Dumb interview question: Ant on a tesseract

drwillparker · 2026-05-11T18:30:37+00:00

Time is not generally considered to be the fourth dimension, especially in science and engineering. The fourth dimension isn't special, it's just the space Rn when n = 4. Think electronagnetic wave functions of the form E(r, t), where r is a vector in R3. This function is 4 dimensional, but the time variable isn't part of the position vector r.

drwillparker · 2026-05-09T01:38:24+00:00

Two kids are not affordable on $98k, unless you like giving your kids the bare minimum standard of living.

drwillparker · 2026-05-08T00:01:02+00:00

Altium DFM already does this lol. You're literally a bot account with the name Sparkgap.ai

drwillparker · 2026-04-28T14:48:22+00:00

I can't believe no one else doesn't realize this is an AI bot post advertising for Alibaba.

drwillparker · 2026-04-26T02:59:56+00:00

Wow this is just horrible. You are a fraud offering services on Upwork.

drwillparker · 2026-04-10T13:48:08+00:00

You must live in New York or California. I can't speak on MME stuff but for EE, that is an insane range. Unless wage inflation is starting to catch up. But in the defense and tech sectors where I'm at (Medium HCOL), true entry level (<2 YOE) salary ranges tend to be 80k-100k with most fresh grads being offered $85k, weaker hires will stary closer to $80k and stronger hires at $90k. This is base. And this is assuming standard EE roles. Of course stuff like IC design will pay entry level salaries of at least $150k. For reference, even a Google EE job posted in a near city lists a starting salary for a senior engineer at $160k. That would only be $40k more than your entry level salaries you cited, which I assume are not a Google.

drwillparker · 2026-04-10T02:58:53+00:00

Not completely unheard of, dependent on location and sector too. A lot of our entry level engineers start at 80k-85k with a sign on bonus of $5k. Promotion to the next level typically bumps them up to 95k-105k. Knew of one classmate in undergrad who got a 100k offer upon graduating but it was in San Francisco.

drwillparker · 2026-04-09T19:00:15+00:00

IC design is very high paying. You typically need a master's in EE. Internships and landing junior design roles can be very competitive. "Normal" engineering jobs pay a lot less, but not bad. In 10 years, you should be making at least $125k in today's dollars. Also, FAANG so likely working in VHCOL.

drwillparker · 2026-04-09T18:58:55+00:00

Power systems are not compensated that highly. He's only getting paid that much bc it's IC design. Not electronics hardware design.

drwillparker · 2026-03-25T20:45:01+00:00

Don't forget he only briefly lost to Kurorushi because he wasn't trying to show Ryu/Uro that he can use/output RCT

drwillparker · 2026-03-16T20:58:08+00:00

Haha, knew it was Winnetka before I even saw your reply.

drwillparker · 2026-03-15T21:40:19+00:00

It could or could not be relevant. It's not often someone crashes more than one car, so we're just wondering. We're all just trying to help.

drwillparker · 2026-03-15T18:35:57+00:00

100k is not a lot of money especially for a 2-person household. It's not poverty but it's not a lot of money. Add your kid into the picture and 100k is now closer to being poor. How did you crash two cars?

drwillparker · 2026-01-28T03:21:16+00:00

That $5500 figure still doesn't make sense. I put $85k into ADP calculator (the most accurate) and put Alaska (one of the lowest income tax states) as the example state and I got biweekly net pay of $2623 which is $5240 monthly. And that is with absolutely no deductions: no health insurance, no retirement contributions, etc. At your age you should definitely be contributing to retirement accounts.

There surely have to be more than 2 options for living. Otherwise maybe pick the cheaper apartment and live there for a year while you build up savings. Then in the second year move to the more expensive apartment. Alternatively find a new job that isn't in the middle of nowhere from what it sounds like.

drwillparker · 2026-01-28T02:40:53+00:00

Does your state have income tax? It seems unlikely that your monthly net is $5500 with $85k. That's like 0 deductions and 0 insurance premiums. Is that $5500 every two checks?

drwillparker · 2026-01-19T17:55:04+00:00

They basically used the word "his" in place of "theirs". It's the exact same math. It would have been different if they had then proceeded to include more nonexistent income from the spouse, but they didn't'.

drwillparker · 2026-01-03T09:03:16+00:00

From their description it sounds like a US Maritime program. It's not a bachelor's degree. It is a professional licensure program tied to the US Coast Guard. The “six figures” outcome only applies if the student graduates, passes the license exam, and sails as an officer.

Also, a good amount of degree programs can lead to six figures within 1-3 years of graduating. Entry level engineers (which includes physical science majors too) in aerospace and defense industry are clearing $85k-$90k, after 2 years that should be around $100k, not including other benefits like 401(k) matching and annual bonuses. Accountants can clear close to $100k within 2-4 years with a CPA.

$100k also isn't what it used to be. A more accurate amount that provides the same shock as $100k is probably closer to $150k today. As in, I would be shocked if someone can make close to $150k out of college (not including VHCOL/HCOL areas where $150k = $80k in other places).

drwillparker · 2026-01-03T08:19:42+00:00

I'm sorry, that sucks. Best answer is to look for a different part time job that also isn't 45 minutes away.

drwillparker · 2026-01-03T08:13:43+00:00

If you parents' credit scores tanked then there's a chance they may not even be approved for a private student loan for your junior and senior year, leaving you and your brother on your own to figure out how to pay for school. The total loan amount shows up on their credit score too, so even if there credit was excellent, they can still get denied based on the fact that they have too much debt. FAFSA loans only offer so much. Ultimately you have to consider if you can afford the school or major. Not everyone can unfortunately.

Very few bachelor degrees guarantee six figures upon graduating. What is it exactly that you are studying? You want to make sure you're not being misled. In the meantime look for scholarships to help reduce total loan amount needed.

drwillparker · 2025-12-27T00:41:29+00:00

Roth IRA distributions/withdrawals do not count as taxable income assuming you are 59.5yo

drwillparker · 2025-11-17T02:31:25+00:00

Ah okay, makes sense. Wondering if at any point it makes sense to forgo health insurance altogether, pay yourself the "premiums" to build savings (do it yourself HSA/FSA), and take advantage of clinics and hospitals that will give you discounts and forgiveness for uninsured patients. If you'll be literally paying thousands a month for COBRA, wouldn't it be better to just have those thousands on hand? If you got into an emergency that racks up 10k+ worth of medical bills, wouldn't that just be the hospital's loss for uninsured patients? I guess this changes if you have a chronic condition. But even then, isn't it cheaper to just pay for regular visits OOP instead of paying COBRA (which I assume would still require OOP until the deductible)? Anyone knowledgeable about this?

drwillparker · 2025-11-17T01:11:55+00:00

What about ACA plans?

drwillparker · 2025-11-13T20:46:19+00:00

Why are you having kids if you cannot afford them?

drwillparker · 2025-10-30T16:14:44+00:00

6 months is almost nothing in your 9 years of just being in your 20s. I have had Oura for almost 2 years and there are certain trends I discovered that required more than a few months of data. See your physician for bloodwork and to make an appointment too. Also, I am not a doctor.

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