Jeff Beal
@jbbeal.bsky.social
Dad and software engineer. Live in southern CA; like running and beer
"Affordable housing" and "investment properties" can't coexist in the same marker (not in sufficient volume anyway; investment properties' increase in value is dependent on scarcity)
December 30, 2025 at 7:37 AM
"Affordable housing" and "investment properties" can't coexist in the same marker (not in sufficient volume anyway; investment properties' increase in value is dependent on scarcity)
First step, require every private insurance plan to be listed on the ACA exchange and completely decoupled from employment. Does Google have the best medical plan for their employees? Now, everybody can join that plan.
Second step: include a government sponsored plan that doesn't make a profit
Second step: include a government sponsored plan that doesn't make a profit
December 25, 2025 at 7:26 AM
First step, require every private insurance plan to be listed on the ACA exchange and completely decoupled from employment. Does Google have the best medical plan for their employees? Now, everybody can join that plan.
Second step: include a government sponsored plan that doesn't make a profit
Second step: include a government sponsored plan that doesn't make a profit
Biden didn't suck that much.
December 25, 2025 at 7:19 AM
Biden didn't suck that much.
Gift bags for me this year
December 24, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Gift bags for me this year
"We represent protection" -- protection from what? Who's threatening Greenland? Only the United States? Ok... Got it...
December 23, 2025 at 11:19 PM
"We represent protection" -- protection from what? Who's threatening Greenland? Only the United States? Ok... Got it...
That link is down now
December 20, 2025 at 10:26 PM
That link is down now
They're trying to make you irrelevant.
December 13, 2025 at 12:44 AM
They're trying to make you irrelevant.
Raising the minimum wage and implementing other worker protections could be more effective at reducing income inequality than a wealth tax, and would tell workers they are valued (and without increasing government bureaucracy)
December 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Raising the minimum wage and implementing other worker protections could be more effective at reducing income inequality than a wealth tax, and would tell workers they are valued (and without increasing government bureaucracy)
This is an interesting thread to throw out "ivy league educated CEO" as if that makes you an expert in anything.
I know the owners think that we are replaceable; I also know they are wrong.
I know the owners think that we are replaceable; I also know they are wrong.
December 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
This is an interesting thread to throw out "ivy league educated CEO" as if that makes you an expert in anything.
I know the owners think that we are replaceable; I also know they are wrong.
I know the owners think that we are replaceable; I also know they are wrong.
The person to vote for in the Democrat primary is the person most likely to win in the general. Don't vote for your favorite candidate; vote to win
December 10, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The person to vote for in the Democrat primary is the person most likely to win in the general. Don't vote for your favorite candidate; vote to win
I think part of what makes it hard to imagine a strike of software engineers is that, comparatively, we don't have anything to complain about. And job mobility is generally good enough that if you find actual bad working conditions, you can usually leave for something better
December 10, 2025 at 3:26 PM
I think part of what makes it hard to imagine a strike of software engineers is that, comparatively, we don't have anything to complain about. And job mobility is generally good enough that if you find actual bad working conditions, you can usually leave for something better
"Avoid using appropriate punctuation to prove you're not a robot" is bad advice.
December 10, 2025 at 4:39 AM
"Avoid using appropriate punctuation to prove you're not a robot" is bad advice.
I am a software engineer, and I am an American worker. I get paid more than many other workers, but that doesn't change the fact that my interests are more aligned with all other American workers than they are with the VC investors getting rich because of my labor
December 10, 2025 at 3:56 AM
I am a software engineer, and I am an American worker. I get paid more than many other workers, but that doesn't change the fact that my interests are more aligned with all other American workers than they are with the VC investors getting rich because of my labor
No Hegseths or Trumps on that list. (I could be on that list if I had a Wikipedia page, I suppose.)
November 26, 2025 at 10:58 PM
No Hegseths or Trumps on that list. (I could be on that list if I had a Wikipedia page, I suppose.)
> The North Royalton man said he owed the aggressor money for helping him with his cat.
I want to know the rest of this story
I want to know the rest of this story
November 26, 2025 at 3:41 PM
> The North Royalton man said he owed the aggressor money for helping him with his cat.
I want to know the rest of this story
I want to know the rest of this story
We would run, not walk, from any doctor trying these tactics (well, most of us would. The dietary supplements market exists, so 🤷♂️). Demand for health care is driven by your diagnoses not your desires, and if your diagnoses are severe, the cheaper option is not what you're going for
November 20, 2025 at 6:27 AM
We would run, not walk, from any doctor trying these tactics (well, most of us would. The dietary supplements market exists, so 🤷♂️). Demand for health care is driven by your diagnoses not your desires, and if your diagnoses are severe, the cheaper option is not what you're going for
Maybe there would be Doctors' offices in Times Square running perpetual "going out of business" sales offering 50% off of artificially marked up prices to tourists, or "buy one get one" specials so you and your spouse can go through chemotherapy together
November 20, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Maybe there would be Doctors' offices in Times Square running perpetual "going out of business" sales offering 50% off of artificially marked up prices to tourists, or "buy one get one" specials so you and your spouse can go through chemotherapy together
And imagine for a moment if doctors offices used the same advertising and sales tactics of, for example, a car dealer.
"This Memorial Day, we have a special offer for gall bladder removal; $2,000 manufacturer rebate. Come on in and see us Today!"
That's not how this works
"This Memorial Day, we have a special offer for gall bladder removal; $2,000 manufacturer rebate. Come on in and see us Today!"
That's not how this works
November 20, 2025 at 6:20 AM
And imagine for a moment if doctors offices used the same advertising and sales tactics of, for example, a car dealer.
"This Memorial Day, we have a special offer for gall bladder removal; $2,000 manufacturer rebate. Come on in and see us Today!"
That's not how this works
"This Memorial Day, we have a special offer for gall bladder removal; $2,000 manufacturer rebate. Come on in and see us Today!"
That's not how this works
And while much of our insurance system doesn't make sense, *this* aspect does. When people are sick, we don't *want* price to be a factor, because that will incentivize taking the chance at not going to the doctor, which leads to worse outcomes and overall higher costs
November 20, 2025 at 6:16 AM
And while much of our insurance system doesn't make sense, *this* aspect does. When people are sick, we don't *want* price to be a factor, because that will incentivize taking the chance at not going to the doctor, which leads to worse outcomes and overall higher costs
For the majority of Americans who use employer-sponsored insurance, there is already very little price-driven economic choice. You get maybe three choices from a single plan — a high deductible, a PPO, or an HMO, for example — after that, price is irrelevant to you
November 20, 2025 at 6:14 AM
For the majority of Americans who use employer-sponsored insurance, there is already very little price-driven economic choice. You get maybe three choices from a single plan — a high deductible, a PPO, or an HMO, for example — after that, price is irrelevant to you