Came here to say that. I'd rather spend 4 days automating my local development environment than spend half an hour every time figuring out why my deps are mismatched, or what is the correct env var to put over there.
If everyone on the team wastes 10 minutes on random BS every day, it is thousands of money compounding over months.
When it comes to tech layoffs, the AI argument is almost complete BS. If they really wanted to increase productivity, they'd be purchasing agent subscriptions, not laying ppl off.
The layoffs are happening because it is too easy to outsource tech work to exploited workers in foreign countries. In the vast majority of these cases AI should be read as "Actually Indian" (with utmost respect to my Hindu-speaking colleagues, I have learned so much from you).
They are just exploiting the lack of international labor protections, there is nothing new.
My school friend shared his PSN when I bought a PS4, so I could check out Bloodborne. I could not stop playing, this game uprooted my sleep schedule. I especially enjoyed the lore, soundtrack, architecture, atmosphere and overall vibe of living through a Lovecraft story.
Since then I have played Demon Souls, DS1&3, Elden Ring with DLC. Still nothing hits the same.
Society is our natural condition though. The problem is that our societies are diverse and at war with each other, so it's becoming overwhelmingly hard to tell which ones are ergonomic, and which ones are exploitative. Doesn't help that the most ergonomic and non-exploitative societies around also feature significantly reduced individual consumption rates and lack of private property rights. Here in the west we are morbidly addicted to both.
Some of my favorite childhood memories are getting together with 2-3 friends to play ad-hoc Monster Hunter on PSPs. It's exciting to imagine what can be done now with a similar feature being a core part of a game's design.
Might be a hot take, but I think Claes Kasper Bang deserves a spot on this list. His portrayal was nuanced, emotional and entertaining, and I really enjoyed the chemistry they had on screen with Dolly Wells. In general, Netflix Dracula is a hidden gem
Unless it's about revoking all trade agreements that obligate EU countries to enforce digital IP ownership, it's a half measure. Corey Doctorow is right, we need to make jailbreaking American tech legal - kick them in their wallets.
Thank you Michael Zaki /s