Let’s learn how asyncio works in Python by comparing it to Promises in Javascript. To be clear, this is for my own benefit: I learned about Promises long before I knew any theory about coroutines, like any self-respecting frontend engineer in the 2010’s. The lightbulb moment for me was this code snippet: const sleep = Continue reading Asyncio in Promise Terms
This 2020 post walks through the first and second iteration of Stripe’s payment API. The original API was designed for credit card charges and was delightfully simple. You could move money with a single curl command! However, as Stripe added support for payment methods like Bitcoin, the flow became more complex and often required customers Continue reading Looking back on Stripe s payment API…
This famous 2024 essay by Dario Amodei makes the case that “powerful AI” could bring wondrous benefits to society. Powerful AI is defined as a technology that can interact with the digital world in all the ways that a human can but is universally more competent and intelligent than any human, such as (for example) Continue reading Review: Machines of Loving Grace
We were approached on a sunny day by a charming stranger in a brilliant raincoat. “I would like you to make a radio advertisement,” said he, flashing white veneers and an impressive wad of cash. “A really, terrifically good advertisement.” “What are we selling?” “Doesn’t matter. Something you might buy over the internet. Put in Continue reading Find what you re missing at zombo.com
2025 rolls in with the shadow of a pending biopsy. I forget about it for a little while. They make you wait so very long to confirm anything. I doubt that anything could be seriously wrong. What are the chances of that, at my age? The chances are low, but you only have to lose Continue reading Cancer
I would like to provide some advice for System Design interviews that is at odds with the guides provided by sites like HelloInterview and interviewing.io. I will start with the shortcomings of their method, and then I will tell you what I think you should do instead. These sites teach a prescriptive formula for system Continue reading Advice for System Design Interviews
GRAMP: Hello folks. Welcome to an historic Opening Day, 2026. We are all excited to see the all-new Brooklyn Judges host the reigning champion L.A. Dodgers. I’m Alan Gramp and I will be your play-by-play announcer today. I’m joined by M.L.B.’s commissioner, Rob Manfred, and general counsel, Lara Wisch, as well as analyst Tom Tango. Continue reading Judgment Day (Top of the First)
I. I have always depended rather heavily on conversational scripts. For me, this is not a specific list of things to say in a conversation, but rather a thematic approach to the interaction. The theme has varied over time. For instance: The issue with all of these approaches is that they are often unwelcome, a Continue reading Why Are You Telling Me This?
I play bullet chess on lichess these days. My true skill level generally doesn t change; ratings go up and down, mostly as a function of how focused and warmed up I am. Realistically, I would need to solve puzzles or review my games or get coaching (etc. etc.) to actually level up, and I know Continue reading A thematic improvement to my bullet chess
I. Suppose that I insult you, and you get angry at me. Does that make you an angry person? Well, no, you say: one angry reaction doesn t mean you re an angry person. (Plus, you didn t start it!) But what if you always react this way when people insult you? Well, how often does that happen? If someone Continue reading Baseball, Pitcher Wins, and Life