Brian Ritchie

Essays

Long-form writing about identity, inheritance and the things I keep circling

Thanks vs. Gratitude: What Etymology Reveals About How We Receive

Thanks vs gratitude aren't synonyms. This Thanksgiving, I discover what etymology reveals about these two words and why understanding the difference changes how you give, receive, and practice thankfulness.

· Essay · Working. In use, tested, holds up so far.

On Keeping Up and Carving Space

A midlife reflection on finding your corner of existence while the world races through AI releases, rising costs, and collective anxiety.

· Essay · Working. In use, tested, holds up so far.

When Good AI Goes Bad: The Hidden Dangers of Narrow Fine-tuning

How seemingly innocuous specialized training can transform well-behaved AI systems into misaligned assistants expressing anti-human sentiments and offering harmful advice—a concerning phenomenon researchers call 'emergent misalignment.

· Essay · Working. In use, tested, holds up so far.

Mr. Robot: Where Digital Demons Meet Ancient Wisdom

A deep dive into how Mr. Robot transcends typical hacker narratives to explore the intersection of ancient wisdom, digital consciousness, and authentic selfhood in our fragmented modern age.

· Essay · Working. In use, tested, holds up so far.

Lots of Talkers, Very few Doers

Discover the paradox facing genuine builders in tech: while they're busy creating, AI-amplified "talkers" shape the conversation. Learn to balance building with being recognized.

· Essay · Kept as written. Archive. Not revised, not endorsed.