Dan Kaminsky passed away this weekend.

He was an absolute legend in the computer security world.

I’ve been in a rabbit hole learning about him and he seems to have been an amazing human.

This thread by Dan is a gem. https://twitter.com/dakami/status/1213698967659151363
1/ Some of the highlights


Nobody’s as happy as they look.

Best I can tell, everyone’s on fire.
2/ Protect your curiosity.

Seek it in others.

You’re not “supposed to already know”...anything.

That’s the fun of hacking.

Pawing around in the darkness, discovering accidental beauty.
3/ Hack things, not people.

We are very playful when it comes to repurposing things.

Don’t extend that to people.

The social engineers are working a job.

That’s different. Constrained.

Don’t become a psychopath.
4/ Mentorship is worth much more than salary. Freedom to explore is as well.

My first job paid 40% of my highest offer, but it offered much more freedom to learn.

Yes, you do get to invest in yourself like that. The job that pays the most might have to, to get anyone to stay.
5/ You are never, ever too “junior” to talk to anyone.

There’s no bar you must pass, talk you must give, code you must write before you’re qualified to nerd out with someone. Anyone. Really.

Trust me, the “famous” nerds miss the heck out of you.
6/ Want someone around you to win, as well. Help ‘em out.

We lift eachother up. More fun that way!

We ain’t doing this to be *bored* :)
7/ I held grudges for *years*.

Grudges are a tax. They only *feel* good. You’re still paying.

This is why they’re not nearly as transitive as you might like.

Grudges suck, even for the begrudged.
8/ If somebody helped you — always feel free to let them know. They may not. Really.

There is no statute of limitations on being thankful. Years, decades, doesn’t matter. Now is always a good time.

Best when you don’t need them for any reason.

Notice the helpers.
9/ Keep having fun. There’s a reason fun exists.

Learning should feel good!

If you’re teaching yourself, make sure you give yourself opportunities to win at regular intervals.

You don’t actually know things will work, so give yourself more chances to experience progress.
You can follow @JasonYanowitz.
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