

Self-Directed Research
OneVariable GmbH
This is the Self-Directed Research Podcast! Our hosts, James and Amos, host hyper focused technical deep dives
Visit sdr-podcast.com/ for more information about the podcast, check out all episodes and learn about who we are and how to support us!
Questions, comments, interested in sponsoring? Send an email to contact@sdr-podcast.com
Visit sdr-podcast.com/ for more information about the podcast, check out all episodes and learn about who we are and how to support us!
Questions, comments, interested in sponsoring? Send an email to contact@sdr-podcast.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 6, 2025 • 52min
How far can you take OpenFX?
Amos continues on the arc of nerd-sniping themselves to make their videos in the silliest possible way.
Visit sdr-podcast.com/how-far-can-you-take-openfx to see the show notes and transcript!
This episode is sponsored by Depot: the build acceleration platform that's on a mission to make all builds near instant. If you're tired of watching your builds in GitHub Actions crawl like the modern-day equivalent of paint drying, give Depot's GitHub Actions runners a try. They’re up to 10x faster, with unlimited concurrency, faster caching, support for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and they plug right into other Depot optimizations like accelerated container image builds and remote caching for Bazel, Turborepo, Gradle, and more.
Depot was built by developers who were tired of wasting time waiting on builds instead of shipping. It's made for teams that want to move faster and stay focused on what actually matters.
That’s why companies like PostHog use Depot to cut build times from over 3 hours to just 3 minutes, saving tens of thousands of build hours every week.
Start your free 7-day trial at depot.dev and let them know we sent you.

Jul 30, 2025 • 51min
Blackmagic Fusion is weird
Amos goes further into automating their video production workflow. Get ready to play a game!
Visit sdr-podcast.com/blackmagic-fusion-is-weird to see the show notes and transcript!
This episode is sponsored by Depot: the build acceleration platform that's on a mission to make all builds near instant. If you're tired of watching your builds in GitHub Actions crawl like the modern-day equivalent of paint drying, give Depot's GitHub Actions runners a try. They’re up to 10x faster, with unlimited concurrency, faster caching, support for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and they plug right into other Depot optimizations like accelerated container image builds and remote caching for Bazel, Turborepo, Gradle, and more.
Depot was built by developers who were tired of wasting time waiting on builds instead of shipping. It's made for teams that want to move faster and stay focused on what actually matters.
That’s why companies like PostHog use Depot to cut build times from over 3 hours to just 3 minutes, saving tens of thousands of build hours every week.
Start your free 7-day trial at depot.dev and let them know we sent you.

Jul 23, 2025 • 54min
How is software safety certified
James explains a bit about how safety critical industries think about reliability, the work that goes into shipping safety critical software, and how the Rust language and compiler are a good fit these industries.
Visit sdr-podcast.com/how-is-software-safety-certified to see the show notes and transcript!
This episode is sponsored by Depot: the build acceleration platform that's on a mission to make all builds near instant. If you're tired of watching your builds in GitHub Actions crawl like the modern-day equivalent of paint drying, give Depot's GitHub Actions runners a try. They’re up to 10x faster, with unlimited concurrency, faster caching, support for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and they plug right into other Depot optimizations like accelerated container image builds and remote caching for Bazel, Turborepo, Gradle, and more.
Depot was built by developers who were tired of wasting time waiting on builds instead of shipping. It's made for teams that want to move faster and stay focused on what actually matters.
That’s why companies like PostHog use Depot to cut build times from over 3 hours to just 3 minutes, saving tens of thousands of build hours every week.
Start your free 7-day trial at depot.dev and let them know we sent you.

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 1min
All you need is three iPhones
Amos shares the audio, video, and lighting equipment they use (past and present!) to produce the videos on the fasterthanlime channel. It turns out you can save a lot of money by just buying three iPhones.
Visit sdr-podcast.com/all-you-need-is-three-iphones to see the show notes and transcript!
This episode is sponsored by Depot: the build acceleration platform that's on a mission to make all builds near instant. If you're tired of watching your builds in GitHub Actions crawl like the modern-day equivalent of paint drying, give Depot's GitHub Actions runners a try. They’re up to 10x faster, with unlimited concurrency, faster caching, support for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and they plug right into other Depot optimizations like accelerated container image builds and remote caching for Bazel, Turborepo, Gradle, and more.
Depot was built by developers who were tired of wasting time waiting on builds instead of shipping. It's made for teams that want to move faster and stay focused on what actually matters.
That’s why companies like PostHog use Depot to cut build times from over 3 hours to just 3 minutes, saving tens of thousands of build hours every week.
Start your free 7-day trial at depot.dev and let them know we sent you.

7 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 30min
Traceability
Discover the pivotal role of software traceability, especially in safety-critical development. The conversation dives into the need for better tools, aiming for open-source solutions that enhance documentation and accountability. Hear about the unique challenges in the Rust ecosystem and how proper annotations can transform project coherence. The dialogue also amusingly tackles the necessity for fresh terminology around traceability, all while reflecting on the importance of improving documentation practices for better software outcomes.

Jul 2, 2025 • 52min
HTML5 video
Delve into the quirky world of HTML5 video as the hosts discuss the intricacies of bitrate ladders and their hilarious recording challenges. Discover the technical hurdles faced in developing an ad-free streaming platform, coupled with insights on efficient image handling and alt text. Explore the evolution of modern image formats like WebP and AVIF, and learn about the advantages of new video codecs alongside browser compatibility woes. With a lighthearted tone, personal anecdotes and data quirks make complex topics relatable and entertaining.

Jun 25, 2025 • 42min
Typst is pretty neat
Dive into the world of Typst as the hosts enthusiastically discuss its advantages over LaTeX, which they humorously critique. Discover the evolution of typesetting languages, from LaTeX to the collaborative-friendly Markdown, and how modern tools like Typst are reshaping document creation. The conversation also highlights innovative uses of Typst in UI design and the challenges of typesetting with SVG. Join the laughter as they share anecdotes about their tech journey and the quirks of navigating new tools.

Jun 18, 2025 • 52min
DRM schemes
The top 10? Bottom 10? In any case, enjoy a breakdown of 10 digital rights management schemes. Also, admire Amos' restraint as a YouTuber that they waited until 2025 to make a numbered list.
Visit sdr-podcast.com/drm-schemes to see the show notes and transcript!
This episode is sponsored by Depot: the build acceleration platform that's on a mission to make all builds near instant. If you're tired of watching your builds in GitHub Actions crawl like the modern-day equivalent of paint drying, give Depot's GitHub Actions runners a try. They’re up to 10x faster, with unlimited concurrency, faster caching, support for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and they plug right into other Depot optimizations like accelerated container image builds and remote caching for Bazel, Turborepo, Gradle, and more.
Depot was built by developers who were tired of wasting time waiting on builds instead of shipping. It's made for teams that want to move faster and stay focused on what actually matters.
That’s why companies like PostHog use Depot to cut build times from over 3 hours to just 3 minutes, saving tens of thousands of build hours every week.
Start your free 7-day trial at depot.dev and let them know we sent you.

10 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 37min
sans-io: meh
Dive into the intriguing world of 'sans-io' as James and Amos dissect its impact on Rust programming. They tackle challenges in async programming, sharing personal anecdotes and technical critiques. The debate on file formats, including Sans.io and the relevance of async I/O systems, highlights the quest for better protocol designs. Memory management complexities come under scrutiny, emphasizing stack versus heap allocation strategies. The conversation also explores the limitations of the Tokyo Rust LS, questioning its handling of TCP sockets and control events.

Jun 4, 2025 • 45min
automating macOS
Dive into the world of macOS automation, where enhancing content creation meets the power of Markdown. Discover the art of integrating code samples into videos while tackling image editing and background removal challenges. Explore the complexities of automating screenshots with JavaScript for Automation, and uncover the historical significance of AppleScript in streamlining workflows. Lastly, learn how to improve website accessibility for screen reader users, ensuring a more inclusive digital experience.