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I’m sure at least 75% of you guys in here are stronger technically than me. And 99% of you have probably seen more success in their careers than I have. But I’

I’m sure at least 75% of you guys in here are stronger technically than me. And 99% of you have probably seen more success in their careers than I have. But I’ve been building little throwaway code experiments for the last three years and its totally doable. I haven’t seen a regular paycheck since March 2019 when I was fired from a Director of Engineering role from a firm so shitty and a job so toxic I actually do think I have PTSD from it. Ironic given that my first job out of college was chasing warlords in Bosnia for the US Army in the 90s and helping the UN investigated mass grave sites. I’m poor enough that when I finally went to the VA to get benefits for my injuries from 20+ years ago, they actually put me in their homeless abatement program and I now live in Section 8 housing in Austin. And it’s actually pretty great. We’ve had 60 years of Moore’s law. At this point you can totally stuff the entire searchable internet on 4 good size hard drives (75-85 TB compressed) and 1 to 2 Gbps pipes are everywhere. And folks globally are rightly freaked out about a world driving towards totalitarianism and hungry for a change. I’ve been trying out various approaches over the last three years but have zero attachment to any ideas I have on the topic. But clearly this won’t get anywhere with just me or others sitting in our living rooms knowing that it’s fixable. I’m 100% willing to help anyone with ideas in this space however they might need help. Full stop. I know folks are sheepish about putting their contact info out there but here’s mine: Alex Ross alex.l.ross@gmail.com +1.213.500.5925 Feel free to drop me a line with: ideas you have, something you need, a word of encouragement, tell me I’m a moron or a drama queen, whatever. But for god sakes, guys, don’t look the other way. It’s 1939 Germany but this time we have no one to blame but ourselves…

shanebellone 4y ago
I'm an Army Veteran too. Afghanistan though as Bosnia was before my time. I'll shoot you an email, it would be nice to discuss technology with (presumably) another self-taught developer with similar life experiences. I also think we're on the precipice of something previously unthinkable. I'm undecided whether that outcome is authoritarianism or the country's implosion. On a less grim note, I do believe nuclear fusion has the potential to save us from ourselves. Indirectly, of course.
- runlaszlorun 4y ago
  Cool! Please do. Would love to get veterans together first and foremost. Not to mention millions of angry, battle tested insurgency/counterinsurgency experts are prob not what the world wants pointed in the wrong direction… haha. Actually getting the worlds military veterans together would be one hell of an idea. “No, sorry guys, the veterans all got together over beer, a little weed for those who partake, a lot of bbq, and a blew a few things up just for kicks and we decided that the politicians are full of shit on this one. The war is canceled.” hahaha Would love to hear your thoughts on nuclear fusion too.
martindbp 4y ago
> 99% of you have probably seen more success in their careers than I have. > Director of Engineering > chasing warlords in Bosnia for the US Army in the 90s and helping the UN investigated mass grave sites Very modest, or I guess I'm in that one percent.
dennis_jeeves1 4y ago
Alex, I presume that your post was basically directed at the whole social circle thing, if i understood you. I guess as the end of the day one has to ask as to what social circles achieves. I don't think any code or online solutions will in itself achieve anything, however it can be certainly an amplifier if there are the right people involved. Go ahead have a look at my profile and the link ( 5 minute read) that I put in the profile and see if it is something that perks your interest. Heads up: most people I think are repulsed by my idea, or at least would think I'm a nutcase.

shanebellone 4y ago

I'm an Army Veteran too. Afghanistan though as Bosnia was before my time. I'll shoot you an email, it would be nice to discuss technology with (presumably) another self-taught developer with similar life experiences. I also think we're on the precipice of something previously unthinkable. I'm undecided whether that outcome is authoritarianism or the country's implosion. On a less grim note, I do believe nuclear fusion has the potential to save us from ourselves. Indirectly, of course.

runlaszlorun 4y ago
Cool! Please do. Would love to get veterans together first and foremost. Not to mention millions of angry, battle tested insurgency/counterinsurgency experts are prob not what the world wants pointed in the wrong direction… haha. Actually getting the worlds military veterans together would be one hell of an idea. “No, sorry guys, the veterans all got together over beer, a little weed for those who partake, a lot of bbq, and a blew a few things up just for kicks and we decided that the politicians are full of shit on this one. The war is canceled.” hahaha Would love to hear your thoughts on nuclear fusion too.

martindbp 4y ago

> 99% of you have probably seen more success in their careers than I have. > Director of Engineering > chasing warlords in Bosnia for the US Army in the 90s and helping the UN investigated mass grave sites Very modest, or I guess I'm in that one percent.

dennis_jeeves1 4y ago

Alex, I presume that your post was basically directed at the whole social circle thing, if i understood you. I guess as the end of the day one has to ask as to what social circles achieves. I don't think any code or online solutions will in itself achieve anything, however it can be certainly an amplifier if there are the right people involved. Go ahead have a look at my profile and the link ( 5 minute read) that I put in the profile and see if it is something that perks your interest. Heads up: most people I think are repulsed by my idea, or at least would think I'm a nutcase.