Ben Ritter
@bennetworks.bsky.social
Product and data networking nerd. Care about making Seattle more walkable and safe to cycle. Thoughts my own. he/him
Figure out how to bring Greg back and let him cook. His heart is in the right place, he knows the department, and has a track record of getting shit done. The SDOT velocity noticeably sped up when he joined. With Wilson’s support, he and SDOT can go much further than they could under Harrell.
December 17, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Figure out how to bring Greg back and let him cook. His heart is in the right place, he knows the department, and has a track record of getting shit done. The SDOT velocity noticeably sped up when he joined. With Wilson’s support, he and SDOT can go much further than they could under Harrell.
I’m also halfway through Robert Caro’s series on LBJ and his style is similar in the sense that there is so much detail that it places the reader in the room during events.
December 6, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I’m also halfway through Robert Caro’s series on LBJ and his style is similar in the sense that there is so much detail that it places the reader in the room during events.
As a side tangent unrelated to technical writing- when it comes to historical non-fiction, I’m a big fan of just about anything written by Erik Larson. His narratives read like fiction.
December 6, 2025 at 4:29 PM
As a side tangent unrelated to technical writing- when it comes to historical non-fiction, I’m a big fan of just about anything written by Erik Larson. His narratives read like fiction.
Thank you for the advice!
December 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Thank you for the advice!
I already tend to write the tangents to get them out of my head and on to the page. I have a handful of paragraphs or even half pages that I’ve set aside to hold for a later chapter where they may fit in better.
December 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I already tend to write the tangents to get them out of my head and on to the page. I have a handful of paragraphs or even half pages that I’ve set aside to hold for a later chapter where they may fit in better.
I’m still thinking through how to handle these scenarios, and leaning toward explicitly stating assumptions.
December 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I’m still thinking through how to handle these scenarios, and leaning toward explicitly stating assumptions.
/2 There will be times where there are conceptual prerequisites that need to be out of scope to avoid quadrupling the length of the book. Imagine teaching algebra, and assuming that the reader knows how to multiply and divide.
December 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
/2 There will be times where there are conceptual prerequisites that need to be out of scope to avoid quadrupling the length of the book. Imagine teaching algebra, and assuming that the reader knows how to multiply and divide.
I am going to seek feedback from a few technical reviewers with varying levels of experience, including novices to assess whether I’m spending enough time explaining context.
December 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I am going to seek feedback from a few technical reviewers with varying levels of experience, including novices to assess whether I’m spending enough time explaining context.
There are two things that limit how deep I go on setting that context: 1/ I worry at times that over explaining will come across as patronizing. An impatient reader may think “you’ve explained this before, get to the fucking point already.”
December 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
There are two things that limit how deep I go on setting that context: 1/ I worry at times that over explaining will come across as patronizing. An impatient reader may think “you’ve explained this before, get to the fucking point already.”
I see how a book on historical figures which doesn’t set the context for developments is disorienting. I don’t think this issue will apply to my technical topic which isn’t temporal, but I do aim to bring the reader along and explain background on topics.
December 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
I see how a book on historical figures which doesn’t set the context for developments is disorienting. I don’t think this issue will apply to my technical topic which isn’t temporal, but I do aim to bring the reader along and explain background on topics.
What things about the book you are reading makes it feel disjointed?
December 5, 2025 at 3:38 PM
What things about the book you are reading makes it feel disjointed?
Writing my first book. It’s nonfiction, and teaches a technical topic. I’m following an outline for chapters and subheads, but am constantly thinking about whether parts will be difficult to follow. I have ADHD and have to fight my tendency to overshare tangential side quests.
December 5, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Writing my first book. It’s nonfiction, and teaches a technical topic. I’m following an outline for chapters and subheads, but am constantly thinking about whether parts will be difficult to follow. I have ADHD and have to fight my tendency to overshare tangential side quests.
Should add the nature of the bicameral congress and how each state gets two senators regardless of population.
December 3, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Should add the nature of the bicameral congress and how each state gets two senators regardless of population.
Would love to see the app modified to support realtime reporting for scenarios like this and blocked bike lanes. Could look into whether fines could bring in revenue for the city. Moving parking enforcement away from SPD would be a great development too.
November 29, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Would love to see the app modified to support realtime reporting for scenarios like this and blocked bike lanes. Could look into whether fines could bring in revenue for the city. Moving parking enforcement away from SPD would be a great development too.
For the first time in a while, I’m looking forward to being in Seattle in January ☔️
November 14, 2025 at 1:55 AM
For the first time in a while, I’m looking forward to being in Seattle in January ☔️
It was even worse without direct election of senators! Enjoying the first few chapters on the history of the senate in caro’s master of the senate.
November 9, 2025 at 12:23 AM
It was even worse without direct election of senators! Enjoying the first few chapters on the history of the senate in caro’s master of the senate.
Such a great city for transit nerds. Highly recommend the DDR museum.
November 7, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Such a great city for transit nerds. Highly recommend the DDR museum.
That’s pretty good. Alternative might be SPD being the only law enforcement agency allowed to hit citizens with cars.
September 30, 2025 at 1:25 AM
That’s pretty good. Alternative might be SPD being the only law enforcement agency allowed to hit citizens with cars.
The first bullet point on their blog is that it would cause congestion for single occupant vehicles. Yes- obviously, and that is good…
August 30, 2025 at 5:53 PM
The first bullet point on their blog is that it would cause congestion for single occupant vehicles. Yes- obviously, and that is good…
We’re going to need a bigger barrier
August 30, 2025 at 1:38 PM
We’re going to need a bigger barrier