I'm spending 3 months coding the old way
Summary
An introspective look at a Brooklyn coding retreat where the author experiments with coding by hand while exploring AI's role in development. It covers training an LLM from scratch, improving Python skills through pair programming, and deepening computer understanding through hands-on projects and wargames, all framed by the craft-vs-tool tradeoff highlighted by Cal Newport. The piece offers practical reflections for developers weighing when to rely on AI versus mastering fundamentals.