What lasts.
WHAT CHANGES QUICKLY
Frameworks Specific tools Platform details
WHAT CHANGES SLOWLY
Fundamentals of how systems work Problem decomposition Data modelling Communication Judgement about trade-offs
WHY THAT MATTERS FOR LEARNING
Time spent on fundamentals compounds; time spent on tools depreciates.
WHAT TO LEARN DEEPLY
How the underlying layer works: networks, operating systems, data storage.
WHY
It makes every tool easier to learn and to debug.
WHAT TO LEARN BROADLY
Enough of adjacent areas to work with others.
WHAT TO PRACTISE CONTINUOUSLY
Explaining things clearly Breaking problems down Reading other people's work
WHY READING MATTERS
Most professional work is understanding existing systems.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT NEW TECHNOLOGY
Learn what problem it solves, before learning to use it.
WHY
It reveals whether you need it.
WHAT TO RESIST
Learning everything announced Rewriting working things to use something new
WHAT TO DO ANNUALLY
Learn one substantial new thing, deliberately chosen.
HOW TO CHOOSE
What your work needs, or where the field is moving.
WHAT TO AVOID
Specialising so narrowly that demand can disappear.
WHAT TO MAINTAIN
Breadth alongside depth.
WHAT ACTUALLY DISTINGUISHES SENIOR PRACTITIONERS
Judgement, which only experience produces.
