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Programming For Your Users, Yourself, And The Older You; Or Writing Valuable, Maintainable, And Non Crazy Code

The post describes a creative way to embed a “file‑manager” style interface inside a phone or web application, using a tree‑like data structure built from simple node and edge arrays rather than recursive objects. By closing the main app with a magic key combination you can drop into this hidden file manager, which mirrors the application’s structure and represents all user resources; it serves as both a development aid—letting you remember code and track listeners—and a prototyping platform, enabling tools such as a form designer, theme generator, or finite‑state machine builder that output ready JavaScript via templates like EJS. Ultimately, this self‑editable system becomes a sellable product (e.g., a theme with bundled generators) that lets buyers generate, customize, and run applications directly in the browser, offering both practical utility for new projects and potential side income.

Potatoes; Or, The Biggest Problem In Application Programming

The post introduces “potatoes” as a lightweight abstraction for CouchDB documents that makes it easier to keep data in sync across a networked application and the user interface. Each potato has a unique ID and revision number, so changes are stored as separate files and the latest revision is chosen by sorting filenames—an eventual‑consistency approach that works even when many users update concurrently. By treating potatoes like Svelte stores or Bootstrap components, the author shows how UI elements can automatically refresh whenever a new winner revision appears, while “views” (small programs) filter changes to build the visible collection of potatoes. The article explains that this model supports simple list handling, page re‑calculation, and fast searches, all while keeping the system free from overwrites or hacks because each change is uniquely identified and propagated through Pouch/Couch or a custom storage layer.

Introduction To Programming: The Heck Is A State Machine?

A state machine is a simple programming pattern that forces an application into well‑defined states, each represented by a verb (e.g., “driving,” “warning,” “stopping”). The post uses a traffic light as an example: green → yellow → red → back to green, and shows how misnamed states (“red” for the stopping state) can confuse developers. It explains that actions are short commands that trigger transitions, while states persist over time; thus a state might be named “sleeping,” “driving,” or “warning.” Proper naming keeps the machine clear, enabling complex user‑interface flows to remain predictable and error‑free, because each transition is explicitly defined by an action leading into a verb‑named state.

Don't Generalize, Specialize; Or, How To Invent And Program Useful Web Applications

The author argues that applications become truly useful when they specialize into domain‑specific tools such as code editors or spreadsheet builders, rather than remaining general‑purpose; he cites Excel’s inevitable formulas and other legacy systems to show how users always need to learn a language, then introduces a song‑builder app that auto‑generates tracks with randomize settings, album covers, etc., proving that quick generation plus easy customization creates powerful tools—finally concluding that building specialized, customizable apps like a nature‑noise machine with recorded sounds and a simple web interface is the winning path to success.

How To Learn Big Programming With Little Programming

Start by exploring several‑hour JavaScript courses, then dive into pixel‑based projects with p5.js or playful JavaScript games; from there you can move on to Svelte (a 2022 technology) and its interactive tutorial for building graphic UIs. These tools let you tackle more complex topics like PouchDB by creating management programs, and a great hands‑on example is a color‑theme generator that teaches you rgba and HSL models—exploring opacity, hue, saturation, lightness, complementary colors, triads, and dynamic palettes inspired by clrs.cc. By letting users pick a starting angle (0–360°) or generating 360 themes, you can showcase vibrant color schemes on a portfolio site, turning the project into a simple yet powerful web app that reinforces your grasp of color models.

How To Become A Real Programmer

The author reflects on the value of working for oneself, arguing that a paycheck job ages you and breeds boredom, while self‑education fuels wisdom and fulfillment. He encourages envisioning his future self to decide whether to pursue simple coding or beautiful ideas, noting that lack of ideas stems from fear rather than talent. The post then shifts to practical advice: choose efficient, language‑unified web stacks—JavaScript in the browser with PouchDB/CouchDB for data sync—and front‑end frameworks like Svelte and Bootstrap—to write once and run everywhere. Finally he reminds that short cuts derail progress, urging honest, trail‑blazing effort.

On World Peace And Fraudulent Demands For Unearned Respect

The post argues that modern education systems—shaped by religion, centralized schooling, and rigid borders—have stalled human progress and fueled conflict. It calls for a new, reality‑based learning model: self‑directed, individualized lessons that reward real results and are grounded in authentic cultural knowledge, all aimed at world peace and human advancement. The writer believes that if young people see how standardized schools fail, they will take initiative to program their own projects, attract investors, and break the poverty cycle that keeps them obedient. Ultimately, he urges a swift overhaul of schooling into an effective, universally funded system that empowers children to become great beings and ends ignorance for good.

Social Application Development; Or, Self Editable Applications In The Twenty Twenty-Something

Self‑editable applications let end users build and tweak UI elements on the fly—adding, rearranging or deleting controls like username fields, passwords, buttons, drop‑downs and menus—all through a simple code editor embedded in the app (often using JavaScript or Svelte). By dynamically constructing these controls from data structures such as JSON, developers can avoid predefining every component and let users experiment with layouts while still seeing the underlying source. This approach, echoing early tools like SmallTalk’s HyperCard and Wikipedia’s editable pages, promises a low‑barrier learning curve for programming, faster task automation, and a new wave of “social application development” where anyone can share customized features.

When Teachers Don’t Know What Teaching Is

The author argues that our current educational system—especially at the middle and high‑school levels—is fundamentally flawed because it relies on standardized, compartmentalized teaching that leaves students unmotivated and ill‑prepared to prevent future problems like war and poverty. They claim that real learning happens when a student actively studies something they are genuinely interested in, for a few weeks, which unlocks lasting skills and knowledge. By moving away from rigid subject divisions and grade‑based rewards toward individualized, project‑based, hands‑on experiences (e.g., 3D printing, programming, DIY drones), schools could create instant, life‑lasting results and give children the tools to become wise and great beings. The post concludes that parents and teachers must revive this personalized approach so kids can grow fully and carry their culture’s wisdom forward.

Generating An Infinite Number Of Digital Products? Not Quite Impossible...

The post argues that while machine‑learning is still an emerging technology, true AI will eventually be able to read, explain and improve its own code; it then explores the difficulty of generating digital products—especially code—by describing how a complex code generator can produce simple, bug‑free programs such as Bootstrap cards, yet remain limited by programming conventions and human expectations, and suggests that generative art and music illustrate the potential for AI to learn from existing digital artifacts, while recognizing that large projects like full Bootstrap themes are still too complex for one person but may become feasible with a machine’s own assembly logic.

The Strange Relationship Between Computer Programs And Their Diagrams

In this post the author argues that drawing with pencil is essential for learning programming, describing how visual sketches help understand and remember concepts. He explains that a program can be seen as a diagram of nodes (major steps) connected by edges (links), each edge carrying its own snippet of code; the diagram thus becomes a “file pane” of the editor. The post stresses that while REPLs and computers are useful, they cannot replace the creative act of sketching—each line or circle in a drawing has meaning only within that visual context—and that this dream‑like visual thinking ultimately produces the actual code.

Code Generation And Education

In the post, the author outlines a strategy for creating an efficient, cross‑platform application that runs on a Raspberry Pi and can be hosted in a colocation facility, emphasizing the use of JavaScript both on the server (via Koa or Express) and client side to avoid language switching. They recommend using PouchDB with Bootstrap and Svelte for an offline‑first, mobile‑first UI that scales well to desktop, and stress the importance of responsive design and low traffic. To streamline development, they propose building a code generator—specifically a Cytoscape‑JS graph interface on the front end and a collection of Node module templates on the back end—that automates repetitive coding tasks, saves time, and can be packaged as sellable themes or plugins for new technologies learned along the way.

How To Become A Powerful Programmer

The post argues that an EventEmitter is a fundamental programming concept—much like classes or try/catch—and explains why it’s especially valuable in modern frameworks such as Svelte. In Svelte, developers typically build a “pyramid” of state: a top‑level data object whose fragments are passed down to components. While this works for small, self‑contained apps, integrating external services (auth, databases, websockets) can become cumbersome; an EventEmitter lets components broadcast and listen for events across the entire pyramid without rigid structural rules, creating a spiderweb of communication. The author notes that junior developers sometimes view EventEmitters as “evil” but they actually simplify data flow and UI structure—illustrated by a complex properties pane that reacts to a single “selected” event and persists changes via an “save” event—showing how this pattern can make building applications quick, powerful, and visually intuitive.

The Human Tail Research Trials; Or, Beyond The Science Of Biology

In late September 2022, I began an experiment by attaching a fluffy tail to myself to explore whether humans would respond differently to a full prosthetic tail—an inquiry I intended to publish in the Journal of Science years later. During October, people initially ignored me until the 20th, after which they greeted me with smiles and kindness; this shift spurred personal growth: my programming skills surged (thanks to Svelte, PouchDB, Cytoscape‑js, and CodeMirror6), I lifted heavier weights, became more cheerful, improved my music composition, and even recalled a childhood song about a mixed‑breed puppy. The tail experiment has thus catalyzed both social interactions and creative development in my life.

Searching About For New Instruments

The post argues that, while high‑quality studio samples and perfectly synthesized sounds sound nice on paper, the real magic of music comes from complex, noisy, and surprising elements that keep a song interesting far longer than predictable patterns—something especially true for workout tracks that need to sustain energy over time. Using a 1929 Jimmie Rodgers track (“Waiting for a Train”) as an example, the author shows how short random snippets can be stitched together with added noise to create fresh beats; simple techniques like low‑pass filtering on loud sounds or even tapping a mic can yield drum-like instruments. Overall, the piece celebrates randomness and old technology as powerful tools for crafting engaging, unique music.

The Whole Cybernetic Digital Enchilada; Or, Entry Into The World Of Programming

To become a programmer you need self‑study, patience, and a solid environment: start with a free Debian GNU/Linux system on inexpensive hardware such as an 8 GB Raspberry Pi 4; choose JavaScript/ES2023 as the first language because it powers the web and will stay relevant for decades; use vim (preferably SpaceVim) as your editor to master terminal‑based coding; then begin with simple command‑line Node.js programs, employing modules like commander for CLI handling and sharp for image processing.

Simple Explanation Of How Individualized Education Can Guide Us Toward World Peace

The post uses an operating‑system metaphor to argue that human minds are dynamic, evolving machines whose education can be upgraded much like software updates. It claims that standardized learning feels like eating the same “broccoli” over and over, whereas personalized, technology‑driven instruction—especially via smartphones—lets learners build their own knowledge paths, experiment with real projects, and earn rewards for solving problems. By creating a privacy‑respecting, self‑paced school where students can freely assemble curricula, collaborate online, and gain experience through bounties, the author believes individuals will feel empowered, overcome poverty fears, and continually refine their skills, just as an OS is upgraded or replaced to improve performance.

If You Got A Tailbone You Need A Tail

Research shows that having a tail—whether literal or metaphorical—offers practical benefits: it helps distribute weight, supports the back, and can even enhance intelligence. The post emphasizes that animals from squirrels to whales naturally possess tails, suggesting humans could benefit similarly. It stresses choosing a tail that fits one’s scale and size, implying careful selection is essential. Finally, it playfully suggests wearing a tail for style—whether on Halloween or year‑round—to feel mighty and strong.

One World

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One World

Our world is complex, yet cultures are destined to converge toward wisdom and peace. Young people struggle to grasp group identities, often simplifying them with the vague “they,” which deepens divisions and fuels conflict—an old trick that exploits our minds’ need for coherent narratives. When we accept falsehoods as truths, our worldview warps, and groups hate each other because of these shared lies rather than any real difference. Children can quickly abandon local labels if taught to build their own certainties: they must learn to evaluate assumptions and check premises. Schools were intended as the cradle of modern civilization, pushing beyond “them” into deeper understanding; however, this often forces children to disobey parents and politicians to cling to status quo. Yet the real task is elevating all cultures through wisdom so they unite without conflict. Standardized schooling has become factory‑like, prompting self‑education as a replacement. The world’s mission—to end poverty, lift cultures, grow, learn, rise—remains in our nature; one day students will marvel at how we once demanded obedience yet hoped for change.

Saving Progress

The post is an introspective ode to becoming a “great being” through the synthesis of art, philosophy, and personal experience: it urges the reader to cultivate poetry, music, invention, and wisdom, all inspired by ancient philosophers and cosmic wonder; it weaves together poetic reflection on life’s cycles, the transformative power of books, and the author’s own sailing adventures as a means of self‑discovery

A Handful Of Observations On The Subject Of Writing Books

I’ve been thinking about writing a book since high school, but my idea of what a book is has evolved into an audio‑book project that lasts for hundreds of hours—each 10‑minute poem a small chapter in a larger program that adapts to the listener’s mind. I started with simple verses and now weave them into software‑development themes, treating each recording as a dynamic “software” upgrade for the mind rather than a static sheet of information. I see a 300‑hour audio book as roughly thirty separate books, and I repeat ideas often so they stick; I let my audience from many cultures hear the same thought in different ways. I keep it free to share, finish one project before starting another (calling it “Part Two”), and believe well‑narrated audiobooks are a way to move humanity toward the future.

Your First Programming Business; Or, Learning Programming The Easy Breezy Peasy Wheezy Way

The post paints a picture of today’s programming landscape—first‑hand tools feel clunky, especially on smartphones where you’re stuck with browsers and ad‑laden apps, yet JavaScript (with its server‑side runtimes) remains the de‑facto stack for web‑based projects. It proposes building an app by treating each feature like a wiki page: write a BDD description, then hand it off to other developers who can code the part for pay—essentially creating a marketplace of small modules that can be assembled into a full application. The writer suggests using modern front‑end frameworks (Bootstrap or Svelte) and offline support via PouchDB, while noting this “meta‑programming” model could help entrepreneurs pitch ideas to investors before anyone actually writes the code. In short, it’s an invitation to treat app development as a collaborative, feature‑by‑feature BDD process in a Wild West of programming.

Superpowers Are Real

Stepping into Philo Sophia—love of wisdom—reveals a reversal: great thinkers abandon gods and kings, rising from the dark corners of history and finding their power in books rather than miracles outside themselves. Young people, especially those who feel wronged, naturally inherit centuries of wisdom by asking “Who would I need to be to write like that?” and thus resurrect the spirits of philosophers. This inward expansion—what the author calls superpowers—is born from listening to well‑narrated nonfiction and adventure stories, which ignite inner force, joy, and unbreakable wisdom. By shifting our culture toward such inheritance, we can guard nature, peace, and authenticity for future generations, ensuring that the superpowers of humanity are nurtured through continuous learning and friendship across time.