Code and Thought
Wanna know a snippet of my day?
A while ago, I thought about building a software product that could help agencies. Yesterday was the day I finally went out with my friend to gather requirements.
I asked some agencies how they currently do their work and what parts could be automated or moved online. Mind you, before going there, I had asked AI how they operate, what challenges they might have, and how I could add value with a software product. Everything seemed so logical...
But when we actually talked to them, I was surprised. None of the problems I thought existed actually existed, and my product wouldn't have added any real value. At one agency, they even told us to look for other areas where we could provide solutions.
Soooo, my people, imagine if I had already built this product and then went to show them how it could help their business. It would have been a complete waste of time.
So my people, if you are thinking about building a product for a specific area because you believe there is something you can automate, please talk to the actual users first. Requirement gathering is the first phase of software development for a reason.
I asked some agencies how they currently do their work and what parts could be automated or moved online. Mind you, before going there, I had asked AI how they operate, what challenges they might have, and how I could add value with a software product. Everything seemed so logical...
But when we actually talked to them, I was surprised. None of the problems I thought existed actually existed, and my product wouldn't have added any real value. At one agency, they even told us to look for other areas where we could provide solutions.
Soooo, my people, imagine if I had already built this product and then went to show them how it could help their business. It would have been a complete waste of time.
So my people, if you are thinking about building a product for a specific area because you believe there is something you can automate, please talk to the actual users first. Requirement gathering is the first phase of software development for a reason.
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And another thing me and my friend did yesterday...
When you see someone begging on the street, whether they are healthy or have disabilities, don't you ever get curious about their story? Like, how did life lead them to this point? How did their journey bring them here today?
Another thing I always ask myself is: How do these people think about God? Do they believe God still cares about them? Do they thank Him? Do they think about the afterlife, that God may punish them with hell, and therefore try to be cautious about His rules? And more than anything, why don't they just end their lives and put an end to this suffering?
Yeah, I think about these things every time I see people who are alive but barely living because of poverty, sickness, or disability. I have always wanted to interview them—to hear their stories and see the world from their perspective.
And yesterday, I finally did it. I interviewed one of them.
When you see someone begging on the street, whether they are healthy or have disabilities, don't you ever get curious about their story? Like, how did life lead them to this point? How did their journey bring them here today?
Another thing I always ask myself is: How do these people think about God? Do they believe God still cares about them? Do they thank Him? Do they think about the afterlife, that God may punish them with hell, and therefore try to be cautious about His rules? And more than anything, why don't they just end their lives and put an end to this suffering?
Yeah, I think about these things every time I see people who are alive but barely living because of poverty, sickness, or disability. I have always wanted to interview them—to hear their stories and see the world from their perspective.
And yesterday, I finally did it. I interviewed one of them.
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Code and Thought
Audio
Here is the voice recording...
And guys, I have nothing to say. Just listen and judge based on your own morals.
But the thing I realized is that these people have the skills that can help them survive. They have a strong will, a desire to become better, and they work for it.
And finally, I understood the saying of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that the majority of the people of Paradise are the poor.
Yeah, I think I have never known my God the way this mother knows Him, even though I have had better religious education, been part of religious communities, and had a better life in many ways.
And guys, I have nothing to say. Just listen and judge based on your own morals.
But the thing I realized is that these people have the skills that can help them survive. They have a strong will, a desire to become better, and they work for it.
And finally, I understood the saying of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) that the majority of the people of Paradise are the poor.
Yeah, I think I have never known my God the way this mother knows Him, even though I have had better religious education, been part of religious communities, and had a better life in many ways.
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Code and Thought
Audio
After this record ended...for more than 30 minutes dua sidereglnna snmerek neber. Betachu ymula sufrachu ymukm teblenal☺️ amin belu eski
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And one additional thing from yesterday...
Before this, I had participated in a hackathon a few months ago. You can get the information here. Now, we are about to receive training on how to grow our idea into a startup, and they also promised that there will be an incubation program after the training.
Because of that, I have been talking with some startups and engineers from Innobiz-K, and one of the things I learned is that, due to the rise of Gen AI, many technical problems have finally become much easier to solve.
Different people—students, interns, and startups—now have some of the best ideas. They have solutions for real problems that could potentially change millions of people's lives. But they all seem to share one major problem:
And another thing I learned is that, to be incubated by Innobiz-K and MinT, you need to have a solution for a problem that truly exists but whose solution has not been discovered yet. You can't just have a business model that looks like a ride-hailing or chapa service and expect to get incubated. 🙂
One idea an engineer I look up to gave me was this: think about what Ethiopians are actually willing to pay money for. Search for those areas, because that is where real problems exist, and then build your solution there.
So guys, I hope this was informative. And seriously, think about how you will monetize your products before anything else. The technical side of building solutions has become easier than ever before
Before this, I had participated in a hackathon a few months ago. You can get the information here. Now, we are about to receive training on how to grow our idea into a startup, and they also promised that there will be an incubation program after the training.
Because of that, I have been talking with some startups and engineers from Innobiz-K, and one of the things I learned is that, due to the rise of Gen AI, many technical problems have finally become much easier to solve.
Different people—students, interns, and startups—now have some of the best ideas. They have solutions for real problems that could potentially change millions of people's lives. But they all seem to share one major problem:
"They have no idea how to make money from their products!!!"
And another thing I learned is that, to be incubated by Innobiz-K and MinT, you need to have a solution for a problem that truly exists but whose solution has not been discovered yet. You can't just have a business model that looks like a ride-hailing or chapa service and expect to get incubated. 🙂
One idea an engineer I look up to gave me was this: think about what Ethiopians are actually willing to pay money for. Search for those areas, because that is where real problems exist, and then build your solution there.
So guys, I hope this was informative. And seriously, think about how you will monetize your products before anything else. The technical side of building solutions has become easier than ever before
LinkedIn
#codeherfuture #womenintech #hackathon #ethiopiatech | Nezira Worku | 20 comments
48 hours. Three days. One team. 200,000 ETB.
Alhamdulillah, our team won 1st place at the Code H.E.R Future Hackathon. Deeply grateful to the organizers who designed and prepared such an empowering event, and thankful for the incredible teammates and inspiring…
Alhamdulillah, our team won 1st place at the Code H.E.R Future Hackathon. Deeply grateful to the organizers who designed and prepared such an empowering event, and thankful for the incredible teammates and inspiring…
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So apparently my ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini plans are ending so fast that I am unable to get any work done 😭
وَمَنْ فَاتَهُ التَّعْلِيمُ وَقْتَ شَبَابِهِ فَكَبِّرْ عَلَيْهِ أَرْبَعاً لِوَفَاتِهِ
وَحَيَاةُ الْفَتَى وَاللهِ بِالْعِلْمِ وَالتُّقَى إِذَا لَمْ يَكُونَا لا اعْتِبَارَ لِذَاتِهِ
وَحَيَاةُ الْفَتَى وَاللهِ بِالْعِلْمِ وَالتُّقَى إِذَا لَمْ يَكُونَا لا اعْتِبَارَ لِذَاتِهِ
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I’m literally lying here asking for sleep like it’s a favor from a toxic friend who keeps leaving me on read😭😭. I guess I will pull an all-nighter, but let it be known: I’m not awake by choice. Sleep rejected my application.
By the way, my prep school's Muslim Students Jemea is hosting a graduation ceremony for Grade 12 students this Sunday. We—the seniors who are already in universities—decided to organize an exhibition to show the students what different departments and fields of study are really like.
And of course, your girl will be representing Software Engineering.
So, do you have any ideas on how I can showcase this field in an engaging way? Any collaboration ideas are also more than welcome!
And of course, your girl will be representing Software Engineering.
So, do you have any ideas on how I can showcase this field in an engaging way? Any collaboration ideas are also more than welcome!
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Code and Thought pinned «By the way, my prep school's Muslim Students Jemea is hosting a graduation ceremony for Grade 12 students this Sunday. We—the seniors who are already in universities—decided to organize an exhibition to show the students what different departments and fields…»
I'm on a bus for a long journey, listening to an audiobook, so I'll spam you with the important points. That way, we can all benefit together.
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The book I am listening to is The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
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But I guess many of you don't read long texts, so I will write the title first, then the details, so that you read the one that resonates most with you.
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Mastering your self
Most of us think we make decisions with logic, but emotions usually make them first. Logic often just explains what we already felt.
The real competitive advantage isn't understanding people—it's understanding yourself. Most people study everyone except their own mind.
Not every emotion deserves an immediate reaction. Give yourself time. Clarity usually arrives after the emotion settles.
Before acting, ask yourself, "What actually happened?" Facts and feelings aren't always the same thing.
Your life is shaped less by big moments and more by the patterns you repeat every day.
Your ego will always try to protect your pride, even when you're wrong. Learn to observe yourself with curiosity instead of constantly defending yourself.
Most of us think we make decisions with logic, but emotions usually make them first. Logic often just explains what we already felt.
The real competitive advantage isn't understanding people—it's understanding yourself. Most people study everyone except their own mind.
Not every emotion deserves an immediate reaction. Give yourself time. Clarity usually arrives after the emotion settles.
Before acting, ask yourself, "What actually happened?" Facts and feelings aren't always the same thing.
Your life is shaped less by big moments and more by the patterns you repeat every day.
Your ego will always try to protect your pride, even when you're wrong. Learn to observe yourself with curiosity instead of constantly defending yourself.
Are you a good listener?
How good of a listener are you? How calmly and attentively do you listen when someone is talking to you? Do you shift every point back to yourself?
Like when someone is sharing something, do you tend to prove that you have been through the same thing or that you are better by saying, "Me too... blah blah"?
Do you check your phone? Do you look somewhere else? Does your attention shift while they are talking?
Do you think you are a good listener?
How good of a listener are you? How calmly and attentively do you listen when someone is talking to you? Do you shift every point back to yourself?
Like when someone is sharing something, do you tend to prove that you have been through the same thing or that you are better by saying, "Me too... blah blah"?
Do you check your phone? Do you look somewhere else? Does your attention shift while they are talking?
Do you think you are a good listener?
Are you relaxed when you are with your friends, but scared to death when you are asked to present in front of people?
The interesting thing is that we all wear different masks and switch between them so naturally that we don't even notice we are doing it.
Think about your LinkedIn profile—the perfect professional version of yourself. Or your Instagram picture of you enjoying food at a fancy restaurant, but not the anxiety you felt thinking about how much it cost. These are not necessarily lies. They are selective presentations of ourselves, and we all do it for different reasons: protection, adaptation to different environments, fitting into social groups, and sometimes gaining influence.
By controlling what people see, we influence how they perceive us.
Everyone is performing in some way. The question is not "How do I find people who have no mask?" because everyone has one. The better question is: "How do I see beyond the mask and understand the reality behind it?"
Pay attention to things like:
- Body language: What is someone communicating beyond their words?
- Baseline behavior: How does this person normally act when they are comfortable?
- Context shifts: How do they change when the environment, audience, or situation changes?
But the purpose of understanding human nature is not to become suspicious of everyone or assume people are fake. It is about becoming more aware—of others and especially of ourselves.
The goal is not to remove every mask. Some masks are necessary. The goal is to become intentional: to understand which version of yourself you are presenting, why you are presenting it, and whether it aligns with who you truly want to become.
@BlackLion325 what do you think 🤔
The interesting thing is that we all wear different masks and switch between them so naturally that we don't even notice we are doing it.
Think about your LinkedIn profile—the perfect professional version of yourself. Or your Instagram picture of you enjoying food at a fancy restaurant, but not the anxiety you felt thinking about how much it cost. These are not necessarily lies. They are selective presentations of ourselves, and we all do it for different reasons: protection, adaptation to different environments, fitting into social groups, and sometimes gaining influence.
By controlling what people see, we influence how they perceive us.
Everyone is performing in some way. The question is not "How do I find people who have no mask?" because everyone has one. The better question is: "How do I see beyond the mask and understand the reality behind it?"
Pay attention to things like:
- Body language: What is someone communicating beyond their words?
- Baseline behavior: How does this person normally act when they are comfortable?
- Context shifts: How do they change when the environment, audience, or situation changes?
But the purpose of understanding human nature is not to become suspicious of everyone or assume people are fake. It is about becoming more aware—of others and especially of ourselves.
The goal is not to remove every mask. Some masks are necessary. The goal is to become intentional: to understand which version of yourself you are presenting, why you are presenting it, and whether it aligns with who you truly want to become.
@BlackLion325 what do you think 🤔