Thomas Ott dot IO

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Weekend Briefing No. 1

Essay

Reconsidering Programming Efficiency Amidst Climate Change

Computers, GPUs, deep learning, LLMs, and Bitcoin aren't going away. They've been a big boon for humanity and have increased our quality of life, but at what cost?

Startups

The Promise and Peril of GPT

GPT is capable of generating text, translating languages, writing different kinds of creative content, and answering your questions in an informative way. But is it too good to be true?

Startups

How to Sell AI Software in a Complex and Competitive Market

The AI software market is complex and competitive, but there are ways to succeed. This article discusses the challenges of selling AI software and provides tips on how to overcome them.

News

Spring Cleaning

I've migrated this blog to Ghost because I got sick and tired of WordPress. It's bloatware and you need a plugin to do anything.

Essay

What if no One Saw Your Photography

In a world driven by social media validation, the story of Vivian Maier reminds us of the value of photography for oneself.

Essay

How Power and Money Drive Hypernormalisation

Explore the concept of hypernormalisation, the transformation of the internet, the power game, and the potential of decentralization in our controlled world

Dystopia

Be a Warrior in a Garden, Not a Gardener in a War

Prepare yourself and your loved ones. If we can’t reverse the coming climate catastrophe and biodiversity extinction, then we need to prepare to survive.

Games

Pass The Pigs Game And Its Dice Variant

Pass the Pigs game is incredibly fun for families and friends. It’s fast play and simple to understand. I like games like this a lot.

Games

The Sequence Board Game – A Cheap, Fun, and Fast Family Game

Setting aside a weekly, biweekly, or monthly game night is a great way to bring your loved ones together and have some fun.

Games

Finding The Best DnD Game System

Delve into the world of Dungeons and Dragons, exploring the best gaming systems and the impact of story and game mechanics. Discover open-source DnD alternatives.

Games

Storytelling a Life From an Old Dungeon Master

Tell our stories to all who would listen. Speak of your grand adventures. Speak of the love that is lost, and perhaps gained again.

Games

Role Playing Game Alternatives to Dungeons and Dragons

Explore the changing landscape of role-playing games following the WotC OGL debacle. Discover open-source alternatives like Castles and Crusades, 6D6 RPG, and more.

Games

How to Build A Rich Fantasy World For Writers

Explore tools for fantasy world-building, from using procedural generation to creating rich settings with Don Jon and Azgaar's map generators. Ideal for writers and game masters.

Games

How to Destroy a Dungeons and Dragons Community

Explore the uproar in the Dungeons and Dragons community over the change in Open Game License, potentially jeopardizing the rights of creators and the future of DnD.

Life

Focus: The Word of The Year

Embracing "Focus" as the word for 2023, this essay reflects on key aspects of life to concentrate on, from health to relationships and peace.

Life

The Big Rocks in Life

A reflection on prioritizing life's "Big Rocks" over work during a hectic Silicon Valley trip, aiming to find balance and leave a meaningful legacy.

Essay

An Essay on Being Uncomfortable

The problem is that we focus too much on a person’s personality traits that we forget to see what makes them real. If you strip away the money, their awesome life, or how beautiful they are, are they really pieces of shit?

Work

Makers vs Takers

There are good Takers out there that realize that the Open Source ecosystem thrives on a continuous feedback loop and that investing money is a good way to keep that loop well-lubricated.

Life

On Self Reliance

Make your mistakes but follow the truth! Don’t compromise who you are and walk tall. Don’t be discouraged when things go wrong, just pick yourself up and keep going.

Outdoors

On Hiking Alone

Lots of things can happen when you’re camping or hiking but it often occurs to those that are careless and unprepared, but in my case, I was prepared and careful. This was a case of just plain bad luck!