Off The Record

25 Articles

In a world of zeros and ones, we are obsessed with becoming zero

In a world of zeros and ones, we are obsessed with becoming zero

Robin Mehdee

If I had the power, I would use our tech for better things: exploring the deep ocean, reaching for the stars, and saving human lives.

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In a world of zeros and ones, we are obsessed with becoming zero

Robin Mehdee

If I had the power, I would use our tech for better things: exploring the deep ocean, reaching for the stars, and saving human lives.

Read more →
If coding was the job, ChatGPT would replace us all by Friday.

If coding was the job, ChatGPT would replace us all by Friday.

Robin Mehdee

When I look back at the engineers who built banking systems, operating systems, airline reservation platforms, spacecraft software, I don’t think their biggest strength was semicolons. It was systems thinking....

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If coding was the job, ChatGPT would replace us all by Friday.

Robin Mehdee

When I look back at the engineers who built banking systems, operating systems, airline reservation platforms, spacecraft software, I don’t think their biggest strength was semicolons. It was systems thinking....

Read more →
Please take care of your health and mind.

Please take care of your health and mind.

Robin Mehdee

We build and optimize systems at work. But we rarely optimize sleep, movement, nutrition, or mental space.

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Please take care of your health and mind.

Robin Mehdee

We build and optimize systems at work. But we rarely optimize sleep, movement, nutrition, or mental space.

Read more →
Coding Is Secondary in the Age of AI

Coding Is Secondary in the Age of AI

Robin Mehdee

  AI can write code faster than any human. That part is no longer impressive. What still matters is knowing what you are building, why it exists, and how all...

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Coding Is Secondary in the Age of AI

Robin Mehdee

  AI can write code faster than any human. That part is no longer impressive. What still matters is knowing what you are building, why it exists, and how all...

Read more →
The power of less. My favorite slogan.

The power of less. My favorite slogan.

Robin Mehdee

Voyager is a reminder that innovation isn’t always about having more power, more storage, or more tools. Sometimes, the real breakthrough comes from using less. In 1977, the Voyager spacecraft were...

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The power of less. My favorite slogan.

Robin Mehdee

Voyager is a reminder that innovation isn’t always about having more power, more storage, or more tools. Sometimes, the real breakthrough comes from using less. In 1977, the Voyager spacecraft were...

Read more →
Human with tools vs Human without tools

Human with tools vs Human without tools

Robin Mehdee

Before AI, we worked. With AI, we work smarter. We explore ideas faster, reduce repetitive effort, and open doors that simply weren’t practical before.  

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Human with tools vs Human without tools

Robin Mehdee

Before AI, we worked. With AI, we work smarter. We explore ideas faster, reduce repetitive effort, and open doors that simply weren’t practical before.  

Read more →
Experience Teaches You What Metrics Don’t

Experience Teaches You What Metrics Don’t

Robin Mehdee

Early in our careers, we chase numbers.Titles. Speed. Visibility.

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Experience Teaches You What Metrics Don’t

Robin Mehdee

Early in our careers, we chase numbers.Titles. Speed. Visibility.

Read more →
If your big picture isn’t clear, you’ll struggle

If your big picture isn’t clear, you’ll struggle

Robin Mehdee

Good engineers were valuable before AI. They’re even more valuable now. Whether you use AI for coding or not, one thing stays the same.

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If your big picture isn’t clear, you’ll struggle

Robin Mehdee

Good engineers were valuable before AI. They’re even more valuable now. Whether you use AI for coding or not, one thing stays the same.

Read more →
The Beauty of a Meaningful Workplace

The Beauty of a Meaningful Workplace

Robin Mehdee

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been learning a lot through steady, full-force work. Research continues. Building continues. Improving continues. And a big part of that comes from constant...

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The Beauty of a Meaningful Workplace

Robin Mehdee

Over the last couple of months, I’ve been learning a lot through steady, full-force work. Research continues. Building continues. Improving continues. And a big part of that comes from constant...

Read more →
Is Weekend or After-Hours Work Really Necessary?

Is Weekend or After-Hours Work Really Necessary?

Robin Mehdee

Some people simply don’t like leaving things hanging.Not because anyone asked them… but because they care.

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Is Weekend or After-Hours Work Really Necessary?

Robin Mehdee

Some people simply don’t like leaving things hanging.Not because anyone asked them… but because they care.

Read more →
Our Divisions Are Mostly Imaginary

Our Divisions Are Mostly Imaginary

Robin Mehdee

At work, we often treat roles like they’re stacked on top of each other.Front-end, back-end, ops, business…But just like our planet, there’s no real “above” or “below.” Just different angles on...

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Our Divisions Are Mostly Imaginary

Robin Mehdee

At work, we often treat roles like they’re stacked on top of each other.Front-end, back-end, ops, business…But just like our planet, there’s no real “above” or “below.” Just different angles on...

Read more →
If Aliens Visited Earth for Five Minutes

If Aliens Visited Earth for Five Minutes

Robin Mehdee

An alien ship comes close to Earth and looks down. At first, they are impressed. Tall buildings. Fast cars. Airplanes crossing the sky. A whole internet full of information. They think,...

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If Aliens Visited Earth for Five Minutes

Robin Mehdee

An alien ship comes close to Earth and looks down. At first, they are impressed. Tall buildings. Fast cars. Airplanes crossing the sky. A whole internet full of information. They think,...

Read more →