Blog

118: Politics 3: Politics, People and Power

May 1, 2024 · 5 min read

On a flight back from the US to Singapore, dug out an old draft to see if it can be finished It would appear its time for the annual post on Politics. Not terribly irrelevant, givent that Singapore will likely have an election this year too. As a recap, my last two posts in this series explored: The spectrum of effectiveness, which ranges from benevolent dictatorships to unfeterred democracy. An additional observation about people: those dispositioned to balance/intuition (aka Jedi) versus those who believe in absolutism (aka the sith) These were perhaps a broader on the high level reflections of the systems we see in the world, and the types of people who vote.

117: Meta: On Posts, Notetaking and Obsidian

May 1, 2024 · 2 min read

Currently in a hotel Lounge in LA, during a 3 day US trip for my Cousin’s wedding Moving to Obsidian After a scare (of dynalist logging me out randomly, and me being terrified of losing alllll my notes from many years). I’ve decided to move off Dynalist and move onto Obisidian (which, coincidentally, are made by the same developers) Some immediate features I’ve noted: All around, more powerful, and feature rich…I’ve barely scratched the surface treating it primarily as a note taking app

116: Artifical Intelligence 2: AI Assistants, and Cleaning up the Blog

May 1, 2024 · 2 min read

My posts over the last year and a half are riddled with mistakes. It was a way to ensure productivity, especially at a time when I was less patient, and just more occupied with my heaspace on other things. I prioritised putting something out, or at least capturing the gist of the idea over correctness. Perfectionism is the enemy afterall. That said, looking at my first few posts in 2022 compared to the posts these days…I can’t help but feel a bit disatisfied with the frequency and egregiousness of some of the errors.

115: Cheat Sheet: Buddhism

Mar 9, 2024 · 2 min read

I finished the book Old Path White Clouds. Can’t say I’ve been reading too much these days, but it was leant by someone else, and I had intended to return it. He is someone kind in his demeanour to faces old and new. A silent gravitas in patience and experience. Non judgemental. Not really a close contact, nor an acquaintance. A figure assoicated with fishing. There isn’t too much to this post, other than it being a cheat sheet for future reference.

114: Economics 9: On the Productivity Paradox and Illusion

Dec 26, 2023 · 4 min read

This has been a post long stuck in “draft” form, given is complexity and breadth. Due to both mulling over a very abstract topic, and procrastination. I am a little more compelled to put it into writing today, as I wait, subjected to a 4 hour flight delay in a Lombok Airport (lovely beaches; learnt surfing). What better way to spend it then thinking about Economic Producitvity. It is a complex topic, with its uses and critiques.

113: Career 6 - Some reflections on my career so far in 2023

Dec 26, 2023 · 2 min read

Based on my mindset in 2023, I note down some quick reflections and reviews on what I’ve reflected on a slightly less than straightforward career so far. A useful exercise to maintain perspective, especially given i) my high tendency for emotionally investing in work; and ii) consistent lack of clear targets and structure since the beginning of my career. Conditions to thrive: Domain or thematic interest oustanding leaders Great team Hard work is fine, as long as its Good, honest Success and achievement Reflections on what I like to do - what makes me tick: Strategy big picture stuff Running organised, meetings and hitting meeting outcomes Being trusted, the closed door 1-1 meetings.

112: Career 5 - Career Principles after 5 years

Dec 26, 2023 · 3 min read

Docmenting down some core thoughts I’ve had in mind, based on my 6 year working experience so far. I could describe it as something slightly unconventional - most notably by taking early risks and still somehow throwing myself into places out of my comfort zone. Some core lessons learned so far - while I still consider myself at a relatievly “early” stage of my career. 1. Entities can ofer a Spectrum of opportunities and trade offs Working in small companies affords high responsibility and little structure; possibly accelerated in pathway, but at the same time, brutally uncertain.

111: Career 4 - On Identity

Dec 26, 2023 · 3 min read

Indeed, one target in 2023 was to deeply review my personal relationship with my career. Well its the end of 2023 now, and I wouldnt say things are necessary peachy or rosy. The path is still gray: a rollercoaster of opportunity, failures, wishes, effort, lack of outcomes, tangibility, intangibility. And with this it makes it harder to swallow, when one feels to connected to the outcomes and success at work. Even more so - when many of these are not within one’s control.

110: Views on Sustainability in 2023

Dec 26, 2023 · 5 min read

I’ve been into this field for a while. studied in 2016. now worked and wokring for two climate hardware technology startups. Perhaps, for a topic so deeply rooted in noise, change and transition, its worth relooking each year to see how my views have (or have not) changed. What has Maintained An Anti-catastrophic mindset I dont deny the issues, climate change is real, but I continue to maintain an antagonistic view against angsty activitists and doomsayers.

109: Labour 3 - On Missionaries vs Mercenaries

Dec 26, 2023 · 4 min read

The duality of men There are many things on a spectrum, but there are a few which, in my mental model lies reasonably separate. One such topic is the two types of people who view work in different ways: On one camp, there are those view a job as primarily a money maker or means of survival. It makesa huge amount of sense as this has really been the default for almost all of humanity; and