# 👋 Hello! And thanks for taking interest. This is my 'get to know me' page. Things I focus on now: - Organizing a global community of founders, scientists and hackers with [catalyst.place](https://catalyst.place/?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) - Building a PKM startup - [The Systematic Mastery podcast](https://www.youtube.com/@SystematicMastery?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) - Supporting and learning with other founders in my network - Reading ([let's connect if we read similarly!](https://www.goodreads.com/zowielangdon?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com)) - Mentoring technical builders - book a call here: [](https://mentorcruise.com/mentor/zowielangdon/?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) ## What I do I'm interested in [public interest technology](https://public-interest-tech.com/?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com), and fascinated by the idea of [flourishing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flourishing?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com)/[Eudaimonia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eudaimonia?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) with the aid of technology. And I work with engineers and other entrepreneurs to build companies. Work(ed) extensively with: [Obsidian](https://obsidian.md/?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com), Python ecosystem, Golang, TypeScript, Flutter, Terraform, blockchains (particular interest in Cosmos/Avalanche/bitcoin/Ethereum). I run things using Docker, Kubernetes, Google Cloud and my note taking system. Other than that I dabble in new technologies quite frequently so won't name them all. And I enjoy reading about a large random set of other topics largely related to futurism, psychology, economics, philosophy, building companies and productivity. As part of my personal OKR's, I want to do more with hardware, and help more startups grow. I've made a ton of mistakes, and think I've done an OK job of learning from them so far. On to more :) # My work story I enjoy building software, ideas and companies. My programming journey started at a young age, and developed professionally from age 16 and onward. My first language was C on a noob level, inspired by my fathers' collection of programming books. I eventually came to love Python's design and ecosystem. Ever since, we argued about why I didn't choose Java. In my work, I'm focused on building and understanding productive systems of engineering collaboration, products and startups. I've moved from purely coding to more of a 'builders' mindset over the years, seeing technology as a tool to solve relevant problems in the world, rather than relevant problems just in tech. Since I started professionally, I've worked on systems in the hospitality industry, politics, insurance, fashion, recruitment, real estate, fintech, crypto, healthcare and even esoteric advice. This has helped me form a holistic view of the modern startup space and its capabilities. At age 19, I started working as a contractor using Python, AngularJS and Ansible. I did this for around 2 years and was asked to build Kieskompas from scratch. When I was 21, this work grew into a web development agency that scaled to 8 people. We used Kubernetes and Google Cloud extensively. We scaled this company down at the end of 2017, and I co-founded [Blockport](http://blockport.io/?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) as a CTO. I might write more about why I decided to scale down a properly running agency, but in short I was young enough to take stupid risk and I didn't enjoy scaling it enough. Blockport's early engineering team was the most experienced team I ever got lucky enough to work with. I built confidence in my hiring skills, learned a ton about blockchain, architecture, DevOps, security and engineering culture. And about the do's and don'ts of funding :) The feedback I got from most teammates was that it was one of the best engineering teams they ever joined. A hint of what we built is [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifrXhmvDcM4&ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) and [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eACuQ001eWs&ref=eclecticrhetoric.com). We have been [acquired](https://techcrunch.com/2020/01/09/bux-acquires-blockport/?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) by [BUX](https://eclecticrhetoric.com/about/getbux.com) in January 2020. I functioned as the Head of Technology for [BUX Crypto](https://getbuxcrypto.com/?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com), eventually focusing more on-chain innovation and helping BUX weather a pretty big tech market downturn in 2022/2023. I'm exploring new ambitious ventures for the future while I build the small bets mentioned above, together with others. # Interests and hobbies I’m striving to become a better learner and thinker. Topics I’m currently curious about include: - Building systems for performance (habits, reflection, meditation) - Personal development (psychology, relationships, leadership) - Science and innovation (augmented thinking, machine learning, neuroscience, system theory, complex adaptive systems, computer simulations, cryptography, software engineering, biology) - Philosophy (stoicism, metaphysics, phenomenology, existentialism, eastern, objectivism, socratic and presocratic period) - Entrepreneurship (branding, futurism, strategy, economy, marketing, storytelling) - Holistic health (fasting, nutrition, calisthenics, sports, sleep) Physical and mental fitness is something I value a lot. I started kickboxing quite intensively when I was younger and have been doing sports all my life. Having tried karate, kickboxing, MMA and a little BJJ, I eventually transitioned into calisthenics to learn the planche (a 2 year goal, which is now more realistically 4 to 8 years with my length, weight and overuse injuries I deal with). At this point, I'm not even close. But continue to train consistently! # Find me: You can mostly find me trying to build ideas, my body and mind, infrastructure or software. Maybe some more physical things soon. Or just something I broke by accident ;) #### Find me online: - [Walkthroughs of my second brain](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkyoVt_esx_5__lHV7v-uhUIMvdjGYTgz&ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) - Podcast with Nils Paar: [YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVYMU2CKNgzEjpomvLHMuvA?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) and [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/1YeQ3ui8UJNHUQHEPqYAXR?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) - LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zowielangdon/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/zowielangdon/?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) - Github: [https://github.com/Zowie](https://github.com/Zowie?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) - Blog: [https://zowielangdon.nl](https://zowielangdon.nl/?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) / [https://eclecticrhetoric.com](https://eclecticrhetoric.com/) - Goodreads: [https://www.goodreads.com/zowielangdon](https://www.goodreads.com/zowielangdon?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) - Media (YouTube, news etc): [NRC (Dutch newspaper)](https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2016/04/13/hoe-krijg-je-vrouwen-aan-het-programmeren-a1493428?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) on getting women into coding, [Telegraaf 'Bridge to bitcoins'](https://www.telegraaf.nl/financieel/3485941/brug-bouwen-naar-bitcoins?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com), [Blockport meetup #1](https://youtu.be/FqZK0-7JUFU?t=464&ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) (talk), [Future of Blockport](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13Ur-K1lAts&ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) (talk), [Commercial on Dutch national television](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfIpS62eLe4&ref=eclecticrhetoric.com), [Empower the digital economy](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8oY5WzlOxw&ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) (promo), [Interview on Crypto Beadles](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DynFD7Fhqs8&ref=eclecticrhetoric.com), [Political Persona project attracting millions of users in Australia](https://www.smh.com.au/national/what-type-of-aussie-are-you-meet-the-7-new-political-tribes-20170203-gu57b2.html?ref=eclecticrhetoric.com) ('What kind of Aussie are you?' with Fairfax media)