Personal Story

I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, before moving to Alberta, Canada, to study engineering at the University of Alberta. Living in these two vastly different environments sparked a deep curiosity about the technological and institutional factors that shape quality of life.

In places like San Francisco, self-driving Ubers roam the streets, AI-powered assistants handle mundane tasks, and cutting-edge biotech startups push the boundaries of human longevity. Meanwhile, in Nairobi, many people still struggle with something as fundamental as consistent access to clean water or reliable electricity. This contrast is staggering, not just in terms of infrastructure, but in the way technology is deployed.

In the West, some innovations seem almost like luxuries or experiments for the sake of progress. Take AI chatbots, robot baristas, or even self-driving pizza deliveries; fascinating, but arguably solving problems of convenience rather than necessity. But what happens when we shift the lens? Some of these technologies, or even simpler versions of them, could have a profound impact in places where the challenges are more fundamental.

For example, while drone delivery in cities like San Francisco might feel like a novelty, in Rwanda, Zipline uses the same technology to deliver life-saving blood and medicine to remote hospitals. AI, which often powers recommendation algorithms and virtual assistants in the West, could be transformative for low-cost medical diagnostics in areas with doctor shortages. Even something as basic as Starlink, designed to give internet access anywhere, is a game changer for rural schools and businesses in Africa.

This is what fascinates me; how cutting-edge technology, often seen as “nice to have” in wealthier nations, can be life-changing elsewhere. What other overlooked innovations could bridge these gaps? More on this later.

On a somewhat related note, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for systems; especially those at the intersection of technology and architectures. I’m always questioning how modern systems work, whether it’s the inner workings of a transformer, Bitcoin, or the architectural choices behind a smartphone’s operating system. The intricate layers of design that make modern technology possible never fail to fascinate me. This curiosity is what led me to study Computer Engineering, but in hindsight, I would have pursued any field that demands a deep understanding of complex systems; whether that be biology, economics, or another discipline where structure and function intertwine into an rather beautiful mess.

This background naturally evolved into my writing. My blog is my way of exploring and sharing insights on technology: its design, its breakthroughs, and its potential to address real challenges, particularly in developing regions like where I’m from.

A Consensus View I Agree With

One consensus view that I agree with is that privacy matters (and not primarily just for individual comfort). It creates essential social boundaries that enable different context-dependent identities which if you think about, are what makes social cohesion possible. Privacy isn’t just about keeping your birthday hidden from stalkers. It provides the space for us to express different facets of our identity in various social settings. For example, how you behave in a professional setting (like, say, at work) can differ significantly from how you interact with your family and close friends. This duality isn’t a sign of duplicity but rather a reflection of our adaptability to different contexts. Without privacy, every aspect of our identity would be on display simultaneously which kind of forces us into a one-dimensional mold.

Privacy offers a protective buffer against immediate societal judgement and gives us an opportunity to experiment with wacky ideas. I strongly believe that these safe spaces are essential for personal development which by induction, is essential for social and cultural evolution. Privacy also guards against homogeneity ("hive-mind") thinking, which can occur when you have the metaphorical thought police scrutinizing every thought/action. More diversity of ideas means that we can have a functioning pluralistic society where individuals can contribute uniquely without fear of losing their personal space.

The Blog: Exploring Technology Through Three Lenses

My blog will focus on three core themes:

  1. Low-Hanging Fruit for the Developing World
    • Showcasing existing, underutilized technologies that could significantly improve quality of life in places like Africa
    • Examples include low-cost water purification systems, solar microgrids for off-grid communities, and mobile health diagnostics.
    • The goal here is to make connections that bridge the gap between rapid technological innovations and not-so-obvious practical implementations where it’s needed most.
    • Some existing technologies that have already shown high impact in the developing world include M-Pesa (offline mobile money transfer), Zipline in Rwanda doing blood and medicine drone delivery and Starlink connecting everyone to the internet. There are many more of these that I aim to explore further through the blog; both to highlight their successes and to identify opportunities for future implementation.
  2. Progress on moonshot Ideas
    • Tracking breakthroughs in ambitious, high-risk fields like longevity science, human cloning, genetic editing, and designer babies.
    • Evaluating the feasibility, ethical considerations, and real-world implications of these emerging technologies; as well the evolution of policies enabling/disabling these technologies.
    • Providing balanced perspectives by highlighting both the progress and the remaining challenges in these fields, and how current progress can help the developing world i.e. investigating if gene editing is scalable and how it could improve the lives of people in the developing world.
  3. How Popular Technologies Work
    • Deep dives into the system design behind widely used technologies.
    • Topics may include the architecture of social media algorithms, the scalability challenges of cloud computing, and the cryptographic principles behind secure messaging apps.
    • The goal is to demystify complex technologies for a broad audience, making technical insights accessible and engaging.

These topics, while distinct, are unified by a common theme: understanding technology’s real-world impact. Whether it’s the intricate system design of a billion-user platform, a cutting-edge experiment in human enhancement, or a simple, scalable solution that could change lives in underserved regions, my goal is to make these discussions more accessible and engaging.

I’m personally don’t feel that a blog should be one-dimensional (if TC is reading this, he knows this all too well). I’m very interested in a lot of different topics: technology, AI risk/safety, biohacking, economics (especially poor economics), African history, effective altruism, dancing and a lot more. The list grows as I learn more, and there is no greater joy than learning. The blog will be more of a canvas for my ideas and the connections I make from other people’s ideas. I think that this not only keeps things interesting for myself, but also for the readers.

Budget and Sustainability

I’ve been posting on my blog for about 3 months (when I launched) under the pseudonym (privacy matters!) Nand Infinitum. Since launching my blog, I have been dedicating 10-20 hours per week to research, writing, and development. The grant would help cover key costs and allow me to invest more time into creating high quality content.

I’m asking for $10k to keep the blog going and for general career development. I plan to stretch out the budget to support the blog for as long as I can (minimum 5 years), so here are my 5 year estimates:

  • Books & Research Materials – $500 (technical books, papers, Kindle subscriptions)
  • Domain Subscription Costs – $100 ($20/year x 5 years)
  • Hosting & Server Costs – $1,500 ($20/month x 60 months)
  • AI Research Tools (e.g., Gemini Pro, GPT-4 access) – $1,500 ($25/month x 60 months)
  • Career Development, Work Hours Compensation, Living expenses – $7,500 ($15/hour x 10 hours/week x 50 weeks)

I plan to eventually transition the blog to a donation based model, allowing readers who find value in the content to support its continued growth. While platforms like Substack offer monetization options, I prefer to maintain full control over the blog’s design, evolution, and intellectual direction. Additionally, I aim to build a dedicated readership by:

  • Engaging with online communities interested in these topics (like Hacker News, LessWrong, various subreddits)
  • Publishing high-quality, well-researched content that stands out in a sea of superficial tech takes and AI hype.
  • Potentially collaborating with experts and guest writers to expand the depth and reach of the blog.

Why This Grant Matters

This grant would allow me to devote more time to refining my writing and deepening my exploration of the intersection between technology, innovation, and real-world impact. More than just a blog, I see this as a long-term investment in my intellectual and professional growth.

I want to develop my ability to synthesize complex ideas and communicate them effectively: skills that are critical not only for the blog but also for my broader career in technology and innovation. Writing publicly forces you to clarify your thinking, test your assumptions, and engage with sharp, critical audiences. I see this blog as a proving ground for my ideas and a way to contribute to high-quality discourse on how emerging technologies shape our world.

By supporting this initiative, you’re not just funding a blog; you’re investing in a long-term intellectual project that has the potential to influence how we think about technological progress, moonshot ideas, and practical innovations that can make an actual positive impact on people’s lives.

Final Thoughts

I strongly feel that the best writing comes from genuine curiosity, and this blog is a direct reflection of my relentless drive to understand and explain how the world works. I believe there’s a real need for deep, thoughtful analysis in tech writing: beyond the hype, beyond the surface-level discussions.

With this grant, I can elevate the blog from a side project to a meaningful, sustainable initiative that reaches a wider audience and drives more substantive conversations about the future of technology. I appreciate your consideration and look forward to the opportunity to bring this vision to life.

Cheers, David