itsinteresting

You know what.. I actually vibed an anki app and the insane part is it works, it’s awesome and works precisely as I imagined it and.. it’s useless. 1) I don’t really need a flashcard app and 2) if I do Anki is fantastic. I could have spent my time with a book rather than fiddle around with a computer.

I read someone’s realization here and it’s dawning on me as well. My ideas, they suck. I can’t be ambitious if my life depended on it.

For work though I think many of the same applies - keep it simple - but there is actually some progress to be made. Processes always can be improved (for now) and even just improving the UI of some sad but necessary systems that employees have to suffer through everyday is still worth it.

I took a good look at my life and how tech can support it and you know what? It’s damn near useless. All me and my family need is a calendar, slow messaging (email) and fast messaging (whatsapp-esque).

I have kids, I have a full life, lots of stuff to do like .. work, chores. Private stuff includes learning ancient Greek and practicing cello both of which need zero tech, in case of the Greek, and minimal tech in case of the cello (tuner). No amount of “software” will accelerate human processes like these. Using “apps” for Greek is a distraction at best. Just read and practice. Sit down and practice with a book, it’s not a hard concept and it’s the fastest way to where you’re going.

My kids? They need books, play, chess, puzzles, outside. They have zero and I emphasize zero need for technology. It’s all distraction at best.

I am a developer. I grew up with technology and I loved it, but I recognize its toxicity if not properly contained. Use tech where it makes sense: at work and wherever there are cognitive chores of questionable inherent value. Anything else? It’s a distraction at best and a huge waste of time and resources at worst. AI makes this divide even worse. We have armies of people building nonsense like “household management systems” for a family of two. We have dog walking management, grocery management, temperature sensors in two bedroom apartments. All this is a complete and utter waste of time and resources.

What we need to do? Standardize, consolidate. Like electricity and fuel etc, software is an utility. Standard way of messaging, standard way of datawarehousing, APIing. More tech ain’t the solution, consolidation is. We have enough tech already, more than we know what to do with.