Modern Ronin Reflections is a collection of essays on engineering, learning, discipline, and life from Dr. Jack Yeh, exploring the mindset of a modern-day ronin.
Modern Ronin Reflections
Every object we own quietly takes a share of our attention. It stays with us, not just physically, but mentally— occupying a small space in our awareness. That’s why I no longer seek to own more things. I choose carefully, and I let them stay longer. Because over time,
Modern Ronin Reflections
You are already whole. You do not need growth or achievement to become valuable. The problem is that most people forget this, and begin to chase, compare, and fall into FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). But that is an illusion. You don’t need to go through every form of
Modern Ronin Reflections
Many things are right—but not right for you. Many forms of growth are valuable—but not yours to pursue. The real difficulty in life is not doing too little, but wanting everything. The moment you learn to choose— what to let in, and what to let go— you begin
Modern Ronin Reflections
In Taiwan, working on motor drives often means doing two things at once: developing control algorithms and writing firmware. But over time, I’ve come to realize something very clearly— these two tasks use fundamentally different modes of thinking. When I’m working on control theory—deriving models, designing observers—
Modern Ronin Reflections
When you are lost in the mountains, speed is not your advantage. If your direction is wrong, the faster you run, the farther you move away from the right path. In the age of AI, this effect is amplified to the extreme. AI enables rapid execution, continuous output, and the
Modern Ronin Reflections
I believe that as long as a person is willing to question and think critically with logic, they are already an independent thinker. Independence does not necessarily require building an entirely new system. Not everyone has the depth or capacity to reconstruct one. But one thing is certain— every form
Modern Ronin Reflections
I have come to believe that true independent thinking is inseparable from critical thinking. I have never seen a truly independent thinker who does not question or challenge. Because the moment we stop questioning, we are simply operating within frameworks given by others. Growth often begins at the very point
Modern Ronin Reflections
Whenever I become overly eager in pursuing a goal or overly attached to a particular outcome, a subtle discomfort arises within me. It is easy to overlook, but through mindfulness practice I can notice it quickly. To me, this feeling is an important inner guidance. It reminds me that I
Modern Ronin Reflections
Looking back on my learning and career journey, I realize that I have intentionally kept myself in states of discomfort for most of my life. Whether it was learning languages, engineering, philosophy, psychology, or exploring other fields, I have always pushed myself to keep learning and improving. It wasn’t
Modern Ronin Reflections
In engineering, true strength is not about defeating others. It is about achieving complete clarity. If you cannot explain a concept simply, it usually means you do not fully understand it. This is why I resonate deeply with the Feynman learning method: when you can truly teach something to others,
Modern Ronin Reflections
I have always believed in one simple idea: Things that are too new often have no soul. I rarely try to keep my belongings in perfect condition. I don’t wrap my car, put protective film on my watch, or try to keep my bags and jackets looking brand new.
Modern Ronin Reflections
Over the past three or four years, I have really done just one thing: I listened to the voice within. Many of the choices I made were guided by a sense of resonance with certain ideas and experiences. Not because they were easy, but because they felt true. In The