Salty Seagull
@salty-seagull.bsky.social
Software and distributed systems stuff. Engineering rants and AI takes when I feel like it.
Reposted by Salty Seagull
Reposted by Salty Seagull
You’d think we would’ve evolved to seek and embrace the truth of reality, instead of whatever we wish were true.
But here we are.
So you have to fight yourself.
But here we are.
So you have to fight yourself.
August 11, 2025 at 1:52 PM
You’d think we would’ve evolved to seek and embrace the truth of reality, instead of whatever we wish were true.
But here we are.
So you have to fight yourself.
But here we are.
So you have to fight yourself.
Reposted by Salty Seagull
Hey friends! I did a TEDx talk and it's now up on the TED Conferences YouTube. It's possibly the best and most important talk I've ever done.
I would ask that you watch it, and please SHARE it broadly and widely. Thank you! youtu.be/dVG8W-0p6vg #AI #Tech #TED
I would ask that you watch it, and please SHARE it broadly and widely. Thank you! youtu.be/dVG8W-0p6vg #AI #Tech #TED
Tech Promised Everything. Did it deliver? | Scott Hanselman | TEDxPortland
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
youtu.be
July 17, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Hey friends! I did a TEDx talk and it's now up on the TED Conferences YouTube. It's possibly the best and most important talk I've ever done.
I would ask that you watch it, and please SHARE it broadly and widely. Thank you! youtu.be/dVG8W-0p6vg #AI #Tech #TED
I would ask that you watch it, and please SHARE it broadly and widely. Thank you! youtu.be/dVG8W-0p6vg #AI #Tech #TED
Reposted by Salty Seagull
the grocery store rotisserie chicken is one of the great modern conveniences
June 30, 2025 at 11:26 PM
the grocery store rotisserie chicken is one of the great modern conveniences
I’ve really missed Orangina. Hard to beat on a roasting hot day.
June 29, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I’ve really missed Orangina. Hard to beat on a roasting hot day.
I’m usually pretty painfully aware of car brain in North America, but visiting Europe reminds me just how bad it is.
June 14, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I’m usually pretty painfully aware of car brain in North America, but visiting Europe reminds me just how bad it is.
Reposted by Salty Seagull
O no, this is EXTREMELY in line with my interests...
cc @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @jacky.wtf @lizneeley.bsky.social
cc @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @jacky.wtf @lizneeley.bsky.social
May 21, 2025 at 1:03 PM
O no, this is EXTREMELY in line with my interests...
cc @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @jacky.wtf @lizneeley.bsky.social
cc @rachelcoldicutt.bsky.social @jacky.wtf @lizneeley.bsky.social
Reposted by Salty Seagull
I don't know who needs to see this, as the saying goes, but platform engineering is not just "devops" or "infra" by another name.
Platform engineering is about bringing a product sensibility and design ethos to the infra-shaped technical problem space.
Platform engineering is about bringing a product sensibility and design ethos to the infra-shaped technical problem space.
May 1, 2025 at 1:49 AM
I don't know who needs to see this, as the saying goes, but platform engineering is not just "devops" or "infra" by another name.
Platform engineering is about bringing a product sensibility and design ethos to the infra-shaped technical problem space.
Platform engineering is about bringing a product sensibility and design ethos to the infra-shaped technical problem space.
Reposted by Salty Seagull
There’s fear of true danger. Listen to that fear; prep yourself, or avoid the situation.
But then there’s fear of something that has no real danger — publishing an essay, speaking in front of a group, shipping a wobbly product, making an advert, asking for the sale.
(1/7)
But then there’s fear of something that has no real danger — publishing an essay, speaking in front of a group, shipping a wobbly product, making an advert, asking for the sale.
(1/7)
April 28, 2025 at 3:40 PM
There’s fear of true danger. Listen to that fear; prep yourself, or avoid the situation.
But then there’s fear of something that has no real danger — publishing an essay, speaking in front of a group, shipping a wobbly product, making an advert, asking for the sale.
(1/7)
But then there’s fear of something that has no real danger — publishing an essay, speaking in front of a group, shipping a wobbly product, making an advert, asking for the sale.
(1/7)
I started running again last year and “quit” squats. Just did my first squat session in something like 6 months. I knew what was coming, but mistakes were made…
April 20, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I started running again last year and “quit” squats. Just did my first squat session in something like 6 months. I knew what was coming, but mistakes were made…
Reposted by Salty Seagull
“The risk of this happening to our project is 30%, but the impact will be high.”
I call B.S.. You can’t possibly quantify the risk.
What should we do instead? Read on:
I call B.S.. You can’t possibly quantify the risk.
What should we do instead? Read on:
Metrics that cannot even be measured in retrospect
Some of the most enticing, important metrics are impossible to measure, even after the fact. Here’s how to identify and avoid this trap.
longform.asmartbear.com
March 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“The risk of this happening to our project is 30%, but the impact will be high.”
I call B.S.. You can’t possibly quantify the risk.
What should we do instead? Read on:
I call B.S.. You can’t possibly quantify the risk.
What should we do instead? Read on:
Reposted by Salty Seagull
Just published a new article! 👇🏾
How to discern which models of companies, strategy, markets, and organizations are wise, and which just look good on a PowerPoint slide.
Many thanks for spreading the love with ❤️ and 🔁!
How to discern which models of companies, strategy, markets, and organizations are wise, and which just look good on a PowerPoint slide.
Many thanks for spreading the love with ❤️ and 🔁!
All pretty models are wrong, but some ugly models are useful
Identifying useful frameworks for companies, strategy, markets, and organizations, instead of those that just look pretty in PowerPoint.
longform.asmartbear.com
March 23, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Just published a new article! 👇🏾
How to discern which models of companies, strategy, markets, and organizations are wise, and which just look good on a PowerPoint slide.
Many thanks for spreading the love with ❤️ and 🔁!
How to discern which models of companies, strategy, markets, and organizations are wise, and which just look good on a PowerPoint slide.
Many thanks for spreading the love with ❤️ and 🔁!
Reposted by Salty Seagull
Yes, this! And if you're protecting your team from *so much shit* that they probably wouldn't stay if they knew.....
...then they probably shouldn't be there.
And the company probably doesn't deserve to retain them or reap the fruits of their labor.
...then they probably shouldn't be there.
And the company probably doesn't deserve to retain them or reap the fruits of their labor.
As a former shit umbrella turned ops person, if you need a shit umbrella, something is terribly wrong in the org.
I will hardly fault a manager for being one because that's what they know they can do right now in this specific context.
I will hardly fault a manager for being one because that's what they know they can do right now in this specific context.
March 22, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Yes, this! And if you're protecting your team from *so much shit* that they probably wouldn't stay if they knew.....
...then they probably shouldn't be there.
And the company probably doesn't deserve to retain them or reap the fruits of their labor.
...then they probably shouldn't be there.
And the company probably doesn't deserve to retain them or reap the fruits of their labor.
Reposted by Salty Seagull
> Be yourself.
But what 𝘪𝘴 “myself?”
> It’s whatever you do when you’re bored, whatever you are when no one has expectation.
But I’m crushed by expectation and obligation.
> Then find the space, and find yourself.
But what 𝘪𝘴 “myself?”
> It’s whatever you do when you’re bored, whatever you are when no one has expectation.
But I’m crushed by expectation and obligation.
> Then find the space, and find yourself.
March 13, 2025 at 9:06 PM
> Be yourself.
But what 𝘪𝘴 “myself?”
> It’s whatever you do when you’re bored, whatever you are when no one has expectation.
But I’m crushed by expectation and obligation.
> Then find the space, and find yourself.
But what 𝘪𝘴 “myself?”
> It’s whatever you do when you’re bored, whatever you are when no one has expectation.
But I’m crushed by expectation and obligation.
> Then find the space, and find yourself.
Reposted by Salty Seagull
If you put a product out there, it might gain traction.
If you go to meetups, you might find a cofounder.
If you write, it might get read.
You don’t make luck, but you can put yourself in a position to capture it.
If you go to meetups, you might find a cofounder.
If you write, it might get read.
You don’t make luck, but you can put yourself in a position to capture it.
March 8, 2025 at 3:19 PM
If you put a product out there, it might gain traction.
If you go to meetups, you might find a cofounder.
If you write, it might get read.
You don’t make luck, but you can put yourself in a position to capture it.
If you go to meetups, you might find a cofounder.
If you write, it might get read.
You don’t make luck, but you can put yourself in a position to capture it.
Reposted by Salty Seagull
so many infinite canvas apps rn
March 5, 2025 at 5:56 PM
so many infinite canvas apps rn
Maybe everyone should take it easy on the AGI talk until they can fix autocorrect fist
February 11, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Maybe everyone should take it easy on the AGI talk until they can fix autocorrect fist
I’ve misread “causal consistency” so many times I think I have to propose a new type: “casual consistency”
Not sure what’s going to be yet, I don’t want to rush to define it, going to keep it chill for now.
Not sure what’s going to be yet, I don’t want to rush to define it, going to keep it chill for now.
February 6, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I’ve misread “causal consistency” so many times I think I have to propose a new type: “casual consistency”
Not sure what’s going to be yet, I don’t want to rush to define it, going to keep it chill for now.
Not sure what’s going to be yet, I don’t want to rush to define it, going to keep it chill for now.
Reposted by Salty Seagull
Some people say you should lower your expectations of others. That way you'll be disappointed less, and pleasantly surprised more.
I guess that's true of the airport, but it's the wrong attitude for your team.
Just the opposite:
When you expect more, you get the most.
I guess that's true of the airport, but it's the wrong attitude for your team.
Just the opposite:
When you expect more, you get the most.
February 5, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Some people say you should lower your expectations of others. That way you'll be disappointed less, and pleasantly surprised more.
I guess that's true of the airport, but it's the wrong attitude for your team.
Just the opposite:
When you expect more, you get the most.
I guess that's true of the airport, but it's the wrong attitude for your team.
Just the opposite:
When you expect more, you get the most.
Reposted by Salty Seagull
If you're creating a startup on the side, serve an audience who doesn't want tech support (because you can’t deliver 24/7 instant support!)
But also this opens up opportunities:
Higher profit margins without support costs, and the ability to sell globally without language barriers.
(1/2)
But also this opens up opportunities:
Higher profit margins without support costs, and the ability to sell globally without language barriers.
(1/2)
The Startup Drake Equation
Why do smart, driven founders fail, despite having great ideas and execution? This model offers an answer, and a path to increase the chance of success.
longform.asmartbear.com
February 4, 2025 at 3:25 PM
If you're creating a startup on the side, serve an audience who doesn't want tech support (because you can’t deliver 24/7 instant support!)
But also this opens up opportunities:
Higher profit margins without support costs, and the ability to sell globally without language barriers.
(1/2)
But also this opens up opportunities:
Higher profit margins without support costs, and the ability to sell globally without language barriers.
(1/2)
Reposted by Salty Seagull
Finally wrapped up the first book of 2025. Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari.
I enjoyed the historical parts a lot more than the AI chapters which felt a bit thin. Maybe because I know more about AI than history.
It was a bit too long at 400 pages but interesting enough to get me to the end.
I enjoyed the historical parts a lot more than the AI chapters which felt a bit thin. Maybe because I know more about AI than history.
It was a bit too long at 400 pages but interesting enough to get me to the end.
'NEXUS' – A new book from Yuval Noah Harari (out September 2024)
'NEXUS: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI' (published Sept 2024) is a non-fiction book by Yuval Noah Harari. In this thrilling new work, the historian and bestselling au...
www.ynharari.com
January 25, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Finally wrapped up the first book of 2025. Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari.
I enjoyed the historical parts a lot more than the AI chapters which felt a bit thin. Maybe because I know more about AI than history.
It was a bit too long at 400 pages but interesting enough to get me to the end.
I enjoyed the historical parts a lot more than the AI chapters which felt a bit thin. Maybe because I know more about AI than history.
It was a bit too long at 400 pages but interesting enough to get me to the end.
Moon Baboon you insufferable simian!
January 25, 2025 at 3:24 AM
Moon Baboon you insufferable simian!
Paul Krugman puts this much better than my short rants
The Pathetic Billionaires’ Club
How fuck-you money can become fuck-me money
open.substack.com
January 19, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Paul Krugman puts this much better than my short rants
Reposted by Salty Seagull
Just published a new article! 👇🏾
Oh you secretive devil! The last thing you need is anyone finding out about your startup. Like competitors. Or customers.
Many thanks for spreading the love with ❤️ and 🔁!
Oh you secretive devil! The last thing you need is anyone finding out about your startup. Like competitors. Or customers.
Many thanks for spreading the love with ❤️ and 🔁!
“Stealth mode” and other f’ing brilliant strategies
Oh you secretive devil! The last thing you need is anyone finding out about your startup. Like competitors. Or customers.
longform.asmartbear.com
January 19, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Just published a new article! 👇🏾
Oh you secretive devil! The last thing you need is anyone finding out about your startup. Like competitors. Or customers.
Many thanks for spreading the love with ❤️ and 🔁!
Oh you secretive devil! The last thing you need is anyone finding out about your startup. Like competitors. Or customers.
Many thanks for spreading the love with ❤️ and 🔁!