Elevator Pitch

• A software developer recounts their journey learning basic electronics by building blinking "firefly" circuits, embracing trial and error, AI-assisted learning, and the joy of making.

Key Takeaways

• The author began with zero electronics knowledge and learned by building an astable multivibrator circuit to mimic fireflies, turning to AI and online resources for guidance.
• Iterative problem-solving—such as adding LDRs for night-only blinking, tweaking blink rates with potentiometers, and troubleshooting hardware—was central to progress.
• The project inspired tool-building (simulators, calculators) and creative hardware hacks, highlighting the parallels between learning programming and electronics.

Most Memorable Aspects

• Realizing a simple LDR could make the LED blink only at night felt "like magic" after initial skepticism and wiring mishaps.
• Salvaging a needed capacitor from a broken power supply, making the process feel resourceful and hands-on.
• The emotional satisfaction of seeing homemade "fireflies" blinking in the dark, reminiscent of childhood joy and the thrill of learning something new.

Direct Quotes

• "It’s not the ultimate guide - just what worked for me, shared as-is. If you like seeing how things break and get fixed, you’re in the right place!"
• "I kept asking AI tools with my questions—sometimes embarrassingly simple ones and slowly, the fog began to lift."
• "The night I saw their gentle blinks line up in the dark, it was pure, peculiar joy. (ohh man!)"