by John Macdonald | Jul 30, 2025 | The250
The 100-year flood, or for that matter, the 1000-year flood isn’t a real thing. It’s a set of statistical values used for engineering, insurance, and planning purposes. The engineers who design the burms, drainage, and pumps need a target. The actuaries need a... by John Macdonald | Jul 29, 2025 | The250
Do you know what your future looks like? Have you planned it out? Do you know what you’ll be doing, where you’ll be living, and who you’ll be with? Can you picture it? You need a strategy, and I hope it works out. But what if it doesn’t? What if there’s... by John Macdonald | Jul 28, 2025 | The250
Rule-followers (I’m one) take heed. Paraphrased from The Third Door, by Alex Banayan. Front Door: This is the main entrance for the ticket buyers. The people who follow the rules to see the show. It’s where 99 percent of the people wait in line, hoping... by John Macdonald | Jul 27, 2025 | The250
True for engineering deliveries. True for contracts. True for the rock band’s rider. True for packaging. True for the smart home water sensor you just ordered on Amazon. There are exceptions, of course, but should you rely on the exception? Nobody reads your... by John Macdonald | Jul 26, 2025 | The250
Childhood is the perfect time to teach and build resilience. It’s much harder as an adult. Maybe impossible. Resilience stems from emotional and physical recovery, as well as the confidence to overcome the challenges they face. Here are some things you... by John Macdonald | Jul 25, 2025 | The250
My friend, one of the best engineers I’ve ever known, has a saying about how we should do good engineering: “Requirements first, then principles, then feelings.” This clearly and helpfully lays out the hierarchy of how we go about our engineering work individually and...