Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie (patio11)

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) recorded with Zvi Mowshowitz (TheZvi) live at the LessOnline conference. They explore practical strategies for getting better results from large language models. Zvi explains how to customize AI behavior through thoughtful system prompts, while Patrick shares techniques for using LLMs as writing partners and research assistants. They discuss the evolving relationship between content creators and AI training data, touching on the emerging field of "generative engine optimization" (GEO). The conversation also covers multimodal capabilities, recursive AI use, and strategies for avoiding common failure modes like hallucination and sycophancy. – Full transcript: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/getting-better-at-llms-with-zvi-mowshowitz/ [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/getting-better-at-llms-with-zvi-mowshowitz/] – Sponsor:  Vanta Vanta [https://vanta.com/complex] automates security compliance and builds trust, helping companies streamline ISO, SOC 2, and AI framework certifications. Learn more at https://vanta.com/complex [https://vanta.com/complex] – Links: * Don’t Worry About the Vase https://thezvi.wordpress.com/ [https://thezvi.wordpress.com/]  – Timestamps: (01:08) Understanding system prompts (02:04) Customizing LLM behavior (05:58) Memory features in LLMs (10:21) Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) (15:59) Sponsor: Vanta (17:17) Art and AI: Enhancing creativity (20:36) Recursive use of AIs (25:22) Addressing LLM frustrations (27:05) Checking for hallucinations in AI outputs (28:11) Experimenting with AI models (29:44) Optimizing AI prompts and outputs (31:19) Using AI for writing and editing (32:32) AI as a research and writing partner (33:26) Prompting AI and humans effectively (39:39) Balancing AI assistance with personal voice (51:03) Wrap

Patrick McKenzie (patio11) discusses software reversing and AI's transformative impact on cybersecurity with Caleb Fenton, co-founder of Delphos Labs. They explore how LLMs are revolutionizing the traditionally tedious work of analyzing compiled binaries, the nation-state cyber warfare landscape, and how AI is shifting security from reactive to proactive defense. They cover the technical details of malware analysis, the economics of vulnerability detection, and the broader implications as both defenders and attackers gain access to increasingly powerful AI tools.  – Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/machine-learning-meets-malware-with-caleb-fenton/ [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/machine-learning-meets-malware-with-caleb-fenton/] – Sponsor:  Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] This episode is brought to you by Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign], the fintech trusted by 200K+ companies — from first milestones to running complex systems. Mercury offers banking that truly understands startups and scales with them. Start today at Mercury.com  [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. – Links: * Delphos Labs: https://delphoslabs.com/ [https://delphoslabs.com/]  * Virus Total: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload [https://www.virustotal.com/gui/home/upload]  * “Thel fraud supply chain”, Bits about Money https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/archive/the-fraud-supply-chain/ [https://www.bitsaboutmoney.com/archive/the-fraud-supply-chain/]  – Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:20) Understanding software reversing (03:52) The role of AI in software security (06:12) Nation-state cyber warfare (09:33) The future of digital warfare (16:45) Sponsor: Mercury (17:49) Reverse engineering techniques (30:15) AI's impact on reverse engineering (41:45) The importance of urgency in security alerts (42:47) The future of reverse engineering (43:21) Challenges in security product development (44:46) AI in vulnerability detection (46:09) The evolution of AI models (48:06) Reasoning models and their impact (49:06) AI in software security (49:49) The role of linters in security (57:38) AI's impact on various fields (01:02:42) AI in education and skill acquisition (01:08:51) The future of AI in security and beyond (01:12:43) The adversarial nature of AI in security (01:19:46) Wrap

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) revisits his widely-shared negotiation essay, which he notes may be the most impactful thing he's done in his career aside from VaccinateCA. The essay covers the psychology and tactics of salary negotiation, emphasizing that engineers have turned being bad at negotiation into a "perverse badge of virtue" and that the financial stakes are enormous—a small salary increase compounds over decades to six-figure differences. Patrick walks through practical advice including never giving a number first, understanding how employers actually think about compensation costs, and reframing negotiation as a professional business discussion rather than something morally questionable.  – Full transcript available here: www.complexsystemspodcast.com/how-to-negotiate-your-salary-package/ [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/how-to-negotiate-your-salary-package/] – Sponsor:  Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] This episode is brought to you by Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign], the fintech trusted by 200K+ companies — from first milestones to running complex systems. Mercury offers banking that truly understands startups and scales with them. Start today at Mercury.com  [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. – Recommended in this episode: * Patrick’s essay Salary Negotiation: Make More Money, Be More Valued: https://www.kalzumeus.com/2012/01/23/salary-negotiation/ [https://www.kalzumeus.com/2012/01/23/salary-negotiation/]  – Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (03:25) Why negotiation matters (05:21) Shifting your mindset to embrace negotiation (06:49) Your counterparty does not share your mental model of negotiation (12:46) Your negotiation started before you applied to this job (17:21) When does a salary negotiation happen? (19:38) Sponsor: Mercury (23:16) The first rule is what everyone tells you it is: never give a number first (28:45) Listen to what people tell you. Repeat it back to them. (33:22) Research, research, research (37:13) New information is valuable and can be traded for things you want (41:20) You have a multi-dimensional preference set. Use it. (44:08:) For your further perusal

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) and returning guest Ross Rheingans-Yoo discuss the strategic advantages of starting a podcast, particularly for professionals seeking to build trust, expand their networks, and support fundraising efforts. They explore the nuts and bolts of podcast production models, recording logistics, transcript creation, and how to make the experience frictionless for high-value guests. Ross shares his thought process around his newly-launched show Development and Research while Patrick gives a behind the scenes look at the makings of Complex Systems.  – Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/capitalists-guide-to-podcasting-with-ross-rheingans-yoo [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/capitalists-guide-to-podcasting-with-ross-rheingans-yoo] – Sponsor:  Mercury This episode is brought to you by Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign], the fintech trusted by 200K+ companies — from first milestones to running complex systems. Mercury offers banking that truly understands startups and scales with them. Start today at Mercury.com  [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. – Recommended in this episode: * Development and Research Podcast: https://developmentandresearch.bio/ [https://developmentandresearch.bio/]  * Podcast Twitter feed: @DevAndResearch [https://x.com/DevAndResearch] * Ross & Ricki’s Trading Bootcamp June 3-5: https://trading.camp/complex [https://trading.camp/complex]  * Ross' first appearance on Complex Systems: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GiO0KYqxJNCIdltCyhN6m [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4GiO0KYqxJNCIdltCyhN6m] * Ricki Heicklen on Complex Systems (our first episode!): https://open.spotify.com/episode/11kEUYRn4gXZGju232hzcg [https://open.spotify.com/episode/11kEUYRn4gXZGju232hzcg] – Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (01:18) The power of podcasting for venture capitalists (03:09) Building trust through voice  (07:11) Podcast production models  (16:38) Recording and equipment essentials  (23:05) Sponsor: Mercury  (24:18) Post-production and transcripts  (32:22) Advertising vs. User experience  (33:28) Creating standalone artifacts  (34:20) The power of video clips  (35:22) Challenges in podcast distribution  (42:12) The role of guests in podcasts  (47:12) Pre-recording preparation  (49:22) Recording session best practices  (54:22) The value of silence in conversations  (56:38) Launching and growing a podcast  (59:18) Trading bootcamp  (1:02:27) Wrap

In this episode, Patrick McKenzie (patio11) is joined by Jacob Swett of Blueprint Biosecurity to discuss far UVC technology - a specialized wavelength of UV light that kills airborne pathogens while remaining safe for humans. Jacob explains how widespread deployment of this technology in schools, hospitals, and public spaces could dramatically reduce respiratory diseases and prevent future pandemics, comparing our approach to air quality with the water sanitation revolution that eliminated diseases like typhoid. They discuss the economics of implementation (starting around $30 per student annually with costs likely decreasing), the historical reasons why this technology hasn't been widely deployed, and Blueprint Biosecurity's roadmap for increasing adoption from early users to eventual regulations similar to fire safety codes.  – Full transcript available here: https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/killing-viruses-with-light-with-jacob-swett/ [https://www.complexsystemspodcast.com/killing-viruses-with-light-with-jacob-swett/]  – Sponsor:  Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] This episode is brought to you by Mercury [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign], the fintech trusted by 200K+ companies — from first milestones to running complex systems. Mercury offers banking that truly understands startups and scales with them. Start today at Mercury.com  [https://mercury.com?utm_source=complex_systems&utm_medium=sponsored_podcast&utm_campaign=25q2_brand_campaign] Mercury is a financial technology company, not a bank. Banking services provided by Choice Financial Group, Column N.A., and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC. – Recommended in this episode:  * Blueprint Report: https://blueprintbiosecurity.org/u/2025/03/Blueprint-for-Far-UVC-PREPRINTv1.0.pdf  [https://blueprintbiosecurity.org/u/2025/03/Blueprint-for-Far-UVC-PREPRINTv1.0.pdf] – Timestamps: (00:00) Intro (00:31) The importance of indoor air quality (01:29) Technologies for cleaner air (02:31) The promise of Far-UVC (03:10) Impact of COVID-19 on air quality awareness (04:11) Understanding Far-UVC light (06:44) Applications and benefits of Far-UVC (16:42) Challenges and adoption of Far-UVC (20:40) Sponsor: Mercury (21:53) Challenges and adoption of Far-UVC (Part 2) (23:19) Cost and benefits of Far-UVC (26:40) The broader impact of respiratory pathogens (29:41) Rediscovering the world for better health (30:05) Historical perspectives on infectious diseases (30:57) The role of sanitation and antibiotics (33:02) Miasma theory and airborne transmission (34:59) Impact of World War II on disease research (38:06) The evolution of public health priorities (42:39) Future of Far-UVC Technology (46:03) Challenges in implementing Far-UVC (56:47) The importance of rigorous studies (01:00:33) Wrap