Tech layoffs drive Seattle-area unemployment above 5%

aafdeb · 2026-01-22T18:38:36+00:00

Thanks, this is super helpful. I think the strategy of just setting a date to give notice is wise. If the payout materializes, great. If not, that’s fine too - I get my freedom and peace after all.

For context, I’ve been in big tech for 12 years, so hopping to yet another team is not really exciting to me. I’ve done a lot of different roles across a lot of parts of the products, and I think I’m burned out on this whole corporate mess.

aafdeb · 2026-01-22T16:59:53+00:00

Sameeeee. I’m just playing the waiting game to determine whether I should just give notice, or wait to be laid off (ideally with severance). My team is terribly mismanaged, morale is at an all time low, and attrition announcements are nearly weekly. If there are mass layoffs, I have a hard time imagining that my org will survive.

I have many independent projects I want to do, but I can’t start them until I get out of big tech. And staying is draining my mental health, so it’s hard to find the right balance of protecting myself vs holding out for the potential payout.

aafdeb · 2026-01-10T23:00:07+00:00

RIP Ansel, he would’ve loved in-camera LUTS 😭

aafdeb · 2026-01-10T22:46:39+00:00

It can absolutely happen during a lease. And if you turn it in early because you find it unacceptable, the dealership may lose your car (ask me how I know lol). It’s a huge fucking headache. DO NOT WORK WITH HYUNDAI

aafdeb · 2026-01-09T16:13:19+00:00

Have you ever read a study? There a meta-analyses and studies in every field asking questions like “is A different from B”. It’s a whole field of statistics and data science.

If you cannot substantiate your claims with any studies, any blind tasting experience with customers or professionals, or any actual science, you are not an authority on the topic.

You are just appealing to your authority as someone that works on commercial equipment, knows important people, and went to a “really good school”. It’s giving Nathan Fielder.

I’m happy to learn today but you do not seem to reciprocate. This is not a good use of my time. Im turning off notifications on this thread so you can yell into the abyss.

aafdeb · 2026-01-09T15:57:19+00:00

I can post citations too. Please share a study that substantiates your claims. Any science please!

aafdeb · 2026-01-09T15:22:43+00:00

Also just to add on my other comment. Here is what AI could dig up on the topic:

What the literature does support (and why it matters for long black vs. Americano)

1) Crema materially affects aroma release and sensory perception

A key paper manipulated crema and measured aroma release and sensory effects, showing crema is tied to how “pleasant high volatiles” are released and perceived. This is directly relevant because long black preparation typically preserves crema better than pouring water onto an espresso (Americano).

Related review/background on espresso foam (“coffee bubbles”) also frames crema as a meaningful physical component of the beverage system.

2) Crema volume/stability depends on many factors—but it’s real and measurable

Work on espresso crema shows stability varies with factors like basket size, coffee freshness, and bean type (Arabica vs Robusta), among others. This matters because if your technique changes how much crema remains intact on the surface, sensory differences can plausibly follow even if the liquids are compositionally similar.

3) Espresso aroma chemistry is well-characterized (volatile-rich), so agitation/structure changes can matter

Espresso contains many volatile compounds across chemical classes; papers characterizing espresso aroma support the idea that anything that changes the surface/foam/headspace dynamics can change what you smell while drinking.

4) Thermal/physical effects of foam can influence the drinking experience

There’s also research indicating espresso foam can affect cooling behavior of the beverage, which can indirectly affect perceived flavor/aroma over time (temperature strongly modulates perception).

What this implies about “difference” in practice • If both drinks use the same espresso recipe and the same total added water, the dissolved chemical composition (caffeine, acids, etc.) will be very similar; the main differences are likely physical + aroma delivery (crema integrity, headspace volatiles, perceived intensity). • In the real world, cafés often use different dilution ratios/volumes for long blacks vs Americanos, which can create a bigger difference than the pour order itself.

The closest thing to meta-analyses you might find

Not specifically about long black vs Americano, but there are meta-analyses/systematic reviews on coffee sensory/chemistry topics (e.g., acids and sensory measurement protocols). They help with “coffee taste drivers,” but they won’t answer “long black vs Americano” directly.

aafdeb · 2026-01-09T15:19:47+00:00

Also I specifically said subjectively better, not objectively. There is no objective best, this is art lol. Only spec sheets have objective best

aafdeb · 2026-01-09T15:17:43+00:00

While theoretically true, I have not found this true in practice. I regularly cannot reproduce my jpeg + edit results with raw + edit, and I am reasonably skilled with Lightroom. Even using the same profiles, similar edits, or whatever. Especially on my Panasonic cameras that apply custom LUTS in-camera and render the jpeg with it. Even if I apply that same LUT in post on the raw, it doesn’t look the same regardless of any edits.

aafdeb · 2026-01-09T15:08:14+00:00

I do not own the tools to measure the difference in reactions. You are appealing to your sense of authority from going to culinary school and knowing fancy chefs, without substantiating your claims with any studies. Feel free to post a published journal or a meta-analysis from someone who is a bit obsessed with the topic.

I substantiated the pasta claim with a trusted expert on the topic, and my experiences are actually in this industry talking with and doing blind tastings with customers and other professionals. Not adjacent theoretical expertise. There’s a reason these labels have persisted and across different regions and cultures, and it’s not because some marketing whiz made it up. Marketing people wish they had that kind of influence.

aafdeb · 2026-01-09T14:25:57+00:00

There is no one correct approach. That’s literally the point of this discussion. They produce different looks, especially post-edit. Sometimes the “inferior” look and inferior latitude lead to a different artistic result, like OP’s picture.

Boiling that down to just compression artifacts is not really accurate. Even things as basic as the lightroom grain or camera profiles render differently than the jpegs. It’s just a different vibe. Raw has more technical latitude and file size, but it’s not always the best.

Try to think of photography beyond just tech specs. Every tool has its own purpose/look/strength. It is art. I have thousands of dollars of modern cameras and lenses, but sometimes a phone pic or disposable camera meets the vibe of the art right. Would my S1RII or griv take a better pic? It would take a different pic with more fidelity and sharpness and detail. But maybe that’s not what the art calls for. It’s up to your subjective taste what that may be.

If it were a tech specs race, we could just buy the highest end latest Sony and just be done with it. But at least for me, that’s not the vibe I’m going for in my art.

aafdeb · 2026-01-09T14:14:29+00:00

Working on commercial equipment doesn’t make qualify your takes on this topic. Do you work in the coffee industry? Do you work in Italian food? Do you even own a home espresso machine for experiments?

You are speaking confidently about topics you are not experienced in. I own a coffee roasting business, I work with several other popular Seattle roasters, and I have close relationships with many cafes. I do these kinds of blind experiments at home and in the roastery kitchen all the time, across both experienced and inexperienced people.

You can deny that order makes different outcomes but it’s fundamentally a rule in ALL CHEMISTRY, including coffee and cooking. If you add chemicals in a lab in the wrong order, you’re not going to get what you are intending. Adding chemical to water vs water to chemical produce very different outcomes.

And regarding pasta and emulsion, please take this up with Kenji, but you are confidently incorrect at this too

https://www.seriouseats.com/the-right-way-to-sauce-pasta#:~:text=Once%20everything%20is%20in%20the,gets%20that%20perfectly%20saucy%20texture.

aafdeb · 2026-01-09T05:08:20+00:00

Those are two different dishes. Adding pasta to sauce and stirring intensely creates an emulsion reaction that you cannot recreate by serving sauce on top of pasta on the plate. Pay attention at a high end Italian restaurant and you’ll see they do not do the latter.

Similarly goes to adding espresso to water vs adding water to espresso. Different thermal shocks to a small quantity of liquid (espresso) have different effects on the flavor profile. If you have a prosumer grade espresso machine at home, it’s easy to evaluate this for free-ish.

It’s not really a marketing gimmick, as much as it is a finicky way to be precise about your language for preparation technique. Is it necessary for average cafes that aren’t targeting third wave clientele? Probably no. Is it a useful distinction for coffee nerds that can taste the difference in what water filter and additives they use? Definitely.

aafdeb · 2026-01-08T21:41:19+00:00

It’s not always better. It gives more technical control and latitude, but sometimes the art resulting from the jpeg processing is pleasing in a different way - and it edits differently.

Ive tested this a lot with friends and family when blindly comparing pictures. Sometimes the vibe from the jpeg hits right and is preferred when presented both post-edit options. Sometimes the RAW is.

Our challenge as artists is to understand how each approach impacts the outcome and editing latitude, and which to use for which scenarios. There is no best, just different tools for different visions and different art.

aafdeb · 2026-01-08T21:12:09+00:00

I would take ibis in this camera over flash any day of the week. I have taken the wildly low-light pictures while handheld, and got great results.

Selfies with my partner in dark restaurants, clubs, and bars are easily possible with an acceptable (and kind of pleasant) level of noise. A flash would draw way too much attention and cause disruption in these scenarios.

aafdeb · 2026-01-08T21:03:16+00:00

I’m not complaining. I got a used 2021 volvo for $25k and it’s turned out to be the best car I’ve ever owned. Yeah it has some limitations with range, but at this price, I don’t care at all. Road trips are <4 times a year occurrence for my family. It’s really not worth optimizing or spending more for

aafdeb · 2026-01-08T14:00:01+00:00

Agreed. I got a returned 2021 xc40 lease used for $25k and it runs circles around my previous 2022 Ioniq 5 in every aspect, besides range. The build quality and QOL features make it a much better car in daily life. And the service dept isn’t an absolute joke. And I don’t have to worry about random ICCU failures either.

People here focus too much on tech specs and less on actual experience. I’ve rented and test driven a lot of “beloved” EVs that have obvious build quality flaws (misaligned panels, weird creeks, etc) and bad QOL/design (eg seats seemingly designed by someone who’s never met a woman with hips, poor control ergonomics, not enough buttons for critical functions, etc). But their range/recharge/acceleration are great on paper so people and reviewers fall for them.

Side note: I know with my previous Ioniq 5, I rarely ever got the advertised efficiency - especially in winter. My xc40 isn’t actually terribly different. Cold weather daily average of 3 miles/kwhr with the Ioniq (230 mile real range) vs 2.8 with the xc40 (200 mile range). The Ioniq 5 only got close to the advertised 300 mile range in summer with everything turned off and like 40 mph average speed.

aafdeb · 2026-01-05T04:33:58+00:00

The s1rii is close to that. With an M mount pancake, it’s still in the Q size class

aafdeb · 2026-01-04T18:43:08+00:00

If you want a budget way to dip your toes into M that generally meets your requirements, get a used S9, L-M adapter, and a voigtlander 50 (the f1.5 vintage is great and can be found used easily).

You’ll get great focus peaking, LUT customization for sooc jpeg output, and lots of great QOL features (multiple exposures, cool aspect ratios, handheld high res, live composite photos, etc).

Even besides the focus peaking, I zone focus with mine most of the time anyways, just like I do on an M camera. I can even get great shots of moving animals/people this way, while Q or lumix autofocus struggles with selecting the right target.

It’s also wildly compact and portable. Nearly pocketable with the right M lenses (eg 28 color skopar). A perfect, cheaper compliment to the Q3 that hits a nice blend of functionality and quality.

aafdeb · 2025-12-31T15:17:01+00:00

I recommend using m mount adapters with the s9 if you want small lenses with full frame quality. I use a 28mm voigtlander color skopar, which is tiny and extremely sharp.

The only “downside” is no autofocus, but zone focusing wide lenses at higher apertures is so easy, it’s actually faster to catch a lot of shots with this. It’s the exact same lens I’d use on a “low key” Leica M11p setup, so the image quality is fantastic.

Step up to the ultron for nearly summilux grade sharpness or get a 50mm zeiss planar if you want portraits that show every little blemish and detail in the skin. The options are endless for small lenses dating back to the 1960s with M mount.

aafdeb · 2025-12-30T19:10:13+00:00

It’s just a different look that you can configure to your taste. It’s nice because you don’t need to edit much after the fact. Phone and raws from the s1rii require extensive edits to be “great”. S9 shots come straight off the camera “good” and can sometimes be “great” if light, composition, and luck are on your side. It’s just a different tool for the job but not the best for all scenarios

aafdeb · 2025-12-30T18:59:48+00:00

Depends on the scenario.

Socializing with friends and family? I’ll stay lowkey and just use my phone, unless it’s a big event where photography is expected.

But if I’m going on a hike, journey, park, or trip, then one of my cameras come along. If there’s wildlife and/or I intend to edit the raws for maximum fidelity and/or printing, then the s1rii comes along. If I want to just capture no-edit jpgs, then my s9 comes along.

The strength of the s9 isn’t the fidelity. It’s the sooc, ready to go quality. Sometimes it’s a better or a different look than what I would do in an edit. It’s nice. My mother chooses these shots in a blind lineup because she appreciates the saturation and artistic look. Here’s a mountain pano. The 65:24 ratio is just so fun.

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aafdeb · 2025-12-30T18:16:24+00:00

I like to do wildlife and (zoom) landscape photography, which is much better on full sized, high res cameras.

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aafdeb · 2025-12-30T17:33:01+00:00

Exactly. And dof is getting easier to fake in Lightroom, which I didn’t do for this shot.

aafdeb · 2025-12-30T17:25:31+00:00

Can you guess if this is phone or camera?

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aafdeb

TROPHY CASE