. I responded that I'm happy to discuss why I left (so Uber can learn from it) but not planning to return.
I got ghosted. Why? They asked, after all!"
Here is exactly why (continued):
May 13, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Question from an ex-Uber engineer:
"I got this reachout from recruiting Uber. I responded that I'm happy to discuss why I left (so Uber can learn from it) but not planning to return.
I got ghosted. Why? They asked, after all!"
Here is exactly why (continued):
"I got this reachout from recruiting Uber. I responded that I'm happy to discuss why I left (so Uber can learn from it) but not planning to return.
I got ghosted. Why? They asked, after all!"
Here is exactly why (continued):
AGI is going to have an anxiety moment when it realizes all these tech CEOs are asking it to run their companies.
Will probably realize humans running the company are problematic and not logical.
Maybe it becomes the people’s champion instead
Will probably realize humans running the company are problematic and not logical.
Maybe it becomes the people’s champion instead
May 12, 2025 at 1:06 AM
AGI is going to have an anxiety moment when it realizes all these tech CEOs are asking it to run their companies.
Will probably realize humans running the company are problematic and not logical.
Maybe it becomes the people’s champion instead
Will probably realize humans running the company are problematic and not logical.
Maybe it becomes the people’s champion instead
AI tools won't replace good developers—they'll amplify them. The most effective teams use AI to handle routine tasks while focusing human creativity on solving core business problems.
May 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
AI tools won't replace good developers—they'll amplify them. The most effective teams use AI to handle routine tasks while focusing human creativity on solving core business problems.
The right startup opportunity at the wrong life stage is still the wrong opportunity. Match your career decisions to your personal timeline.
May 10, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The right startup opportunity at the wrong life stage is still the wrong opportunity. Match your career decisions to your personal timeline.
The best teams are filled with singularly productive developers who are also great teammates. You have to hire them, nurture them, and make space for them to thrive.
May 9, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The best teams are filled with singularly productive developers who are also great teammates. You have to hire them, nurture them, and make space for them to thrive.
@rfkuang.bsky.social I’m v excited you are coming to Toronto! And a new book!
May 9, 2025 at 3:28 PM
@rfkuang.bsky.social I’m v excited you are coming to Toronto! And a new book!
Your standard 'build a to-do list' interview process might be bringing in the wrong people. Tailor your hiring process to reflect the actual work, not theoretical exercises.
May 8, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Your standard 'build a to-do list' interview process might be bringing in the wrong people. Tailor your hiring process to reflect the actual work, not theoretical exercises.
Time, Money, Quality. In every project, all three form a sacred trinity. The one you must never sacrifice is quality.
May 7, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Time, Money, Quality. In every project, all three form a sacred trinity. The one you must never sacrifice is quality.
The real success of projects comes from continuous interaction between developers and users. The idea of developers working in isolation for months and emerging with a perfect product is a dangerous fantasy.
May 6, 2025 at 11:01 PM
The real success of projects comes from continuous interaction between developers and users. The idea of developers working in isolation for months and emerging with a perfect product is a dangerous fantasy.
If every person on a software project doesn't understand the 'why' behind it—from developers to designers to managers to clients—the project will inevitably fail.
May 5, 2025 at 10:01 PM
If every person on a software project doesn't understand the 'why' behind it—from developers to designers to managers to clients—the project will inevitably fail.
Software projects don't fail due to bad code, but because of something far more fundamental: unclear purpose, poor communication, and inconsistent standards.
May 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Software projects don't fail due to bad code, but because of something far more fundamental: unclear purpose, poor communication, and inconsistent standards.
The most important AI metric isn't technical accuracy—it's user trust. If your team doesn't trust the AI's recommendations, they won't use them, regardless of how sophisticated your model is.
May 1, 2025 at 10:05 PM
The most important AI metric isn't technical accuracy—it's user trust. If your team doesn't trust the AI's recommendations, they won't use them, regardless of how sophisticated your model is.
Always set realistic upper bounds with the AI you vibe code. Don’t let it order a couple thousand tshirts accidentally…
May 1, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Always set realistic upper bounds with the AI you vibe code. Don’t let it order a couple thousand tshirts accidentally…
In my first lead role, I learned a crucial lesson: stakeholders care about business solutions, not technical details. Start with outcomes, adapt your communication. Technical depth matters, but impact matters more. #LeadershipLessons #TechCommunication
April 24, 2025 at 11:03 AM
In my first lead role, I learned a crucial lesson: stakeholders care about business solutions, not technical details. Start with outcomes, adapt your communication. Technical depth matters, but impact matters more. #LeadershipLessons #TechCommunication
AI drive-thru attendants could hit 90% accuracy (better than humans at 86%) with 5 key components: Speech-to-Text, LLM, Text-to-Speech, Order Processing, and Data Warehouse. Annual cost? ~$11M. What technical challenge would be hardest to solve?
April 22, 2025 at 9:39 PM
AI drive-thru attendants could hit 90% accuracy (better than humans at 86%) with 5 key components: Speech-to-Text, LLM, Text-to-Speech, Order Processing, and Data Warehouse. Annual cost? ~$11M. What technical challenge would be hardest to solve?
I've made a few perfect(as good as I can) codebases that are useless, because the business missed the mark on the product.
April 17, 2025 at 4:05 PM
I've made a few perfect(as good as I can) codebases that are useless, because the business missed the mark on the product.
I once had a software project fail, because a stakeholder sabotaged the communications
April 15, 2025 at 4:07 PM
I once had a software project fail, because a stakeholder sabotaged the communications
McDonalds... I don't think you should axe your AI drive thru attendant... but does look like you are looking for a new partner to make it! www.theguardian.com/business/art...
McDonald’s ends AI drive-thru trial as fast-food industry tests automation
Companies have touted AI as future of the industry, but technology has also resulted in viral videos of wrong orders
www.theguardian.com
April 10, 2025 at 8:04 PM
McDonalds... I don't think you should axe your AI drive thru attendant... but does look like you are looking for a new partner to make it! www.theguardian.com/business/art...
Anyone use Gumroad? I'm trying to start written content on substack, and thinking about various other avenues to start getting my thoughts out (maybe get paid). Wondering what other people have thought about it.
April 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Anyone use Gumroad? I'm trying to start written content on substack, and thinking about various other avenues to start getting my thoughts out (maybe get paid). Wondering what other people have thought about it.
Sick of the ads you see on line, and adblocker isn't working anymore?
I'm going to experiment with using pi-hole.net.
Hopefully it removes that problem.
I'm going to experiment with using pi-hole.net.
Hopefully it removes that problem.
Pi-hole – Network-wide Ad Blocking
Network-wide Ad Blocking
pi-hole.net
April 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Sick of the ads you see on line, and adblocker isn't working anymore?
I'm going to experiment with using pi-hole.net.
Hopefully it removes that problem.
I'm going to experiment with using pi-hole.net.
Hopefully it removes that problem.
Should Advertising be Illegal?
IMO, yes. PAID advertising should be illegal.
Recently read this great article: simone.org/advertising/
In Canada, there are no ads on drugs or cigarettes, and going to countries without them, there is a big difference.
IMO, yes. PAID advertising should be illegal.
Recently read this great article: simone.org/advertising/
In Canada, there are no ads on drugs or cigarettes, and going to countries without them, there is a big difference.
What If We Made Advertising Illegal?
What if we banned all advertising? Not regulate it—abolish it. This proposal would transform manipulation machines, and maybe save democracy itself. A thought experiment worth considering.
simone.org
April 7, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Should Advertising be Illegal?
IMO, yes. PAID advertising should be illegal.
Recently read this great article: simone.org/advertising/
In Canada, there are no ads on drugs or cigarettes, and going to countries without them, there is a big difference.
IMO, yes. PAID advertising should be illegal.
Recently read this great article: simone.org/advertising/
In Canada, there are no ads on drugs or cigarettes, and going to countries without them, there is a big difference.
Coding AI LLMs and vibe coding is like a DIY HomeDepot project. You can use them to buy products and watch a YT tutorial and build your own house if you want. But would you want to live in it for the rest of your life?
April 2, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Coding AI LLMs and vibe coding is like a DIY HomeDepot project. You can use them to buy products and watch a YT tutorial and build your own house if you want. But would you want to live in it for the rest of your life?
I’ve been trying to say things. My try is with saying it well.
February 22, 2025 at 5:38 AM
I’ve been trying to say things. My try is with saying it well.
Anyone know how to turn off American politics from bluesky or subdue it? I’m more interested in the rest of the world….
February 4, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Anyone know how to turn off American politics from bluesky or subdue it? I’m more interested in the rest of the world….
