[{"content":"What engineers add that the model still can’t replicate\nLLMs have transformed how technical teams write, analyze and design systems. They deliver speed and reach but they also introduce instability.\nAnyone who has worked with them sees the pattern. The same prompt can produce different answers. The same reasoning chain can shift when the context window changes.\nThese models are powerful but they are not stable in the way engineers expect from production systems. This inconsistency is not a narrow bug. It is a property of how these models work.\nThey sample from probability distributions shaped by training data, alignment steps and decoding strategies. Variation is part of the architecture.\nWhy the architecture drifts At the core, an LLM is a token generator driven by probability distributions. It predicts the next token based on patterns in its training data. It does not validate truth. It does not maintain a persistent internal world model. It does not track facts across calls.\nThese are not implementation quirks. They are architectural constraints. They define what the system can guarantee and what it cannot.\nFrom these constraints, certain principles follow. A system without persistent state cannot enforce long-range consistency. A system without truth verification cannot guarantee correctness. A system that samples from distributions cannot produce identical outputs across runs.\nA system trained on human text inherits human gaps, human contradictions and human noise. These principles are structural. They are not optional.\nHow the drift shows up These principles lead to visible behaviors. Drift across runs. Contradictions inside a single answer. Confident hallucinations. Style instability when the prompt shifts. Sensitivity to phrasing.\nThese behaviors are not errors. They are the architecture expressing itself.\nSo here’s where things start to shift:\nOnce you see the structure, your expectations change. You stop treating the model like traditional software.\nYou stop expecting invariants the system cannot provide. You stop expecting consistency from a system that cannot maintain a persistent world model.\nQuality will improve. Training will improve. Retrieval will improve. Alignment will improve.\nStill, the foundational properties remain. The architecture is stochastic. The model does not track truth across calls. It does not guarantee stable reasoning.\nEngineers should expect better performance but they should not expect guarantees that conflict with the system’s foundations.\nWhy humans stabilize the system Once you accept the architecture’s limits, the role of the human becomes clearer. The model can generate options but it cannot guarantee that any of them are correct.\nHuman evaluation becomes the stabilizer. Not for every task but for any task where correctness, clarity or risk matters.\nA human reviewer can catch drift, misalignment or subtle errors that the model cannot detect. A human can judge whether the output fits the intent.\nA human can decide whether the reasoning is sound. This is not a limitation of the user. It is a limitation of the system.\nWhen the model cannot guarantee consistency, the human becomes the final checkpoint.\nWhere loops don’t matter Some tasks do not need a loop. If the task is low risk and the cost of error is near zero, a one-shot output is enough.\nGenerating placeholder text for a mockup. Drafting a variable name list. Producing a quick outline for internal exploration.\nThese tasks do not require correctness. They do not require stable reasoning. They do not require alignment with strict constraints.\nIn these cases, the model’s variation is acceptable and a loop adds no value.\nWhere loops are required High-risk tasks demand stability and correctness.\nSummarizing regulatory requirements for a compliance review. Drafting a customer-facing explanation of a system outage. Producing internal documentation that influences production behavior.\nThese tasks carry consequences. They require accuracy. They require alignment with intent. They require reasoning that holds together.\nA one-shot output is not enough. A loop becomes mandatory.\nWhat the workflow demands If a human must review the output, then the workflow must include a loop.\nThe loop is structural. Draft, evaluate, revise. The loop can be simple or complex. It can include constraints, evaluators or tool calls.\nIt can be automated or manual. What matters is that the loop exists and that it is explicit.\nWithout a loop, you get one-shot outputs that drift, contradict themselves or miss key requirements.\nHow this post was made This post was generated with the help of LLMs. I used a loop, I edited, I corrected repeated issues, I steered the writing and I rewrote sections.\nThe workflow here reflects the same structure the post describes.\nWhy loops unlock productivity Loop structures are the real unlock for productivity with LLMs.\nThey turn a stochastic model into a controlled system. They give you checkpoints, constraints and correction paths.\nThey let you shape the output instead of hoping the model hits the target on the first try.\nEngineers who understand loop patterns can build workflows that are reliable, predictable and repeatable.\nEngineers who ignore loops end up fighting the model.\nThe core idea The future of LLM productivity is not about bigger models alone. It is about better loops.\nThe teams that learn to design and operate these loops will get the most value from the technology.\nClosing thoughts Engineers who treat loops as a first-class part of the workflow will get consistent results from a system that cannot produce consistency on its own.\nExternal links The Agentic AI Handbook: Production-Ready Patterns See also Feedback loops are the secret behind exponential growth ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/llm-and-you/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWhat engineers add that the model still can’t replicate\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLLMs have transformed how technical teams write, analyze and design systems. They deliver speed and reach but they also introduce instability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnyone who has worked with them sees the pattern. The same prompt can produce different answers. The same reasoning chain can shift when the context window changes.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese models are powerful but they are not stable in the way engineers expect from production systems. This inconsistency is not a narrow bug. It is a property of how these models work.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"The hidden reason LLMs still need you in the loop"},{"content":"Most of us think in straight lines. One step, then another. One plus one equals two.\nBut here\u0026rsquo;s the problem\u0026hellip;\nLife doesn\u0026rsquo;t always work that way.\nWhy We Underestimate Exponential Growth Our brains aren\u0026rsquo;t wired to spot exponential patterns. We see slow, steady beginnings and shrug them off. Then it takes off - and suddenly we\u0026rsquo;re shocked at how fast things changed.\nThink about viral videos.\nOne person shares a clip with ten friends. Each of those ten shares it with ten more - now it’s a hundred. Pretty soon, millions are watching.\nExponential growth fools us because it crawls at first - then rockets upward. And when saturation hits, it levels off.\nBut that early explosive growth catches us off guard every time.\nThe Pandemic Whiplash We all lived through it during COVID-19.\nCases doubled every few days. Numbers skyrocketed. The world scrambled.\nAnd then - almost as suddenly - cases declined.\nThe drop didn\u0026rsquo;t follow a neat exponential decay - it was more of a complex dance, with immunity, behavior changes and interventions all stepping in to slow things down.\nBut that sudden whiplash? Just as shocking.\nThat\u0026rsquo;s what real-world feedback loops look like in action.\nTechnology\u0026rsquo;s Exponential Curve Another famous example is Moore\u0026rsquo;s Law: the observation that computing power roughly doubled every two years.\nFor decades, that prediction held true. And those who planned for it - like Bill Gates and other tech leaders - rode the curve to build some of the most powerful companies on earth.\nCompounding: The Financial Flywheel Let\u0026rsquo;s talk money.\nCompounding isn\u0026rsquo;t continuous like exponential growth - it\u0026rsquo;s geometric. You reinvest your returns each year, and your money multiplies step by step.\nEinstein is often (though not definitively) credited as calling compounding the \u0026ldquo;eighth wonder of the world.\u0026rdquo; Whether or not he said it, Warren Buffett has lived it - his fortune is the ultimate proof of patience plus compounding.\nIf compounding works for money\u0026hellip;\nWhy not for everything else?\nThe Power of Feedback Loops Here\u0026rsquo;s where it gets exciting.\nAt the core of all this are feedback loops: cycles where actions reinforce - or counteract - themselves.\nPositive loops amplify.\nMore attention drives more attention. More infections drive more infections. More computing power drives investments toward more computing power. More money compounds into more money. Negative loops stabilize.\nMore attention eventually triggers fatigue, reducing attention. More infections eventually build immunity, reducing infections. More computing power raises costs, slowing further growth. More money attracts competition, reducing returns. Both loops matter. Both create powerful, self-reinforcing dynamics.\nDesigning Your Own Loops And here\u0026rsquo;s the real takeaway:\nFeedback loops aren\u0026rsquo;t just things you observe. They\u0026rsquo;re things you can build.\nIn work life\u0026hellip;\nDemonstrate behaviors such as clarity, ownership and resilience. Mentor others consistently. Regularly conduct retrospectives to reflect and improve. Modeling, mentoring, reflecting - then adjusting - gets amplified.\nIn software engineering\u0026hellip;\nWrite thoughtful commit messages. Develop comprehensive design documents. Document strategy with clear articulation. Remember that documentation amplifies your thinking and influences how others think, decide and build.\nIn personal life\u0026hellip;\nBuild small habits that reinforce each other:\nExercise increases energy. Increased energy enhances focus. Enhanced focus drives greater productivity. Once you get a loop spinning, the results build on themselves. What starts as small, ordinary actions turn into extraordinary momentum.\nAnd that\u0026rsquo;s the secret.\nExponential growth isn\u0026rsquo;t magic. Geometric compounding isn\u0026rsquo;t luck. Both are momentum, multiplied.\nThe Bottom Line Exponential growth, geometric compounding, and feedback loops are different faces of the same truth: systems that reinforce themselves can feel unstoppable.\nThe key isn\u0026rsquo;t just to marvel at them - it\u0026rsquo;s to design them intentionally.\nBecause when you do\u0026hellip;\nYour actions stop working in isolation. They start working together. And that\u0026rsquo;s how ordinary effort creates extraordinary growth.\nExternal links Superlinear Returns | Paul Graham The first modern pandemic | Bill Gates Information Overload Helps Fake News Spread, and Social Media Knows It | Scientific American How To Be Successful | Sam Altman The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson | Goodreads The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch | Goodreads See also Deliver weekly chunks ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/feedback-loops/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eMost of us think in straight lines. One step, then another. One\nplus one equals two.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut here\u0026rsquo;s the problem\u0026hellip;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLife doesn\u0026rsquo;t always work that way.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"why-we-underestimate-exponential-growth\"\u003eWhy We Underestimate Exponential Growth\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur brains aren\u0026rsquo;t wired to spot exponential patterns. We see\nslow, steady beginnings and shrug them off. Then it takes off -\nand suddenly we\u0026rsquo;re shocked at how fast things changed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThink about viral videos.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne person shares a clip with ten friends. Each of those ten\nshares it with ten more - now it’s a hundred. Pretty soon,\nmillions are watching.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Feedback loops are the secret behind exponential growth"},{"content":"Changing your perspective is one of the hardest cognitive reappraisal techniques.\nHere are some examples of changing your perspective:\nSee the event from your manager\u0026rsquo;s perspective. See the event from your children\u0026rsquo;s eyes. See the event from your parent\u0026rsquo;s perspective. See the event as someone from another country. See the event as your younger self or your older self. Try to really put yourself in their shoes to understand and feel what they are feeling.\nSeeing an event from another perspective (or even multiple perspectives), modulates your thinking to help you accept that what happened just is.\nWhile the event creates intense emotions for you now, maybe it\u0026rsquo;s even harder for your manager or child, maybe it\u0026rsquo;s a good thing for your parent, maybe your younger or older self would love it.\nWho knows? And that\u0026rsquo;s the whole point.\nThe event is an event, and it is you who decides your perspective.\nSee also Decide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use Decide if this is the right perspective ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/change-perspective-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eChanging your perspective is one of the hardest cognitive\nreappraisal techniques.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are some examples of changing your perspective:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee the event from your manager\u0026rsquo;s perspective.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee the event from your children\u0026rsquo;s eyes.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee the event from your parent\u0026rsquo;s perspective.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee the event as someone from another country.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSee the event as your younger self or your older self.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTry to really put yourself in their shoes to understand and feel\nwhat they are feeling.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Change your perspective of the event"},{"content":"Reprioritizing an event means stepping back from something that has triggered your intense emotions.\nEvaluate its priority. It\u0026rsquo;s frequently lower priority than you probably thought at first.\nYou can systematically evaluate the priority of an event by looking at its value and effort.\nHow much value does this event or fixing this event have in your life? Is it top, high, medium or low value?\nHow much effort does this event take up in your life to resolved? Is it high, medium or low effort?\nPriority Value Effort Top High Low High High Med High Med Low Medium High High Medium Med Med Medium Low Low Low Low Med Low Med High Ignore Low High See also Decide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use Decide if this is at the right priority ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/reprioritize-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eReprioritizing an event means stepping back from something that\nhas triggered your intense emotions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvaluate its priority. It\u0026rsquo;s frequently lower priority than you\nprobably thought at first.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can systematically evaluate the priority of an event by\nlooking at its value and effort.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow much value does this event or fixing this event have in your\nlife? Is it top, high, medium or low value?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow much effort does this event take up in your life to resolved?\nIs it high, medium or low effort?\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Reprioritize the event"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;ve found that humor has the highest return on investment of any cognitive reappraisal technique.\nThere are so many forms of humor that this reappraisal strategy is essentially unlimited in its potential.\nFor me, finding humor in the situation is very effective, but your experience may vary.\nFor example, a school kid was giving people the middle finger a few mornings. This made me quite angry, and I felt the need to do something back.\nHowever, once I started thinking about how funny it was for an elementary school kid to be doing this, my anger began to subside.\nUsing humor allowed me to re-prioritize (elementary school kid has low priority) and change perspective as well.\nSee also Act on your decision to reappraise Decide if this is humorous ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/find-humor-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;ve found that humor has the highest return on investment of any\ncognitive reappraisal technique.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are so many forms of humor that this reappraisal strategy\nis essentially unlimited in its potential.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor me, finding humor \u003cem\u003ein the situation\u003c/em\u003e is very effective, but\nyour experience may vary.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor example, a school kid was giving people the middle finger a\nfew mornings. This made me quite angry, and I felt the need to do\nsomething back.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Find humor in the event"},{"content":"Normalizing an event is one of the most powerful cognitive reappraisal techniques.\nBy telling yourself that it\u0026rsquo;s normal to feel this way, you\u0026rsquo;re uncertainty is immediately reduced giving you a better sense of control.\nBut there\u0026rsquo;s another more powerful benefit\u0026hellip;\nSince it\u0026rsquo;s \u0026ldquo;normal,\u0026rdquo; it\u0026rsquo;s very likely there\u0026rsquo;s a bunch of other people who have gone through a very similar thing.\nWhether you\u0026rsquo;re feeling disoriented and overwhelmed on a new project, burned out as a new parent or lonely as a an entrepreneur, you can probably reuse or repurpose strategies used by others who have already addressed similar events.\nSee also Decide if this is normal Act on your decision to reappraise ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/normalization-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eNormalizing an event is one of the most powerful cognitive\nreappraisal techniques.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy telling yourself that it\u0026rsquo;s normal to feel this way, you\u0026rsquo;re\nuncertainty is immediately reduced giving you a better sense of\ncontrol.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut there\u0026rsquo;s another more powerful benefit\u0026hellip;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince it\u0026rsquo;s \u0026ldquo;normal,\u0026rdquo; it\u0026rsquo;s very likely there\u0026rsquo;s a bunch of other\npeople who have gone through a very similar thing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you\u0026rsquo;re feeling disoriented and overwhelmed on a new\nproject, burned out as a new parent or lonely as a an\nentrepreneur, you can probably reuse or repurpose strategies used\nby others who have already addressed similar events.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Normalize the event"},{"content":"Once you\u0026rsquo;ve decided which cognitive reappraisal technique to use, it\u0026rsquo;s time to act!\nUsing the easy-to-remember mnemonic (\u0026ldquo;Never Hit or Punch a Pig\u0026rdquo;), let\u0026rsquo;s go through each key cognitive reappraisal strategy.\nNormalize the event. Find Humor in the event. Reprioritize the event. Change your Perspective of the event. See also Cognitive reappraisal techniques ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/act-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eOnce you\u0026rsquo;ve \u003ca href=\"/posts/decide-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003edecided which cognitive reappraisal technique to use\u003c/a\u003e,\nit\u0026rsquo;s time to act!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUsing the easy-to-remember mnemonic (\u0026ldquo;Never Hit or Punch a Pig\u0026rdquo;),\nlet\u0026rsquo;s go through each key cognitive reappraisal strategy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/normalization-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNormalize\u003c/strong\u003e the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/find-humor-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eFind \u003cstrong\u003eHumor\u003c/strong\u003e in the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/reprioritize-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReprioritize\u003c/strong\u003e the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/change-perspective-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eChange your \u003cstrong\u003ePerspective\u003c/strong\u003e of the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/cognitive-reappraisal-techniques/\"\u003eCognitive reappraisal techniques\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Act on your decision to reappraise"},{"content":"Changing your perspective is a cognitive reappraisal technique.\nThis is the hardest type of reappraisal and allows you to interpret the difficult situation from another\u0026rsquo;s perspective.\nOnce you can see the situation from another\u0026rsquo;s perspective, it clarifies your experience and helps to regulate your emotions.\nChange your perspective of the event.\nSee also Decide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/perspective-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eChanging your perspective is a cognitive reappraisal technique.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the hardest type of reappraisal and allows you to\ninterpret the difficult situation from another\u0026rsquo;s perspective.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you can see the situation from another\u0026rsquo;s perspective, it\nclarifies your experience and helps to regulate your emotions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/change-perspective-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eChange your perspective of the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/decide-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Decide if this is the right perspective"},{"content":"Prioritizing is a cognitive reappraisal technique.\nBy lowering the priority of an event, you can change how you interpret the event.\nThis isn\u0026rsquo;t about artificially claiming that an event is unimportant. If the event is important to you, then it has a high priority relative to other events.\nHowever, reasoning through its priority relative to other events is a great way to put the event into the context of your life.\nReprioritize the event.\nSee also Decide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/priority-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003ePrioritizing is a cognitive reappraisal technique.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy lowering the priority of an event, you can change how you\ninterpret the event.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn\u0026rsquo;t about artificially claiming that an event is\nunimportant. If the event is important to you, then it has a high\npriority relative to other events.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, reasoning through its priority relative to other events\nis a great way to put the event into the context of your life.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Decide if this is at the right priority"},{"content":"Humor is a cognitive reappraisal technique.\nIt allows you to interpret difficult situations with a laugh.\nBecause you\u0026rsquo;re reintepreting the circumstances as funny, you can more easily step away and reinterpret the situation.\nHaving a chuckle about the situation creates the space for you to regulate your emotions.\nFind humor in the event.\nSee also Decide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/humor-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eHumor is a cognitive reappraisal technique.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt allows you to interpret difficult situations with a laugh.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause you\u0026rsquo;re reintepreting the circumstances as funny, you can\nmore easily step away and reinterpret the situation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving a chuckle about the situation creates the space for you to\nregulate your emotions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/find-humor-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eFind humor in the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/decide-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Decide if this is humorous"},{"content":"Normalizing is a cognitive reappraisal technique.\nIt\u0026rsquo;s essentially a way to tell yourself that it\u0026rsquo;s normal to feel this way.\nBecause you\u0026rsquo;ve clarified your experience, you can reduce uncertainty, which in turn gives you a better sense of control.\nNormalize the event.\nSee also Decide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/normalize-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eNormalizing is a cognitive reappraisal technique.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s essentially a way to tell yourself that it\u0026rsquo;s normal to feel\nthis way.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause you\u0026rsquo;ve clarified your experience, you can reduce\nuncertainty, which in turn gives you a better sense of control.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/normalization-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eNormalize the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/decide-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Decide if this is normal"},{"content":"Once you\u0026rsquo;ve oriented yourself, you must decide which cognitive reappraisal strategy to use.\nAn easy way to remember the key strategies is the mnemonic Never Hit or Punch a Pig.\nThe first letter of each capitalized word maps to a reappraisal strategy.\nN - Decide if this is Normal. H - Decide if this is Humorous. P - Decide if this is at the right Priority. P - Decide if this is the right Perspective. See also Cognitive reappraisal techniques ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/decide-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eOnce you\u0026rsquo;ve \u003ca href=\"/posts/diaphragmatic-breathing-benefits/\"\u003eoriented yourself\u003c/a\u003e, you must decide which\ncognitive reappraisal strategy to use.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn easy way to remember the key strategies is the mnemonic \u003cstrong\u003eNever\nHit\u003c/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003ePunch\u003c/strong\u003e a \u003cstrong\u003ePig\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first letter of each capitalized word maps to a reappraisal\nstrategy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eN - \u003ca href=\"/posts/normalize-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide if this is \u003cstrong\u003eNormal\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eH - \u003ca href=\"/posts/humor-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide if this is \u003cstrong\u003eHumorous\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eP - \u003ca href=\"/posts/priority-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide if this is at the right \u003cstrong\u003ePriority\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eP - \u003ca href=\"/posts/perspective-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide if this is the right \u003cstrong\u003ePerspective\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/cognitive-reappraisal-techniques/\"\u003eCognitive reappraisal techniques\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Decide which cognitive reappraisal technique to use"},{"content":"In order to orient yourself as quickly as possible, the first thing you need to do is to re-regulate your intense emotions, even if it\u0026rsquo;s only temporary.\nTo re-regulate, one of the simplest things you can do just about anywhere is diaphragmatic breathing.\nDiaphragmatic breathing is a slow, smooth and deep inhalation of air to move the diaphragm (the muscular wall beneath your lungs). This is also called paced breathing, abdominal breathing, belly breathing or centering breath.\nA good diaphragmatic breath lasts 15 seconds.\nThe formula is 6-2-7. Breathe in for 6 seconds, hold for 2 seconds and then breathe out for 7 seconds. Doing this for the formula\u0026rsquo;s full count isn\u0026rsquo;t easy when your emotions are intense, but stick with it and repeat at least 3 times.\nThe goal of is to facilitate a relaxation response.\nDiaphragmatic breathing benefits can include better oxygen exchange, slowing of the heartbeat and lowering or stabilizing of blood pressure.\nWhile there are a number of diaphragmatic breathing benefits, if you feel dizzy or start hyperventilating, stop immediately. Diaphragmatic breathing is a generally a safe way to enhance relaxation.\nSee also Cognitive reappraisal techniques ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/diaphragmatic-breathing-benefits/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn order to orient yourself as quickly as possible, the first\nthing you need to do is to re-regulate your intense emotions,\neven if it\u0026rsquo;s only temporary.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo re-regulate, one of the simplest things you can do just about\nanywhere is diaphragmatic breathing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDiaphragmatic breathing is a slow, smooth and deep inhalation of\nair to move the diaphragm (the muscular wall beneath your lungs).\nThis is also called paced breathing, abdominal breathing, belly\nbreathing or centering breath.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Diaphragmatic breathing benefits"},{"content":"The T in the HALT acronym represents tiredness.\nTiredness can be physical or emotional.\nPhysical tiredness is most frequently the result of ignoring signs we need a break. You might be pushing yourself too hard by pushing aside your body\u0026rsquo;s signals to rest.\nEmotional tiredness is the sense of drowning and being overloaded.\nFor both physical and emotional tiredness, stepping away from the thing making you tired. Do nothing, vegging out or doing activities that help you to recover and recharge.\nSee also HALT acronym ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/halt-acronym-tiredness/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eT\u003c/em\u003e in the \u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym/\"\u003eHALT acronym\u003c/a\u003e represents \u003cem\u003etiredness\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTiredness can be physical or emotional.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePhysical tiredness is most frequently the result of ignoring\nsigns we need a break. You might be pushing yourself too hard by\npushing aside your body\u0026rsquo;s signals to rest.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEmotional tiredness is the sense of drowning and being\noverloaded.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor both physical and emotional tiredness, stepping away from the\nthing making you tired. Do nothing, vegging out or doing\nactivities that help you to recover and recharge.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"T in HALT acronym represents tiredness"},{"content":"The L in HALT acronym represents loneliness.\nLoneliness can be real or perceived isolation.\nReal physical isolation from others is beyond the scope of this post.\nPerceived isolation can frequently happen when we isolate ourselves. It might feel like others can\u0026rsquo;t understand us. Maybe it\u0026rsquo;s the fear of rejection, or maybe you\u0026rsquo;re not sure if you\u0026rsquo;ll enjoy connecting with others.\nRather than withdrawing from others, reach out and connect with friends and family who want to see you happy and healthy.\nA low stakes text message or email can get the ball rolling.\nSee also HALT acronym ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/halt-acronym-loneliness/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eL\u003c/em\u003e in \u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym/\"\u003eHALT acronym\u003c/a\u003e represents \u003cem\u003eloneliness\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLoneliness can be real or perceived isolation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReal physical isolation from others is beyond the scope of this\npost.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerceived isolation can frequently happen when we isolate\nourselves. It might feel like others can\u0026rsquo;t understand us. Maybe\nit\u0026rsquo;s the fear of rejection, or maybe you\u0026rsquo;re not sure if you\u0026rsquo;ll\nenjoy connecting with others.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than withdrawing from others, reach out and connect with\nfriends and family who want to see you happy and healthy.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"L in HALT acronym represents loneliness"},{"content":"The A in the HALT acronym represents anger.\nAnger shouldn\u0026rsquo;t be suppressed. After all, it\u0026rsquo;s a healthy emotion.\nThe keys to addressing your anger are:\nExpressing your anger in a healthy way, so that you\u0026rsquo;re calm when addressing your anger. Understanding your anger triggers, so that you can address your anger before it starts. While dealing with your anger trigger is probably the more lasting approach, you\u0026rsquo;ll first need to calm your anger.\nYou can do this physically e.g. exercising vigorously. Do not harm others.\nYou can dispel your anger creatively e.g. writing. Do not publish online e.g. on social media.\nYou can calm your anger through meditation.\nYou can talk through your anger with a friend. Do not choose a friend that\u0026rsquo;s part of what\u0026rsquo;s making you angry.\nSee also HALT acronym ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/halt-acronym-anger/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eA\u003c/em\u003e in the \u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym/\"\u003eHALT acronym\u003c/a\u003e represents \u003cem\u003eanger\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnger shouldn\u0026rsquo;t be suppressed. After all, it\u0026rsquo;s a healthy emotion.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe keys to addressing your anger are:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExpressing your anger in a healthy way, so that you\u0026rsquo;re calm\nwhen addressing your anger.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUnderstanding your anger triggers, so that you can address\nyour anger before it starts.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile dealing with your anger trigger is probably the more\nlasting approach, you\u0026rsquo;ll first need to calm your anger.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"A in HALT acronym represents anger"},{"content":"The H in the HALT acronym represents hunger.\nThis can be physical as in taking care of your nutritional needs. Hunger can also be emotional as in yearning for attention, comfort and companionship.\nTo address your hunger, eat something wholesome, talk to a good friend.\nYou can even do both at the same time by asking your good friend to go out or come over!\nSee also HALT acronym ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/halt-acronym-hunger/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003eH\u003c/em\u003e in the \u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym/\"\u003eHALT acronym\u003c/a\u003e represents \u003cem\u003ehunger\u003c/em\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis can be physical as in taking care of your nutritional needs.\nHunger can also be emotional as in yearning for attention,\ncomfort and companionship.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo address your hunger, eat something wholesome, talk to a good\nfriend.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can even do both at the same time by asking your good friend\nto go out or come over!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym/\"\u003eHALT acronym\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"H in HALT acronym represents hunger"},{"content":"As you improve your mindfulness of emotions and feelings, you\u0026rsquo;ll get a sense of what triggers your intense emotions.\nNext time you feel triggered, use the HALT acronym.\nThe HALT acronym stands for hungry, angry, lonely and tired.\nThe HALT acronym is used for recovery in rehab programs for substance abuse.\nIt\u0026rsquo;s an easy-to-remember technique that invites you to pause and ask yourself about 4 common stressors that frequently lead to a relapse of the behaviors you\u0026rsquo;re trying to avoid.\nH - Hunger A - Anger L - Loneliness T - Tiredness See also Mindfulness of emotions and feelings ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/halt-acronym/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eAs you improve your \u003ca href=\"/posts/mindfulness-of-emotions-and-feelings/\"\u003emindfulness of emotions and feelings\u003c/a\u003e,\nyou\u0026rsquo;ll get a sense of what triggers your intense emotions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNext time you feel triggered, use the HALT acronym.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HALT acronym stands for \u003cstrong\u003ehungry, angry, lonely and tired\u003c/strong\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe HALT acronym is used for recovery in rehab programs for\nsubstance abuse.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s an easy-to-remember technique that invites you to pause and\nask yourself about 4 common stressors that frequently lead to a\nrelapse of the behaviors you\u0026rsquo;re trying to avoid.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"HALT acronym"},{"content":"Increasing your mindfulness of emotions and feelings puts you on the path to regulating them. If you aren\u0026rsquo;t recognizing that your emotions are intense, there\u0026rsquo;s little you can do to regulate them.\nMindfulness of emotions is a skill and takes practice to improve.\nBelow are some examples of intense emotions manifesting in concrete behaviors:\nAvoiding someone or something Bullying someone Crying Harming yourself Overdoing alcohol or drugs Wanting revenge Wanting to fight someone Wanting to hit someone or something Withdrawing from others Yelling at someone The next time you find yourself engaging in these behaviors, start noticing how you feel\u0026hellip;\nDo you feel hot or cold? Is your heart pounding? Are you sweating? Do you feel frozen and can\u0026rsquo;t act? Is your body language droopy?\nOnce you start noticing how you feel during these behaviors, you\u0026rsquo;ll start noticing them more frequently.\nYou\u0026rsquo;ll begin identifying more behaviors, and you\u0026rsquo;ll get better at recognizing and observing how you feel when your emotions are intense.\nWith an understanding of your triggers, you can apply the HALT acronym.\nSee also Cognitive reappraisal techniques HALT acronym The mindfulness conspiracy ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/mindfulness-of-emotions-and-feelings/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIncreasing your mindfulness of emotions and feelings puts you on\nthe \u003ca href=\"/posts/cognitive-reappraisal-techniques/\"\u003epath to regulating them\u003c/a\u003e. If you aren\u0026rsquo;t recognizing that\nyour emotions are intense, there\u0026rsquo;s little you can do to regulate\nthem.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMindfulness of emotions is a skill and takes practice to improve.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow are some examples of intense emotions manifesting in\nconcrete behaviors:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoiding someone or something\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBullying someone\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCrying\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarming yourself\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOverdoing alcohol or drugs\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWanting revenge\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWanting to fight someone\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWanting to hit someone or something\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWithdrawing from others\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYelling at someone\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe next time you find yourself engaging in these behaviors,\nstart noticing how you feel\u0026hellip;\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Mindfulness of emotions and feelings"},{"content":"Cognitive reappraisal techniques are a cognitive change strategy. They\u0026rsquo;re used to regulate emotion and represent ways to reinterpret events through your own lens.\nThis is different from suppressing an emotion which involves keeping a lid on the emotion and hiding the emotion from others.\nHere\u0026rsquo;s my checklist to remind myself to do this when intense emotions surface:\nObserve your intense emotions. HALT acronym. H in HALT acronym represents hunger. A in HALT acronym represents anger. L in HALT acronym represents loneliness. T in HALT acronym represents tiredness. Orient yourself by re-regulating. Decide which reappraisal strategy to use. Decide if this is normal. Decide if this is humorous. Decide if this is at the right priority. Decide if this is the right perspective. Act on your decision. Normalize the event. Find humor in the event. Reprioritize the event. Change your perspective of the event. External links OODA loop - Wikipedia See also Mindfulness of emotions and feelings Reinterpreting ideas through your own lens ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/cognitive-reappraisal-techniques/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eCognitive reappraisal techniques are a cognitive change strategy.\nThey\u0026rsquo;re used to regulate emotion and represent ways to\nreinterpret events through your own lens.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is different from suppressing an emotion which involves\nkeeping a lid on the emotion and hiding the emotion from others.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere\u0026rsquo;s my checklist to remind myself to do this when intense\nemotions surface:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/mindfulness-of-emotions-and-feelings/\"\u003eObserve your intense emotions\u003c/a\u003e.\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym/\"\u003eHALT acronym\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym-hunger/\"\u003eH in HALT acronym represents hunger\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym-anger/\"\u003eA in HALT acronym represents anger\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym-loneliness/\"\u003eL in HALT acronym represents loneliness\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/halt-acronym-tiredness/\"\u003eT in HALT acronym represents tiredness\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/diaphragmatic-breathing-benefits/\"\u003eOrient yourself by re-regulating\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/decide-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide which reappraisal strategy to use\u003c/a\u003e.\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/normalize-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide if this is normal\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/humor-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide if this is humorous\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/priority-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide if this is at the right priority\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/perspective-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eDecide if this is the right perspective\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/act-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eAct on your decision\u003c/a\u003e.\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/normalization-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eNormalize the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/find-humor-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eFind humor in the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/reprioritize-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eReprioritize the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/change-perspective-cognitive-reappraisal-technique/\"\u003eChange your perspective of the event\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"external-links\"\u003eExternal links\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OODA_loop\"\u003eOODA loop - Wikipedia\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/mindfulness-of-emotions-and-feelings/\"\u003eMindfulness of emotions and feelings\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/reinterpreting-ideas/\"\u003eReinterpreting ideas through your own lens\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Cognitive reappraisal techniques"},{"content":"Walter Murch\u0026rsquo;s Letter to His Grandchildren About Earth\u0026rsquo;s History is an entertaining story of our Earth that touches on birds, dinosaurs, plants, evolution, humans and eventually fossil fuels.\nHere are my 11 takeaways:\nBirds inherited super efficient lungs from dinosaurs. But why? The story starts with plants migrating from ocean to land and then needing to deal with gravity. Land plants evolved lignin to address gravity. During this Carboniferous age, lignin couldn\u0026rsquo;t be decomposed. So the decay of lignin (hydrocarbons) produced an oxygen surge. Eventually, a mushroom spore evolved a special enzyme that could dissolve lignin. Oxidizing lignin used up a lot of oxygen and killed 95% of life on Earth. Dinosaurs (probably the predecessors to dinosaurs) evolved super efficient lung systems to compensate for the reduced oxygen. Millions of years later, humans found burning fossilized lignin releases lots of energy. Humans have fossil fuels due to nature\u0026rsquo;s inability to breakdown lignin. Humans are burning fossil fuels 500,000X faster than they were deposited. The lack of the mushroom spore with the special enzyme and fossil fuels being the result of an inability to breakdown lignin is interesting. However, it still appears to be up for debate.\nSee also Zanny Minton Beddoes interviews Bill Gates about COVID-19 ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/birds-over-mount-everest/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://nautil.us/issue/86/energy/why-birds-can-fly-over-mount-everest\"\u003eWalter Murch\u0026rsquo;s Letter to His Grandchildren About Earth\u0026rsquo;s History\u003c/a\u003e\nis an entertaining story of our Earth that touches on birds,\ndinosaurs, plants, evolution, humans and eventually fossil fuels.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are my 11 takeaways:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBirds inherited super efficient lungs from dinosaurs. But why?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe story starts with plants migrating from ocean to land and then needing to deal with gravity.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLand plants evolved lignin to address gravity.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDuring this Carboniferous age, lignin couldn\u0026rsquo;t be decomposed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSo the decay of lignin (hydrocarbons) produced an oxygen surge.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEventually, a mushroom spore evolved a special enzyme that could dissolve lignin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOxidizing lignin used up a lot of oxygen and killed 95% of life on Earth.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDinosaurs (probably the predecessors to dinosaurs) evolved super efficient lung systems to compensate for the reduced oxygen.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMillions of years later, humans found burning fossilized lignin releases lots of energy.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHumans have fossil fuels due to nature\u0026rsquo;s inability to breakdown lignin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHumans are burning fossil fuels 500,000X faster than they were deposited.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe lack of the mushroom spore with the special enzyme and fossil\nfuels being the result of an \u003ca href=\"https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mushroom-evolution-breaks-down-lignin-slows-coal-formation/\"\u003einability to breakdown lignin\u003c/a\u003e\nis interesting. However, it still appears to be \u003ca href=\"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4780611/\"\u003eup for debate\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Why birds can fly over Mount Everest?"},{"content":"What\u0026rsquo;s the need? The key need is to be able to quickly export highlights from articles bookmarked in Instapaper at the command-line.\nWhat\u0026rsquo;s the approach? The approach is to leverage the Instapaper API to quickly extract the highlights from a bookmarked article into a text stream.\nWhat are the benefits? Leveraging Instapaper\u0026rsquo;s programmatic API makes exporting highlights effortless. Generating a text stream means this output can be piped to other tools or apps and manipulated in an infinite number of ways.\nWhat are the alternatives? One alternative is to use a Chrome extension called Instapaper highlights exporter which partially addresses the need by exporting an HTML file containing all Instapaper highlights.\nThe basic idea is to load the Instapaper Notes page, use the browser extension to export and then get the exported file into a format that can be easily manipulated.\nA second alternative is to leverage IFTTT as in How to Automatically Save Your Instapaper Highlights to Ulysses. IFTTT is triggered when a new highlight is added and the note can be exported to Dropbox.\nIt might be possible for IFTTT to provide some other export mechanism. Regardless, the disparate files would need to be aggregated together into a text stream for manipulation by other tools or apps.\nA third alternative is to leverage Readwise to pull in highlights. Readwise has integration with Evernote, Roam and Notion. It appears Readwise can also export to CSV and Markdown formats.\nWhile all these alternatives are viable, they require multiple steps and introduce multiple points of potential failure.\nSee also Elaborate by thinking, writing and connecting The ultimate guide to summarizing books ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/export-highlights/","summary":"\u003ch1 id=\"whats-the-need\"\u003eWhat\u0026rsquo;s the need?\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe key need is to be able to quickly export highlights from\narticles bookmarked in Instapaper at the command-line.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"whats-the-approach\"\u003eWhat\u0026rsquo;s the approach?\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe approach is to leverage the \u003ca href=\"https://www.instapaper.com/api\"\u003eInstapaper API\u003c/a\u003e to quickly\nextract the highlights from a bookmarked article into a text\nstream.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"what-are-the-benefits\"\u003eWhat are the benefits?\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLeveraging Instapaper\u0026rsquo;s programmatic API makes exporting\nhighlights effortless. \u003ca href=\"https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Doug_McIlroy\"\u003eGenerating a text stream\u003c/a\u003e means this\noutput can be piped to other tools or apps and manipulated in an\ninfinite number of ways.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"export-highlights for Instapaper"},{"content":"In Ronald Purser\u0026rsquo;s The mindfulness conspiracy (The Guardian), he writes about a fascinating perspective on the mindfulness genre.\nHere are my 6 takeaways from the article:\nMindfulness says paying closer attention to the present resolves our suffering. Mindfulness has been stripped of the accompanying teachings e.g. attachment to self, compassion. Mindfulness advocates are unwittingly supporting the capitalistic monetisation of our attention which mindfulness purportedly solves. Mindfulness attempts to deal with the symptoms (lack of focused attention) without addressing the cause (monetisation of our attention). Mindfulness reframes troubles as the result of individual action rather than systemic conditions. Neoliberalism wants pure market logic and mindfulness says \u0026ldquo;okay, here\u0026rsquo;s how you can focus on competing so you don\u0026rsquo;t think too hard about the social and political conditions that brought about the suffering.\u0026rdquo; See also Neutralizing social Darwinism Mindfulness of emotions and feelings ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/mindfulness-conspiracy/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn Ronald Purser\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/jun/14/the-mindfulness-conspiracy-capitalist-spirituality\"\u003eThe mindfulness conspiracy (The Guardian)\u003c/a\u003e,\nhe writes about a fascinating perspective on the mindfulness\ngenre.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are my 6 takeaways from the article:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMindfulness says paying closer attention to the present\nresolves our suffering.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMindfulness has been stripped of the accompanying teachings\ne.g. attachment to self, compassion.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMindfulness advocates are unwittingly supporting the\ncapitalistic monetisation of our attention which mindfulness\npurportedly solves.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMindfulness attempts to deal with the symptoms (lack of\nfocused attention) without addressing the cause (monetisation\nof our attention).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMindfulness reframes troubles as the result of individual\naction rather than systemic conditions.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeoliberalism wants pure market logic and mindfulness says\n\u0026ldquo;okay, here\u0026rsquo;s how you can focus on competing so you don\u0026rsquo;t\nthink too hard about the social and political conditions that\nbrought about the suffering.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/social-darwinism/\"\u003eNeutralizing social Darwinism\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/mindfulness-of-emotions-and-feelings/\"\u003eMindfulness of emotions and feelings\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"The mindfulness conspiracy"},{"content":"The 6 key components of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine are the cap, 5\u0026rsquo;-UTR, signal peptide, spike protein, 3\u0026rsquo;-UTR and a poly-A tail.\nThe cap makes the vaccine mRNA look legitimate. The 5\u0026rsquo;-UTR helps with immune system evasion and translation. The signal peptide says this protein should exit via the endoplasmic reticulum (just like SARS-CoV-2). The spike protein is almost identical to the SARS-CoV-2 spike except for 2 proline substitutions. The 3\u0026rsquo;-UTR is chosen for RNA stability and expression. The poly-A tail protects the mRNA from degradation. See also Reverse engineering the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/pfizer-vaccine-components/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe 6 key components of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine are the cap,\n5\u0026rsquo;-UTR, signal peptide, spike protein, 3\u0026rsquo;-UTR and a poly-A tail.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe cap makes the vaccine mRNA look legitimate.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 5\u0026rsquo;-UTR helps with immune system evasion and translation.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe signal peptide says this protein should exit via the\nendoplasmic reticulum (just like SARS-CoV-2).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe spike protein is almost identical to the SARS-CoV-2 spike\nexcept for 2 proline substitutions.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 3\u0026rsquo;-UTR is chosen for RNA stability and expression.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe poly-A tail protects the mRNA from degradation.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/reverse-engineer-vaccine/\"\u003eReverse engineering the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Components of BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine"},{"content":"In Reverse Engineering the source code of the BioNTech/Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine, Bert Hubert breaks down the mechanism and key components of the BioNTech/Pfizer RNA vaccine.\nHere are the key ideas I took away from this fantastic article:\nThe mRNA vaccine encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike which generates an immune response. mRNA is fragile and must be stored in deep freeze. The vaccine consists of 6 high-level components. See also Zanny Minton Beddoes interviews Bill Gates about COVID-19 ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/reverse-engineer-vaccine/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ca href=\"https://berthub.eu/articles/posts/reverse-engineering-source-code-of-the-biontech-pfizer-vaccine/\"\u003eReverse Engineering the source code of the BioNTech/Pfizer SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine\u003c/a\u003e,\nBert Hubert breaks down the mechanism and key components of the\nBioNTech/Pfizer RNA vaccine.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the key ideas I took away from this fantastic article:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe mRNA vaccine encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike which generates\nan immune response.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003emRNA is fragile and must be stored in deep freeze.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe vaccine consists of \u003ca href=\"/posts/pfizer-vaccine-components/\"\u003e6 high-level components\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/zanny-billg-interview/\"\u003eZanny Minton Beddoes interviews Bill Gates about COVID-19\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Reverse engineering the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine"},{"content":"BJ Fogg\u0026rsquo;s video Information -\u0026gt; Action Fallacy opened my eyes to why giving people better information won\u0026rsquo;t reliably change their behavior.\nHere are the 4 key takeaways:\nThe fallacy is that giving people better information leads to attitude change which then leads to behavior change. Better information doesn\u0026rsquo;t reliably lead to attitude change. Attitude change doesn\u0026rsquo;t reliably lead to behavior change. Changing behavior more reliably leads to attitude change. See also The constitution of knowledge Judging truth External links BJ Fogg | Tiny Habits ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/information-action-fallacy/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eBJ Fogg\u0026rsquo;s video \u003ca href=\"https://vimeo.com/379122751\"\u003eInformation -\u0026gt; Action Fallacy\u003c/a\u003e opened my eyes\nto why giving people better information won\u0026rsquo;t reliably change\ntheir behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the 4 key takeaways:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe fallacy is that giving people better information leads to\nattitude change which then leads to behavior change.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBetter information doesn\u0026rsquo;t reliably lead to attitude change.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAttitude change doesn\u0026rsquo;t reliably lead to behavior change.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChanging behavior more reliably leads to attitude change.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/constitution-of-knowledge/\"\u003eThe constitution of knowledge\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/judging-truth/\"\u003eJudging truth\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"external-links\"\u003eExternal links\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.tinyhabits.com/\"\u003eBJ Fogg | Tiny Habits\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Information-action fallacy"},{"content":"Readme Driven Development written by Tom Preston-Werner in 2010 is a timeless post about using a README to scope a project and collaborate with others.\nHere are the 4 key ideas I got from the post:\nYour README is the most important document in your codebase. So write your README first. A README constrains you to single file which makes it a short, light-weight and not-too-precise introduction to your code. A README helps with discussion and collaboration. See also Weekly incremental value ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/readme-driven-development/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://tom.preston-werner.com/2010/08/23/readme-driven-development.html\"\u003eReadme Driven Development\u003c/a\u003e written by Tom Preston-Werner in\n2010 is a timeless post about using a README to scope a project\nand collaborate with others.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are the 4 key ideas I got from the post:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour README is the most important document in your codebase.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSo write your README first.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA README constrains you to single file which makes it a short,\nlight-weight and not-too-precise introduction to your code.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA README helps with discussion and collaboration.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/weekly-incremental-value/\"\u003eWeekly incremental value\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"README driven development"},{"content":"Here are the key insights I took from chapter 1 of Annie Duke\u0026rsquo;s Thinking in Bets:\nResulting is the tendency to say a decision was good when the result is good. Chess involves very little luck so it\u0026rsquo;s not a good model of life. Poker is the sum of decision quality and luck. Our lives are the sum of decision quality and luck. A few outcomes is not enough to measure decision quality. A great decision is the result of a great process. When a less likely outcome happens, it doesn\u0026rsquo;t mean we\u0026rsquo;re wrong. Similarly, when a more likely outcome happens, it doesn\u0026rsquo;t mean we\u0026rsquo;re right. See also Wanna bet? ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/poker-not-chess/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eHere are the key insights I took from chapter 1 of Annie Duke\u0026rsquo;s\n\u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Bets-Making-Smarter-Decisions/dp/0735216355\"\u003eThinking in Bets\u003c/a\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eResulting is the tendency to say a decision was good when the\nresult is good.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChess involves very little luck so it\u0026rsquo;s not a good model of\nlife.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePoker is the sum of decision quality and luck.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur lives are the sum of decision quality and luck.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA few outcomes is not enough to measure decision quality.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA great decision is the result of a great process.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhen a less likely outcome happens, it doesn\u0026rsquo;t mean we\u0026rsquo;re wrong.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSimilarly, when a more likely outcome happens, it doesn\u0026rsquo;t mean\nwe\u0026rsquo;re right.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/wanna-bet/\"\u003eWanna bet?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Life is poker, not chess"},{"content":"Here are my key takeaways from chapter 2 of Annie Duke\u0026rsquo;s Thinking in Bets:\nEverything is a bet. Skill in life is learning to be better belief calibrator. Our default is to believe what we hear. We generally process information by altering our interpretation to fit our beliefs. Motivated reasoning is when a belief is lodged and remains unchallenged. Fake news is a planted false story that is meant to amplify existing beliefs. Disinformation has some truth with powerful spin. Being smarter, more aware or better with data doesn\u0026rsquo;t help overcome bias. View the world through lens of \u0026ldquo;wanna bet?\u0026rdquo; Communicating uncertainty advances knowledge and invites dialogue. See also The constitution of knowledge Life is poker, not chess Judging truth How disinformation hacks your brain ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/wanna-bet/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eHere are my key takeaways from chapter 2 of Annie Duke\u0026rsquo;s\n\u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Bets-Making-Smarter-Decisions/dp/0735216355\"\u003eThinking in Bets\u003c/a\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEverything is a bet.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSkill in life is learning to be better belief calibrator.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOur default is to believe what we hear.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe generally process information by altering our\ninterpretation to fit our beliefs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMotivated reasoning is when a belief is lodged and remains\nunchallenged.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFake news is a planted false story that is meant to amplify\nexisting beliefs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDisinformation has some truth with powerful spin.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeing smarter, more aware or better with data doesn\u0026rsquo;t help\novercome bias.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eView the world through lens of \u0026ldquo;wanna bet?\u0026rdquo;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCommunicating uncertainty advances knowledge and invites\ndialogue.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/constitution-of-knowledge/\"\u003eThe constitution of knowledge\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/poker-not-chess/\"\u003eLife is poker, not chess\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/judging-truth/\"\u003eJudging truth\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/disinformation-hacks-brain/\"\u003eHow disinformation hacks your brain\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Wanna bet?"},{"content":"In chapter 5 of How to Take Smart Notes, 2 of my favorite ideas from Sönke Ahrens are:\nTruth results from the scientific exchange of written ideas. Do everything as if nothing counts other than writing. See also Judging truth Stop collecting, and start producing Elaborate by thinking, writing and connecting ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/writing-is-only-thing/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn chapter 5 of \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/How-Take-Smart-Notes-Nonfiction-ebook/dp/B06WVYW33Y\"\u003eHow to Take Smart Notes\u003c/a\u003e, 2 of my favorite\nideas from Sönke Ahrens are:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTruth results from the scientific exchange of written ideas.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDo everything as if nothing counts other than writing.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/judging-truth/\"\u003eJudging truth\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/stop-collecting/\"\u003eStop collecting, and start producing\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/elaboration-experiment/\"\u003eElaborate by thinking, writing and connecting\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Writing is the only thing that matters"},{"content":"In Judging Truth (Annual Review of Psychology), the authors make the claim that truth judgments are constructed and reflect inferences drawn from 3 types of information:\nBase rates Feelings Consistency with information retrieved from memory Each of the three inferences usually increases accuracy.\nHowever, specific kinds of errors can result from each class of inference.\nPeople tend to accept incoming information from the environment as true. People tend to interpret feelings as evidence of truth. People tend to favor consistency with facts and memory. See also American abyss Information-action fallacy The constitution of knowledge Wanna bet? Writing is the only thing that matters How disinformation hacks your brain ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/judging-truth/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ca href=\"https://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-psych-010419-050807\"\u003eJudging Truth (Annual Review of Psychology)\u003c/a\u003e, the authors\nmake the claim that truth judgments are constructed and reflect\ninferences drawn from 3 types of information:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBase rates\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeelings\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConsistency with information retrieved from memory\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach of the three inferences usually increases accuracy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, specific kinds of errors can result from each class of\ninference.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeople tend to accept incoming information from the\nenvironment as true.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeople tend to interpret feelings as evidence of truth.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePeople tend to favor consistency with facts and memory.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/american-abyss/\"\u003eAmerican abyss\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/information-action-fallacy/\"\u003eInformation-action fallacy\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/constitution-of-knowledge/\"\u003eThe constitution of knowledge\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/wanna-bet/\"\u003eWanna bet?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/writing-is-only-thing/\"\u003eWriting is the only thing that matters\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/disinformation-hacks-brain/\"\u003eHow disinformation hacks your brain\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Judging truth"},{"content":"The 5 key insights I got from Brett Beasley\u0026rsquo;s How Disinformation Hacks Your Brain (Scientific American) are:\nIllusory truth effect says repeated claims are more believable. We often accept claims as true when they fit with our memories. Search algorithms return results based on keywords not truth. We will soon consume more false media than truth. Become a fact checker or rely on crowdsourced fact checkers. See also Wanna bet? Judging truth External links Illusory truth effect - Wikipedia ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/disinformation-hacks-brain/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe 5 key insights I got from Brett Beasley\u0026rsquo;s\n\u003ca href=\"https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/how-disinformation-hacks-your-brain/\"\u003eHow Disinformation Hacks Your Brain (Scientific American)\u003c/a\u003e\nare:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_truth_effect\"\u003eIllusory truth effect\u003c/a\u003e says repeated claims are more\nbelievable.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe often accept claims as true when they fit with our\nmemories.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSearch algorithms return results based on keywords not truth.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe will soon consume more false media than truth.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBecome a fact checker or rely on crowdsourced fact checkers.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/wanna-bet/\"\u003eWanna bet?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/judging-truth/\"\u003eJudging truth\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"external-links\"\u003eExternal links\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illusory_truth_effect\"\u003eIllusory truth effect - Wikipedia\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"How disinformation hacks your brain"},{"content":"Coming up with a partial solution can be a great way to breakdown a complex problem.\nSometimes the partial solution becomes part of your final solution.\nSometimes a partial solution helps you explore the more complex problem so that you can apply other problem-solving strategies.\nSometimes the partial solution is enough. The original problem still exists, but now you can live with it.\nA partial solution is usually better than no solution.\nSee also Breakdown the problem ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/partial-solution/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eComing up with a partial solution can be a great way to breakdown\na complex problem.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes the partial solution becomes part of your final\nsolution.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes a partial solution helps you explore the more complex\nproblem so that you can apply other problem-solving strategies.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes the partial solution is enough. The original problem\nstill exists, but now you can live with it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA partial solution is usually better than no solution.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Come up with a partial solution"},{"content":"To breakdown a complex problem, you can try solving an extreme example of the problem.\nThe solution for the extreme case will likely be part of your final solution. It will also help to set the bounds of your final solution.\nSo find some aspect of your complex problem that\u0026rsquo;s bugging you and getting in your way.\nSolve it.\nIf you want to push this strategy further, exaggerate that aspect of the problem.\nIf money is an issue, what if you had no money available? What would the solution look like? What if you had unlimited money?\nIf time is an issue, try exaggerating the amount of time available.\nSee also Breakdown the problem ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/extreme-example/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eTo breakdown a complex problem, you can try solving an extreme\nexample of the problem.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe solution for the extreme case will likely be part of your\nfinal solution. It will also help to set the bounds of your final\nsolution.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo find some aspect of your complex problem that\u0026rsquo;s bugging you\nand getting in your way.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolve it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to push this strategy further, exaggerate that aspect\nof the problem.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Solve an extreme example of the problem"},{"content":"Solving a concrete example of your problem helps you to explore the problem and breakdown a complex problem.\nThis strategy will often get you much closer to the more general solution.\nTry out a few concrete examples to see if there\u0026rsquo;s a pattern in the solutions.\nIf you see a pattern, that\u0026rsquo;s perfect!\nIf there\u0026rsquo;s no clear pattern, that works, too. You\u0026rsquo;ve learned a ton about the problem.\nSee also Breakdown the problem ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/concrete-example/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eSolving a concrete example of your problem helps you to explore\nthe problem and breakdown a complex problem.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis strategy will often get you much closer to the more general\nsolution.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTry out a few concrete examples to see if there\u0026rsquo;s a pattern in\nthe solutions.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you see a pattern, that\u0026rsquo;s perfect!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf there\u0026rsquo;s no clear pattern, that works, too. You\u0026rsquo;ve learned a\nton about the problem.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/breakdown-problem/\"\u003eBreakdown the problem\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Solve a concrete example of your problem"},{"content":"When you\u0026rsquo;re having trouble breaking down a complex problem, coming up with an incorrect solution can help.\nSo start with a solution that you know is incorrect.\nNow\u0026hellip;\nHow would you correct the solution?\nCorrecting the incorrect solution is a new problem, and that\u0026rsquo;s exactly what you want!\nSee also Breakdown the problem ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/incorrect-solution/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWhen you\u0026rsquo;re having trouble breaking down a complex problem,\ncoming up with an incorrect solution can help.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo start with a solution that you know is incorrect.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNow\u0026hellip;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow would you correct the solution?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCorrecting the incorrect solution is a new problem, and that\u0026rsquo;s\nexactly what you want!\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/breakdown-problem/\"\u003eBreakdown the problem\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Come up with an incorrect solution"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;ve been using a variation of the budgeting system described in StackBacks Automated Budget System (Wayback Machine) for many years now.\nIt\u0026rsquo;s super simple to setup.\nHere\u0026rsquo;s a summary of the 3 key points from the PDF:\nBudgeting should be automated. The 2 types of expenses are planned and unplanned. To setup the system, figure out your expenses, setup your account and then setup the flow. See also Is inequality inevitable? Better schools won\u0026rsquo;t fix America ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/stackbacks/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;ve been using a variation of the budgeting system described in\n\u003ca href=\"https://web.archive.org/web/20090206134945/http://stackbacks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/stackbacks_budget.pdf\"\u003eStackBacks Automated Budget System (Wayback Machine)\u003c/a\u003e for\nmany years now.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s super simple to setup.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere\u0026rsquo;s a summary of the 3 key points from the PDF:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBudgeting should be automated.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe 2 types of expenses are planned and unplanned.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTo setup the system, figure out your expenses, setup your\naccount and then setup the flow.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/is-inequality-inevitable/\"\u003eIs inequality inevitable?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/better-schools/\"\u003eBetter schools won\u0026rsquo;t fix America\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"StackBacks automated budget system"},{"content":"K: The Overlooked Variable That\u0026rsquo;s Driving the Pandemic (The Atlantic) is a fascinating approach to addressing a key spreader of the pandemic: super-spreading events.\nHere are 6 key takeaways from Zeynep Tufekci\u0026rsquo;s article:\nThe overlooked variable is K, and it measures whether a virus spreads steadily or in bursts. We should be targeting clusters (a.k.a. super-spreading events) to reduce transmission numbers. Use backward tracing to trace 2-3X more cases than traditional forward tracing. Use fast, cheap, low-sensitivity tests to identify clusters. Sweden didn\u0026rsquo;t lockdown but instead targeted super-spreading. Japan committed to cluster-busting. See also The plan that could give us our lives back External links K number: what is the coronavirus metric that could be crucial as lockdown eases? (The Guardian) ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/overlooked-pandemic-variable/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/09/k-overlooked-variable-driving-pandemic/616548/\"\u003eK: The Overlooked Variable That\u0026rsquo;s Driving the Pandemic (The Atlantic)\u003c/a\u003e\nis a fascinating approach to addressing a key spreader of the\npandemic: super-spreading events.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are 6 key takeaways from Zeynep Tufekci\u0026rsquo;s article:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe overlooked variable is K, and it measures whether a virus\nspreads steadily or in bursts.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe should be targeting clusters (a.k.a. super-spreading\nevents) to reduce transmission numbers.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse backward tracing to trace 2-3X more cases than traditional\nforward tracing.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse fast, cheap, low-sensitivity tests to identify clusters.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSweden didn\u0026rsquo;t lockdown but instead targeted super-spreading.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJapan committed to cluster-busting.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/plan-to-give-us-lives-back/\"\u003eThe plan that could give us our lives back\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"external-links\"\u003eExternal links\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jun/01/k-number-what-is-coronavirus-metric-crucial-lockdown-eases\"\u003eK number: what is the coronavirus metric that could be crucial as lockdown eases? (The Guardian)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Overlooked variable is key to pandemic"},{"content":"I was awarded runner-up at the Long Island Software Awards (LISA) for a Java desktop application.\nI led the migration to AJAX for Marine Biology JSP web application. I learned how to use Java-based DWR AJAX technology for integration into a JSP application.\nI built Debian-based Linux web server from scratch on a VPS hosted VM.\nI was selected from group of approximately 100 to develop Chemistry student-learning system (LUCID).\nSee also My resume Better schools won\u0026rsquo;t fix America External links Project Java 2000 - Chemistry Team ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/research-background/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI was awarded runner-up at the Long Island Software Awards (LISA)\nfor a Java desktop application.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI led the migration to AJAX for Marine Biology JSP web\napplication. I learned how to use Java-based DWR AJAX technology\nfor integration into a JSP application.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI built  Debian-based Linux web server from scratch on a VPS\nhosted VM.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was selected from group of approximately 100 to develop\nChemistry student-learning system (LUCID).\u003c/p\u003e","title":"My research background"},{"content":"I designed and delivered a C++ feature \u0026ldquo;AutoSave App-wide Setting\u0026rdquo; for Word, Excel and Powerpoint. This is used by tens of thousands of customers every day to improve their AutoSave experience.\nI delivered a C++ feature \u0026ldquo;Encourage AutoSave Teaching UI\u0026rdquo; for Excel and Powerpoint. This is helping customers every day discover AutoSave.\nI eliminated 2 of the top crashes affecting Word, Excel and Powerpoint due to reentrancy and request cancellation. This affected tens of thousands of customers every day and were 2 of the longest unsolved crashes.\nSee also Working in the Office Division ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/office-win32-development/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI designed and delivered a C++ feature \u0026ldquo;AutoSave App-wide\nSetting\u0026rdquo; for Word, Excel and Powerpoint. This is used by tens of\nthousands of customers every day to improve their AutoSave\nexperience.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI delivered a C++ feature \u0026ldquo;Encourage AutoSave Teaching UI\u0026rdquo; for\nExcel and Powerpoint. This is helping customers every day\ndiscover AutoSave.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI eliminated 2 of the top crashes affecting Word, Excel and\nPowerpoint due to reentrancy and request cancellation. This\naffected tens of thousands of customers every day and were 2 of\nthe longest unsolved crashes.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Developing Office Win32 software"},{"content":"I delivered a C# tool to identify and eliminate top failing tests. This tool (and a process I developed) affects every engineer on File I/O by reducing the noise of flaky tests.\nI delivered JavaScript/KendoUI Validation Dashboard for signing off on monthly releases. This is used by management to assess the risk of a new monthly release.\nI delivered a backdoor hybrid C++/C# lock API to enable Excel automation. This API is heavily used by engineers throughout Office to test locks.\nSee also Working in the Office Division ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/office-test-automation/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI delivered a C# tool to identify and eliminate top failing\ntests. This tool (and a process I developed) affects every\nengineer on File I/O by reducing the noise of flaky tests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI delivered JavaScript/KendoUI Validation Dashboard for signing\noff on monthly releases. This is used by management to assess the\nrisk of a new monthly release.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI delivered a backdoor hybrid C++/C# lock API to enable Excel\nautomation. This API is heavily used by engineers throughout\nOffice to test locks.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Working with Office test automation"},{"content":"I worked at Microsoft as an SDET2 in the Health Solutions Group from Jun-2010 to Feb-2012.\nI delivered end-to-end testing of Quality Measurement Module (QMM).\nI reduced execution time of a C# test suite by 30% using a binary caching strategy.\nI designed and implemented a message generator using C# to achieve 100% edge coverage of a set of CMS state flow diagrams.\nI delivered a suite of PowerShell scripts to find 300+ bugs in a look-up table implementation.\nSee also Working at Microsoft ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/hsg-work/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI worked at \u003ca href=\"/posts/microsoft-work/\"\u003eMicrosoft\u003c/a\u003e as an SDET2 in the\n\u003ca href=\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Amalga\"\u003eHealth Solutions Group\u003c/a\u003e from Jun-2010 to Feb-2012.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI delivered end-to-end testing of Quality Measurement Module\n(QMM).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI reduced execution time of a C# test suite by 30% using a binary\ncaching strategy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI designed and implemented a message generator using C# to\nachieve 100% edge coverage of a set of CMS state flow diagrams.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI delivered a suite of PowerShell scripts to find 300+ bugs in a\nlook-up table implementation.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Working in the Health Solutions Group"},{"content":"I worked at Microsoft as an SDET2 in Engineering Excellence from Mar-2012 to Mar-2014.\nI designed and delivered a C# web service test solution. This allowed the feature crew to gain confidence that the new web service had parity with the old web service.\nI designed and delivered a C#/SQL Server test solution for verification of a file upload. This allowed the team to gain confidence over a broad set of real-life customer data.\nI eliminated a cascading failure and many reliability issues in a C# automated test suite. This gave the team confidence to rely on the test suite for end-to-end verification.\nI delivered an automated C#/PowerShell deployment framework bringing deployments from a few days to about 1 hour.\nSee also Working at Microsoft ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/ee-work/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI worked at \u003ca href=\"/posts/microsoft-work/\"\u003eMicrosoft\u003c/a\u003e as an SDET2 in Engineering Excellence\nfrom Mar-2012 to Mar-2014.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI designed and delivered a C# web service test solution. This\nallowed the feature crew to gain confidence that the new web\nservice had parity with the old web service.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI designed and delivered a C#/SQL Server test solution for\nverification of a file upload. This allowed the team to gain\nconfidence over a broad set of real-life customer data.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Working in Engineering Excellence"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;m currently working at Microsoft as a Senior Software Engineer in the Office Division since Apr-2014.\nOffice Win32 development Office C++/C# test automation See also Working at Microsoft ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/office-work/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;m currently working at \u003ca href=\"/posts/microsoft-work/\"\u003eMicrosoft\u003c/a\u003e as a Senior Software\nEngineer in the \u003ca href=\"https://office.microsoft.com\"\u003eOffice Division\u003c/a\u003e since Apr-2014.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/office-win32-development/\"\u003eOffice Win32 development\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/office-test-automation/\"\u003eOffice C++/C# test automation\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/microsoft-work/\"\u003eWorking at Microsoft\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Working in the Office Division"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;ve been working at Microsoft since Jun-2010. Here are the teams I\u0026rsquo;ve worked on:\nOffice (2014-Present) Engineering Excellence (2012-2014) Health Solutions Group (2010-2012) See also My resume ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/microsoft-work/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;ve been working at \u003ca href=\"https://microsoft.com\"\u003eMicrosoft\u003c/a\u003e since\nJun-2010. Here are the teams I\u0026rsquo;ve worked on:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/office-work/\"\u003eOffice (2014-Present)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/ee-work/\"\u003eEngineering Excellence (2012-2014)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/hsg-work/\"\u003eHealth Solutions Group (2010-2012)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/resume/\"\u003eMy resume\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Working at Microsoft"},{"content":"I worked as a Senior Computer Scientist at White Oak from May-2009 to Jun-2010.\nI achieved 3X speed increase for automated builds as well as increased reliability.\nI improved testing of an upload tool by building a PyUnit test automation framework.\nI reviewed the team\u0026rsquo;s testing procedures and suggested areas for improvement.\nSee also My resume ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/white-oak-work/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI worked as a Senior Computer Scientist at\n\u003ca href=\"http://woti.com/\"\u003eWhite Oak\u003c/a\u003e from May-2009 to Jun-2010.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI achieved 3X speed increase for automated builds as well as\nincreased reliability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI improved testing of an upload tool by building a PyUnit test\nautomation framework.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI reviewed the team\u0026rsquo;s testing procedures and suggested areas for\nimprovement.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/resume/\"\u003eMy resume\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Working at White Oak Technologies"},{"content":"I worked as a Senior Programmer Analyst at Mount Sinai Medical Center from Nov-2007 to Apr-2009.\nI designed and delivered a Tablet PC application using .NET C#, WinForms and NHibernate/MySQL and collaborated across health professionals and IT.\nI also launched the division\u0026rsquo;s first intranet clinical website.\nI was retained as a consultant for over 2 additional years from Apr-2009 to Jul-2011.\nSee also My resume ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/mount-sinai-work/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI worked as a Senior Programmer Analyst at\n\u003ca href=\"http://mountsinai.org/\"\u003eMount Sinai Medical Center\u003c/a\u003e\nfrom Nov-2007 to Apr-2009.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI designed and delivered a Tablet PC application using .NET C#,\nWinForms and NHibernate/MySQL and collaborated across health\nprofessionals and IT.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI also launched the division\u0026rsquo;s first intranet clinical website.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was retained as a consultant for over 2 additional years from\nApr-2009 to Jul-2011.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/resume/\"\u003eMy resume\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Working at Mount Sinai Medical Center"},{"content":"I worked as Lead Programmer Analyst at Stony Brook Medical Center from Feb-2006 to Nov-2007.\nI delivered a multi-threaded Java application for use in the operating room using Java Swing and RMI.\nI automated the monitoring of over 20 Oracle 10G databases using Java, Python and PL/SQL.\nI also developed and implemented a distributed architecture making heavy use of Oracle Streams.\nSee also My resume ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/stony-brook-work/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI worked as Lead Programmer Analyst at\n\u003ca href=\"http://stonybrookmedicalcenter.org/\"\u003eStony Brook Medical Center\u003c/a\u003e\nfrom Feb-2006 to Nov-2007.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI delivered a multi-threaded Java application for use in the\noperating room using Java Swing and RMI.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI automated the monitoring of over 20 Oracle 10G databases using\nJava, Python and PL/SQL.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI also developed and implemented a distributed architecture\nmaking heavy use of Oracle Streams.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/resume/\"\u003eMy resume\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Working at Stony Brook Medical Center"},{"content":"I worked at LifeTree Technology from Feb-2001 to Feb-2006.\nI was a Software Developer and was promoted in 1 year to Project Manager in a start-up environment.\nI led the .NET migration of a clinical trial web application written originally written in ASP. The migrated app uses ASP.NET, C#, CSS, JavaScript and SQL Server.\nI also delivered a Windows Service solution for DPAPI connection string encryption to address security vulnerability using ASP and C#.\nI was also frequently recruited to resolve time-sensitive customer and production issues.\nSee also My resume ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/lifetree-work/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI worked at LifeTree Technology from Feb-2001 to Feb-2006.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI was a Software Developer and was promoted in 1 year to Project\nManager in a start-up environment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI led the .NET migration of a clinical trial web application written\noriginally written in ASP. The migrated app uses ASP.NET, C#,\nCSS, JavaScript and SQL Server.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI also delivered a Windows Service solution for DPAPI connection\nstring encryption to address security vulnerability using ASP and\nC#.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Working at LifeTree Technology"},{"content":"I graduated with a Masters of Science in Bioinformatics from Johns Hopkins University with a GPA of 3.9.\nI graduated with a Bachelors and Masters of Science in Computer Science from SUNY at Stony Brook with a GPA of 3.8.\nSee also My resume Better schools won\u0026rsquo;t fix America ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/education-background/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI graduated with a Masters of Science in \u003ca href=\"http://bioinformatics.jhu.edu/\"\u003eBioinformatics\u003c/a\u003e from\n\u003ca href=\"http://www.johnshopkins.edu/\"\u003eJohns Hopkins University\u003c/a\u003e with a GPA of 3.9.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI graduated with a Bachelors and Masters of Science in \u003ca href=\"http://www.cs.sunysb.edu/\"\u003eComputer\nScience\u003c/a\u003e from \u003ca href=\"http://sunysb.edu/\"\u003eSUNY at Stony Brook\u003c/a\u003e with a GPA of 3.8.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/resume/\"\u003eMy resume\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/better-schools/\"\u003eBetter schools won\u0026rsquo;t fix America\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"My education background"},{"content":"Social Darwinism is the application of natural selection to sociology, economics and politics.\nOur society exhibits natural selection or survival of the fittest where \u0026ldquo;fit\u0026rdquo; is defined as things that give you access to more resources.\nWhile we may observe this in our society, most of us don\u0026rsquo;t want to live in a world where social Darwinism is allowed everywhere. For example, variations of social Darwinism have been used to justify some horrifying things e.g. Nazi Germany, Japanese Imperialism.\nSocial Darwinism should remain an observation and shouldn\u0026rsquo;t be used as a justification for action or inaction.\nWhen social Darwinism is observed in society, humans generally need systems to address it. All systems of governing are about addressing or neutralizing social Darwinism. If those that are fitter corrupt these systems, we should also neutralize this.\nWhere most differ is to what degree we want to address social Darwinism.\nSee also The mindfulness conspiracy Who rules America? Is inequality inevitable? External links Social Darwinism - Wikipedia ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/social-darwinism/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eSocial Darwinism is the application of natural selection to\nsociology, economics and politics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur society exhibits natural selection or survival of the\nfittest where \u0026ldquo;fit\u0026rdquo; is defined as things that give you access to\nmore resources.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile we may observe this in our society, most of us don\u0026rsquo;t want\nto live in a world where social Darwinism is allowed everywhere.\nFor example, variations of social Darwinism have been used to\njustify some horrifying things e.g. Nazi Germany, Japanese\nImperialism.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Neutralizing social Darwinism"},{"content":"I blog to learn, teach and grow.\nI love finding a problem, letting others know I\u0026rsquo;m going after it, iterating over various solutions (especially using data!) and then sitting back to see the problem solved (this is my high performance pattern).\nFrequently, I\u0026rsquo;m not the only one encountering these problems, and so I share my solutions with you.\nUltimately, my hope is for you and I to be better every day.\nYou\u0026rsquo;ll usually find me learning better ways to wrangle data, becoming a better programmer and lifehacking.\nMy writing will undoubtedly evolve over time.\nSee also About me Stop collecting, and start producing Reinterpreting ideas through your own lens ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/why-blog/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI blog to learn, teach and grow.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI love finding a problem, letting others know I\u0026rsquo;m going after it,\niterating over various solutions (especially using data!) and\nthen sitting back to see the problem solved (this is my \u003ca href=\"http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1881052702/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;camp=1789\u0026amp;creative=9325\u0026amp;creativeASIN=1881052702\u0026amp;linkCode=as2\u0026amp;tag=rayli0d-20\u0026amp;linkId=IZBTNODLHWMBSEHN\"\u003ehigh\nperformance pattern\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrequently, I\u0026rsquo;m not the only one encountering these problems, and\nso I share my solutions with you.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUltimately, my hope is for you and I to be better every day.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Why blog?"},{"content":"Ray Li is a software engineer and data enthusiast who has been blogging at rayli.net and hackerbits.com for over a decade. He loves to learn, teach and grow. You\u0026rsquo;ll usually find him wrangling data, programming and lifehacking.\nSee also About me ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/bio/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://rayli.net/\"\u003eRay Li\u003c/a\u003e is a software engineer and data enthusiast who has\nbeen blogging at \u003ca href=\"https://rayli.net/\"\u003erayli.net\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https://hackerbits.com/blog/\"\u003ehackerbits.com\u003c/a\u003e for over\na decade. He loves to learn, teach and grow. You\u0026rsquo;ll usually find\nhim wrangling data, programming and lifehacking.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/about/\"\u003eAbout me\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Short bio"},{"content":"The opinions expressed on this blog are my own personal opinions and do not represent my employer\u0026rsquo;s view in any way.\nrayli.net has affiliate partnerships e.g. Amazon. These do not influence editorial content, though rayli.net may earn commissions for products purchased via affiliate links.\nSee also About me ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/disclaimer/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eThe opinions expressed on this blog are my own personal opinions\nand do not represent my employer\u0026rsquo;s view in any way.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003erayli.net has affiliate partnerships e.g. Amazon. These do not\ninfluence editorial content, though rayli.net may earn\ncommissions for products purchased via affiliate links.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/about/\"\u003eAbout me\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Disclaimer"},{"content":" \u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/ai/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: ai\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Ai\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/blogging/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: blogging\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Blogging\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/climate/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: climate\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Climate\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/coronavirus/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: coronavirus\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Coronavirus\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/education/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: education\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Education\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/experiments/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: experiments\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Experiments\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/inequality/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: inequality\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Inequality\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/money/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: money\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Money\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/office/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: office\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Office\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/productivity/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: productivity\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Productivity\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/programming/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: programming\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Programming\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/thinking/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: thinking\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Thinking\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/truth/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: truth\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Truth\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/work/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: work\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Work\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;a href=/tags/zettelkasten/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: zettelkasten\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Zettelkasten\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\rSee also All posts ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/writing/","summary":"\u003c!-- raw HTML omitted --\u003e\n\u003cpre\u003e\u003ccode\u003e\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/ai/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: ai\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Ai\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/blogging/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: blogging\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Blogging\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/climate/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: climate\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Climate\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/coronavirus/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: coronavirus\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Coronavirus\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/education/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: education\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Education\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/experiments/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: experiments\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Experiments\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/inequality/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: inequality\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Inequality\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/money/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: money\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Money\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/office/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: office\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Office\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/productivity/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: productivity\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Productivity\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/programming/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: programming\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Programming\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/thinking/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: thinking\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Thinking\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/truth/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: truth\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Truth\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/work/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: work\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Work\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\u0026lt;li\u0026gt;\r\n\t\u0026lt;a href=/tags/zettelkasten/ title=\u0026quot;All writing tagged with: zettelkasten\u0026quot;\u0026gt;Zettelkasten\u0026lt;/a\u0026gt;\r\n\t\r\n\u0026lt;/li\u0026gt;\r\n\u003c/code\u003e\u003c/pre\u003e\n\u003c!-- raw HTML omitted --\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/\"\u003eAll posts\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Writing"},{"content":"Solving a simpler problem gets you closer to what your world looks like if your problem was solved.\nSolving the simpler problem either tells you more about the original problem, or helps you break it down by presenting you with a new problem.\nSee also Breakdown the problem ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/simpler-problem/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eSolving a simpler problem gets you closer to what your world\nlooks like if your problem was solved.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSolving the simpler problem either tells you more about the\noriginal problem, or helps you break it down by presenting you\nwith a new problem.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/breakdown-problem/\"\u003eBreakdown the problem\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Find a simpler problem"},{"content":"If you\u0026rsquo;re having trouble breaking down a problem into solvable chunks, here are 5 ways to get you unblocked:\nSolve a simpler problem. Come up with a solution that\u0026rsquo;s incorrect. Solve a concrete example of the problem. Solve an extreme example of the problem. Come up with a partial solution. See also Deliver weekly chunks ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/breakdown-problem/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re having trouble breaking down a problem into solvable\nchunks, here are 5 ways to get you unblocked:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/simpler-problem/\"\u003eSolve a simpler problem\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/incorrect-solution/\"\u003eCome up with a solution that\u0026rsquo;s incorrect\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/concrete-example/\"\u003eSolve a concrete example of the problem\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/extreme-example/\"\u003eSolve an extreme example of the problem\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/partial-solution\"\u003eCome up with a partial solution\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/weekly-chunks/\"\u003eDeliver weekly chunks\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Breakdown the problem"},{"content":"Better Public Schools Won’t Fix Income Inequality (The Atlantic) is one of those belief-altering articles that completely changed my thoughts around education.\nHere are 8 of Nick Hanauer\u0026rsquo;s most powerful points:\nEducationism is the idea that poverty and inequality can be solved with education. Education-reform ignores the greatest driver of student achievement: household income. Great public schools don\u0026rsquo;t create a thriving middle class, great public schools are a product of thriving middle class. Income inequality has exploded despite education progress. The lower the parent\u0026rsquo;s income, the lower the educational attainment. Educationists ignore the disease (economic inequality) and focus on the symptom (education inequality). Limited family income is difficult to overcome even for students that are naturally gifted. Pay the average worker more, and you will create a thriving middle class that addresses both economic and educational inequality. See also StackBacks automated budget system Is inequality inevitable? Stop collecting, and start producing ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/better-schools/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/07/education-isnt-enough/590611/\"\u003eBetter Public Schools Won’t Fix Income Inequality (The Atlantic)\u003c/a\u003e\nis one of those belief-altering articles that completely changed\nmy thoughts around education.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHere are 8 of Nick Hanauer\u0026rsquo;s most powerful points:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEducationism is the idea that poverty and inequality can be\nsolved with education.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEducation-reform ignores the greatest driver of student\nachievement: household income.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreat public schools don\u0026rsquo;t create a thriving middle class,\ngreat public schools are a product of thriving middle class.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncome inequality has exploded despite education progress.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe lower the parent\u0026rsquo;s income, the lower the educational\nattainment.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEducationists ignore the disease (economic inequality) and\nfocus on the symptom (education inequality).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLimited family income is difficult to overcome even for\nstudents that are naturally gifted.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePay the average worker more, and you will create a thriving\nmiddle class that addresses both economic and educational\ninequality.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/stackbacks/\"\u003eStackBacks automated budget system\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/is-inequality-inevitable/\"\u003eIs inequality inevitable?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/stop-collecting/\"\u003eStop collecting, and start producing\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Better schools won't fix America"},{"content":"In G. William Domhoff\u0026rsquo;s piece Who Rules America: Wealth, Income, and Power, he makes 8 compelling points that should make you wonder whether you truly understand where you stand in America:\nWealth is the value of what you own while income is what you earn. Wealth is highly concentrated in just a few hands in the US. Wealth leads to power, and power leads to wealth. US is a power pyramid with the bottom 80-90% having no power. Tax cuts on capital gains and dividends benefits only the top Americans who get the majority of their income from capital gains and dividends. The US has both wealth and income highly concentrated. In the US, taxes and transfer payments reduce inequality but not much. CEOs generally get the salary they think they deserve. See also Neutralizing social Darwinism Is inequality inevitable? ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/who-rules-america/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn G. William Domhoff\u0026rsquo;s piece\n\u003ca href=\"https://whorulesamerica.ucsc.edu/power/wealth.html\"\u003eWho Rules America: Wealth, Income, and Power\u003c/a\u003e, he makes 8\ncompelling points that should make you wonder whether you truly\nunderstand where you stand in America:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWealth is the value of what you own while income is what you\nearn.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWealth is highly concentrated in just a few hands in the US.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWealth leads to power, and power leads to wealth.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUS is a power pyramid with the bottom 80-90% having no power.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTax cuts on capital gains and dividends benefits only the top\nAmericans who get the majority of their income from capital\ngains and dividends.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe US has both wealth and income highly concentrated.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the US, taxes and transfer payments reduce inequality but\nnot much.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCEOs generally get the salary they think they deserve.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/social-darwinism/\"\u003eNeutralizing social Darwinism\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/is-inequality-inevitable/\"\u003eIs inequality inevitable?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Who rules America?"},{"content":"Okay, so that\u0026rsquo;s incremental value.\nYou might be wondering\u0026hellip;\nWhy every week?\nTaking control and delivering incremental value every week is one of the single most effective ways to focus your work on your project.\nIf you can figure out how to deliver a thing of value every week on the project you\u0026rsquo;re working on, you can pretty much tackle anything.\nIt sounds simple, but to be honest, it\u0026rsquo;s also really difficult.\nFiguring out how to break-up your problem into valuable chunks that you can deliver week over week isn\u0026rsquo;t easy. The chunks have to be meaningful, and it\u0026rsquo;s usually not something that happens by default.\nFind a way to chunk up the thing you’re working on and make those chunks go away each week.\nSee also Weekly incremental value Feedback loops are the secret behind exponential growth ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/weekly-chunks/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eOkay, so that\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"/posts/deliver-incremental-value/\"\u003eincremental value\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou might be wondering\u0026hellip;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhy every week?\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaking control and delivering incremental value every week is one\nof the single most effective ways to focus your work on your\nproject.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you can figure out how to deliver a thing of value every week\non the project you\u0026rsquo;re working on, you can pretty much tackle\nanything.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt sounds simple, but to be honest, it\u0026rsquo;s also really difficult.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Deliver weekly chunks"},{"content":"Delivering incremental value is the secret to supercharging your results.\nNot only do people benefit from seeing the thing being delivered incrementally, you can also learn whether you\u0026rsquo;re heading in the right direction before investing too much.\nIn the world of software development, incremental value doesn\u0026rsquo;t have to be a commit (although that\u0026rsquo;s probably the best kind of value). It could be a demo-able prototype, a plan, documenting something, etc.\nBrown bags are also great examples of incremental value.\nWhile this doesn\u0026rsquo;t directly impact the customer, there\u0026rsquo;s frequently a bunch of learnings that you can share with the team.\nThe core idea is\u0026hellip;\nConstantly deliver value to someone who cares about the problem you\u0026rsquo;re solving. It might be the customer (a commit), a partner team (a timely update or commit), your lead (a plan) or your manager.\nSee also Weekly incremental value ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/deliver-incremental-value/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eDelivering incremental value is the secret to supercharging your\nresults.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot only do people benefit from seeing the thing being delivered\nincrementally, you can also learn whether you\u0026rsquo;re heading in the\nright direction before investing too much.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the world of software development, incremental value doesn\u0026rsquo;t\nhave to be a commit (although that\u0026rsquo;s probably the best kind of\nvalue). It could be a demo-able prototype, a plan, documenting\nsomething, etc.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Deliver incremental value"},{"content":"A simple, repeatable system for doing great work on your team is to:\nTake a problem on your team. Work on it. Make it go away for your team. Ask for another problem. Then repeat steps 1-4. I think this is a great system. It\u0026rsquo;s super simple, but simple doesn\u0026rsquo;t mean easy.\nIt\u0026rsquo;s made more difficult because there\u0026rsquo;s a thing missing\u0026hellip;\nHow do you do those steps within the context of the problems and projects you work on?\nOnce you\u0026rsquo;ve got a problem or project (step 1), here\u0026rsquo;s a concrete system for working on it and making it go away (steps 2 and 3).\nThis is repeatable and works for me every time:\nDeliver incremental value. Do this every week. This is prescriptive and incredibly actionable.\nAfter a while, you\u0026rsquo;ll run out of things to do every week for the problem you\u0026rsquo;re working on.\nCongratulations!\nYou\u0026rsquo;ve made the problem go away. Now go ask for another one. :)\nSee also README driven development Stop collecting, and start producing External links Day 23 - Design Your Week With Skill - Getting Results the Agile Way Agile Project Delivery Using Timeboxing, Rhythm, and Incremental Value - JD Meier ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/weekly-incremental-value/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eA simple, repeatable system for doing great work on your team is\nto:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTake a problem on your team.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWork on it.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMake it go away for your team.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAsk for another problem.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThen repeat steps 1-4.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI think this is a great system. It\u0026rsquo;s super simple, but simple\ndoesn\u0026rsquo;t mean easy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt\u0026rsquo;s made more difficult because there\u0026rsquo;s a thing missing\u0026hellip;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow do you do those steps within the context of the problems and\nprojects you work on?\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Weekly incremental value"},{"content":"In Jake Johnson\u0026rsquo;s Common Dreams piece Disturbing Milestone (Common Dreams), he details:\nThe top 12 American billionaires now own more than $1 trillion in wealth. That\u0026rsquo;s a lot of economic and political power in the hands of just 12 people. Their combined wealth soared by $283 billion due to the coronavirus spread. While the top 12 are profiting, tens of millions of Americans are either unemployed or close to unemployed. While the top 12 likely obeyed US laws, it\u0026rsquo;s worth asking the question:\nIs this the world we want? If not, how can we change our laws and systems to create the world we want?\nSee also Is inequality inevitable? ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/disturbing-milestone/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn Jake Johnson\u0026rsquo;s Common Dreams piece\n\u003ca href=\"https://www.commondreams.org/news/2020/08/17/disturbing-milestone-just-12-us-billionaires-now-own-more-1-trillion-combined-wealth\"\u003eDisturbing Milestone (Common Dreams)\u003c/a\u003e,\nhe details:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe top 12 American billionaires now own more than $1 trillion\nin wealth.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThat\u0026rsquo;s a lot of economic and political power in the hands of\njust 12 people.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTheir combined wealth soared by $283 billion due to the\ncoronavirus spread.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhile the top 12 are profiting, tens of millions of Americans\nare either unemployed or close to unemployed.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile the top 12 likely obeyed US laws, it\u0026rsquo;s worth asking the\nquestion:\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Disturbing milestone"},{"content":"Key characteristics of the affine wealth model:\nThe affine wealth model is agent-based i.e. each person or corporation is an agent. Wealth distribution arises from pairwise agent transactions e.g. agent A has a transaction with agent B. Wealth moves when an agent makes a mistake. The affine wealth model matches empirical data on US wealth distribution. chi stabilizes the wealth distribution and avoids oligarchy. zeta results in partial oligarchy. kappa shifts the wealth distribution downward to model debt. See also Is inequality inevitable? ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/affine-wealth-model/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eKey characteristics of the affine wealth model:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe affine wealth model is agent-based i.e. each person or\ncorporation is an agent.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWealth distribution arises from pairwise agent transactions\ne.g. agent A has a transaction with agent B.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWealth moves when an agent makes a mistake.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe affine wealth model matches empirical data on US wealth\ndistribution.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003echi stabilizes the wealth distribution and avoids\n\u003ca href=\"/posts/no-right-vs-left/\"\u003eoligarchy\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ezeta results in partial \u003ca href=\"/posts/no-right-vs-left/\"\u003eoligarchy\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ekappa shifts the wealth distribution downward to model debt.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/is-inequality-inevitable/\"\u003eIs inequality inevitable?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"What is the affine wealth model?"},{"content":"Is Inequality Inevitable? (Scientific American) makes a compelling argument about wealth that I\u0026rsquo;ve always suspected but lacked support.\nThe key ideas I took away from Bruce Boghosian\u0026rsquo;s article are:\nThe affine wealth model reveals the tendency towards wealth concentration or extreme inequality even if the outcome of a transaction is chosen randomly. If the transaction outcome is random, then luck plays a bigger role in amassing wealth than most people think. Wealth tends to flow upward. As a result, the free market is essentially a casino you can never leave. Fortunately, redistribution sets a limit on inequality, but it\u0026rsquo;s not necessarily a tax (see chi, zeta and kappa parameters of the affine wealth model). See also StackBacks automated budget system Neutralizing social Darwinism Who rules America? Better schools won\u0026rsquo;t fix America ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/is-inequality-inevitable/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/is-inequality-inevitable/\"\u003eIs Inequality Inevitable? (Scientific American)\u003c/a\u003e\nmakes a compelling argument about wealth that I\u0026rsquo;ve always\nsuspected but lacked support.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe key ideas I took away from Bruce Boghosian\u0026rsquo;s article are:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"/posts/affine-wealth-model/\"\u003eaffine wealth model\u003c/a\u003e reveals the tendency towards\nwealth concentration or extreme inequality even if the outcome\nof a transaction is chosen randomly.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIf the transaction outcome is random, then luck plays a bigger\nrole in amassing wealth than most people think.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWealth tends to flow upward.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAs a result, the free market is essentially a casino you can\nnever leave.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFortunately, redistribution sets a limit on inequality, but\nit\u0026rsquo;s not necessarily a tax (see\n\u003ca href=\"/posts/affine-wealth-model/\"\u003echi, zeta and kappa parameters of the affine wealth model\u003c/a\u003e).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/stackbacks/\"\u003eStackBacks automated budget system\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/social-darwinism/\"\u003eNeutralizing social Darwinism\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/who-rules-america/\"\u003eWho rules America?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/better-schools/\"\u003eBetter schools won\u0026rsquo;t fix America\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Is inequality inevitable?"},{"content":"To benefit from reading, make something out of what you read.\nMaking something out of what you read could be something as simple as summarizing in your own words or something a bit more involved like a blog post or PowerPoint slides.\nTeaching someone is probably the ultimate form of actively making something out of what you read.\nThe underlying principle remains the same:\nBreak the collector\u0026rsquo;s fallacy.\nUnless you\u0026rsquo;re reading for pleasure, passively collecting information in your mind or in your notes is the exact opposite of making something out of what you read.\nCollecting is the opposite of learning and knowledge.\nSo start now\u0026hellip; stop collecting, and start producing.\nSee also Writing is the only thing that matters Weekly incremental value Better schools won\u0026rsquo;t fix America Why blog? External links Living with a Zettelkasten | Blay ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/stop-collecting/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eTo benefit from reading, make something out of what you read.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaking something out of what you read could be something as\nsimple as \u003ca href=\"/posts/summarizing-books/\"\u003esummarizing in your own words\u003c/a\u003e or something a bit\nmore involved like a blog post or PowerPoint slides.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeaching someone is probably the ultimate form of actively making\nsomething out of what you read.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe underlying principle remains the same:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBreak the collector\u0026rsquo;s fallacy.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnless you\u0026rsquo;re reading for pleasure, passively collecting\ninformation in your mind or in your notes is the exact opposite\nof making something out of what you read.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Stop collecting, and start producing"},{"content":"When you reinterpret ideas\u0026hellip;\nYou should be opinionated about what matters most. You should use them to share and collaborate with others. You should use them to get on the radar of readers, moderators and the original authors. You should see your reinterpretation as bridges for others to access these new ideas. See also Cognitive reappraisal techniques The ultimate guide to summarizing books Why blog? ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/reinterpreting-ideas/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eWhen you reinterpret ideas\u0026hellip;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou should be opinionated about what matters most.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou should use them to share and collaborate with others.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou should use them to get on the radar of readers, moderators\nand the original authors.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou should see your reinterpretation as bridges for\nothers to access these new ideas.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/cognitive-reappraisal-techniques/\"\u003eCognitive reappraisal techniques\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/summarizing-books/\"\u003eThe ultimate guide to summarizing books\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/why-blog/\"\u003eWhy blog?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Reinterpreting ideas through your own lens"},{"content":"The Ultimate Guide to Summarizing Books inspired my elaboration experiment.\nTiago Forte\u0026rsquo;s most powerful ideas that resonated with me are:\nRead with the intent of making something out of what you read. Summarize what you read, but reinterpret the ideas through your own lens. Look for content that is on the fringe of topics you care about. ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/summarizing-books/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://fortelabs.co/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-summarizing-books/\"\u003eThe Ultimate Guide to Summarizing Books\u003c/a\u003e\ninspired my \u003ca href=\"/posts/elaboration-experiment/\"\u003eelaboration experiment\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTiago Forte\u0026rsquo;s most powerful ideas that resonated with me are:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead with the intent of \u003ca href=\"/posts/stop-collecting/\"\u003emaking something out of what you read\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSummarize what you read, but \u003ca href=\"/posts/reinterpreting-ideas/\"\u003ereinterpret the ideas through\nyour own lens\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLook for content that is on the fringe of topics you care\nabout.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"The ultimate guide to summarizing books"},{"content":"How to Test Every American for COVID-19, Every Day (The Atlantic) is one of the most eye-opening articles I\u0026rsquo;ve read about testing in some time.\nThe main ideas I got from it are:\nUS isn\u0026rsquo;t delivering PCR results faster than the virus. Silent spreaders are the virus\u0026rsquo;s secret power. White House encouraged test competition, so nothing happened. We must out-volume the virus with a massive number of tests. PCR tests don\u0026rsquo;t measure contagiousness, so they don\u0026rsquo;t help stop virus. PCR tests are positive even when you\u0026rsquo;re not contagious. Squeeze more tests from PCR testing via pooling. Antigen tests are inferior around day 1-3 of an infection, but are way better at end of infection. Paper antigen tests are COVID-19 contagiousness tests. Paper antigen tests are fast but much less sensitive than PCR tests. FDA says antigen tests must have 80% sensitivity compared to PCR tests. See also Overlooked variable is key to pandemic ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/plan-to-give-us-lives-back/","summary":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/08/how-to-test-every-american-for-covid-19-every-day/615217/\"\u003eHow to Test Every American for COVID-19, Every Day (The Atlantic)\u003c/a\u003e\nis one of the most eye-opening articles I\u0026rsquo;ve read about\ntesting in some time.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe main ideas I got from it are:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUS isn\u0026rsquo;t delivering PCR results faster than the virus.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSilent spreaders are the virus\u0026rsquo;s secret power.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite House encouraged test competition, so nothing happened.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWe must out-volume the virus with a massive number of tests.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePCR tests don\u0026rsquo;t measure contagiousness, so they don\u0026rsquo;t help\nstop virus.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePCR tests are positive even when you\u0026rsquo;re not contagious.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSqueeze more tests from PCR testing via pooling.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAntigen tests are inferior around day 1-3 of an infection, but\nare way better at end of infection.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaper antigen tests are COVID-19 contagiousness tests.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePaper antigen tests are fast but much less sensitive than PCR\ntests.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFDA says antigen tests must have 80% sensitivity compared to\nPCR tests.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/overlooked-pandemic-variable/\"\u003eOverlooked variable is key to pandemic\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"The plan that could give us our lives back"},{"content":"In How To Take Smart Notes, Sönke Ahrens encourages the reader to elaborate by thinking, writing and then connecting.\nSo why not use a blog for the same purpose? :)\nThe blog becomes one possible path for the output of elaboration. It also expands how information is connected to other information.\nThe first step is to think enough about something so we\u0026rsquo;re able to write about it.\nThe second step is to think about what it means for other contexts as well\u0026hellip; how does it relate?\nOne way to discover relationships is to elaborate on the differences and similarities instead of sorting things by topic. This helps with learning and classification.\nSo let\u0026rsquo;s begin!\nSee also Writing is the only thing that matters The ultimate guide to summarizing books ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/posts/elaboration-experiment/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ca href=\"https://www.amazon.com/How-Take-Smart-Notes-Nonfiction/dp/1542866502/\"\u003eHow To Take Smart Notes\u003c/a\u003e, Sönke Ahrens encourages the\nreader to elaborate by thinking, writing and then connecting.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo why not use a blog for the same purpose? :)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe blog becomes one possible path for the output of elaboration.\nIt also expands how information is connected to other\ninformation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first step is to think enough about something so we\u0026rsquo;re able\nto write about it.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe second step is to think about what it means for other\ncontexts as well\u0026hellip; how does it relate?\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Elaborate by thinking, writing and connecting"},{"content":"You can send me an email:\n[my first name] @ rayli.net\nI\u0026rsquo;m also on LinkedIn.\n","permalink":"https://rayli.net/contact/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eYou can send me an email:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e[my first name] @ rayli.net\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;m also on \u003ca href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/raylidotnet\"\u003eLinkedIn\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Contact"},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;m a software engineer and data enthusiast. I live in the Seattle region in Washington with my wife and daughter. I work as a Software Engineer in the Office Division at Microsoft.\nI blog and publish the monthly Hacker Bits magazine.\nYou can send me an email.\nSee also Why blog? Short bio Disclaimer ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/about/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;m a software engineer and data enthusiast. I live in the\nSeattle region in Washington with my wife and daughter. I work as\na Software Engineer in the \u003ca href=\"/posts/office-work/\"\u003eOffice Division\u003c/a\u003e at \u003ca href=\"/posts/microsoft-work/\"\u003eMicrosoft\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI \u003ca href=\"/\"\u003eblog\u003c/a\u003e and publish the monthly \u003ca href=\"/hacker-bits/\"\u003eHacker Bits\u003c/a\u003e magazine.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou can send me an \u003ca href=\"/contact/\"\u003eemail\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"see-also\"\u003eSee also\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/why-blog/\"\u003eWhy blog?\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/bio/\"\u003eShort bio\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/disclaimer/\"\u003eDisclaimer\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Hi, I'm Ray Li."},{"content":"I\u0026rsquo;m a software engineer with diverse experience in designing, implementing and deploying .NET, Java and Python software applications.\nSpecific expertise includes graduate level education in Computer Science and Bioinformatics.\nStrengths include a strong background in data analysis and software testing.\nExperience Microsoft (2010-Present) White Oak Technologies (2009-2010) Mount Sinai Medical Center (2007-2009) Stony Brook Medical Center (2006-2007) LifeTree Technology (2001-2006) Academics Education Research External links Ray Li | LinkedIn Profile ","permalink":"https://rayli.net/resume/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI\u0026rsquo;m a software engineer with diverse experience in designing,\nimplementing and deploying .NET, Java and Python software\napplications.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpecific expertise includes graduate level education in Computer\nScience and Bioinformatics.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStrengths include a strong background in data analysis and\nsoftware testing.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"experience\"\u003eExperience\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/microsoft-work/\"\u003eMicrosoft (2010-Present)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/white-oak-work/\"\u003eWhite Oak Technologies (2009-2010)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/mount-sinai-work/\"\u003eMount Sinai Medical Center (2007-2009)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/stony-brook-work/\"\u003eStony Brook Medical Center (2006-2007)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/lifetree-work/\"\u003eLifeTree Technology (2001-2006)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"academics\"\u003eAcademics\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/education-background/\"\u003eEducation\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"/posts/research-background/\"\u003eResearch\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch1 id=\"external-links\"\u003eExternal links\u003c/h1\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/raylidotnet\"\u003eRay Li | LinkedIn Profile\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e","title":"Ray Li"},{"content":"I blog and publish Hacker Bits.\nHacker Bits is the monthly magazine that gives our readers the hottest technology stories straight from Hacker News.\nWe select from the top voted stories for our readers and email them in an easy-to-read email magazine format.\n","permalink":"https://rayli.net/hacker-bits/","summary":"\u003cp\u003eI \u003ca href=\"https://hackerbits.com/blog/\"\u003eblog\u003c/a\u003e and publish \u003ca href=\"https://hackerbits.com/issues\"\u003eHacker Bits\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https://hackerbits.com/issues\"\u003eHacker Bits\u003c/a\u003e is the monthly magazine that gives our readers\nthe hottest technology stories straight from \u003ca href=\"https://news.ycombinator.com/\"\u003eHacker News\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe select from the top voted stories for our readers and email\nthem in an easy-to-read email magazine format.\u003c/p\u003e","title":"Hacker Bits"}]