Hackers' Pub

Syntax	Description	Examples
`"` keyword `"`	Finds the string within quotes, including spaces. Case-insensitive. (Escape quotes inside with `\"`)	`"Hackers' Pub"`
`from:` handle	Finds content written by the specified user.	`from:hongminhee` `from:hongminhee@hollo.social`
`lang:` ISO 639-1	Finds content written in the specified language.	`lang:en`
`#` tag	Finds content with the specified tag. Case-insensitive.	`#HackersPub`
condition condition	Finds content that satisfies both conditions on either side of the space (logical AND).	`"Hackers' Pub" lang:en`
condition `OR` condition	Finds content that satisfies at least one of the conditions on either side of the OR operator (logical OR).	`#HackersPub OR "Hackers' Pub" lang:en`
`(` condition `)`	Combines the operators within the parentheses first.	`(#HackersPub OR "Hackers' Pub" OR "Hackers Pub") lang:en`

raganwald 🍓 @raganwald@social.bau-ha.us

2/13/2026, 8:56:06 PM

Public

The XY Problem is commonly described as wanting to use X to solve Y, and then asking how to X, without also mentioning that you want to solve Y.

And the Inverse XY Problem is when you think someone else should use X to solve Y, so you suggest X without confirming that they *want* to solve Y in the first place.

The Inverse XY problem is common in tech evangelism and sales of all kinds.

If you have a fediverse account, you can quote this note from your own instance. Search https://social.bau-ha.us/users/raganwald/statuses/116065315461157053 on your instance and quote it. (Note that quoting is not supported in Mastodon.)