Saying Goodbye to an Ambitious Project
Reflections on shutting down a big bet—and why that's okay.
When I first sketched out this project last fall, it felt like launching a rocket. The vision was clear, ambitious, slightly terrifying—but exactly the kind of challenge that usually sparks my curiosity. The goal? Build an AI from scratch, capable of deeply understanding complex technical data and surfacing insights beyond human capability. It was bold. It was thrilling.
In the early months, momentum was electric. Learning Linux, navigating endless CUDA debugging sessions, and successfully fine-tuning models on sophisticated datasets felt genuinely exhilarating. I'll never forget when the model went rogue, generating pages of nonsensical text—a surreal reminder of how delicate and powerful AI can be. Or when I ventured into building my first prototype website using GitHub Copilot, marveling at how much could be accomplished with the right tools.
But eventually, complexity overtook progress. Datasets grew heavy, results unpredictable, and priorities shifted beneath me. The runway that once seemed generous began to shrink, and questions changed from "how" to "why."
Deciding to close down was gradual and quietly challenging—like gently fading out a favorite song. Archiving my experiments felt bittersweet, a quiet acknowledgment of effort and acceptance.
Initially, it felt like failure. But with some distance, I see it differently.
Though the original target went unmet, the experience was transformative. It reshaped my relationship with uncertainty, taught humility, and instilled respect for the hidden complexities beneath ambition. Big bets don't always yield immediate success—but their lessons endure.
I close this chapter grateful for the excitement, the challenges, and every unexpected detour. Perhaps the true value wasn't the finish line, but everything the journey revealed along the way.
Addendum to "Scaling Life"
We often imagine growth as linear and predictable, but real life—my life—is much messier. Projects that excite and define us can quietly end in ambiguity, teaching vital lessons about resilience and humility.
One late night, staring at my laptop and a dataset refusing to cooperate, frustration gave way to acceptance and insight. Scaling life isn't about uninterrupted wins; it’s about navigating uncertainty and finding meaning even when outcomes differ from expectations. This quiet ending holds deep lessons—reminding me that genuine growth comes not from constant success, but from learning how to move forward after setbacks.