About MattCASmith
Thanks for stopping by! I'm Matt, a former journalist working in cyber security. I write a weekly blog about how we build and live with technology, as well as a monthly newsletter.
I try to cut past the hype and hysteria that dominates mainstream tech writing, and am passionate about people and companies who care deeply about what they do and produce quality even when nobody's watching.
New to the blog? Start here
There are many posts on this site that I'm proud of, but none of them captures my personal philosophy as well as this essay on caring about your work and doing things right, even when there's no direct pressure to do so.
My writing spans tech, business, design, and more – the full archives are always open for business if you'd prefer to read something else.
Field Notes newsletter
I write a monthly newsletter called Field Notes, which is more personal than the main blog. It's like a peek behind the scenes, with thoughts, fragments, and ideas that don't make it into posts. You can subscribe below.
If the description above isn't enough to convince you, here are some of the best Field Notes editions to grace subscribers' inboxes in recent months.
How can I get in touch?
I'm always open to feedback, recommendations, and connections. If you have something to share, feel free to reach out on X, Bluesky or via email.

