If we build digital systems, we know this. But we forgot that it applies to the people too.

Some freedoms feel natural now because people paid the cost to make them possible. What freedoms are you paying forward today?

20 years ago, I was washing dishes on a sunny Saturday, listening to Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me. The guest on “Not My Job” was a junior Senator from Illinois. I stopped mid-dish, “who is this guy?” Intelligence, self deprecation , and a bit of snarky humor. I miss those things. buff.ly/q2qvJGT

I tried to write yet another professional bio. But ... I just couldn't find the rhythm. So, I followed my own ;)

Finally going to #ComoCamp. Starting with: From Feature Factory to Forge Turn feature requirements into coherent system design. Forge relationships — between concepts, people, and time — through a real-world scenario where assumptions hide and understanding diverges.

I've decided that Wandering is Meditation. And the Meditation is "the five minutes before I fall asleep at night."

The good old days. buff.ly/0HMNtfI

We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason if we dig deep into our history and our doctrine, and remember that we are not descended from fearful men.

Strange days indeed. Christianity talk making me feel sane and grounded. buff.ly/YYF2avC

Super Bowl commercial viewers: No, we can’t all build apps now.

Current Status

Systems are not APIs or software tools. Those enable systems. Systems are the shape that information takes when it moves.

Fun Pause: Humor for the word nerds (or humour -- for those who add a u to words that don't need one) youtube.com/shorts/u29XF...

AI Said: "That’s so on brand. 🤣 You wake up like: ☕️ “Who am I in the epistemic topology of being today?” After journaling and caffeine, it gently distills down to: “Okay but how do I make the damn Library not suck?” Your morning brain traverses the entire ontology before committing to a query."

Nuff said.

Ready for the next adventure? Two days, in person. June 8 & 9th. As always, Domain-Driven Design Europe is where I really dive in ... the intelligence and enthusiasm is contagious. Early release chapters of the book will be shared soon. Meanwhile, co-create smarter systems with me. buff.ly/YayDFE4

Some days, I take great comfort in this: Nobody was asking for hip hop broadway show tunes about Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton. And yet, here we are.

I love feeling sensed back by thinkers I respect. Original post: mastodon.social/@RuthMalan/1...

Woke with this playing in my head ... a sure sign that I'm happy. buff.ly/EmtRvQp

Travelers is a series about humans from the future who come back in time to save humanity. Two major story lines describe the biggest events that happen after the series ended. That’s … kinda freaking me out.

Me: I'd love a snarky movie quote for this section. ChatGPT: Forget everything you think you know. —Doctor Strange Me: Yes! Can I sneak in my undying love for Benedict Cumberbatch too?!

They are not concrete.

As I begin a long weekend of writing, reading and resting ...

Thinking about the physics of time in knowledge systems ...

When someone disses me on the internet for talking about systems beyond implementation details ...

I’m officially beginning the existential transformation of everything I think I know (about myself and the world). The adventure we euphemistically call “Writing a Book.” If I fall down the well, send Lassie. (Or any other long-dead trope.)

Yes, me. I am having this problem. As always, @chuckwendig.bsky.social is good medicine. buff.ly/0kD6sf8

Happy Friday. Have fun storming the castle! buff.ly/ullc5fn

s/"junior senator from Wisconsin"/"the president" youtube.com/shorts/veEan...

A little late Monday dance party, in case you need some perk in your step. youtube.com/shorts/MKDRJ...

So much joy www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o4n...

Cuddling the new family members.

The time needed to write is relatively easy to estimate. It's the time needed to avoid writing that is difficult to predict. (For example, how long it took to find the right image for this post.) (And the time needed to edit this post.) (And ... this post.)

Why are these people so happy? They’ve just saved our children from the evil Elmo, the despotic Big Bird and the scourge that is “learning the alphabet”. Personally, I’m still recovering from the trauma inflicted by Car Talk and Wait Wait, Don’t Tell Me.

At the upcoming Software Architecture Superstream: Communicating Software Architecture -- the speaker lineup is incredible! Join us on April 29 at 11:00 AM ET for mapping, modeling, and effective communication skills. Get your architectural recommendations heard! Sign in (or sign up) bit.ly/4kf3Z9m

Every time I give a talk -- every single time -- there is this guy. Thank you Cat Morris for sharing this joyful antidote.

On my way to Explore DDD. Tomorrow, I am thrilled to be giving the opening keynote: Architecture is Designing Knowledge Flow. Then I get to learn, learn, learn. By Friday my brain will be full and happy. exploreddd.com

When architecting systems, shared context matters.

I have mentioned this talk 59 times since I saw it. One of my personal favorites.

In retrospect “I listen to either every song on the planet or one song on repeat for six month” could’ve been an early autism diagnosis…

🎙️ Why do some tech teams thrive and others don’t? On #GOTOpodcast, @mentrix.bsky.social and @krisajenkins.bsky.social break it down for us. • Right setups energize teams • Manage complex system challenges • Tips for engaging, creative meetings 🎧 Listen now: gotopia.tech/podcast

Testing again.

Bear claw pie. Chocolate bar candy cake marzipan gummies danish macaroon lemon drops bear claw. Dessert apple pie donut brownie. Jelly-o chocolate apple pie ice cream chocolate gummi bears dessert marzipan oat cake. Topping soufflé carrot cake candy canes chupa chups cake macaroon sugar plum jelly.

You can’t fix what you don’t understand. And most teams barely understand the systems they operate in. The Systems Thinking Workshop changes that. Practice core skills applied to real-world challenges in this hands-on workshop at Explore. exploreddd.com/workshops/

Linear thinking works great for simple problems. But if you're working with other teams, customers, or the real world —it’s not enough. Explore DDD’s Systems Thinking Workshop is for those ready to think deeper and lead smarter. exploreddd.com/workshops/

The real world doesn’t work in silos. Neither should your strategy. Systems Thinking isn't just theory—it's a mindset that can transform the way you approach work, collaboration, and change. Explore it in depth at the Systems Thinking Workshop during Explore DDD. exploreddd.com/workshops/