The Joe Reis Show Freestyle Fridays - The Law of Leaky Vibes, Making Your First Dollar, and More
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Jan 2, 2026 In a lively discussion, the host challenges the relevance of the Law of Leaky Abstractions in the age of AI coding agents. He emphasizes that while these tools might save time, they can't replace the necessity of understanding underlying systems. The contrast between senior and junior engineers highlights varying capabilities in using AI responsibly. Historical patterns in tech cycles are examined to avoid past mistakes, and a warning is issued against the 'easy button' mentality in data modeling. Plus, inspiring tips for making your first dollar online!
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Leaky Abstractions Persist With AI
- The Law of Leaky Abstractions still applies in the age of AI code generators and agents.
- Abstractions save time but not the time needed to learn what they hide, so leaks persist and grow if ignored.
Scale Hides Failures Until They Explode
- AI agents can build systems at a scale humans may not fully understand.
- That increased abstraction can delay discovering leaks until they become large and dangerous.
Learn Fundamentals Before Relying On AI
- Do not treat AI as a replacement for understanding what you build; learn the fundamentals first.
- Otherwise you become a glorified button pusher who can be replaced by automation.
