Author: Joel Gross

I have always deeply enjoyed building systems and hacking them, both in real life and in play.

Plenty of people are now following the trend of attacking capitalism.

There are some real abuses of capitalism happening now – due to the fact that we tax income instead of wealth and grant monopolies via our patent system (which should be abolished).

Even with these abuses though, would you want to live under any other nations system?… read more “Capitalism”

I received an anonymous email from a hacker who spotted a security flaw with one of my sites. Here was my reply:

Thank you for your help! We fixed the issue — REDACTED —-

If you have been following human progress, you will see that we have now built machines that are more intelligent than humans and we are using biotechnology to build supercreatures.

In biotechnology, humans are now building bacteria and animals that can survive in extreme environments full of heat or cold and radiation. Many of these produce products useful to humans.… read more “The World is Terrifying”

Did you know genes and organisms can be patented, preventing scientists from doing research that could lead to disease and cancer cures?

Horrific. The entire system is just a way for predatory people to get rich and harms new innovation.

Success is determined not by luck and not by one big hard effort or decision.

Success is created with hundreds of thousands of little right decisions / actions.

Most people don’t think of alcohol or caffeine as drugs, but that is exactly what both are. They are widely accepted and consumed socially in artisanal settings, but they are drugs nonetheless.

I stopped drinking altogether 392 days ago.  I am sometimes tempted to have a glass or two of wine with a good meal. When that desire comes, I just think about the trade-off to the short term loan of happiness alcohol gives you; the next couple of days generally you are slightly more tired and grouchy.… read more “Zero Drugs”

My knee is pretty much fully recovered now. I ran 4.5 miles today. I went pretty slow though – averaging an 11 minute pace for the first 3 miles then 13-14 minute pace for the next 1.5. I did run some sprints though which I am happy about. My goal is to get back down to a 9 minute average pace then push hard to get it under 8 minutes for the full distance.… read more “Knee Update”

I am very fortunate to work with many great team members and clients on a daily basis. I am especially appreciative of those team members who have worked with me for years and shown high levels of commitment; generally these folks also make the most compensation too.

Be grateful you don’t live in prehistoric times when live was violent, painful, and short. Be happy you aren’t suffering from cancer or another terrible disease. Appreciate that you have entertainment even kings forty years ago couldn’t access. Love those around you.