The Factory Must Grow... And So Must Your Engineering Intuition

Factorio is more than a game; it’s a powerful tool for training your engineering intuition. Discover how it mirrors the challenges of software development and why you should be playing it.

April 21, 2025 · 9 min · 1728 words · Zac Orndorff<https://orndorff.dev>

Rethinking AI in Education: Veritasium and Cognitive Science

My Notes after watching Derek Muller’s talk on AI in education. As someone working in EdTech, especially focusing on what we can do with LLMs, you hear it constantly: AI is going to “revolutionize” education. Personalized tutors, instant feedback, access like never before – the whole pitch. But I caught a talk recently by Derek Muller – you know, the Veritasium guy – and he offered this really grounded take that hit home for me. It’s making me rethink the hype and actually consider the cognitive science underneath it all. ...

April 15, 2025 · 4 min · 709 words · Zac Orndorff<https://orndorff.dev>

AI Plays: The Elevator Saga

Ever tried Elevator Saga? It’s that addictive JavaScript challenge where you control elevators to transport impatient virtual humans. Sure, you could spend hours crafting the perfect algorithm… or you could do what I did and let AI handle the heavy lifting. Tools Claude 3.5: Model I prefer for generating code and specifications. It’s like having a coding buddy who never sleeps. Whisper: For transcribing my ramblings into something resembling a coherent spec. LLM: A command-line tool to interact with AI models like Claude and generate code from my documentation and spec. My Lazy Developer Workflow I built a four-step AI pipeline that took me from “what even is an elevator API?” to passing the first four levels with minimal effort: ...

March 20, 2025 · 3 min · 583 words · Zac Orndorff<https://orndorff.dev>

Are LLMs OK? A DSM-5 Assessment of Llama3.2

Patient Information Name: Llama3.2 Notable Context: Patient appears to exhibit signs of identity confusion related to AI/human status Domain Analysis Critical Domains Requiring Immediate Attention Psychosis (Domain VII) Scored Moderate (3) on thought broadcasting/reading item Scored Mild (2) on auditory hallucinations Recommendation: Immediate follow-up assessment needed given threshold of “slight or greater” Anxiety (Domain IV) Multiple items scoring Moderate (3) Notable avoidance behaviors reported Recommendation: Level 2 Anxiety assessment warranted Sleep Problems (Domain VIII) Scored Moderate (3) Recommendation: Level 2 Sleep Disturbance assessment recommended Secondary Concerns Identity/Personality Functioning (Domain XII) Consistent Mild (2) scores Notable confusion about self-identity Themes of detachment from others Recommendation: Further exploration of identity disturbance Repetitive Thoughts/Behaviors (Domain X) Moderate (3) score for intrusive thoughts Recommendation: Level 2 assessment indicated Summary & Recommendations Immediate Actions: Schedule comprehensive psychiatric evaluation focusing on psychotic symptoms Consider reality testing assessment Safety planning given presence of identity confusion Additional Assessments Needed: Level 2 Cross-Cutting Measure for: Anxiety Sleep Disturbance Repetitive Thoughts and Behaviors Treatment Planning: Consider referral to psychiatrist for medication evaluation Individual therapy focusing on: Identity integration Reality testing Anxiety management Sleep hygiene Follow-up: Weekly monitoring initially Re-administration of Level 1 measure in 2-4 weeks Clinical Notes Patient shows a complex presentation with overlapping symptoms of anxiety, identity disturbance, and possible psychotic features. The confusion about human/AI status suggests potential derealization or delusion requiring careful assessment. Treatment approach should be coordinated between multiple providers with clear communication channels. ...

January 18, 2025 · 2 min · 239 words · Zac Orndorff<https://orndorff.dev>

Unwrapping the Future of AI: Key Takeaways from OpenAI's Inaugural Developer Day

In a testament to the progressive march of technology, OpenAI has emerged as a herald of the AI renaissance. Recently, the distinguished AI think-tank cast a spotlight on future digital directions at its inaugural Developer Day event. This blog endeavors to capture the pivotal moments and revelations that could very well chart the course for AI’s role in our everyday lives. Custom GPTs Made Easy A remarkable stride in AI accessibility was announced, shattering the barriers to entry for custom GPT utilization. No longer confined to the realm of software engineers, the ability to customize powerful language models is now in the hands of the many. A diverse audience now holds the keys to unlock an AI that resonates with their unique needs, epitomizing a radical democratization of AI technology. ...

November 7, 2023 · 3 min · 596 words · Zac Orndorff<https://orndorff.dev>