Preamble
Another new years resolution means another dimwit writing a blog. In all honesty, I am slightly nervous with my decision to venture into the world of content creation, as I have read it can become all consuming. Anyone who knows me understands I am usually the least likely candidate to share my opinions or feelings. I wanted to try something new in 2024. 2023 was a challenging year for me mentally, as I dealt with vast and abrupt change in my personal and professional life.
We all experience anxiety from time to time. Anxiety is a healthy emotion that can be a tool to drive productivity. However, the past year I experienced anxiety a little too frequently. I’ve decided to take actions to ensure change. Having grown up playing competitive hockey, I’ve always been one to give it the old “you are fine… shake it off” routine. When I was an athlete experiencing negative emotions, I could often channel the emotion into a physical style of play - which could often be productive . Unfortunately I no longer have the same outlets. This year I have decided to challenge myself to be more expressive and use writing as a way to decompress and channel my energy in a strategic way.
You are probably thinking, journaling is great, but why post online? For me, it’s about accountability. If I say I am going to post on this site… I will actually post on this site. If I buy a notepad, i’ll probably write in it once or twice and never use it again.
Thankfully, this past year I overcame a major programming hurdle. A data scientist by training - I learned to code almost exclusively in python/linux, as the majority of machine learning and analytical libraries are provisioned for python/linux. I have recently become more comfortable with javascript and other front-end frameworks like node.js and react.js. This means I can bring more of the “back-end analytical content” to my colleagues, friends, family and people I care about. The development of these skills has also afforded me the opportunity to bring this site to you.
My tipping point occurred this past month when I was doomscrolling Instagram and I saw a short clip of Matthew McConaughey talking about journaling. Given he is the most badass dude on the planet… I felt that if he could do it, I probably could too.
Youtube Clip: Matthew McConaughey Being Cool
His clip prompted me to do my own research and I discovered that expressive writing is associated with several other benefits such as increased creativity and working memory capacity. This means writing could actually make me better at coming up with solutions to analytically rooted problems that I care about solving.
Academic Reference
- Expressive writing can increase working memory capacity. – Argues that more expressive writing could mean better working memory.
Reason 1: Emotional Intelligence
Segfault = Segmentation fault
- FYI a segmentation fault occurs when a program attempts to access a memory location that it is not allowed to access.
Yeah. I said it. At this stage in my life I can definitely see some upside to improving my EQ. From my understanding it is like any other form of intellect: you must exercise it to develop it. Without being too meta, expressive writing and “knowing that other people could potentially know how you are feeling” is a way to exercise EQ. By my own estimate I am probably [80 : 20] when it comes to left : right brain . This affords me benefits in some problem-solving domains, but at times it can be a hindrance. Much of my time spent in formal education was channeled towards analytical work, so the majority of my “mental workouts” have been on my left brain. Hopefully writing expressively here can balance things out.
Interestingly, peer-reviewed research also provides evidence that EQ is strongly associated with a person’s ability to achieve self-actualization. This means that your ability to express yourself concisely and communicate is probably equally or more important than some of the other technical skills western society tends to prioritze in formal education.
Academic Reference
- Emotional intelligence and self-actualization. – Argues that emotional intelligence is highly correlated with your ability to actualize your talents.
Reason 2: Goal Setting
For context, I studied in a dual degree program at the University of Alberta (located in Edmonton, AB) where I completed my BCom (Finance) and BSc (Physical Sciences). I ended up working in investment banking for a brief period in Calgary, AB - primarily in energy transaction advisory. Following my brother’s encouragement, I made a last second decision to write the MCAT and apply to medical school for the 2019/2020 cycle. I am very happy I did - as you may recall in March 2020 the price of WTI literally went negative and subsequent deal activity in Western Canada completely dried up for a few years. After pivoting into medicine I decided to complete a MSc in Data Science as part of the Leaders in Medicine (LiM) program at the University of Calgary while completing my MD.
I have a long-term goal of using genetic engineering and data science to advance precision oncology/neurology care. With the rise of AI/ML, new therapeutic classes have become reality and there has been a parallel acceleration of R&D in traditional therapeutic classes such as small molecules and monoclonal antibodies.
To me, genetic engineering is an “infinite technology”, meaning it can be utilized not just within medicine, but across many disciplines - of which a few are alive and well in my home province of Alberta (e.g. agriculture, energy). This may sound crazy, but I hold the personal belief that the green energy problem will be solved with genetic engineering. Genetic engineering holds limitless potential and is the last “infinite technology” society has seen since the advent of the internet. This will bring ethical quandaries… which is why you should read Hacking Darwin by Jamie Metzl.
For the past decade I have lived a very regimented life of competitive sports and academic pursuits. That stage of my life is now coming to a close and I will have more autonomy, time and energy to dedicate to the next phase of my personal development. I’m hopeful this will be the year I finally make a splash (*stay tuned).
This platform will give me the opportunity to share future medical research and coding projects in one place. It will also motivate me to complete micro-goals which are strategically aligned with my longer term goals of cross-pollinating data science and clinical medicine.
Reason 3: Optimizing the Surface Area for Potential Success
This one is simple, creating content (in theory) will attract people who can help me achieve my goals (see above) and will repel people who don’t share a congruent vision. I feel I am at a stage in my life where I am willing to turn on the proverbial social filter. It’s kind of “piss or get off the pot” at this point.