Start it when you're busiest
Start it when you're busiest
"In the midst of chaos is also opportunity", Sun Tzu
Starting a project? This quote is ESSENTIAL.
Don't start a project when you're free. Start it when you're busy. When you're busiest.
We can make time. Out of thin air. But only when something's important.
Starting something when you're free is a recipe for disaster. Because when you get busy, that thing will be the first thing to go.
👋Hi! If you're reading this it means we've connected and I wanted to stay in touch. These updates are to showcase what I've been up to, what I'm struggling with, and how I could use some help.
Rust 🦀 in a nutshell
"Don't talk while eating you could choke and die haha" -Rust
I've been learning Rust programming from the book and with entirely too many linked lists - and enjoying it! I've finally got my head wrapped around THE concept that we all struggle with as rust beginners: ownership... I banged my head on a wall for hours trying to understand it. Using ownership is much like using a spell check for a foreign language: you must first learn the language. But once that language has been learned, its value only grows with time.
Now... Why Rust?
Because of Computer Graphics. "Now hang on a second.." I hear you ask. "Isn't C++ the king of computer graphics?". Well yes. But I see some parts of C++ as arcane, only accessible to the select few who have devoted the necessary years learning to avoid its infamous pitfalls (*cough *cough concurrency). And I don't have years. Rust, on the other hand is designed in a way that encourages reliable, quick, and memory-efficient programs.
It’s all about the content - CG
Learning Vulkan was challenging to start with. That is until I learned to use the specification. I made the mistake of thinking the specification was filled with unhelpful explanations and legal jargon - when it was in fact one of the most useful tools out there. Take a look at my article on how using the specification is a secret power many beginners don't consider.
I'm going to be making a series of videos about fluid simulation in Rust. I have something like this in mind, where by the end of the series I'm going to show a state of the art implementation of SPH in rust. I'm going to be writing my takeaways on why rust is ideal for CG to this blog based on the knowledge I gain.
Mathematics & Physics
Do you know about Frederic Schuller? I know about Frederic Schuller. I've listened to his lectures on the geometric anatomy of theoretical physics - and its amazing! Math is simply beautiful when taught correctly. This image is a diagram that represents the 9 stages of mathematical physics - from the group up.
And I currently find myself at the third level: Topology. Seeing the entirety of modern physics being set up from scratch is very satisfying and interesting. Concepts that I thought we're complicated like the ZFC axioms are in actuality extremely enjoyable to think about.
What I’m thinking
1. The best time to start something new = when you are the busiest
I had a reading week this month and started learning vulkan with rust. But as soon as the crunch restarted, I dropped it.
By starting something when you're busy, you're telling yourself that that project/interest is important and is worth preserving.
2. Our testing systems suck, but that's not an excuse to hack them.
In the short term, hacking the system is an easy way to get good grades. But long term the dividends will come in, and come in hard when the foundation for a topic is properly built.
I've been reading "The man who loved only numbers", a book on math history and Paul Erdos. Not because it's useful - but because it makes the topic enjoyable. I am studying math because I enjoy it, not for some artificial grade.
As you can tell, I'm super hyped this month about learning rust. Look forward to the series I make on fluid simulations with rust - and if you know any other rust/CG enthusiast, I'd love to connect with them!
Thanks for checking in! I’m Davide, a 19-year-old self-learner who runs The Feynman Mafia, exploring how learning by explaining can be used to teach yourself any topic.
To learn more about me, check out my website, and follow me on YouTube or Twitter.
Cheers & see you soon.
✌️Davide