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Category: quotes

  • Anu Atluru’s Cool Self – A theory of life about searching for your best

    https://www.workingtheorys.com/p/cool-self

     

    The theory, in brief: Life is about finding your cool self and then living as much of it as you can being that person.

  • Luca Rossi – How to Help Underperformers

    https://hybridhacker.email/p/how-to-help-underperformers

     

     

    • Understand Performance is Systemic: Recognize that culture, systems, management, and individual traits impact performance.
    • Address Underperformance Early: Use consistent feedback and the accountability dial (mention, invitation, conversation, boundary, limit).
    • Provide Balanced Feedback: Reinforce, acknowledge, and correct behaviors.
    • Use an Underperformance Checklist: Evaluate issues related to culture, systems, management, and individual traits.

     

     

     

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  • Nike by Phil Schiller – The job is not done until the job is done

     

    1.  Our business is change.
    2. We’re on offense. All the time.
    3. Perfect results count — not a perfect process. Break the rules: fight the law.
    4. This is as much about battle as about business.
    5. Assume nothing. Make sure people keep their promises. Push yourselves push others. Stretch the possible.
    6. Live off the land.
    7. Your job isn’t done until the job is done.
    8. Dangers
      Bureaucracy
      Personal ambition
      Energy takers vs. energy givers
      Knowing our weaknesses
      Don’t get too many things on the platter
    9. It won’t be pretty.
    10. If we do the right things we’ll make money damn near automatic.
  • Inside the Health Crisis of a Texas Bitcoin Town

    https://time.com/6982015/bitcoin-mining-texas-health

     

    This study explores the adverse effects of a Bitcoin mining facility on the health and environment of Granbury, Texas. Residents report significant disturbances due to noise pollution, resulting in sever vascular circulatory issues, migraines, sleep issues, and a decrease in local wildlife. Despite efforts to mitigate noise through sound barriers, the community continues to experience reduced quality of life. The rapid expansion of Bitcoin mining in Texas, driven by favorable political conditions, underscores the need for regulatory measures to balance economic benefits with community well-being.

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  • Become a Master Negotiator Using These 7 Practical Negotiation Techniques

    https://www.readtheprofile.com/p/negotiation-techniques

     

    • Discover the other person’s need
    • Get to ‘no’ fast
    • Practice ‘mirroring’ and ‘labeling’
    • Lead your counterpart to your desired destination
    • Appeal to your counterpart’s emotions
    • Maintain emotional control using the ‘Late Night FM DJ voice’
    • Let your counterpart give you the answers to the test

     

     

    Bonus video

  • Devon Stork from Asimov Press – Why Nothing Can Grow on Mars

    https://www.asimov.press/p/grow-mars

     

    ### Environmental Challenges and Solutions

    **Extreme Temperatures:**
    – **Challenge:** Mars experiences drastic temperature fluctuations, often dropping below -80 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
    – **Solution:** Developing advanced insulation and heating systems for greenhouses to maintain a stable temperature suitable for plant growth.

     

    **High Radiation Levels:**
    – **Challenge:** Mars lacks a protective magnetic field, exposing the surface to harmful cosmic radiation.
    – **Solution:** Building underground or shielded habitats and greenhouses using materials that block or absorb radiation to protect both plants and humans.

     

    **Lack of Liquid Water:**
    – **Challenge:** Water on Mars is mostly found as ice, with very little liquid water available.
    – **Solution:** Melting ice deposits using solar or nuclear energy and developing efficient water recycling systems to provide a consistent water supply for agriculture.

     

    ### Technological Challenges and Solutions

    **Soil Quality:**
    – **Challenge:** Martian soil lacks the organic nutrients necessary for plant growth and may contain toxic compounds like perchlorates.
    – **Solution:** Creating artificial soil by mixing Martian regolith with organic matter from Earth and employing bioremediation techniques to neutralize toxins.

     

    **Atmospheric Conditions:**
    – **Challenge:** Mars’ thin atmosphere is composed mainly of carbon dioxide, with very low pressure.
    – **Solution:** Utilizing pressurized greenhouses enriched with oxygen and maintaining an Earth-like atmosphere to support plant respiration and growth.

     

    **Energy Supply:**
    – **Challenge:** Providing a reliable and sufficient energy source for all agricultural and habitat needs.
    – **Solution:** Harnessing solar energy through large solar panel arrays and exploring nuclear energy options for continuous power supply.

     

    ### Legal Challenges and Solutions

    **Space Treaties and Regulations:**
    – **Challenge:** Current international space law, primarily governed by the Outer Space Treaty, lacks detailed regulations on the use of extraterrestrial resources.
    – **Solution:** Developing new international agreements and frameworks to address resource use, property rights, and environmental protection on Mars.

     

    **Property Rights:**
    – **Challenge:** Establishing clear property rights for land and resources on Mars to prevent conflicts and ensure fair usage.
    – **Solution:** Creating an international governing body to manage and regulate the allocation of Martian land and resources.

     

    **Environmental Protection:**
    – **Challenge:** Ensuring that Mars’ environment is not irreparably damaged by human activities.
    – **Solution:** Implementing strict environmental guidelines and sustainability practices to minimize the ecological footprint of Mars colonization.

  • Study finds a quarter of bosses hoped Return-To-the-Office would make employees quit

    https://www.theregister.com/2024/06/09/rto_quit_study

     

    A study by BambooHR found that about 25% of executives and 20% of HR professionals hoped return-to-office (RTO) mandates would lead to employee resignations. Despite some staff quitting, the exodus was insufficient, prompting some companies to undertake layoffs. The study indicates that RTO policies have fostered a distrustful and performative work culture, negatively impacting productivity and employee happiness.

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  • How to Build and Code Anything Extremely Quickly

    https://learnhowtolearn.org/how-to-build-extremely-quickly

     

    This article presents a method called “outline speedrunning” to accelerate project completion. This approach involves recursively outlining tasks and filling them in rapidly, delaying perfection until the end.

    Outlining is essential for planning and executing projects efficiently. The outline speedrunning method boosts productivity by focusing on rapid task completion and deferring perfection, leading to improved outcomes and reduced stress.

     

    Methodology

    1. Outline Creation: Develop an initial outline and recursively break it into smaller tasks.
    2. Speedrunning: Quickly fill in tasks without perfecting.
    3. Finalization: Once the project is complete, refine and perfect details.

    Coding Applications

    • Writing: Speeds up document creation by drafting outlines and filling them in rapidly.
    • Programming: Enhances coding efficiency by breaking down functions and implementing components quickly.

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  • Managing Motivation, as a Solo Developer

    https://mbuffett.com/posts/maintaining-motivation

     

     

    • External Triggers: Utilize notifications for new subscribers or feedback.
    • Task Management: Leave tasks 90% complete to facilitate easy restarts.
    • Product Use: Regularly use your own product to identify improvements.
    • Pain Point Solutions: Continuously improve processes to address pain points.
    • Breaks: Take regular breaks to prevent burnout.
    • User Updates: Keep users informed about progress.
    • Accountability Partners: Collaborate with someone to maintain accountability.
    • Daily Productivity: Ensure no “zero days” of productivity.
    • Flexible Work Hours: Work whenever motivation strikes, even at unconventional hours.

     

  • Want to build a start up company that lasts? Think three-layer cake

    https://www.fastcompany.com/91131427/want-to-build-a-company-that-lasts-think-three-layer-cake

     

    Building a successful business requires a focus on three key elements: product excellence, go-to-market strategy, and operational excellence. Neglecting any of these areas can lead to failure, as evidenced by the high percentage of startups that don’t make it past the five-year mark. Founders and CEOs must ensure a solid product foundation while also integrating effective sales, marketing, and management strategies to achieve sustainable growth and scale.

     

     

    • Foundation: Product Excellence, Core Values and Mission
      • Core Values: These are the guiding principles that dictate behavior and action within the company. They form the ethical foundation and are crucial for maintaining consistency in decision-making.
      • Mission: This defines the company’s purpose and goals. A clear and compelling mission helps align the team and provides a sense of direction.
      • Efficiency and Scalability: This layer focuses on creating efficient processes that can scale as the company grows. Streamlined operations reduce costs and increase productivity.

     

    • Structure: Operational Excellence and Innovation
      • Operational Excellence: Efficient processes, quality control, and continuous improvement fall into this layer. Ensuring that the company operates smoothly and effectively is crucial for sustainability.
      • Innovation: Staying competitive requires innovation. This involves developing new products, services, or processes that add value and keep the company relevant in the market.
      • Quality Control and Continuous Improvement: Ensuring that operational processes are of high quality and constantly improving helps maintain product excellence and customer satisfaction.
      • Technology and Infrastructure: Investing in the right technology and infrastructure to support business operations is vital. This includes everything from manufacturing equipment to software systems that enhance operational efficiency.

     

    • Strategy: Go-to-Market Strategy, Vision and Long-Term Planning
      • Vision: A forward-looking vision inspires and motivates the team. It outlines where the company aims to be in the future and helps in setting long-term goals.
      • Strategic Planning: This involves setting long-term goals and determining the actions and resources needed to achieve them. It includes market analysis, competitive strategy, and growth planning.
      • Market Understanding: A deep understanding of the target market, including customer segments, competitors, and market trends, is essential. This knowledge helps in positioning the product effectively.
      • Marketing and Sales Execution: This involves creating a robust marketing plan that includes branding, messaging, and advertising strategies to attract and retain customers. Additionally, building a strong sales strategy ensures that the product reaches the right customers through the right channels.
      • Customer Acquisition and Retention: Effective strategies for acquiring new customers and retaining existing ones are critical. This includes loyalty programs, customer service excellence, and engagement initiatives.

     

     

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  • Sangeet Paul Choudary – AI won’t eat your job, but it will eat your salary

    https://medium.com/@sanguit/ai-wont-eat-your-job-but-it-will-eat-your-salary-a810121d89e4

     

    intelligence (AI) is likely to impact job salaries rather than eliminating jobs entirely. The primary argument is that AI will erode the skill premium traditionally commanded by high-skilled workers. This erosion happens through three key mechanisms:

     

    1. Skill Premium on Specialized Tasks: AI enables low-skilled workers to perform tasks at a level comparable to high-skilled workers, making skilled workers more substitutable and reducing their wage premium.
    2. Skill Premium on Learning Advantages: AI’s ability to continuously learn and improve from vast amounts of data threatens professions that rely on continuous learning and skill development. For example, in healthcare, AI can absorb and replicate the learning and expertise of doctors, diminishing their unique value.
    3. Skill Premium on Managerial Advantages: AI agents can take over managerial tasks like planning and resource allocation, which have traditionally required human intervention. As AI becomes more sophisticated, even complex managerial roles might lose their premium as AI performs these functions more efficiently.

     

    These factors collectively lead to a commoditization of skills, reducing the relative advantage and salary premium of traditionally high-skilled and managerial roles. The article emphasizes that while AI may not replace jobs outright, it will significantly affect how jobs are valued and compensated.

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  • Interview red flags

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  • John Cutler – The production Failure Threshold (for Start Ups)

    https://cutlefish.substack.com/p/tbm-290-the-dependency-threshold

     

    There’s a point beyond which no individual, no team, and no company can solve the dependency and constraint puzzle using brute-force methods.

    Imagine a company where 10% of the work involves multiple teams, touches different codebases, requires careful coordination, and requires frequent meetings that span organizational boundaries and challenge local incentives. This situation might still be feasible.

    Now imagine that this percentage is more like 25%. Very quickly, the constraint satisfaction problem becomes an order of magnitude more complex.

     

    What might a heuristic approach look like in product development?

    • Reducing work-in-progress limits
    • Force ranking priorities
    • Weighted-shortest-job-first

     

    There (is) a chance that teams will miss an opportunity to find an optimal solution? Yes. But the probability of that happening is far outweighed by the likelihood that 1) bad things will NOT happen, and 2) good things may emerge.

    The trouble, I believe, is that it can be incredibly hard for managers to make the case for, on the surface, doing less. Discussions about WIP limits and prioritization often devolve into debates over the actual WIP limit and precise estimates! Instead of seeing the forest through the trees, we obsess about finding the optimal answer.

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  • The Three Laws of Software Code Complexity

    https://maheshba.bitbucket.io/blog/2024/05/08/2024-ThreeLaws.html

     

    1. A well-designed system will degrade into a badly designed system over time.
    2. Complexity is a Moat (filled by Leaky Abstractions).
    3. There is no fundamental upper limit on Software Complexity.
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  • Raw hours – If you want to get really good at something, forget about shortcuts. You simply have to inject a ton of raw hours.

    Jonathan Stern

    Raw hours

    On Twitter yesterday, @RJoads asked me how I got good at styling (CSS).

    I replied: “Raw hours. I’m obsessed with how things look and feel—probably more than the median engineer. Mind you, this has not always been a positive. I’ve been wildly distracted for hours and hours on the smallest items, things that truly do not matter to the business. But that’s how I’ve gotten better.”

    If you want to get really good at something, forget about shortcuts. You simply have to inject a ton of raw hours.

    “Work smarter, not harder” is a common refrain these days—particularly in sophisticated circles. The thing is, for most people I think it’s bad advice. My experience learning to code has suggested you have to work hard before you know how to work smart. No substitute for raw hours.

    It’s similar to what Brian Armstrong says: “If you’re pre-product/market fit, the best advice that I have from that period is: action produces information. Just keep doing stuff.”

    People with limited experience are similar to startups pre-product/market fit. Of course you should aim to work smarter! The catch is that you have to work extremely hard in order to know HOW to work smart. You must first go down dozens of dead-end paths to know where the smarter paths lie.

    The second catch is that in order to be able to inject a ton of raw hours in a natural, sustainable way, oftentimes you need to be OBSESSED. Otherwise – you’ll be banging your head against the wall year after year. Some people are so dogged they’re able to do it. But this is exceedingly rare and probably not worth aspiring to.

    “It’s hard to do a really good job on anything you don’t think about in the shower.” – Paul Graham

     

     

    Andrew Quinn’s TILs

     

    Doing is normally distributed; Learning is log-normal

    https://hiandrewquinn.github.io/til-site/posts/doing-is-normally-distributed-learning-is-log-normal

  • How we’ve failed the average worker and instead glorified CEOs

    CEO total compensation has outpaced US median annual income by 16,638%, on average.

     

    US median annual income increased by just 4% on average ($2,108/year).

     

    CEO total compensation had an average annual increase of 7% ($676,153/year

     

    Since 1974, CEO compensation has grown 940% while the average worker’s compensation has risen just 12%. Meanwhile, the purchasing power of the dollar over that same period has decreased an average of 3% a year from inflation. As a result, the average worker can afford significantly less goods and services today than they could 50 years ago, including housing, clothes and food. The average worker is losing big time.

    And for those who would argue the high cost of social welfare, corporate welfare will cost taxpayers almost $400 billion this year alone, which is 25,000% higher than the $1.6 billion that will be spent on social welfare.

     

     

    Sources

     

    https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hannahawilliams_eattherich-activity-7198758131538046978-Vr2O

     

    https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shannon-rasberry-3631025_since-1974-ceo-compensation-has-grown-940-activity-7198684770623496192-ne89

  • The 3 Body Problem and the case against Determinism

    https://www.quora.com/Has-the-three-body-problem-a-direct-implication-against-to-a-determinist-conception-of-nature

     

    It’s becoming clear that deterministic physics cannot easily answer all aspects of nature, at astronomical and biological level.
    Is this a limitation in modern mathematics and/or tools. Or an actual barrier?

     

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