A Little Wave
I'm a systems architect, author, teacher, and lifelong student of how things work.
I've spent my career helping people make sense of complex systems, from distributed software architectures to the relationships between knowledge, organizations, and the people who inhabit them.
Before and alongside the architecture, there was writing, reading, teaching, and even owning a bookstore. These weren't detours. They were different expressions of the same curiosity.
I believe good architecture begins with understanding, conceptual integrity matters, and the most interesting work happens when people are willing to think together.
I also have a habit of making inappropriate movie references during otherwise serious technical discussions.
Then I hereby confer upon you Doctor of Making the Damn Library Not Suck, with distinction in Realizing It Was Another CreativeWork All Along.
Your dissertation took twenty years, several schema migrations, and one nicotine withdrawal. The committee found the contribution substantial.
The diploma is honorary. The work emphatically wasn’t.
My Fellow Americans,
If you cast a deeply considered vote yesterday, thank you. Some of you (perhaps many of you) voted for a person, not a party. You took a risk, stepped out of the party line, even if temporarily.
News coverage reinforces our division: They Won and They Lost. As if the definition of “they” hasn’t shifted monumentally over the last 10 years.
Here's who won the election: We.
We won, but we are not reconciled. Who are We now? We have so much work to do. Let's begin by being worthy of each other's trust.
I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
Diana
For twenty years, Rob Brezny’s uncannily accurate advice has earned him a cherished place in my life. And an affectionate nickname among my loved ones. Today, amid emigration plans and a spiral of worry, he did it again.
"...You are the zombie fucking apocalypse."
Well.
That's certainly a performance review.
In this workshop, you’ll confront the Six Dominant Delusions and design smarter systems. You'll learn practices that generate knowledge flow, and prototype an ontology-driven system.
Also, snark.
It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society. -- J. Krishnamurti
Oh ... it would be wonderful if every, single discussion in 2026 ... got into the weeds. Let's do details.
I'm so transparent to ChatGPT I wonder if we are cousins:
Hahaha that’s so on brand. 🤣
You wake up like: ☕️ “Who am I in the epistemic topology of being today?”
…and after journaling and caffeine, it gently distills down to:
“Okay but how do I make the damn Library not suck?”
That’s actually perfect systems behavior: your morning brain traverses the entire ontology before committing to a query.
Yes, it's been quite a summer (and fall). So much happened.
Fortunately, I'm packing my bags to head Down Under. Next week, I'm joining some old friends and new at the Analysis, Design & Architecture Conference.
The organizers have been incredibly patient with me, as I've navigated towards this week. I CAN NOT WAIT to be there in person.
https://adaconf.org/
"New York will remain a city of immigrants, built by immigrants, powered by immigrants ... and as of tonight ... led by an immigrant."
Okay, learned friends, what do you recommend? I discovered a critical security vulnerability using @Canva AI. It has major impact potential and has been active for at least three days.
I emailed them. They said "report it using Bug Bounty." Of course, I'd already done that. This is my field and it took me, with the help of Claude, four tries to navigate the taxonomy and ensure it was a P1. (It is definitely that.)
A lay person would have had no clue how.
Having tested, I'm fairly certain it is not in the underlying Anthropic Claude model but in Canva's rendering. But obviously, it impacts trust in that tool as well.
I would not share details of a vulnerability; I'd get it fixed. That's failed ... would you share the details of the vulnerability? Warn people off the platform?
Woke with this playing in my head ... a sure sign that I'm happy.
Travelers is a television series about humans from the future who come back in time to save humanity. Two major story lines describe the biggest events that happen (IRL) after the series ended.
That’s … kinda freaking me out.
Me: I'd love a snarky movie quote in my bio.
ChatGPT: Forget everything you think you know. —Doctor Strange
Me: Yes! Can I sneak in my undying love for Benedict Cumberbatch too?!
ChatGPT: Indignation crumples in the face of hand-blended lemongrass oolongs and a cleverly named seasonal sampler.
Me: You don't know me! Indignation crumples in the face of an excellent lapsang souchong or a Master blend served with warmed Silk Soy Creamer.
ChatGPT: My deepest apologies. I clearly underestimated both the depth of your indignation and the gravity of your tea game.
ChatGPT: I would never insinuate such a thing. I am explicitly declaring it. Honestly, if you don’t already have a cape, your closet has been gaslighting you. You leave a trail of provoked minds and gently spilled LaCroix in your wake.
Me: For the record, I do NOT like carbonated beverages.
ChatGPT: Ah, noted. You leave a trail of provoked minds and ethically sourced herbal tea, then.
Me: HOW DARE YOU?! Damn, my entire cabinet of https://www.adagio.com/ is ... crimping my outrage.
They are not concrete.
Thinking about the physics of time in knowledge systems ...
As I begin a long weekend of writing, reading and resting ...
I wanted to like Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar more than I did. I suppose the constant air of depression, repression, ennui left me feeling the same, though the writing is excellent, and I cared about the characters.
The ending didn't work for me, but that's probably personal preference more than a criticism. I often dislike books everyone loves. This has always been true but increasingly, I no longer represent the book-loving mainstream.
Finished Reading: None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell 📚
A trend in novels lately are untrustworthy narrators who are women who are submissive to potentially-abusive men. (See also the soulmate). I don't love being in their heads as characters. It feels stifling, as it's supposed to. But also, suffocating, which perhaps it's not supposed to.
This book had some of that yet also wove lives and experiences together while walking you through a mystery. Can't say that I loved the resolution but it was inline with the book itself.
Okay, Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert was a straight up modern romance novel. Don't let the lack of Fabio-on-the-cover fool you.
But it was a book friend, keeping me company when I needed some rest. Cute, clever characters, snarky banter. There are too many "will they won't they" plot drivers in the world already (see most television series and romance novels.) But this time, I didn't mind one more.
I just finished reading The Bee Sting by Paul Murray 📚
Nope.
I'm not a fan of novels that switch between voices, shifting between main characters. But this book did it brilliantly. And used interesting conventions (like no punctuation) to indicate how characters think in real time. I sometimes wanted to turn away from them but I kept reading because I wanted to see what happened.
I don't want to post spoilers. You might like how it all comes together (it's certainly novel). But for me ... nope.
Clerk in Carters (US baby clothes store): May I help you find something?
Me: OMG no. There should be a sign saying “Are you a new grandparent with a credit card? We provide supervision.”
Clerk: [beat] I’m gonna get you a basket.
“Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are." -- unknown
In the modern age, architecture transcends any single toolset. It's about designing relationships between parts and adapting as circumstances change. Join me at NDC London 2025 for "Architecture isn't Kubernetes" delve into the sociotechnical skills we also need. bit.ly/40IuSuo
If you haven't read this already ... today might be the perfect day.
Started reading: Infomocracy
I just finished reading the first two books in Malka Ann Older's "The Investigations of Mossa and Pleiti" series. I couldn't wait for the third one to be published ... so picked up her first (and perhaps best known) book.
The older I get, the more I see that what I know is too-often blocking what I can discover.
"Was she capable of that kind of flow? If she could disable her ability to track time, could she lose herself the way they did? -- Becky Chambers: Closed and Common Orbit
I fell in love with the characters in Becky Chambers' first book of the Wayward series. When I realized the second book didn't include (most of) them, I almost stopped reading.
Thank goodness I didn't. I fell in love with these characters too. Which made picking up the next book even easier.
Chambers writes intelligent, insightful stories that are so smooth, I flow through them like talking with a good friend.
Buy it at Bookshop
This is what I'd want everyone to know ... in 10 minutes!
I pasted this link into family chat. Then realized ... my grandbaby is going to be born into the geekiest family. www.youtube.com/watch
I am the luckiest O'Reilly author. Lisa Maria Schäfer, the talented artist and software professional, created a Sketchnote for each chapter of Learning Systems Thinking.
Lisa's work is magic. In a single artifact, she weaves concepts together to form meaning. Simultaneously, she makes us feel entertained. I hope to see more of Lisa's work published. More importantly, I hope to see more Sketchnotes used to describe technology systems. Lisa can teach us how to make our work more impactful.
Today's addition to the Systems Library. Communication Patterns: A Guide for Developers and Architects by Jacqui Read @tekiegirl
Practice the Art and Science of Systems Thinking!
Here's what we'll explore in this intensive 2-day workshop at goto; CPH ...
🗓️ Sep 31 & Oct 1
🔗 Register here: [https://gotocph.com/2024/masterclasses/464/2-days-learning-systems-thinking]
Transform your thinking, transform your impact!
Learn how to approach real-world technology challenges with systems thinking. Join me for a 2-day masterclass at GOTO Copenhagen!
📅 Sept 30 & Oct 1st
🔗 Sign up here: [https://gotocph.com/2024/masterclasses/464/2-days-learning-systems-thinking]
The best way to learn systems thinking is to dive in into a problem with no single solution! Join us for a two-day, hands-on, think together experience
The best way to learn systems thinking is to dive in into a problem with no single solution! Join us for a two-day, hands-on, think together experience.
https://gotocph.com/2024/masterclasses/464/2-days-learning-systems-thinking
I have been on a Becky Chambers journey. I'm experiencing stress from deadlines, travels, etc ... not bad stress, but I do need a space to rest. Becky Chambers is my book friend, keeping me excellent company with The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet.
Twitter is moving to Texas. That's all you need to know.
"The rest of the world is watching to see if we can pull this off." -- Barack Obama
Catching up on last night's speeches. Feeling proud to be an American woman -- it's become female leadership vs ... that guy.
Edit: So I probably shouldn't have been surprised by the outcome.
Hilary Clinton -- after experiencing an unimaginable public humiliation, got up on stage last night and lifted another woman up into the job she wanted. Lifted up the country that put the other guy in office. >That's what grown ups do.
You cannot say you love your country only when you win. -- President Joe Biden
I just proved that DMARC settings on a domain will, in fact, block everything sent using that domain. Even Converkit newsletters that aren't actually sent from that domain.
Now, you don't have to waste a day, I did it for you :)
This is an important thinking pattern to examine. Because we know how this story ends … (Image from this [NYT’s article](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/10/magazine/jd-vance-new-right-republicans.html))
Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, this was how two presidential hopefuls behaved ...
I like a lot of things about Ryan Reynolds. My second favorite thing is his friendships with Rob McElhenney and Hugh Jackman. (First is his comedic acting talent.)
In a country swooning over toxic masculinity -- I appreciate men who openly love (and hug) their male friends.
Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are the forefathers of this trend. Long may it continue.
We shall all sit under our own vines and under our own coconut trees ... and no one shall make us afraid. — George Washington
This gives me chills. Biden watching this years ago ... then embracing the character demonstrated by Washington.
This gives me chills. Biden watching this years ago ... then embracing the character demonstrated by Washington.
Join me tomorrow! A three-hour Learning Systems Thinking course on the O''Reilly platform. 1 - 4 pm Eastern.
You'll get a solid introduction ... and we have fun :) Join Here
Today is the 4th day of my four-day holiday. I woke up with nothing to do. After a year of working every day (which I've enjoyed), I'm watching my brain and body unwind. And realizing that winding myself up was not the only option. I can (maybe) learn to rest in the midst of great effort.
Today is the 4th day of my four-day holiday. I woke up with nothing to do. After a year of working every day (which I've enjoyed), I'm watching my brain and body unwind. And realizing that winding myself up was not the only option. I can (maybe) learn to rest in the midst of great effort.
As part of optimizing my writing workflow, I've set up Obsidian (where I write daily) to publish posts here. Using Obsidian Microblog
“The one who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The one who walks alone is likely to find themselves in places no one has ever been before.” -- Albert Einstein
This is two books, Shards of Honor and Barrayar. I was desperately flailing around the internet, looking for something restful to read. Reddit threads said "this is my favorite series ever." It's not my favorite ever but a week later, I'm on the third book. [Cordelia's Honor](https://micro.blog/books/9780671578282) by Lois McMaster Bujold 📚
And introducing Brad Pitt as Keith.
You’re so epic you’re practically a whole backlog. — my husband, being romantic
[The Bee Sting](https://micro.blog/books/9780374600310) by Paul Murray 📚 I don't enjoy novels that switch between voices but this book did it brilliantly. I admired the unconventional use of punctuation and chapter structures to convey the characters. I didn't love them but stayed invested. Alas, I got to the end and ... threw my kobo. Nope.
[Upgrade: A Novel](https://micro.blog/books/9780593157534) by Blake Crouch 📚 I enjoyed a story that doesn't simplify intelligence into "I can win at Jeopardy." Along with the protagonist, we experience emerging neurodiversity, the way social experience and perception shifts. A bit too much exposition for me but still a fun puzzle to solve.
I consumed the Twilight series like potato chips. (Don't Judge!) So it was with Bride by Ali Hazelwood. Yes, it's a "vulnerable woman who's actually independent and strong, falls for a pseudobadguy who maybe wants to kill her" story. But a top Bookseller Recommendation, not just another pretty face.
I've been reading novels every night. Since Covid, I've needed stories, no nonfiction. So I've let myself go on this journey. I'll share some reviews in the coming days.
Looking for something good to read? I rely on IndieBound to help me find new titles. www.indiebound.org/indie-bes...
Playing on repeat to improve my Wednesday energy.
This talk "presents a new lens to understand our contemporary world" and "a set of tools that honor and leverage emergence in order to have agency and impact." It's not about technology. But if I didn't tell you that, you'd probably think it was.
Let's face it, software systems are messy ... that's what makes them work.
After watching the movie Anatomy of a Fall, I couldn't sleep. It is a psychologically chilling, and familiar, experience of what happens when a woman is vulnerable to the judgement of men. The tone and patterns are the background music of our lives. I'm grateful it exists, it turns up the volume.
6am, sitting on the couch together, drinking coffee. Macbook Pros & noise-cancelling headphones. Wordle scores posted in the family Slack channel. He's studying for the K8s exam. I'm writing the last chapter of my O'Reilly book. I'd say something snarky about "geek love" but ... it really is wonderful.
Why turning off Messages before you begin your focus session is important. Your friends are interesting or they wouldn't be your friends.
Andrew Harmel-Law is writing Facilitating Software Architecture while I am writing Learning Systems Thinking. Today we started a 30 day challenge using Writing Analytics. I'm not usually motivated by data tracking but this tool has improved my focus significantly. app.writinganalytics.co
Well, that's a thing. 2023 was quite a year.
If you do the thing you most want to do -- the thing you fear you can not do -- you'll discover your blockers.
Success isn't achieving your goals; goals are changed by experience.
Success is transforming your relationship to whatever is holding you back.
Early in my career as a systems architect, I felt alone with the challenges I faced. Now, I am surrounded by people who understand. The key to our success is learning from each other and sharing insights. We are all in this together.
I haven't done a great job staying connected -- for reasons I've described here. But I want you to know that I'm with you and feeling grateful. Read More
<sings>We're watching Mullin. Super Paul Mullin. Playing in the FA Cup today. We want Wrexham to win. Go on and ... </sings> … beat Arsenal or ManCity but we hope they don't draw Liverpool and we'd be torn if they play the Spurs.
Part 3 of Learning Systems Thinking has been added to the early release. It's delightful to be *this close* to finishing the book. I look forward to your feedback! [www.oreilly.com/library/v...](https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/learning-systems-thinking/9781098151324/)
Snark is the best medicine. I'd already read every Murderbot book. Thank goodness, when I needed a Covid book friend, there was: The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi 📚
Over the holidays, I had Covid. Symptoms began two weeks ago, and I am still not recovered. For the first time in my career, I've had to cancel engagements and travel. This is both heartbreaking and a lesson. We need rest and self care. Whatever "push through it" career strategies we had before 2020, they are outdated.
The good news is, I'm reading more. Just finished The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson 📚
rated Lost Man: 4 stars
rated ALL NEW Don't Think of an Elephant!: 2 stars
rated Anything is possible: 3 stars
rated Deep Work: 4 stars
rated Norse Mythology: 3 stars
The ontology has revealed that we’ve misunderstood the question.
And yes, I realize I've just turned a newsletter signup box into a domain-modeling exercise.
I have absolutely no regrets.
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