A batch of the best highlights from what Josh's read, .
Observationally, I would say that there's little correlation between expertise and kit-optimization in our field, positive or negative.
The lesson here is to be careful with the signals you use as proxies for competence. "Has the perfect Visual Studio config", "has spoken at loads of conferences", and "visible on Hacker News"[4](https://brooker.co.za/blog/2023/04/20/hobbies.html#foot4) seem like strong signals, when the reality seems to be that they are weak ones, at best.
The Four Hobbies, and Apparent Expertise
marcbrooker@gmail.com (Marc Brooker)
Because infrastructural systems are mostly about nonmonetary benefits to people-their time, agency, comfort, and health-optimizing them for price, much less revenue and profit, misses these important aspects.
How Infrastructure Works
Deb Chachra
Believing a certain mood or state is necessary to do your best work.
Thinking anything that's out of your control is in your way.
These are thoughts not conducive to the work.