Simon Eskildsen

In this discussion, Simon Eskildsen, a Principal Engineer at Shopify, reveals his innovative approach to system estimation through 'napkin math.' He emphasizes using first-principle thinking to simplify complex problems without writing code. The conversation dives into navigating slow queries in MySQL, enhancing database management during high-demand scenarios like Black Friday, and the importance of practical estimations in system design. Eskildsen also shares insights from his self-taught journey in programming and the development of a newsletter focused on mathematical problem-solving for software performance.