Author Archives: daveatrice

For those of you who don’t know, the candle lit at both ends is often taken as symbolism, among other things, of the Caltech student. “The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long.” I originally heard of this quote through one of my all-time favorite movies, “Blade Runner,” and it was spokenContinue reading “On Candles”

“A great general is born on a hill of ten thousand bones.” This ancient Chinese saying has always deeply intrigued me. Like all other pithy adages, this phrase can be interpreted numerous ways, and the interpretation is a reflection of the thinker. The Powerful – True fame can only arise from repeated success, and thoseContinue reading “Ten Thousand Bones”

I remember some years ago, I came across the following question on OKcupid: “Do you make important life decisions based on coin flips?” My immediate reaction of course was “No,” since I would trust my rational analysis and judgement more than random chance. Browsing through the various other responses though, there was one that wasContinue reading “Coin-flip decision making”

The end is but another start,Another arena to hone your art.Limited are the arrows in your clip,And the leaderboards do often flip. Immortality is just out of your grasp,As you sprint to outpace Death’s rasp.Your hunting weapons weight you down,“But I cannot abandon them,” you frown. You glance beside you and behind,And see many ofContinue reading “The Hunter (poem)”

If I should live again, what then would I be?Scientist, soldier, or a calling not yet known?Who will be my kith, my kin, and my enemy?Would they remember me from actions this life sown? Will my current name be in a history book,For the future me to learn, respect or despise?Or is now and thisContinue reading “Live Again (poem)”

No more chariots flying through the skies;No more saints down chimneys at night.Science has executed those dreadful lies;Fantasy’s frail against Logic’s might. No more boatmen ushering deceased souls;No more torture in Circles of Hell.Let not afterlife intrude on goals,Be they furtive or flagrant or fell. No more arrows piercing mortals’ hearts;No more red string betweenContinue reading “No More (poem)”

“Every day spent in China’s startup scene is a trial by fire, like a day spent as a gladiator in the Coliseum .. If one’s only edge is a single novel idea, that idea will invariably be copied, your key employees will be poached, and you’ll be driven out of business by VC-subsidized competitors.”— Kai-FuContinue reading “Quotes”