Steve Downey
@sdowney.org
It's my fault "throw 💩;" is no longer valid C++. In penance, I worked to make optional<T&> happen.
Parody of a real software engineer and grown up.
Software engineer at Bloomberg LP
Views are my own
he/him
@sdowney@mastodon.social
Parody of a real software engineer and grown up.
Software engineer at Bloomberg LP
Views are my own
he/him
@sdowney@mastodon.social
Kit Marlowe in his Faust
"Why, this is Hell, not am I out of it."
"Why, this is Hell, not am I out of it."
November 12, 2025 at 3:56 AM
Kit Marlowe in his Faust
"Why, this is Hell, not am I out of it."
"Why, this is Hell, not am I out of it."
Reposted by Steve Downey
people as things, that’s where it starts
if you really internalize this one it will keep you on the right track
if you really internalize this one it will keep you on the right track
Discworld QOTD, from Carpe Jugulum
November 12, 2025 at 3:36 AM
people as things, that’s where it starts
if you really internalize this one it will keep you on the right track
if you really internalize this one it will keep you on the right track
Helicopters on top of buildings were, though.
Modern quad and hex might not be as much.
Modern quad and hex might not be as much.
November 12, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Helicopters on top of buildings were, though.
Modern quad and hex might not be as much.
Modern quad and hex might not be as much.
Bears are so scary we lost their proper name lest we accidentally summon them. Kennings and ekenames about brown, shaggy, and honey instead.
November 11, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Bears are so scary we lost their proper name lest we accidentally summon them. Kennings and ekenames about brown, shaggy, and honey instead.
No one wants health insurance, they want health care. Health insurance is how we lay off the risks.
When Manny in Moon is a Harsh Mistress says he's healthy so he doesn't hedge with insurance, we are supposed to understand he is smart but not wise.
When Manny in Moon is a Harsh Mistress says he's healthy so he doesn't hedge with insurance, we are supposed to understand he is smart but not wise.
November 11, 2025 at 1:46 PM
No one wants health insurance, they want health care. Health insurance is how we lay off the risks.
When Manny in Moon is a Harsh Mistress says he's healthy so he doesn't hedge with insurance, we are supposed to understand he is smart but not wise.
When Manny in Moon is a Harsh Mistress says he's healthy so he doesn't hedge with insurance, we are supposed to understand he is smart but not wise.
The price of monitors gives you an idea of the value of the "smart" features.
November 11, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The price of monitors gives you an idea of the value of the "smart" features.
Being "the best there is at what they do" has ratchet up problems in long running drama. Changing anything is a forever problem with modern continuity conventions.
November 11, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Being "the best there is at what they do" has ratchet up problems in long running drama. Changing anything is a forever problem with modern continuity conventions.
I strongly believe that all-gender is fine, however, I also believe this needs to include urinals, and this has been a problem for many women.
November 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I strongly believe that all-gender is fine, however, I also believe this needs to include urinals, and this has been a problem for many women.
Median non-cop NYC working class conservative minus racism. Tends to hate lots of people, but retail not wholesale.
Also was a comic book vigilante for many years. Comic books did not approve.
Also was a comic book vigilante for many years. Comic books did not approve.
November 9, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Median non-cop NYC working class conservative minus racism. Tends to hate lots of people, but retail not wholesale.
Also was a comic book vigilante for many years. Comic books did not approve.
Also was a comic book vigilante for many years. Comic books did not approve.
Assemble. The side unit?
Wat?
Wat?
November 9, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Assemble. The side unit?
Wat?
Wat?
When you spend a decade or two adopting positions insincerely, you cannot be shocked when people adopt them sincerely.
November 9, 2025 at 4:30 AM
When you spend a decade or two adopting positions insincerely, you cannot be shocked when people adopt them sincerely.
But also, in particular, in follow up on how the medication is working, I said that I wished I had done all this much sooner, and they told me that is so very very common.
The largest barrier is often just getting started. "Ironic", but not really.
The largest barrier is often just getting started. "Ironic", but not really.
November 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
But also, in particular, in follow up on how the medication is working, I said that I wished I had done all this much sooner, and they told me that is so very very common.
The largest barrier is often just getting started. "Ironic", but not really.
The largest barrier is often just getting started. "Ironic", but not really.
I'd of course read ahead ahead of time. But as a white cis male in my late 50s I know I got easy mode. There's an assessment form somewhere in my files, but I was fortunate that the neuropsychologist spent time talking with me first.
November 8, 2025 at 7:18 PM
I'd of course read ahead ahead of time. But as a white cis male in my late 50s I know I got easy mode. There's an assessment form somewhere in my files, but I was fortunate that the neuropsychologist spent time talking with me first.
Appearing very organized with everything labeled, sorted, filed, because otherwise everything vanishes.
"If it's not on my calendar it doesn't exist."
"If it's not on my calendar it doesn't exist."
November 8, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Appearing very organized with everything labeled, sorted, filed, because otherwise everything vanishes.
"If it's not on my calendar it doesn't exist."
"If it's not on my calendar it doesn't exist."
My experience was also very non-adversarial. I was asking for help so there was a baseline assumption that I needed help, finding out what help was appropriate was the goal.
But I had to figure out to ask.
But I had to figure out to ask.
November 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
My experience was also very non-adversarial. I was asking for help so there was a baseline assumption that I needed help, finding out what help was appropriate was the goal.
But I had to figure out to ask.
But I had to figure out to ask.
The extra keys in current use, the extra keys not in circulation, or the not extra key from which others are made?
November 8, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The extra keys in current use, the extra keys not in circulation, or the not extra key from which others are made?
This exact contingency is written in law.
Which is crazy, but where we are.
Which is crazy, but where we are.
November 8, 2025 at 5:33 AM
This exact contingency is written in law.
Which is crazy, but where we are.
Which is crazy, but where we are.
Especially if the question about coffee is, "I don't know? All the time? Doesn't everyone always have coffee all day until bedtime?"
November 8, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Especially if the question about coffee is, "I don't know? All the time? Doesn't everyone always have coffee all day until bedtime?"