We’re all effectively cyborgs enabled by our tools.
Here are some of the machines that enable my machine:
This is one of the most innovative uses of AI I’ve encountered. As you’re listening to any podcast and hear something you want to remember, simply tap a button and it creates a “Snip” or highlight based on the transcript and concepts being discussed. It’s like an automated note taker for your podcasts instead of your meetings.
What can I say about Notion? It feels like something that should’ve been around decades ago. They’re not the first to tackle knowledge management, but their execution is on another level.
Cursor is hands down one of the best tools to come out of the AI boom. GitHub Copilot was great, but Cursor takes it to another level with a UX that feels like it was made by developers, for developers. The AI suggestions actually make sense, debugging is smooth, and it just fits perfectly into how you work.
TablePlus might not get all the hype, but it’s a total workhorse for managing databases like Postgres, MySQL, SQLite, and more. It gives you a clean, easy-to-use UI to query, edit, and manage your data, and it’s been dead reliable for years. I haven’t had any crashes, weird glitches, just solid performance every time. Lightweight, fast, and packed with features you’ll actually use (without the bloat), it’s worth every penny.
If you remember ScreenHero, you know how great it was for pair programming. Sadly Slack bought it and ruined it. Tuple feels like the spiritual successor, but even better. It’s fast, reliable, and built specifically for developers, with zero lag and crystal-clear video and audio. Unlike other tools that try to do everything, Tuple focuses on making pairing seamless and enjoyable. It’s not the cheapest, but if you want a tool that just works and makes pair programming a joy, it’s worth every penny.
I’ve tried a bunch of AI meeting tools, and while some are good, Fathom stands out. It records your calls and delivers summaries that are generally spot on. It generally just works. I’m not big on the gamification features, but the core functionality is so solid that it doesn’t even matter. If you’re tired of juggling notes or missing details, Fathom is definitely worth a try.
Readwise is like having a second brain for all the information you consume. Whether it is books, blogs, or podcasts, it helps you collect, organize, and revisit the highlights and quotes that matter most so the best ideas never get lost. In fact, my reading section is full of quotes pulled straight from my Readwise collection.