Hi, I’m [Stephen](mailto:[email protected]), a software architect and programmer. I’ve spent much of my career building custom software solutions, mostly with Microsoft .NET technologies, but I enjoy working with Python and Go whenever I can. These days, I spend my time solving technical puzzles and finding ways to simplify complex systems. While I’m a professional problem solver, my interests go beyond code. I enjoy diving into philosophy—especially Eastern thought—and how it can help me look at life, work, and relationships in a different light. It’s all part of the ongoing journey to better understand who I am, even though I believe “who we are” is always evolving. I like to use ChatGPT as a sounding board for [[_ What is this? | all kinds of random stuff]]. On the topic of ChatGPT, someone once asked me, ‘Isn’t it cheating to use ChatGPT to answer software development problems?’ Of course, it isn’t! My job is to create IT solutions to business problems, not to compete. It would be foolish _not_ to use AI when its very purpose is to enhance and augment human intelligence! I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I’m passionate about learning and sharing what I’ve discovered along the way. Whether you’re here for the tech, philosophy, or something in between, I hope you find something valuable. You can also find me on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/slmcmahon/) and [GitHub](https://github.com/slmcmahon). If you want to engage directly, then you can [send me an email](mailto:[email protected]) or connect with me on [Threads](https://www.threads.net/@slmcmahon). --- Some of my favorite internet resources: - [Farnam Street Blog](https://fs.blog/blog) - There are few places on the internet where i have spent more time than fs.blog. If you want to take a trip down a rabbit hole of intellectual stimulation, then this is a good starting point. Some of my favorites from there are: - [Mastering Success: Navigating Within Your Circle of Competence](https://fs.blog/circle-of-competence/) - [Turning Pro: The Difference Between Amateurs and Professionals](https://fs.blog/amateurs-professionals/) - [Mental Models: The Best Way to Make Intelligent Decisions](https://fs.blog/mental-models/) - [50 Ideas That Changed My Life](https://perell.com/essay/50-ideas-that-changed-my-life/) - Some ideas for improving your thought processes. - [Youtube: Intellectual Deep Web](https://www.youtube.com/@IntellectualDeepWeb) - Lectures by Some of the World's Greatest Minds. - [Youtube: Master Key Society](https://www.youtube.com/@MasterKeySociety) - The Master Key Society is for seekers in the pursuit of wisdom, meaning, and self-improvement. We are built on the pillars of wisdom, inner growth, and the quest to elevate consciousness. Our mission is to manifest the higher self through creative action. Our hope is for all of us to explore and realize our full potential to inspire, create, and transform lives. - [Youtube: Einzelgänger](https://www.youtube.com/@Einzelg%C3%A4nger) - Einzelgänger explores a wide range of topics and ideas, with a dose of "as I see it," out of curiosity and creative urge. - [Youtube: Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell](https://www.youtube.com/@kurzgesagt) - Animation videos explaining things with optimistic nihilism since 12,013. - [Youtube: Philosophies for Life](https://www.youtube.com/@PhilosophiesforLife) - Ancient Wisdom for Modern Living. - [Youtube: Milan Jovanović's](https://www.youtube.com/@MilanJovanovicTech) - .NET | Software Architecture | DDD - [Youtube: ArjanCodes](https://www.youtube.com/@ArjanCodes) - Become a Better Software Developer - [Morning Dew by Alvin Ashcraft](https://www.alvinashcraft.com/) - This is a great site for a daily dose of technical content. I subscribe to the [RSS feed](https://www.alvinashcraft.com/feed/) via the [Vienna](https://www.vienna-rss.com/) RSS reader and I can honestly say that I have never experienced a day where I did not find something new or interesting here. - [Tile 38](https://tile38.com/) - Ultra Fast Geospatial Database & Geofencing Server. This is an MIT licensed, open source solution for building location based applications. I've always been intrigued by Geographical Information Systems and frequently when I am learning new programming languages and techniques, I use this as the base for my experimentation.