When Domain Experts Start Building
In early 2025 we met a consultant who had just left the world of large energy enterprises to start his
Hiđź‘‹ and welcome to Mental Flares
Here, we share thoughts, ideas, and insights from building and running a profitable, lean, unchained, and enjoyable software business as fathers while staying fit and healthy.
Latest Stories
Why I Think You’re Wrong About the Future of Code
The past few months have been a mental rollercoaster. One moment I am staring at my screen thinking, wow. The
Attention Is All You Need
We are living through a structural shift in how software is built. For years, constraints shaped quality. Writing code took
We Are Fucked. Or So It Feels.
That thought has been sitting with me lately. Not as a dramatic declaration, but quietly in the background.
I have
Stop Open Sourcing Shit
We are living through a strange moment in software. Agentic coding, autonomous systems, and near-zero cost creation have collapsed the
AI Killed Product Management
Why Institutional Product Management No Longer Fits the World We’re Entering
The title is intentionally provocative, but the argument
It’s the End of SaaS as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
In a recent interview on The Pragmatic Engineer YouTube channel, Peter Steinberger discusses agentic systems and makes a claim that
Ralph Wiggum writes my software – so I have time for what matters
Autonomous software development isn’t about speed or hype — it’s about reclaiming attention. By shifting execution to reliable agent-based systems, I write less code, build better structures, and get back the time and focus that actually matter.
Secure Remote Development with YubiKey, macFUSE, and SSHFS on macOS
Missed Part 1? Read how we securely store and use SSH keys with YubiKey and 1Password
When working on client
Cursor Background Agents Without Tears
Cursor background agents are powerful—until your VM refuses to start with a Debian error from the “future.” Here’s how we fixed it with a battle-tested Dockerfile that finally makes agents reliable, every time.
Secure SSH with 1Password and YubiKey: A Better Developer Experience
For our latest project, we had to raise the bar on SSH security. Passwordless logins weren’t enough. We needed
Less is More: Writing Efficiently with LLMs
Clear, effective communication is more valuable than ever. This article explores how LLMs help streamline writing, enhance clarity, and eliminate unnecessary complexity. From business documents to everyday interactions, learn why precision matters and how less can often mean more.
Own Your Voice, Own Your Platform: Why We Chose Ghost and Built Poltertools
The internet has given creators and entrepreneurs an unprecedented ability to share their thoughts, ideas, and expertise with the world.
The Fear Around AI—And Why I Think It’s Unfounded
Discovering the Superpower of AI
There’s a lot of fear around AI right now. The headlines scream about job
Breaking Free: Why True Independence Is the Ultimate Security
Most people believe they have two choices in life:
1. The Security Path – A stable 9-to-5 job with a predictable
Supporting "The M Factor" with WhisperTransVideo: A Pro Bono Effort for Accessibility
Today, we are proud to support Let's Talk About Middle Age, an important event hosted by Hebammengremium Kärnten,
Welcome to Mental Flares: Reflections on Building and Balancing
What does it take to build a software business that’s lean and profitable, while staying sane, healthy, and present