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diff --git a/memos/WM-063.txt b/memos/WM-063.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2ea7ca7 --- /dev/null +++ b/memos/WM-063.txt @@ -0,0 +1,206 @@ + + + + + + + +Document: WM-063 P. Webb +Category: Life 2024.12.31 + + Year in Review + +Abstract + + Where did the time go?! + +Body + + For the past several years I haven't felt like doing one of these but + this year seems especially fitting to recap. High‑level, I largely + exited crypto, tended more to my personal spaces (webb.page and + blog.webb.page), lost my grandmother, and more. So it feels weird to + say that in this moment I am happy and hopeful for the future. + + 1. Handshake + + Since late 2019 I've been working in the Handshake blockchain + space. It actually fulfills a lifelong dream[1] so I was + incredibly excited and incentivized to build the infrastructure + for the future I want. I learned a LOT. Like how to write a DNS + server! The heavy‑lifting was via a Node.js DNS packet module I + ported to Deno/TypeScript[2]. Unfortunately, I never figured out + how to handle cert files so I used PowerDNS for my authoritative + server instead. + + I presented my work‑in‑progress at HandyCon[3], continued creating + mini modules to support features like NIC pages[4], and even got + my first customers! One of them immediately used their domains[5] + and this was easily a top 5 highlight of my year. Next, I started + work on a CDN[6]. What's interesting about creating your own + versions of infrastructure we depend on daily is that you realize + how complicated (or not) things are. And, how weird it is that + modern literature on such things is absent. + + Four years working in this space…and I decided to quit[7]. The + TL;DR? Grifters and opportunists seek to subvert the blockchain + that was designed for the many, to financially benefit the few. I + cannot and will not support bad faith proposals or persons + supporting them. + + The thought of leaving all this work behind hurt a lot and I found + myself wondering what I'd work on next. That's where Socii + comes in. + + 2. Socii + + I was working on Socii[8], my social network concept, for about a + year when I discovered Handshake. It only made sense to return to + (re)developing it. When I was dusting off the codebase and trying + to make sense of it, the U.S. election concluded and I was in a + state of shock about the outcome. The fact that the entirety of + crypto and Big Business was celebrating the win[9] blindsided me. + I was (and still am) disgusted. + + In a self‑serving world of sychophants and apathy, it seems we've + gotta make what we want to see/use/buy in the world. I'm under no + illusions that I'll get explosive growth and a billion users on my + platform and quite frankly, I don't want that. I want *customers* + who are willing to pay for a social network that empowers them to + do more with their online presence whilst providing a curated + private space for them and the people they care to connect with. + Building a sustainable business is actually not that + complicated…it's just the opposite of what's celebrated in the + market today and quite frankly…fuck the market. + + Since the election, hordes of people have fled Twitter[10] and I + believe a subset of them would be delighted to use the spiritual + successor[11] to Myspace. We'll see! + + 3. Professional Life + + I've utilized side projects my entire career as a way to better + my skills and have fun at the same time. The main reason is + because I have way too many ideas and I'm hella impatient. Why + wait for someone to build what I envision when I can do it myself + (and to my specifications)? Another benefit is simply keeping your + skills sharp because technology advances regularly, even if the + tools you use at work are in stasis. + + How many times have you run `npm install` at work and seen a bunch + of messages in Terminal warning you of deprecated modules? + + Certain parts of the company I work for are using parts of the + tech stack I use in my personal life, like Svelte/SvelteKit. I'm + stuck using Handlebars and old build systems. Navigating corporate + hierarchy to get onto other teams is an exercise in frustration. + I've gotten either no response or laugh reactions to my questions + about such in the company Slack (only for said reactor to rescind + when confronted). Strange how being part of a trillion dollar + company is lonelier than being part of a startup. + + Aligning my values with what I work on is extremely important to + me. I certainly have the skills to find work with a company that + fits, if not launch my own! To that end, it is my hope that 2025 + will see me working for myself and/or likeminded + individuals/companies. To some extent, this is a privileged + viewpoint and I pride myself on building up to this point. Our + purpose in life is to be in service to others. I have these + skills…why hoard them for myself? + + 4. Family + + It's wild how death brings people together. My grandmother passed + recently[12] and I flew to Ohio for her memorial. Prior to this + trip I had been estranged (or pretty close to being estranged) + from my immediate family aside from my youngest sister (who, + unfortunately, couldn't make the trip). My only focus was honoring + my grandmother's memory. What I learned is that my experience was + not unique. A cousin mentioned feeling frustrated about being kept + away from grandma but was glad to have connected with her the last + time they had a conversation with her. Another cousin regretted + missing a graduation that occured a week prior to her passing. Yet + another cousin expressed the unconditional love she gave despite + his life choices that others judged him for. + + My mom pulled me aside to recount the last conversation she had + with grandma and how they were able to finally move forward. I + told her grandma told me to forgive my mother and talk to her. + These two events happening the same week before her passing is + nuts…very TV‑like. Anyhoo, I enjoyed myself despite the initial + trepidation and sadness. Remembering our grandma with my cousins + was fun. Her love of fur coats and fashion and willingness to + always help someone in need were much talked about topics. + + One of my cousins is a music producer now and he credits me for + inspiring him, which was bewildering to me. Apparently, my + beat‑making and raps and how I designed my bedroom as a teen was + enough to influence his career path. I largely stopped making + music because it just didn't fit with having a family at the time + and the internet wasn't as democratized for music as it is now. + I'm excited to build with him, we've got some things cooking. + + At my grandma's memorial, the pastor said we shouldn't use + funerals as the only time to link up with family. Communicating + with family is something that should be done all the time, on a + regular basis. My problem is when people send weird energy my way. + I don't like that. Don't be weird or sideways with me. Say things + with your chest. + + 5. My Spaces + + In 2022 and 2023, I wrote approximatly ONE post for the entire + year. Why? I've been using Twitter as my (micro‑)blogging platform + of choice. When I got banned[13] it was a slap in the face. 15 + years on a platform that kicked me off almost as soon as ownership + changed hands. I eventually regained access[14] (ha, our bad, our + spam filters are too powerful) but after almost two years of using + other services, why the hell would I go back? In fact, why am I + posting all my good stuff on platforms I don't own/control? + + I've been talking about my personalOS concept[15] for many years + now and have longed for my homepage to represent that. I've + recognized that my default of "things have to be perfect before + launching" is stupid so I decided to go ahead and relaunch + webb.page and update things manually vs via an API. It's lacking + features but who cares? YOU don't know what they are and even if + you can figure them out…who cares?! Perfection is something + corporations should strive for, not regular degular folks + like myself. + + My homepage is my canvas. My blog is my notepad. `webb.page` + is my space. + + 6. 2026 + + My grandma's last words to me were about forgiveness. Thinking + about her life, she was fearless. If she had a goal, she made a + plan and met it. She had a dual business (barbershop/beauty salon) + and bought a house. No degree necessary, just hard work and + dedication. I want to live my life the same way. I'm a self‑taught + designer/developer and have built neat things thus far. But, while + I am generally fearless, I am still held back but a few things: + driving and swimming. I'm going to get my license next year and + possibly learn how to swim. + + Eveything else is easy‑peasy. Success is merely a matter of time. + + 🕸️ + +References + + [1] <https://archive.is/TMycF> + [2] <https://github.com/NetOpWibby/packet> + [3] <https://archive.is/HCJXc> + [4] <https://archive.is/L4lBe> + [5] <https://archive.is/nrUJt> + [6] <https://archive.is/45rVS> + [7] <https://archive.is/vpZCG> + [8] <https://socii.network> + [9] </WM-059> + [10] <https://pxlnv.com/linklog/similarweb-traffic-bluesky> + [11] <https://social.coop/@netopwibby/113329030542527807> + [12] </WM-062> + [13] </WM-055> + [14] </WM-061> + [15] </WM-042> |