Take care with asking "why"
In a work context, asking "why" something is a certain way may feel innocuous, but implicitly you're directing others to provide a rationale. With a good »
Answers are often less interesting than questions
Having a question that you can't answer is frustrating, but it's also intriguing. It's the reason that cliffhangers leave us wanting more. Even when we know »
Coding with an accent
Programming languages are more similar to natural languages than many people think. Some languages are better equipped to express certain sentiments than others. The same is »
Repurposing old laptops
If you have an old laptop sitting around that still works, you should consider donating it to folks who are less privileged in your community (e. »
Chess versus poker analogies
When making decisions, I often use analogies related to chess. For example, I'll say I need to think a few moves heads, or figure out how »
Persuasion through fact finding
People often disagree because they aren't working from the same facts. Especially in a work setting, if your team is out of alignment regarding how to »
Security is a tax on honest people
Security, whether in the form of putting a lock on your door or protecting yourself against hackers, is only necessary if you're concerned that there are »
Three types of questions at work
Knowing when to try finding answers to questions yourself versus when to ask your team for help can be hard. While it's important to be resourceful, »
Multiple trips to the hardware store
Regardless of how hard I try to plan ahead, home repair jobs always require multiple trips to the hardware store. Usually, the extra trips are due »
Purchases that mark the passage of time
Certain purchases mark the passage of time. A new box of detergent, tube of toothpaste, and jar of honey all seem like they will last forever »