Jaan Tollander de Balsch is a computational scientist with a background in computer science and applied mathematics. Professionally, he applies his skills for technical writing, research software engineering, and scientific computing using tools such as Julia language, Git-based workflows, and Linux operating system. He values writing well-tested and documented open-source software packages with clean interfaces that other developers can understand and use. He has experience developing software packages for simulation algorithms and mathematical optimization models and running code on high-performance computing environments. You can learn more about his professional experience and skills by visiting the Resume page.
I believe in the growing importance of computational methods and software engineering in science and business. Given the Julia language’s combined expressive and computational power, I predict it will dominate the field of computational science in the ‘2020s. I also hope that academia will begin to focus more on developing practical software packages with modern software engineering tools instead of writing abstract white papers for the legacy publishing industry.
I view that scientific writing and open communication of scientific knowledge is essential for a functioning society. I advocate individuals to create content on platforms they own, such as personal websites, newsletters, and podcasts that can use protocols like web feeds and email for distribution instead of relying solely on third-party platforms and gated institutions.
I consider health and productivity to be the highest values of a knowledge worker. Excellent physical and mental health requires designing our environment and routines to be consistent with our evolutionary biology. For example, morning and evening walks are essential because of the circadian cycle and its effects on sleep, mood, and learning. Our tools and workspaces also need to be physically and cognitively ergonomic to reduce discomfort, which increases productivity. Productivity also requires a work environment where it is possible to focus on tasks for long periods without distractions, which is impossible in poorly designed offices.
I aim to create content that reflects my skills, values, and beliefs. My Posts focus on exploring relevant, contemporary topics related to computational science and software engineering. On the Resources page, I explore various tools, skills, and routines to become a better knowledge worker. On the About page, I explain how I live up to my values and beliefs.
If you find my content useful, you may find videos on my YouTube channel helpful as well. Primarily, I create tutorial videos related to the articles and projects on my website. Also, I would appreciate it if you subscribe as a sacrificial gift for the algorithms. Thank you!
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