agreed. it's often in my toolbox -- mostly since I already know it, and I prefer semi-colon-driven syntax -- but it's just one of a few languages I use.
Location: Takoma Park, MD, USA
Remote: Yes
Willing to relocate: No
Technologies: Python, JavaScript, Swift, semantic systems, LLM orchestration
Site/Portfolio: https://www.michaeldouma.com
Email: m5@inotherwords-studio.com
Product and design for complex technical systems. Founded an indie game studio — semantic word games, meanings not spelling. Prior: SpicyNodes (visualization, 40M users), time.gov (1999), a medical AI serving 1.5M patients before AI was cool. Judge for IGF, MagFest, CODiE, GEE, Serious Games.
Looking for: technical products that work but need to engage more, feel less like enterprise Java circa 2003. Game design discipline applied to onboarding, repeated use, cognitive load. Series A–C, 10–50 people. Developer tools, learning platforms, data products.
Location: Takoma Park, MD, USA
Remote: Yes
Willing to relocate: No
Technologies: Python, JavaScript, Swift, semantic systems, LLM orchestration, AI-assisted architecture
Site/Portfolio: https://www.michaeldouma.com
Email: m5@inotherwords-studio.com
I fix technical products that work but don't engage.
You built something powerful. Early adopters get it. But broader adoption stalls because the experience doesn't create its own momentum. I specialize in that exact inflection point - making sophisticated tools feel like discovery rather than homework.
My approach comes from 10 years running an indie game studio. I apply behavioral psychology to B2B/developer tools. Not gamification - actual intrinsic motivation that makes the 100th use rewarding. Judge for IGF, MagFest, CODiE, GEE, Serious Games awards.
Recent work: Semantic analysis mapping 110M+ connections across 1.5M words. Previously: SpicyNodes (40M users), time.gov (pioneering govt web service), medical AI serving 1.5M patients.
I lead teams or ship directly via AI-assisted architecture. Looking for Series A-C companies (10-50 people) with products that need to feel less like enterprise Java circa 2003. Developer tools, learning platforms, technical products with adoption friction.
Seeking: Head of Product Experience, Director of Developer Experience, or whatever you call the role that makes your product sing.
Location: Takoma Park, MD, USA
Remote: Yes
Willing to relocate: No
Technologies: Python, Swift, JavaScript, semantic networks, WebGL, LLMs, system architecture
Site/Portfolio: https://www.michaeldouma.com
Email: m5@inotherwords-studio.com
Was #1 on HN this summer with semantic analysis mapping 110M connections across 1.5M words. Turned that into award-winning word games (IndiePrize, Apple Arcade finalist, NSF funded).
I judge for leading games and educational games awards (MagFest, GEE, CODiE, Serious Games). This gives me sharp insight into what makes consumer apps and games succeed.
My strength is leading technical and creative teams to transform complex systems into experiences people love. Career highlights: invented Time.gov at NIST, created SpicyNodes visualization platform (315K creators, 40M users), pioneered semantic wordplay games. After 25 years of architecting systems and leading teams up to 40 people, I also ship production code with AI tools.
Seeking: Head of Product/Design, VP Product, or problems worth solving
Location: Takoma Park, MD, USA
Remote: Yes
Willing to relocate: No
Technologies: Python, JavaScript, Swift, React, PostgreSQL, Data pipelines, LLMs/AI, Game engines, Real-time systems
Site/Portfolio: https://www.michaeldouma.com
Email: m5@inotherwords-studio.com
I was #1 on HN last month with my semantic analysis of English. That analysis mapped 110M+ semantic connections across 1.5M+ words. I've turned that data into a daily word game about pathfinding through the multidimensional universe of language.
I transform complex systems into experiences users want to use, and bring 10 years of indie puzzle gaming insights to both gaming and non-gaming software:
* Design onboarding where users learn by doing, revealing features as users are ready
* Create products people use because they want to, not have to; make the 100th use as rewarding as the first
* Build "aha!" experiences into routine workflows, and crafting features worth showing off (no forced virality)
Track record of making complex systems intuitive: SpicyNodes (40M users), time.gov (2M monthly), medical AI for 1.5M patients. PI on $295K NSF SBIR.
Led diverse teams up to 40 people - engineers, designers, artists, writers, operations - plus managed 200+ contractors. I excel at uniting creative and technical talent.
Seeking: VP Product or Head of Product at companies building AI products, knowledge tools, or creative applications. I architect systems and lead teams that ship products people love.
Location: Takoma Park, MD, USA
Remote: Yes
Willing to relocate: No
Technologies: VP Product (AI), Game Design, Complex Systems, Data Architecture, Ships Products People Love
I was #1 on HN last month with my semantic analysis of English. Now I'm looking to help another technical product become more human.
What I deliver (bringing 10 years of indie puzzle gaming insights to software):
* Tutorial thinking - Design onboarding where users learn by doing, not reading docs
* Progressive complexity - Reveal features as users are ready, not all at once
* Intrinsic motivation - Create products people use because they want to, not have to
* Discovery moments - Build "aha!" experiences into routine workflows
* Natural sharing - Design features worth showing off (no forced virality)
* Satisfaction loops - Make the 100th use as rewarding as the first
Previously: SpicyNodes (40M users), time.gov (2M monthly), medical AI for 1.5M patients. PI on $295K NSF SBIR. I excel at the intersection of technical depth and human understanding - whether building atomic clock interfaces or language models.
Seeking: VP Product or CPO role at companies building AI products. Particularly interested in semantic search, knowledge tools, or creative AI applications. I lead teams of creative and technical people, and leverage those same skills to architect and ship production code (Swift, Python, etc.) via modern AI tools - decades of managing developers taught me exactly how to direct technical work.
SEEKING WORK | Takoma Park, MD | Remote | Product Strategy & AI/UX Innovation
Hey, I was #1 on HN last month - maybe you saw my white paper on the small world of English? That analysis mapped 110M+ semantic connections across 1.5M+ words. I've now turned that data into a daily word game that explores how humans naturally connect ideas.
This is what I do: transform complex systems into experiences people love.
Previously: Evolved SpicyNodes from academic visualization to 40M users. Transformed NIST timing software into time.gov. Converted medical AI research into patient tools serving 1.5M users. PI on $295K NSF SBIR for semantic innovation.
Core expertise: Taking technically sophisticated systems and creating intuitive interfaces that preserve depth while enabling broad adoption. From atomic clocks to language models.
Available for: VP Product/CPO roles, founding product positions, strategic advisory
Location: Takoma Park, MD, USA
Remote: Yes
Willing to relocate: No
Technologies: VP Product (AI), Game Design, Complex Systems, Data Architecture, Ships Products People Love
Email: m5@inotherwords-studio.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldouma/
My work with the small world of English was featured #1 on HackerNews last month.
Product/UX leader who builds AI experiences that spark joy and connection. Recently mapped 110M+ relationships across 1.5M+ words - now launched as a daily game.
Track record of making complex systems intuitive:
- Scaled SpicyNodes to 40M users (acquired)
- Launched time.gov at NIST - transforming lab software into public service
- Converted academic medical AI → patient tools serving 1.5M users
- Founded In Other Words studio - award-winning semantic games (IndiePrize, TIGA)
- Secured $295K NSF SBIR for semantic innovation
I excel at the intersection of technical depth and human understanding - whether building atomic clock interfaces, medical AI, or language models. Led teams up to 40 people across engineering, design, and research.
Seeking: VP Product or CPO role at companies building AI products for consumers or creators. Particularly interested in semantic search, knowledge tools, or creative AI applications. Open to founding product leader roles at Series A+ startups.
What I bring: Deep technical fluency + proven ability to ship products people love. Judge for Gee Awards, CODiE, Serious Play awards. I understand both how AI works and how humans think.
