Rob Whelan 🌱
@robw.bsky.social
Turns out I can skip posts not intended for me. AI/ML @ Grafana; everything is UX; let's make it better; he/him
On a train today, spending some time writing about my own experiences with immigration — I think so few people really get what "illegal alien" really means, because they haven't experienced the process.
I'm college-educated, detail-oriented, fluent in two languages, and never 100% sure if I'm legal
I'm college-educated, detail-oriented, fluent in two languages, and never 100% sure if I'm legal
February 6, 2026 at 10:01 AM
On a train today, spending some time writing about my own experiences with immigration — I think so few people really get what "illegal alien" really means, because they haven't experienced the process.
I'm college-educated, detail-oriented, fluent in two languages, and never 100% sure if I'm legal
I'm college-educated, detail-oriented, fluent in two languages, and never 100% sure if I'm legal
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
Yeah. If "vibecoding" is prompting AI to build with 100% vibes
— no understanding of the architecture, testability, security, scalability etc —
maybe we need another term for when experienced engineers build software WITH all that, but AI generates nearly all the code along the way.
— no understanding of the architecture, testability, security, scalability etc —
maybe we need another term for when experienced engineers build software WITH all that, but AI generates nearly all the code along the way.
January 31, 2026 at 11:04 PM
Yeah. If "vibecoding" is prompting AI to build with 100% vibes
— no understanding of the architecture, testability, security, scalability etc —
maybe we need another term for when experienced engineers build software WITH all that, but AI generates nearly all the code along the way.
— no understanding of the architecture, testability, security, scalability etc —
maybe we need another term for when experienced engineers build software WITH all that, but AI generates nearly all the code along the way.
This is an important point but I land on quite different conclusions.
"Some people can now do X; before they couldn't" just means we have more options; it's usually a good thing, once we adjust.
"hey what do you think?" are the first 5 words of a conversation. Keep talking.
"Some people can now do X; before they couldn't" just means we have more options; it's usually a good thing, once we adjust.
"hey what do you think?" are the first 5 words of a conversation. Keep talking.
Making a complicated design based on vibes and bringing it to a stakeholder to ask "hey what do you think?" is the behavior of a junior UX designer, and wastes everyone's time until they are trained out of it.
With the power of generative AI, now everyone in your company can be that junior designer
With the power of generative AI, now everyone in your company can be that junior designer
January 30, 2026 at 11:42 AM
This is an important point but I land on quite different conclusions.
"Some people can now do X; before they couldn't" just means we have more options; it's usually a good thing, once we adjust.
"hey what do you think?" are the first 5 words of a conversation. Keep talking.
"Some people can now do X; before they couldn't" just means we have more options; it's usually a good thing, once we adjust.
"hey what do you think?" are the first 5 words of a conversation. Keep talking.
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
if you follow me you probably know i think information hygiene is crucial, and here’s another reminder—and tactic for how—to be careful out there
it isn’t just being aware of whether something is true, it’s being intentional about what information you consume: i recommend turning autoplay off
it isn’t just being aware of whether something is true, it’s being intentional about what information you consume: i recommend turning autoplay off
to turn off autoplaying video on the bluesky mobile app
select the icon in the top left corner
go to settings
go to content and media
make sure "autoplay videos and gifs" is toggled off
select the icon in the top left corner
go to settings
go to content and media
make sure "autoplay videos and gifs" is toggled off
January 24, 2026 at 4:07 PM
if you follow me you probably know i think information hygiene is crucial, and here’s another reminder—and tactic for how—to be careful out there
it isn’t just being aware of whether something is true, it’s being intentional about what information you consume: i recommend turning autoplay off
it isn’t just being aware of whether something is true, it’s being intentional about what information you consume: i recommend turning autoplay off
Wondering idly if it's better to have an earlier, less painful correction, or a later, more painful one
... I'm actually confident there's a lot of value in gen AI, but it seems obviously, blatantly smarter to slow down in all the areas where the benefit remains very murky
... I'm actually confident there's a lot of value in gen AI, but it seems obviously, blatantly smarter to slow down in all the areas where the benefit remains very murky
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
Big tech boss tells delegates at Davos that broader global use is essential if technology is to deliver lasting growth
www.irishtimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Wondering idly if it's better to have an earlier, less painful correction, or a later, more painful one
... I'm actually confident there's a lot of value in gen AI, but it seems obviously, blatantly smarter to slow down in all the areas where the benefit remains very murky
... I'm actually confident there's a lot of value in gen AI, but it seems obviously, blatantly smarter to slow down in all the areas where the benefit remains very murky
Sure. Also, never trust a religious leader who tells you how to pray, or a politician who tells you how to vote
You're a grown-up; put in the work to understand the choices you're making
You're a grown-up; put in the work to understand the choices you're making
Two people you should never trust; A religious leader who tells you how to vote, and a polition who tells you how to pray.
January 18, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Sure. Also, never trust a religious leader who tells you how to pray, or a politician who tells you how to vote
You're a grown-up; put in the work to understand the choices you're making
You're a grown-up; put in the work to understand the choices you're making
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Just days into 2026, the killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has sparked protests around the US.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
If you’re planning to protest, here’s how to safeguard your digital security.
How to Protest Safely in the Age of Surveillance
Law enforcement has more tools than ever to track your movements and access your communications. Here’s how to protect your privacy if you plan to protest.
www.wired.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:35 PM
We've removed the paywall from this guide so everyone can access it. 👇 Stay safe.
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
Each Friday, we’re sharing highlights from our Top of the Charts, a look back at our most popular charts, articles, and more in 2025.
Today we give you our top 5 most-popular social media posts. 🧵
1. Does the news reflect what we die from? (Instagram)
→ www.instagram.com/p/DQY7zhcAgoW
Today we give you our top 5 most-popular social media posts. 🧵
1. Does the news reflect what we die from? (Instagram)
→ www.instagram.com/p/DQY7zhcAgoW
January 2, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Each Friday, we’re sharing highlights from our Top of the Charts, a look back at our most popular charts, articles, and more in 2025.
Today we give you our top 5 most-popular social media posts. 🧵
1. Does the news reflect what we die from? (Instagram)
→ www.instagram.com/p/DQY7zhcAgoW
Today we give you our top 5 most-popular social media posts. 🧵
1. Does the news reflect what we die from? (Instagram)
→ www.instagram.com/p/DQY7zhcAgoW
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
I am begging you, folks. When someone posts something hopeful, restrain your desire to tell them why their hope is untenable, doomed to fail, or make some unreasonable political analogy out of it.
LET US BREATHE AND DREAM.
LET US BREATHE AND DREAM.
December 31, 2025 at 7:07 AM
I am begging you, folks. When someone posts something hopeful, restrain your desire to tell them why their hope is untenable, doomed to fail, or make some unreasonable political analogy out of it.
LET US BREATHE AND DREAM.
LET US BREATHE AND DREAM.
Adding to my reply in a good thread (check it out!)
I do think AI can be valuable for creative work, but only if we use it to strengthen the actual work we're doing, not bypass it.
I always find writing humbling, because my ideas feel far better & more powerful *before* I try to lay them out.
I do think AI can be valuable for creative work, but only if we use it to strengthen the actual work we're doing, not bypass it.
I always find writing humbling, because my ideas feel far better & more powerful *before* I try to lay them out.
I've done that — generate a "first draft" and instantly feel there *more* work ahead, not less. No thanks.
The AI support I've found more useful is e.g.:
• here's my rough idea for an audience of ___; list out 10 interesting directions to take it
• here's my outline; find gaps, online sources
[etc]
The AI support I've found more useful is e.g.:
• here's my rough idea for an audience of ___; list out 10 interesting directions to take it
• here's my outline; find gaps, online sources
[etc]
December 25, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Adding to my reply in a good thread (check it out!)
I do think AI can be valuable for creative work, but only if we use it to strengthen the actual work we're doing, not bypass it.
I always find writing humbling, because my ideas feel far better & more powerful *before* I try to lay them out.
I do think AI can be valuable for creative work, but only if we use it to strengthen the actual work we're doing, not bypass it.
I always find writing humbling, because my ideas feel far better & more powerful *before* I try to lay them out.
There's a % of the comments from people fully aware this is a direct cover of a Beatles song (odd lyrics exactly as written)
and a % fully sure it's a bizarre Japanese cultural phenomenon, baffled by "the west"
but none of them seem aware the other view exists, and I can't tell what the %s are
and a % fully sure it's a bizarre Japanese cultural phenomenon, baffled by "the west"
but none of them seem aware the other view exists, and I can't tell what the %s are
One fun thing about the Japanese is we love the FUCK out of Christmas and have only the loosest concept of what is going on
Merry Christmas! Please enjoy the opening to this Japanese Christmas concert special that I watch every year.
As far as I can tell, this has otherwise been scrubbed from the internet
As far as I can tell, this has otherwise been scrubbed from the internet
December 25, 2025 at 6:19 PM
There's a % of the comments from people fully aware this is a direct cover of a Beatles song (odd lyrics exactly as written)
and a % fully sure it's a bizarre Japanese cultural phenomenon, baffled by "the west"
but none of them seem aware the other view exists, and I can't tell what the %s are
and a % fully sure it's a bizarre Japanese cultural phenomenon, baffled by "the west"
but none of them seem aware the other view exists, and I can't tell what the %s are
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
I, a philosopher, hate to break it to that guy but all concepts are in fact made up, socially constructed, artificial, etc.
December 25, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I, a philosopher, hate to break it to that guy but all concepts are in fact made up, socially constructed, artificial, etc.
Working on AI-driven projects is messed up in ways I'd have never imagined.
I go from celebrating amazingly valuable tools we've built & released in mere months, centering people learning, avoiding waste at scale
— to checking my novelist spouse has joined the class action suit against Anthropic
I go from celebrating amazingly valuable tools we've built & released in mere months, centering people learning, avoiding waste at scale
— to checking my novelist spouse has joined the class action suit against Anthropic
December 22, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Working on AI-driven projects is messed up in ways I'd have never imagined.
I go from celebrating amazingly valuable tools we've built & released in mere months, centering people learning, avoiding waste at scale
— to checking my novelist spouse has joined the class action suit against Anthropic
I go from celebrating amazingly valuable tools we've built & released in mere months, centering people learning, avoiding waste at scale
— to checking my novelist spouse has joined the class action suit against Anthropic
"About the Author" heading
Ailsa Craig is an uninhabited isle off the coast of southwest Scotland and the source of the super-dense granite used to make curling stones for the Winter Olympics.
An uninhabited Scottish isle is home to the golden granite used in Olympic curling stones
Ailsa Craig is an uninhabited isle off the coast of southwest Scotland and the source of the super-dense granite used to make curling stones for the Winter Olympics.
bit.ly
December 18, 2025 at 2:00 PM
"About the Author" heading
Great piece (and a quick read)!
Two complementary ideas often in my head:
Compassion > empathy. I.e. feeling [what I think is] your pain is... okay
but what matters is that I'm clear-headed enough to hear what you need & hope for (especially clarity, control, growth) and _do something_ about it.
Two complementary ideas often in my head:
Compassion > empathy. I.e. feeling [what I think is] your pain is... okay
but what matters is that I'm clear-headed enough to hear what you need & hope for (especially clarity, control, growth) and _do something_ about it.
TL;DR
Middle management is hard. Caring is required, but the kind of care you provide matters.
Middle management is hard. Caring is required, but the kind of care you provide matters.
Ashley Willis
The other day I texted my group chat with other leaders outside my organization. The ones I go to when the leadership stuff gets messy and I need perspective fr...
ashley.dev
December 3, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Great piece (and a quick read)!
Two complementary ideas often in my head:
Compassion > empathy. I.e. feeling [what I think is] your pain is... okay
but what matters is that I'm clear-headed enough to hear what you need & hope for (especially clarity, control, growth) and _do something_ about it.
Two complementary ideas often in my head:
Compassion > empathy. I.e. feeling [what I think is] your pain is... okay
but what matters is that I'm clear-headed enough to hear what you need & hope for (especially clarity, control, growth) and _do something_ about it.
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
I have a December gift for you all 🎁
I am finally able to open up a general call for ADVANCE READERS for my book: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SOFTWARE TEAMS (coming 2026). I cannot tell you how much it means to me to share this!
Indicate your interest here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
I am finally able to open up a general call for ADVANCE READERS for my book: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SOFTWARE TEAMS (coming 2026). I cannot tell you how much it means to me to share this!
Indicate your interest here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Request to be an advance reader of The Psychology of Software Teams by Cat Hicks
Thank you for your interest in being an advance reader for The Psychology of Software Teams (working title) by Cat Hicks. I am selecting some interested readers to receive a free advance copy of this ...
docs.google.com
December 2, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I have a December gift for you all 🎁
I am finally able to open up a general call for ADVANCE READERS for my book: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SOFTWARE TEAMS (coming 2026). I cannot tell you how much it means to me to share this!
Indicate your interest here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
I am finally able to open up a general call for ADVANCE READERS for my book: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SOFTWARE TEAMS (coming 2026). I cannot tell you how much it means to me to share this!
Indicate your interest here:
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Fixing/renovating the bathroom, and putting on my UX hat... OMG why does no one ask these questions by default?
• Turn on the (cold at first) water. Where does it go? Is it VERY obvious?
• Finish shower, get a towel. Where did water drip?
• Drop the handheld sprayer: will it hit the floor?
Then—
• Turn on the (cold at first) water. Where does it go? Is it VERY obvious?
• Finish shower, get a towel. Where did water drip?
• Drop the handheld sprayer: will it hit the floor?
Then—
November 20, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Fixing/renovating the bathroom, and putting on my UX hat... OMG why does no one ask these questions by default?
• Turn on the (cold at first) water. Where does it go? Is it VERY obvious?
• Finish shower, get a towel. Where did water drip?
• Drop the handheld sprayer: will it hit the floor?
Then—
• Turn on the (cold at first) water. Where does it go? Is it VERY obvious?
• Finish shower, get a towel. Where did water drip?
• Drop the handheld sprayer: will it hit the floor?
Then—
I've confirmed my spouse's first book was used in Anthropic's training material
Hey authors, the official list of Anthropic works is available for searching.
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup
Submit a Claim
secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
October 2, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I've confirmed my spouse's first book was used in Anthropic's training material
Master of Literal Puppets
Take Five, Literally
Take Five, Literally
Ruin a song by adding the word ‘literally’ to the title. I’ll start.
Love will literally tear us apart.
Love will literally tear us apart.
September 14, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Master of Literal Puppets
Take Five, Literally
Take Five, Literally
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
Big projects are faster to do on your own, but if you want buy-in from others (e.g. culture, strategy, reorg, pivot, brand change), you need to work with others, so that there is buy-in at the end.
(1/3)
(1/3)
September 6, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Big projects are faster to do on your own, but if you want buy-in from others (e.g. culture, strategy, reorg, pivot, brand change), you need to work with others, so that there is buy-in at the end.
(1/3)
(1/3)
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like
August 22, 2025 at 2:20 PM
this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
Oops! Paid attention to politics during the workday and now I can’t concentrate because of the overwhelming feeling that this is all such a goddamn mess and I don’t know which details to engage with if any
August 19, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Oops! Paid attention to politics during the workday and now I can’t concentrate because of the overwhelming feeling that this is all such a goddamn mess and I don’t know which details to engage with if any
Reposted by Rob Whelan 🌱
A product that (almost) everyone uses from mid-sized tech companies and up but I rarely hear talked about: Grafana
In The Pragmatic Engineer 2025 survey, it had more mentions than Cursor, and dominates as the answer to "how do you turn information into graphs"
This is Grafana:
In The Pragmatic Engineer 2025 survey, it had more mentions than Cursor, and dominates as the answer to "how do you turn information into graphs"
This is Grafana:
August 18, 2025 at 9:14 AM
A product that (almost) everyone uses from mid-sized tech companies and up but I rarely hear talked about: Grafana
In The Pragmatic Engineer 2025 survey, it had more mentions than Cursor, and dominates as the answer to "how do you turn information into graphs"
This is Grafana:
In The Pragmatic Engineer 2025 survey, it had more mentions than Cursor, and dominates as the answer to "how do you turn information into graphs"
This is Grafana:
Good read, because I agree with many of these points, and because if you're building AI- powered products today (which we are), you are pitching to people who:
• have been force-fed a LOT of hype on what gen AI can do & its goals
• are already disillusioned on many of those promises
• ->
• have been force-fed a LOT of hype on what gen AI can do & its goals
• are already disillusioned on many of those promises
• ->
August 5, 2025 at 11:08 AM
Good read, because I agree with many of these points, and because if you're building AI- powered products today (which we are), you are pitching to people who:
• have been force-fed a LOT of hype on what gen AI can do & its goals
• are already disillusioned on many of those promises
• ->
• have been force-fed a LOT of hype on what gen AI can do & its goals
• are already disillusioned on many of those promises
• ->
Philips instructions, not assuming you have a chemistry degree, but that you have AI at your fingertips.
Our new Philips egg cooker came with no textual instructions, only pictorial ones. How many people without a chemistry degree are likely to figure out what “4% AcOH” means?
(Spoiler: it means “vinegar”)
(Spoiler: it means “vinegar”)
August 3, 2025 at 8:26 AM
Philips instructions, not assuming you have a chemistry degree, but that you have AI at your fingertips.