What is a Bitwise Malandro?

Welcome to my new blog, The Bitwise Malandro, where I discuss life, tech, problem solving, and other topics that I'm interested in.

Sounds nebulous, right? But there are a number of themes that will run through the posts that will tie things together. More on that in a second.

But first... What is a Bitwise Malandro?

Let's start with a little bit of background...

A malandro is a Brazilian term for a trickster-like character, a person who finds any advantage they can to navigate a world not made with them in mind. They are resourceful, intuitive, adaptable and think on their feet. Sometimes malandros are described as "sleazy", but usually that comes from an urge to keep the status quo, to put up obstacles. Others call them heroic. They are imaginative and innovative. They can see alternative ways to approach a problem than what is standard in their environment. Always testing new paths and seeing where they lead. 

In capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that I practice, the concept of the malandro holds a lot of importance. It brings a playfulness and curiosity to every interaction, while building adaptability and quick reflexes. 

In my life, I strive to be more of a malandro. As a person with a physical disability who works in tech and practices capoeira, I've had to continuously adapt to situations that didn't have me or my body in mind. It has helped me hone my problem-solving skills. I try to break down what I see in front of me, whether it's a movement or logic in an application, adapt it to myself, and then execute it. Of course it's an ongoing process, always with new challenges ahead.   

The bitwise part has to do with computers, technology and computation. Streams of zeros and ones that encode knowledge, give instructions, solve problems, run programs. 

Therefore, with the two concepts taken together, a bitwise malandro works to understand tech and the winding road in developing it. They also bring this outlook to everything in their life, finding unexpected ways of accomplishing tasks, tinkering with everything, amassing skills that spread out like vines. 

Whether the topic is tech, science, art, cooking, or navigating different situations in life, I believe the mindset of the bitwise malandro is important. The focus on resourcefulness, malleability, cleverness, and dogged diligence can uncover new ways of thinking and looking at the world. Ideas crossing disciplines and categories to bolster each other and deepen knowledge.  

Through this blog, I hope to bring you with me as I needle away at problems, share what I've been learning, and explore different paths and ideas. 

Enjoy!

Image Credit: Catherine MacBride / Getty Images