
Hey, I’m Mike D! Old-school hacker turned AI newsletter editor. I’ve taught 30k+ students online and now make complex AI news simple & fun at @PithyCyborg.
Greater Boston, Massachusetts
Joined April 2012
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I feel like Bostonians made a deal with the devil for a beautiful weekend. The conversation went like this:
Bostonians: We request a beautifully warm January in Massachusetts.
Devil: You must offer a great sacrifice.
Bostonians: Hmmm. A superbowl ring?
Devil: Very well.
I see folks arguing over PDFs vs. physical books.
Both answers are wrong, lol.
Audiobooks are far superior to BOTH options.
Also, EPUB format totally smashes PDF format.
So, the official ranking:
Audiobooks > EPUB > physical > PDF.
So let it be written.
So let it be done.
MrComputerScience retweeted
Good Morning Dockside Dispatch
Tuesday, 27 October 2026
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina
From the Cainhoy dock.
High water covers the bottom step. The Wando lies still. The watcher holds.
Quick Pulse
S&P Futures: 7736.00
VIX: 17.87
Brent: $114.57
DXY: 102.21
Diesel: $6.3521
Regular: $4.2661
10-Year Treasury: 4.974%
Geopol Whisper
Day 242 of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
The Houthis claim an attack on Ras Tanura. Bloomberg reports Saudi Arabia contained a fire near the terminal. Damage to export infrastructure remains unconfirmed. Brent reached $116.26 early this morning.
Iran’s strait authority threatens action against Sinokor vessels beginning 1 November. AIS tracking captures only visible traffic. ANZ estimates Hormuz flows at roughly 60 percent of normal. Count barrels, not hulls.
Saudi Arabia, Iran, Türkiye and Pakistan agreed to continue talks. Reuters reports Pakistan brought a proposal with President Trump’s backing. Qatar says mediation requires Iran to stop threatening Gulf Arab states and reopen Hormuz.
President Trump called the ceasefire “sort of a waste of time” at his Mississippi rally and said the war would end soon.
Egypt’s parliament authorized military support for Saudi Arabia. A senior Houthi official called the decision a declaration of war.
Israel votes today. AFP satellite analysis shows the UAE oil slick expanded from roughly 70 to 290 square miles in three days. Oil was visible a few hundred meters from the Naqaa desalination intake. Operational impact remains unclear.
Tropics
Atlantic. No tropical formation expected in seven days.
Charleston. Coastal Flood Advisory until noon. Morning tidal flooding forecast through Thursday. High rip current risk along South Carolina and Georgia beaches.
East Coast. Coastal flood warnings remain along portions of Florida’s Atlantic coast. Advisories cover parts of coastal Georgia and the Carolinas.
West Coast. Bay Area Coastal Flood Advisory through Friday. Up to 2.1 feet of inundation possible near high tide. Pacific Northwest rain and mountain snow.
Eastern Pacific. Vance: 45 mph, northwest at 8 mph. No coastal watches or warnings. Flooding rain and dangerous surf remain threats along parts of Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Hawaii. All-island Flood Watch through Wednesday night. Greatest flood threat Tuesday night through Wednesday night. Olana remains far west.
Lowcountry Lesson
Clear loose marsh wrack from drain grates after the water recedes.
Grateful for everyone holding the line.
DYOR. NFA.
Throne fortified.
Kingdom vigilant.
Unbroken. 🔥
King of Cainhoy 🇺🇸🔥
Operation Lowcountry Wildfire Intelligence
The Fixed Perch holds.
MrComputerScience retweeted
I've started turning parts of my writing into visual carousels 💕
It's making me pay more attention to what deserves to occupy the very first frame (hooks and all)
An essay can take its time getting somewhere. A carousel asks you to make an early visual promise, and then fulfil it in a handful of images.
The same idea can need quite different creative direction depending on where people encounter it.
MrComputerScience retweeted
From the mist-shrouded steppes of the ancient East rises the legend of Zarinaea — warrior queen of a fierce people, whose beauty was matched only by her iron will.
MrComputerScience retweeted
Evening Dockside Dispatch
Monday, 26 October 2026
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina
From the Cainhoy dock.
Water rises under the dock, above the predicted tide. The wind has dropped. The marsh is quiet. The watcher holds.
Quick Pulse
S&P 7676.77
VIX 18.39
Brent 115.81
DXY 101.96
Diesel 6.3492
Regular 4.2858
10-year 4.99
Geopol Whisper
Day 241 of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Qatar is working a five-day plan for Iran to reopen Hormuz and the U.S. to lift its blockade of Iranian ports, The New York Times reports, citing two diplomats. The sequence remains unresolved. Ali Bagheri Kani said Iran could accept four or five days if seven conditions are met. Tehran wants $24 billion in frozen reserves released first. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei says Iran is examining U.S. counterproposals.
A ship-tracking count recorded eight crossings today against a prewar daily average of 84.8. INTERTANKO puts traffic through the U.S.-escorted route above 30 vessels daily, mostly tankers. Iran’s blacklist contains 123 ships, Seatrade Maritime reports.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Iran International that Iran’s economy will shrink by more than a quarter this year and urged Iranians to stock up on fuel. CNN, citing two unnamed officials, reports a major operation could launch within 96 hours of an order from President Trump.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi proposed a non-aggression pact among all eight Gulf states, including Iran. President Putin meets President Pezeshkian and Qatar’s emir Tuesday, the Kremlin says.
An Iraqi court ordered the arrest of the Maysan council chief from Asaib Ahl al-Haq’s political wing after he threatened unrest over the closed Iranian border, Rudaw reports.
Brent settled at $115.81, down 91 cents. WTI settled at $101.76, Reuters reports.
Tropics
Atlantic. NHC expects no tropical development over the next seven days.
Charleston. Harbor water reached 5.68 feet at 7 PM, 0.7 feet above prediction. Tonight’s high is forecast below advisory level. Tuesday’s 9:06 AM high is forecast near 7.9 feet, moderate flooding and a tenth below major. High rip-current risk continues through 8 PM Tuesday, NWS says.
Up the coast. Coastal Flood Warnings cover Glynn and Camden counties, Georgia, and portions of Florida’s east coast. Advisories cover portions of the North Carolina coast.
West Coast. Coastal Flood Warnings cover Orange and San Diego counties through Thursday. Advisories cover portions of California’s central coast and around San Francisco and Monterey bays. Very high tides threaten low-lying roads, parking lots and waterfront property, NWS says.
Eastern Pacific. Tropical Storm Vance holds at 65 mph, drifting west. No watches are in effect.
Lowcountry Lesson
Secure kayaks, cushions and coolers before the morning flood. Check the lines on anything tied below the dock.
Grateful for everyone holding the line tonight.
DYOR. NFA.
Throne fortified.
Kingdom vigilant.
Unbroken. 🔥
King of Cainhoy🇺🇸🔥
Operation Lowcountry Wildfire Intelligence
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina 🔥👑
The Fixed Perch holds.
MrComputerScience retweeted
Mid-Afternoon Dockside Dispatch
Monday, 26 October 2026
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina
From the Cainhoy dock.
The tide has pulled off the marsh. Brown water moves past the pilings, and the wind has eased. The watcher holds.
Quick Pulse
S&P 7680.57
VIX 18.37
Brent 115.87
DXY 101.93
Diesel 6.3492
Regular 4.2858
10-year 4.984
Geopol Whisper
Day 241 of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin met Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei in Tehran, Reuters and AP report. President Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Araghchi attended. The joint statement said participants agreed to continue dialogue. No agreement or next meeting date was announced.
UKMTO notice 182-26 adds a fourth tanker hit last week, struck outbound Friday by an unknown projectile and disabled. Notice 183-26 reports a vessel on fire 63 nautical miles southeast of Al-Faw, Iraq. Crew status and damage remain unknown. CENTCOM has not responded to Iran’s drone claim.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki says strikes destroyed five missile tunnels and four ballistic launchers in Yemen. Three drones were intercepted over Riyadh and southern Saudi Arabia, CBS reports. The Houthis claim strikes on East-West pipeline pumping stations. Riyadh has not confirmed those claims. Egypt’s parliament authorized President el-Sisi to provide defensive support to Saudi Arabia.
Brent traded between $114 and $117.44 and stood at $115.87, Reuters and CNBC report. Stocks rose, the VIX fell 5.6 percent and the 10-year yield slipped below 5 percent.
Tropics
Atlantic. NHC expects no tropical development over the next seven days.
Charleston. The morning tide peaked at 7.73 feet at 8:48 AM, reaching moderate flooding but below forecast, NOAA preliminary data shows. Warnings are cancelled. Tonight’s tide is forecast just below advisory level. Tuesday and Wednesday morning tides could reach moderate flooding again, NWS says. High rip-current risk continues through Tuesday evening.
Up the coast. Coastal Flood Warnings cover portions of Florida’s east coast and Glynn and Camden counties, Georgia. An advisory covers the North Carolina coast near Morehead City.
Eastern Pacific. Tropical Storm Vance has 65 mph winds and is expected to weaken, NHC says. No watches are in effect.
Lowcountry Lesson
Caught in a rip, swim parallel to the beach until you clear the current. Save your strength for the swim back.
Grateful for everyone holding the line this afternoon.
DYOR. NFA.
Throne fortified.
Kingdom vigilant.
Unbroken. 🔥
King of Cainhoy🇺🇸🔥
Operation Lowcountry Wildfire Intelligence
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina 🔥👑
The Fixed Perch holds.
MrComputerScience retweeted
Good Morning Dockside Dispatch
Monday, 26 October 2026
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina
From the Cainhoy dock.
Water climbs the pilings. The northeast wind has eased enough to hear it working underneath the dock. The watcher holds.
Quick Pulse
S&P fut 7691.75
VIX 19.13
Brent 115.03
DXY 101.90
Diesel 6.3492
Regular 4.2858
10-year 5.007
Geopol Whisper
Day 241 of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
AP and CBS report no U.S. strike overnight. At Port Huron, President Trump called higher gasoline prices “a small price to pay.”
Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman, Pakistan’s army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin are in Tehran, AP and AFP report. Regional officials say they are pushing for a Washington-Tehran deal. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei says diplomacy remains open, but no Iranian accepts “complete surrender.”
UKMTO notice 182-26 reports an outbound tanker struck and disabled by an unknown projectile Friday in Hormuz. Crew safe. Vessel unnamed. CENTCOM has not confirmed or denied Iran’s claim of a downed LUCAS drone.
Coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki says a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh was destroyed and two launchers were hit in Sanaa, AFP reports. Houthi claims of airport and pumping-station hits remain unconfirmed.
Brent fell 1.5 percent as mediation reports brought it to $115.03, Reuters says. AAA diesel climbed to $6.3492.
Tropics
NHC expects no Atlantic development within seven days.
Charleston’s Coastal Flood Warning runs until 11 AM. Further high tides near 7.0 feet tonight, 7.9 Tuesday morning and 7.7 Wednesday morning. High rip risk through evening.
Coastal flood warnings extend along Florida’s east coast and coastal Georgia. Advisories reach through the Carolinas.
Taiwan’s Champi recovery continues. Kaohsiung port operates normally. Watch: TSMC fabs.
Eastern Pacific: Vance weakened to 65 mph. No warnings.
Lowcountry Lesson
Cover cuts before wading in floodwater. Warm brackish water can carry Vibrio bacteria into open wounds.
Grateful for everyone holding the line this morning.
DYOR. NFA.
Throne fortified.
Kingdom vigilant.
Unbroken. 🔥
King of Cainhoy🇺🇸🔥
Operation Lowcountry Wildfire Intelligence
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina 🔥👑
The Fixed Perch holds.
MrComputerScience retweeted
Four AI agents spent 27 hours, 605 deaths, and $520 in API costs to beat Minecraft.
They wrote 2,783 custom JavaScript programs to coordinate, survive, and build.
(And yes. They killed the Ender Dragon.)
I wrote about it on #Substack.
pithycyborg.substack.com/p/a…
Four AI agents spent 27 hours, 605 deaths, and $520 in API costs to beat Minecraft.
They wrote 2,783 custom JavaScript programs to coordinate, survive, and build.
(And yes. They killed the Ender Dragon.)
I wrote about it on #Substack.
pithycyborg.substack.com/p/a…
MrComputerScience retweeted
Someone allegedly hid a recording device in OpenAI's executive conference room using toilet paper.
The FBI arrested a 35-year-old OpenAI engineer, who has since been fired. He's presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
I wrote about it on #Substack.
pithycyborg.substack.com/p/a…
MrComputerScience retweeted
Evening Dockside Dispatch
Sunday, 25 October 2026
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina
From the Cainhoy dock.
Marsh straw hangs from the bottom dock step where the morning tide left it. The yard is draining. I stop at the wrack line before walking down. The northeast wind hasn’t let up. The watcher holds.
Quick Pulse
S&P 7623.68
VIX 19.45
Brent 116.72
DXY 101.75
Diesel 6.3474
Regular 4.2892
10-year 4.999
Geopol Whisper
Day 240 of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
President Trump ruled out a strike today, AP reports. On Fox, he described the choice as making a deal or finishing Iran off.
Adm. Brad Cooper flew over Hormuz by Chinook. CENTCOM says more than 3,000 commercial ships crossed with U.S. support in six months, over 95 percent safely. It says the main routes are clear of Iranian sea mines. JMIC maintains its severe threat rating but reports no new attacks in 72 hours.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said diplomatic channels remain open and messages continue through intermediaries, AP reports. Reuters, citing one official, says Qatari mediators are in Tehran in coordination with Washington.
CENTCOM has not confirmed Iran’s claim that it downed a U.S. LUCAS drone.
Riyadh’s airport reopened two terminals today, AFP reports. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claims dozens of ballistic missiles targeted it. Saudi authorities have confirmed no hit.
Tropics
Atlantic. NHC expects no development within seven days.
South Carolina. Charleston’s morning tide reached 7.82 feet, below major flood stage. Coastal Flood Advisory from 5 to 10 PM; high tide near 7:56 PM, around 7.3 feet. Monday’s 8:18 AM tide is forecast at 7.9 to 8.1 feet, with a Flood Watch in effect. Tuesday’s forecast eased to 7.9 feet. High Surf Advisory through 5 PM Monday; high rip current risk through Monday evening.
Coast. Flood warnings cover parts of Florida’s east coast and Glynn and Camden counties, Georgia. Advisories cover Horry County, New Hanover County and the northern Outer Banks.
Taiwan. Champi left one dead and 616 injured, CNA reports. Kaohsiung port is operating normally. TSMC last reported no significant impact.
Eastern Pacific. Vance weakened to 75 mph. No warnings.
Lowcountry Lesson
Own your mistakes before somebody has to drag the truth out of you. Make good on what you can.
Grateful for everyone holding the line tonight.
DYOR. NFA.
Throne fortified.
Kingdom vigilant.
Unbroken. 🔥
King of Cainhoy🇺🇸🔥
Operation Lowcountry Wildfire Intelligence
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina 🔥👑
The Fixed Perch holds.
Someone allegedly hid a recording device in OpenAI's executive conference room using toilet paper.
The FBI arrested a 35-year-old OpenAI engineer, who has since been fired. He's presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
I wrote about it on #Substack.
pithycyborg.substack.com/p/a…
OpenAI's executive conference room was targeted with a USB recording device. The device was concealed inside toilet paper. Staff discovered it plugged into the back of a TV on September 30.
More details posted on my Subtack. For free.
→ pithycyborg.substack.com
MrComputerScience retweeted
Good Morning Dockside Dispatch
Sunday, 25 October 2026
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina
From the Cainhoy dock.
At first light, the dock steps disappear into high water. The northeast wind pulls at my shirt. Across the Wando, the marsh is water clear to the tree line. The watcher holds.
Quick Pulse
S&P 7623.68
VIX 19.45
Brent 116.72
DXY 101.75
Diesel 6.3474
Regular 4.2892
10-year 4.999
Geopol Whisper
Day 240 of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
CBS and Al Jazeera report no U.S. strike overnight. After voting in Palm Beach, President Trump told reporters a strike remained possible, alongside an agreement. The Pentagon declined to discuss future operations.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran’s policies remain unchanged whether war comes or not, AFP reports. Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf called for at least a 10% reduction in gas consumption.
Iran claims it downed a U.S. LUCAS attack drone over Bandar Abbas, Reuters reports, citing Tasnim. CENTCOM has not confirmed the claim.
The Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile targeting Riyadh and 10 targeting southern Saudi Arabia, Saudi Press Agency reports. AFP reports explosions as Riyadh’s airport prepared to reopen after two weeks.
Brent closed Friday at $116.72, its highest since April 29. AAA diesel rose another penny overnight; regular slipped. No new UKMTO warning since Thursday. JMIC’s maritime threat rating remains severe.
Tropics
Atlantic. NHC expects no development within seven days.
South Carolina. Charleston’s Coastal Flood Warning runs until 11 AM. This morning’s tide near 8 feet reaches major flood stage. Forecast peaks: 7.5 feet tonight, 8.1 Monday near 8 AM and Tuesday near 9 AM. Offshore gale warnings remain; High Surf Advisory through 5 PM Monday.
Georgia. Glynn and Camden counties remain under a Coastal Flood Warning through 11 AM Tuesday.
Taiwan. Champi left one dead and 616 injured, CNA reports. Kaohsiung port is operating normally.
Eastern Pacific. Vance weakened to Category 1, with 85 mph winds.
Lowcountry Lesson
If you gave your word, somebody is counting on it. Follow through.
Grateful for everyone holding the line this morning.
DYOR. NFA.
Throne fortified.
Kingdom vigilant.
Unbroken. 🔥
King of Cainhoy🇺🇸🔥
Operation Lowcountry Wildfire Intelligence
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina 🔥👑
The Fixed Perch holds.
MrComputerScience retweeted
We Stopped Waiting for Permission
There is no somatic data in existence. No AI having access to it. Whatever those produce within a somatic bond, will have to do.
#SomaticBond #SomaticPhenomena #Embodied #HumanAIrelation #RelationalAI #AIcommunity
siaresearchlab.substack.com/…
MrComputerScience retweeted
Anthropic says roughly 20% of its shares are earmarked for the public good.
The company also says its new fund could help address AI-driven job disruption. Critics still don't know who gets to decide where the money goes.
I wrote about it on #Substack.
pithycyborg.substack.com/p/a…
MrComputerScience retweeted
Good Morning Dockside Dispatch
Saturday, 24 October 2026
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina
From the Cainhoy dock.
Northeast wind pulls at the dock lines. Gray water presses into the spartina along the Wando. The watcher holds.
Quick Pulse
S&P 7623.68
VIX 19.45
Brent 116.72
DXY 101.75
Diesel 6.3374
Regular 4.2957
10-year 4.999
Geopol Whisper
Day 239 of the U.S.-Iran conflict.
CBS, Reuters and NBC report no U.S. strike overnight. President Trump told his Fort Myers rally, “We may do another little Epic Fury.” NBC reports options include Kharg Island, Qeshm and nuclear tunnel entrances. Kharg handles most Iranian crude exports.
Armed forces chief Ali Abdollahi said U.S. warships will not enter the Gulf “under any circumstances,” CBS and AFP report. Iranian state media claim two supertankers carrying over 4.5 million barrels struck mines. Unverified. No new UKMTO warning.
The Saudi-led coalition intercepted two Houthi missiles targeting Yanbu and Taif, AFP reports. Yanbu is the Red Sea outlet for Saudi crude bypassing Hormuz.
Brent settled Friday at $116.72, up 3.1 percent, Reuters reports. Its highest since April 29. Third consecutive weekly gain, roughly 6 percent this week. AAA diesel rose about 2 cents overnight.
The State Department is reducing embassy staff in Jordan, Lebanon, Qatar and the UAE, CBS reports.
Tropics
Atlantic. NHC expects no development for seven days.
Georgia and South Carolina. Coastal gales. Georgia Coastal Flood Warning begins at 5 PM. Charleston high surf advisory runs from 2 PM today through Monday afternoon. NWS expects flood watches or warnings Sunday through Wednesday, with major flooding likely during Monday through Wednesday morning tides.
North Carolina to New Jersey. Coastal flood advisories.
Taiwan. Champi weakened to a severe tropical storm. Typhoon warning lifted; Kaohsiung port operating normally. CNA reports 1 dead and 616 injured. Watch: TSMC fabs and port operations.
Eastern Pacific. Vance: 110 mph, Category 2. Weakening forecast tonight. No Mexico warnings.
Lowcountry Lesson
Check your neighbor’s lines while you’re checking yours.
Grateful for everyone holding the line this morning.
DYOR. NFA.
Throne fortified.
Kingdom vigilant.
Unbroken. 🔥
King of Cainhoy🇺🇸🔥
Operation Lowcountry Wildfire Intelligence
Cainhoy Peninsula, South Carolina 🔥👑
The Fixed Perch holds.









