Doing the right thing is hard and demands courage. Doing the politically right thing is so much easier — and that’s the problem.

In software engineering, there are doers who let their work speak for itself, and talkers who make sure everyone knows what they’ve accomplished. Both strategies work—but in very different environments, and knowing which fits where might matter more than you think.

A debugging session leads to an unexpected lesson in communication. When a colleague dismisses you with ‘you don’t understand,’ the conversation is already lost — no matter how valid the point. Say it so they can hear it.

From assembly language and the demoscene to modern tech companies where four years make you ‘senior’ — after all this time, where does that leave me?

Should you join a startup or a big company? This question matters more than you think. Explore the tradeoffs between quality of life and quality of work, and why your early career choices can shape your entire trajectory.