Author | Lightnews

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Aug 20

Grateful to the Rotary Club of Decatur for the opportunity to share my thoughts on AI and the education crisis on Friday.

Thank you for the warm reception and engaged discussion.

Full piece here:

The Education Crisis Nobody Can Ignore - Polymathic

If you want a glimpse of the future, start with the numbers.

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Aug 6

what happens when you move dashboard data-fetching server-side?

I now serve static dashboard pages with dynamic data pulled via python

📎

Server-Side Dashboard Architecture: Why Moving Data Fetching Off the Browser Changes Everything - Polymathic

How choosing server-side rendering solved security, CORS, and credential management problems I didn't know I had

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Jul 30

just published a piece: how to connect AI agents directly to your personal notes.

i walk through how i set up an MCP server with Trilium Notes can search, create, and update my notes programmatically. no extra UI. just direct agentic access.

Connecting AI to Personal Knowledge: Building the Trilium MCP Server - Polymathic

Personal knowledge management suffers from a fundamental interface problem. Complex note-taking systems like Trilium Notes offer powerful organizational capabilities, but accessing that information…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Jul 23

The Docker Tailscale sidecar pattern resolves security issues, transitioning from traditional VPN/reverse proxy models to mesh networking. It preserves Docker's containerization benefits and offers remote access securely. -

How I eliminated networking complexity: Docker Tailscale sidecar patterns - Polymathic

After years of wrestling with port forwarding, certificate management, and firewall configuration for my containerized services, I discovered something that fundamentally changed how I approach…

www.paulwelty.com

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Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 30

WTF happened to #ChatGPT??? I asked a normal question and all I get is snark today.

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Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 18

Switching focus from content to purpose changes my approach to big goals. It's not about the number of tasks but the 'why' behind them. Purpose-driven work brings clarity. Do you feel aligned? -

Start with purpose

From Scope to Time, Content to Purpose: A Transformative Journey In the early stages of my career, my approach to work was straightforward: scope ruled supreme. The task was the task, and its compl…

www.paulwelty.com

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Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 17

Academic marketing is stuck. Universities push generic branding instead of tailoring messages. This lack of precision dulls their reach. Embracing corporate finesse could revive audience engagement. -

Academic Marketing: The Overlooked Imperative

Marketing is a dominant force in nearly every industry, shaping consumer behavior, driving engagement, and defining brand perception. Yet, in academia, marketing remains an underdeveloped and often…

www.paulwelty.com

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Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 16

I’m all for conditional decision-making. It means making reasonable assumptions and communicating clearly. -

“I Don’t Know” Is Never an Excuse: Make an Assumption and Document It

Introduction “I don’t know” often serves as a convenient excuse for inaction. It’s tempting to defer decisions when the information feels incomplete or uncertain. But in my experience, waiting...

www.paulwelty.com

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Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 15

Why make yourself obsolete? It's about boosting efficiency and innovation. Streamline daily tasks, ditch redundancy, and embrace automation. It's about making a bigger impact. -

Try to make yourself obsolete

The idea of intentionally making oneself obsolete challenges the conventional mindset about work and job security. Instead of striving to prove irreplaceability, this approach advocates for identif…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 13

In "Branding Requires a Philosopher," I dive into figuring out a company's true identity, the core of real branding. It's about seeing the company as a whole, not just data points. Philosophers make brands truly shine. -

Branding requires a philosopher

Good branding establishes an understanding of the essence of a company. Just as a writer’s characterization allows the reader to grasp the true nature of an individual—whether fictional or nonficti…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 12

In "Branding Requires a Philosopher," I explore how conventional branding blurs identity. Instead, let's embrace a philosophical approach that taps into a company's real essence for true clarity. -

Branding requires a philosopher

Good branding establishes an understanding of the essence of a company. Just as a writer’s characterization allows the reader to grasp the true nature of an individual—whether fictional or nonficti…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 11

Purpose isn't optional; it's essential. It clears out the clutter, focusing on what truly matters. This applies to work and life. Does having clear goals give you real progress? -

Start with purpose

From Scope to Time, Content to Purpose: A Transformative Journey In the early stages of my career, my approach to work was straightforward: scope ruled supreme. The task was the task, and its compl…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 10

AI coaching is shaking up education with personalized support. It's taking on routine roles, letting human coaches have deeper talks. This blend boosts retention and sparks new learning models. -

AI as Coach: Transforming Professional and Continuing Education

Introduction In continuing education, learning doesn’t end when the course is completed. Professionals, executives, and lifelong learners often require months of follow-up, guidance, and reinforcem…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 9

Ever think about what tasks you do because you have to, versus what really matters? By weeding out the redundant stuff, we can focus on what actually fuels growth and innovation. -

Try to make yourself obsolete

The idea of intentionally making oneself obsolete challenges the conventional mindset about work and job security. Instead of striving to prove irreplaceability, this approach advocates for identif…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 8

Rethinking job roles sparks growth. Questioning task necessity uncovers true value, driving cultural shifts. Tech and automation push us to use skills for strategic initiatives. Embrace change? -

Try to make yourself obsolete

The idea of intentionally making oneself obsolete challenges the conventional mindset about work and job security. Instead of striving to prove irreplaceability, this approach advocates for identif…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 6

AI is shaking up education. It turns boring courses into dynamic, personalized learning. Materials are constantly updated. Sure, there are challenges, but the future looks more flexible. -

From Content Creation to Course Customization: How AI is Powering Hyperpersonalized Learning

Introduction The traditional education model has long struggled with its one-size-fits-all approach. Course content remains static, instruction is largely uniform, and personalization is limited to…

www.paulwelty.com

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Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 5

Branding and our minds are linked. We naturally try to grasp the essence of things. Like personifying a company through branding, it reveals traits, making thoughtful messaging essential. -

Branding and Human Cognition

This post will discuss something that is at the heart of everything we do as human beings. It also shows why we have marketing and branding companies at all. Finally, it shows why I love this busin…

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Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 4

Exploring "Branding and Human Cognition," I find that branding digs deeper than labels. It's about connecting a company's true essence with people. Understanding this process is key. -

Branding and Human Cognition

This post will discuss something that is at the heart of everything we do as human beings. It also shows why we have marketing and branding companies at all. Finally, it shows why I love this busin…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 3

In "Branding Requires a Philosopher," I suggest that just data isn't enough for branding. Philosophical insights dig deeper, capturing a company's true essence, unlike surface-level methods. -

Branding requires a philosopher

Good branding establishes an understanding of the essence of a company. Just as a writer’s characterization allows the reader to grasp the true nature of an individual—whether fictional or nonficti…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 2

AI is reshaping coaching with smart follow-ups and real-time mentoring in professional learning. AI chatbots act as virtual mentors, offering dynamic chats that aid in mastering challenges. It's a new learning era. -

AI as Coach: Transforming Professional and Continuing Education

Introduction In continuing education, learning doesn’t end when the course is completed. Professionals, executives, and lifelong learners often require months of follow-up, guidance, and reinforcem…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Mar 1

Reframing uncertainty into something manageable really helps. Conditional reasoning offers a solid framework when you're unsure. -

“I Don’t Know” Is Never an Excuse: Make an Assumption and Document It

Introduction “I don’t know” often serves as a convenient excuse for inaction. It’s tempting to defer decisions when the information feels incomplete or uncertain. But in my experience, waiting...

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Feb 27

Time's not just a limit—it's valuable! Early wins are often better than late finishes. Focusing on time shows what truly matters. -

Start with purpose

From Scope to Time, Content to Purpose: A Transformative Journey In the early stages of my career, my approach to work was straightforward: scope ruled supreme. The task was the task, and its compl…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Feb 26

AI coaching is revolutionizing lifelong learning by breaking cost barriers. It offers real-world simulations and uses sentiment analysis for personalized feedback and motivation in skill development. -

AI as Coach: Transforming Professional and Continuing Education

Introduction In continuing education, learning doesn’t end when the course is completed. Professionals, executives, and lifelong learners often require months of follow-up, guidance, and reinforcem…

www.paulwelty.com

Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Feb 25

AI is breaking down old-school one-size-fits-all teaching. It's more than content delivery; it adapts to each student's unique learning style. Personalized, dynamic learning is becoming the norm. -

From Content Creation to Course Customization: How AI is Powering Hyperpersonalized Learning

Introduction The traditional education model has long struggled with its one-size-fits-all approach. Course content remains static, instruction is largely uniform, and personalization is limited to…

www.paulwelty.com

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Paul Welty @aristotle.bsky.social · Feb 24

AI in education is revolutionizing curriculum design. AI-driven content cuts time and costs, making course customization easier. This change aligns education with industry and research trends. -

From Content Creation to Course Customization: How AI is Powering Hyperpersonalized Learning

Introduction The traditional education model has long struggled with its one-size-fits-all approach. Course content remains static, instruction is largely uniform, and personalization is limited to…

www.paulwelty.com

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