I am a programmer who wants to help others learn programming. My education is in philosophy and psychology. He/him.https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3mhcay73mg22u*Stares off into the distance.* I'm really thinking about switching over to Mac. The M5 just so utterly destroys AMD and Intel. I just don't want to leave my precious Linux.18 Mar 2026 00:43 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhcay73mg22uhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3mh7semo4ms2iNvidia's new DLSS looks truly awful. Moore's Law Is Dead said DLSS is side-stepping the hard work of real visual sim, and that is all of LLM AI; it is side-stepping real challenges like a naive solution during a coding interview.17 Mar 2026 01:16 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh7semo4ms2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3mgplsj7pzc2zI have only just now learned of Ripple TS and it has me very excited. For front-end work, Inferno has long been my go-to solution because I like the React experience but wanted better performance, and this is made by Inferno's creator.10 Mar 2026 14:36 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgplsj7pzc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3mgdncq7xic27I never thought I would have reached a point where a nearly-empty PR form would be a blessing. Two years ago, a fleshed-out PR indicated a thoughtful engineer who cared. Now it's just fifty lines of LLM-generated trash.05 Mar 2026 20:31 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgdncq7xic27https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3mgbbktv6ms2mMy god, Newegg is truly awful. Wth happened to this once-great website? It's now just trash 3rd party resellers trying to trick people into paying double what they should.04 Mar 2026 21:55 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgbbktv6ms2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3mg4vmomwds2qIs VS Code just completely broken for anyone else? I can't log out. Git isn't working. Copilot isn't working. Nothing is initializing.03 Mar 2026 04:11 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg4vmomwds2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3mg22qnrvec2aI have been experimenting with MobX and InfernoJS as a replacement for some legacy React code and wanted to see how it compares to JavaScript libraries with state management built in like SolidJS. I posted my results in the InfernoJS subreddit. I love Inferno. https://www.reddit.com/r/infernojs/comments/1ri94cd/more_inferno_mobx_benchmarking/02 Mar 2026 01:05 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg22qnrvec2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3maybpbr45s23The CEO of Cursor AI recently said that developers should be circumspect with LLM coding, aka "vibe coding." This is obviously a preemptive CYA but emphasizes that even those selling the tools know their limitations. Please do not vibe code. You will experience pain.27 Dec 2025 16:58 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3maybpbr45s23https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3m7zwk4rhzc26As the realities of LLM-generated code are becoming apparent, companies are getting desperate. They were promised 500%, 1000% increases in productivity and are getting 15% at best, -15% at worst. They are doubling down. These will be difficult times to grow...15 Dec 2025 15:18 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7zwk4rhzc26https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3m457qcdla222This piece of advice has been long simmering: even if you already know how to program, don't use AI. Previously, I recommended that people in the early stages shouldn't use it because they need to struggle. But after seeing too many people's skills dull with Copilot, I think it should be avoided.27 Oct 2025 01:00 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3m457qcdla222https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3m3oezs6yzs24In case you did not see ReactConf, the entirety of both days are available on YouTube. They bury the lede a bit by hinting at a new, superfast rendering engine. Day 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyVRg2QR6LA&pp=ygUJcmVhY3Rjb25m21 Oct 2025 03:25 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3oezs6yzs24https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3ltlixzvimc2zI have been watching the YouTube channel Internet of Bugs and it is top-notch. These are must-watch videos for anyone who aims to be a programmer, is job hunting, or is already employed. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKMALTnKAxw10 Jul 2025 04:36 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3ltlixzvimc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3lqv4kb7iic23This is a great example of the power vacuum created by the Trump administration having positive results. I cannot stress enough how many opportunities will arise around the world as the USA disintegrates. Do not grow disenchanted. Keep learning. Keep focused on growing. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyrd24zg3eo?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us05 Jun 2025 20:04 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqv4kb7iic23https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3lpwq65u4322yThe rise of students using LLMs to cheat has two perspectives. First, students are doing themselves a disservice. But second, and importantly, they are simply doing what they have been taught. They have been taught that GRADES matter, not actual knowledge. But as I have said before...24 May 2025 18:03 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpwq65u4322yhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3loqrylw5ek2jIf you are struggling to get a job in tech, remember that it's not just "too many people, too few jobs." The entire hiring pipeline is currently clogged with AI tools and auto-application systems. There ARE jobs out there, but the people DOING the hiring are crushed.09 May 2025 15:55 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3loqrylw5ek2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3lo53blaf5222The days are getting darker. Stay focused on the future, even if that seems far away. It is hard, but it gives hope. Keep learning and growing.01 May 2025 19:47 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3lo53blaf5222https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3ln4jlibm7k2bIf you are hunting for a job and facing difficulties, post your resume to a subreddit focused on your area of expertise. People there will not bite their tongue when providing feedback and advice. It may hurt, but it will be worth it.18 Apr 2025 21:06 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3ln4jlibm7k2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3lmwp2qsias2bI have been a defender of coding challenges because optimized solutions and elegant algorithms are EXTREMELY important. Just like a stats class, you don't need to know the algorithm exactly, but you do need to know when to use it. And I am at work watching the importance of algorithms right now.16 Apr 2025 13:28 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmwp2qsias2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3lmrxh66foc2bI don't want this to be an overtly political account, but 2025 was shaping up to be a job market recovery. And now it is all gone. For no reason. It is monumentally frustrating.14 Apr 2025 16:14 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmrxh66foc2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3lmi373uo5c2bEurope, Canada, Japan, and South Korea have all announced new efforts to build their own tech industries. The global monopolies of Google, Facebook, and Microsoft are more threatened than ever. This is glorious news for us who work in tech. [contains quote post or other embedded content]10 Apr 2025 17:55 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmi373uo5c2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3lmi32cnaxk2bI cannot stress enough the golden lining in the cloud that is the Trump presidency: our free market will have more competition than it has had in decades. Silicon Valley was created by government spending. China's tech industry was government spending. The EV industry: government spending.10 Apr 2025 17:52 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3lmi32cnaxk2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3llypuucss222Pay no attention to the discussion about offshoring. It is not "happening." Offshoring already happened. Things are as bad as they will ever be, and are, in fact, getting better. The Indian market is becoming more competitive and strong, driving up salaries. There is less and less to be saved.04 Apr 2025 15:22 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3llypuucss222https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3llwc56ubgs2aThis meme has been going around again and needs addressing. This is shared because people are frustrated with coding interviews. This is wrong. Coding interviews are imperfect but necessary. Further, this meme unintentionally captures WHY they are necessary. Not only is this code un-optimized...03 Apr 2025 16:11 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3llwc56ubgs2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3llw6afercs2aThis was a depressing video, but it aligns with most of what I have been saying. I offer a message of hope, though. You can take control of your life. You cannot be rich, but you can avoid being poor. And importantly, you can stand together with others in your class. [contains quote post or other embedded content]03 Apr 2025 15:01 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3llw6afercs2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3llkz7lh7lc2aI think about this after watching the viral video of students on the beach unable to answer very basic questions. This is depressing, but also a reminder of opportunity. They will struggle in the job market. Knowledge is power and protection that you can use to succeed where they fail. [contains quote post or other embedded content]30 Mar 2025 04:32 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3llkz7lh7lc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3llkxtfkco22aGenerative AI like ChatGPT is a killer app only for students, who are using it to cheat. Students graduating college are already depressingly unprepared for the world. At this exact moment in time, this may work for awhile, but you don't want to be the first graduating class where it doesn't.30 Mar 2025 04:07 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3llkxtfkco22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3llihi2bclk2aI started this account to help teach people to protect themselves from the brutality of our free market, to give them the tools to survive. I have to admit, I'm not sure any tools will be enough. But some tools are better than nothing.29 Mar 2025 04:09 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3llihi2bclk2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3ll2oyjhovl25As the AI bubble pops, things will actually get harder for engineers. A truly eye-watering amount of money is going to be lost, and this will destroy companies and undermine investment for a long time. Be prepared for hard times by saving money and constantly educating yourself.23 Mar 2025 16:47 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3ll2oyjhovl25https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3lkm3tst4oa25I cannot recommend reading OLD programming books enough. Computer science is depressingly ignorant of its past in a way that other disciplines are not. Read about UNIVAC, Lisp, and Ted Nelson. Read about the philosophical underpinnings of programming.17 Mar 2025 21:27 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3lkm3tst4oa25https://bsky.app/profile/systems-symbols.bsky.social/post/3ljxw5nomtk27Once you have a job in programming, don't be afraid of others. The layoffs we are seeing are an explicit attack on our compassion. If we all feel that our job stability is under attack, we will attack one another instead of the companies that are the true cause. Be kind to each other.09 Mar 2025 20:52 +0000at://did:plc:bhuvgvugfuemp5ba7bvlnzip/app.bsky.feed.post/3ljxw5nomtk27