Unoptimized

Against optimization

One of the most inescapable edicts when leading a team is the order to optimize the system towards the organization’s goals.

Buy wisely

Whenever I buy things I try to prioritize cost per use. Sometimes I consider other priorities such as cost per smile, cost per thrill, cost per externality, ...

The Data Minimization Principle in Machine Learning

The principle of data minimization aims to reduce the amount of data collected, processed or retained to minimize the potential for misuse, unauthorized access, or data breaches. Rooted in...

Reward is not the optimization target — LessWrong

TurnTrout discusses a common misconception in reinforcement learning: that reward is the optimization target of trained agents. He argues reward is b…

Speedstrapping Playbook: Maximize Growth with Minimal Dilution DRAFT

Speedstrap Playbook Published version here - Part 1 + Part 2 Beta Version .9 - October 2025 “...my gut is we have a problem. The system as it exists today promotes less liquidity, less traditional, high quality company building and way higher burn rates. That’s just not a great combination from m...

It's not enough to have better ideals.

You also need to build a better product.

In Soviet Union, Optimization Problem Solves <em>You</em>

Cross-posted at Crooked Timber, as part of the seminar on Red Plenty. That version has uglier math, but allows comments.

The Optimization Trap: Why Too Much Efficiency Makes Us Fragile - The Great Simplification

In this episode, Nate is joined by biologist and biophysicist Olivier Hamant to explore why living systems prioritize robustness over performance, and what that means for a civilization built almost entirely in the opposite direction.

Optimistic Computing

I recently made two new friends: Abhinav Omprakash and Dawn Walker. Abhinav said I’m an optimist and I should write about it. Dawn said I shouldn’t try to coin any new terms. I should know better, but this essay follows Abhinav’s recommendation — and credits Dawn, in the very likely event I should have followed her advice instead. I have been alive for approximately four decades. Each of those decades was witness to its own fun brand of computering.

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Medium Maximization

Abstract. A medium—for example, points or money—is a token people receive as the immediate reward of their effort. It has no value in and of itself, but it

Reservoir Sampling

Choosing fairly when you don't know how many you're choosing from.

TurboQuant: Redefining AI efficiency with extreme compression

Amir Zandieh, Research Scientist, and Vahab Mirrokni, VP and Google Fellow, Google Research