I've been retired for the last two years, it's been transformative. I've lost a lot of weight, I've greatly improved my cardiovascular fitness, I've finally treated my ADHD, I've learned Latin to an intermediate level, I've made new friends, I've gotten into 19th century literature, and as a life-long autodidact I have never been happier.
Ultimately, I want to give something back to the world in the next 10 years. I've benefited from so much open source and public domain stuff, I'd like to create something of use for others. Right now I'm really interested in AI assisted language learning pedagogy, and I'm working on an essay about how I use an ancient text editor, GNU Emacs, along with gptel and some other tools to help me me study an ancient language.
I've been getting into AI, philosophy of mind, etc. I've long been a fan of Dennett, Pat Churchland, etc. and am "deeper diving" that and recently started working on an extension of Dennett's multiple drafts model, where I more explicitly collapse the distinction between percepts (sensory information/qualia) and beliefs (mental concepts etc). I'm in my mid-40's and work in software as day job but my true passion is philosophy of mind and am starting to work on that more seriously. Hope this to be a long-term enterprise.
Focusing on "Solo-Engineering" complex systems that were previously impossible for a single dev.
For the past 10 years, I’ve worked as a web dev and SEO analyst. My next 10 years will be defined by tackling the "Complexity Ceiling" that used to stop solo founders in their tracks.
Here is what AI has changed for my decade-long roadmap:
From "Information" to "Efficiency Engines": Previously, building a high-quality strategy engine for a complex game (like genetics/breeding simulators or deck-building logic) required a team or months of manual balancing. Now, I can use LLMs to stress-test game theory logic and edge cases in days. My goal is to build a fleet of "Decision Engines" rather than just content wikis.
Hyper-Localizing the Web: Scaling a niche tool into 5-10 languages used to be a nightmare of maintenance and translation costs. AI now handles the "native gamer" nuance in localization perfectly. I’m spending my next decade building programmatic platforms that are globally accessible from day one.
The "Tool-Led" pSEO Pivot: The era of basic content clusters is dying. I’m moving toward "Programmatic SEO + Interactive Tools." If a user needs a specific calculator or a specialized PFP resizer, I can now scaffold, debug, and deploy that specific utility in a fraction of the time, allowing me to manage a portfolio of 20+ high-traffic niche sites solo.
The "Impossible" part:
Ten years ago, I thought I’d always be a cog in a larger dev team to build anything "heavy." Today, my 10-year outlook is being a "One-Man Studio" managing complex, data-heavy systems that serve millions of users.
The next decade isn't about AI writing my code; it's about AI allowing me to think at a 10x larger architectural scale.
What a range of really interesting responses in this thread, thanks for taking the time to post. In 10 years I'll be approaching a milestone age (like I am now). I hope to still be an active father for my kids, to have enough money and investments to feel financially comfortable, to be pursuing more of my interests than work.
I don’t know and that’s what makes me a little anxious. I’m a software engineer but I’ve been trying to figure out the next move once the jobs go away. Still on the search.
"Honestly? I’d love to be cryogenically frozen and woken up 1,000 years from now. I’m more curious about the far future and how technology evolves over centuries than what happens in the next ten years. Managing my own Linux VPS lab (Kaoslabs) is fun for now, but seeing the ultimate 'endgame' of tech would be the dream."
I've been retired for the last two years, it's been transformative. I've lost a lot of weight, I've greatly improved my cardiovascular fitness, I've finally treated my ADHD, I've learned Latin to an intermediate level, I've made new friends, I've gotten into 19th century literature, and as a life-long autodidact I have never been happier.
Ultimately, I want to give something back to the world in the next 10 years. I've benefited from so much open source and public domain stuff, I'd like to create something of use for others. Right now I'm really interested in AI assisted language learning pedagogy, and I'm working on an essay about how I use an ancient text editor, GNU Emacs, along with gptel and some other tools to help me me study an ancient language.
Curious how you've treated your adhd, do you mean medication?
For me the next 10 years will be consolidating my kids development as they'll both be working or at finishing uni by then.
I've been getting into AI, philosophy of mind, etc. I've long been a fan of Dennett, Pat Churchland, etc. and am "deeper diving" that and recently started working on an extension of Dennett's multiple drafts model, where I more explicitly collapse the distinction between percepts (sensory information/qualia) and beliefs (mental concepts etc). I'm in my mid-40's and work in software as day job but my true passion is philosophy of mind and am starting to work on that more seriously. Hope this to be a long-term enterprise.
Focusing on "Solo-Engineering" complex systems that were previously impossible for a single dev.
For the past 10 years, I’ve worked as a web dev and SEO analyst. My next 10 years will be defined by tackling the "Complexity Ceiling" that used to stop solo founders in their tracks.
Here is what AI has changed for my decade-long roadmap:
From "Information" to "Efficiency Engines": Previously, building a high-quality strategy engine for a complex game (like genetics/breeding simulators or deck-building logic) required a team or months of manual balancing. Now, I can use LLMs to stress-test game theory logic and edge cases in days. My goal is to build a fleet of "Decision Engines" rather than just content wikis.
Hyper-Localizing the Web: Scaling a niche tool into 5-10 languages used to be a nightmare of maintenance and translation costs. AI now handles the "native gamer" nuance in localization perfectly. I’m spending my next decade building programmatic platforms that are globally accessible from day one.
The "Tool-Led" pSEO Pivot: The era of basic content clusters is dying. I’m moving toward "Programmatic SEO + Interactive Tools." If a user needs a specific calculator or a specialized PFP resizer, I can now scaffold, debug, and deploy that specific utility in a fraction of the time, allowing me to manage a portfolio of 20+ high-traffic niche sites solo.
The "Impossible" part: Ten years ago, I thought I’d always be a cog in a larger dev team to build anything "heavy." Today, my 10-year outlook is being a "One-Man Studio" managing complex, data-heavy systems that serve millions of users.
The next decade isn't about AI writing my code; it's about AI allowing me to think at a 10x larger architectural scale.
What a range of really interesting responses in this thread, thanks for taking the time to post. In 10 years I'll be approaching a milestone age (like I am now). I hope to still be an active father for my kids, to have enough money and investments to feel financially comfortable, to be pursuing more of my interests than work.
I don’t know and that’s what makes me a little anxious. I’m a software engineer but I’ve been trying to figure out the next move once the jobs go away. Still on the search.
Want to exit my Tech business and get into Family Entertainment business (I really want to try that business). Not 10 but may be in 5 years.
traveling around the world with my wife
Having and raising kids with my wife mary
Hope you have wonderful kids. God bless you.
"Honestly? I’d love to be cryogenically frozen and woken up 1,000 years from now. I’m more curious about the far future and how technology evolves over centuries than what happens in the next ten years. Managing my own Linux VPS lab (Kaoslabs) is fun for now, but seeing the ultimate 'endgame' of tech would be the dream."