About Arija A. (aka. Ari Archer)

# Skills

Over the years, I've developed skills across multiple programming languages and technologies. Some of my core areas include:

• Programming (Python): 9 years
• Programming (C and C++): 5 years
• Software and library development
• Linux and systems administration
• Backend development (Flask and low-level using sockets)
• Front-end development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SCSS)
• SEO
• Writing technical specifications
• Git VCS
• Security and cryptographic principles
• Databases (SQLite, PostgreSQL, MariaDB/MySQL, custom)
• Containerization and virtualization basics

Of course, I've had my fair share of detours, but I'm not bothering to list all the minor things :)

I'm generally a quick learner and adapt well to new technologies, though the areas above are where I've spent considerable time getting properly familiar with things. I like to refer to myself as technology agnostic, since what I truly need is only a code editor, an operating system, and a terminal emulator.

However, I do prefer a more tailored set of technologies where I can feel fully comfortable: Linux (precisely, Gentoo Linux), Vim, C or Python, Git, Bash, suckless software (like DWM), and generally minimal, hackable tools that allow me to get stuff done with no BS. In fact, a lot of my userspace is my own software :D

When it comes to natural languages, I speak 3 at least a little bit:

• Lithuanian: 17 years
• English: 9 years
• German: 4 years

My German's gotten a bit rusty from lack of use (and for the fact that I'm no longer taking German since 10th grade), but I've been trying to work on that!

# Motivation

What drives me is a philosophy rooted in democracy, freedom, shareability, and hackability (no, not the mainstream term) - the idea that technology should be customisable and understandable.

I'm deeply motivated to understand how things work rather than just accepting high-level abstractions. I was always a curious kid (even reflecting in my hobbies in the past: chemistry, cooking, physics and astrophysics, biology, languages, mathematics, writing and poetry, sewing/knitting/crocheting/threading/braiding, DIY projects, painting, electronics, finances, ...) who wanted to dig into problems and understand their core mechanisms, not just in technology but in everything.

Overly simplistic answers do not satisfy me, and - in fact - they often annoy me, especially when people begin talking in overly abstract terminology and answer with barely anything to any given question even if you spend hours on it yourself. Either way, this curiosity has shaped how I approach challenges even when it means "reinventing the wheel" or pursuing seemingly impractical solutions, I find value in the learning process, and teaching people to not be overly obscure so we can actually get things done and learn.

I guess another factor may also be the fact that my projects span quite a range - from the custom static site generator that powers my blog, to practical tools for shell workflows, experimental pieces that push boundaries, systems-level work with languages that compile down to assembly, and I'm also a big fan of automation - constantly writing scripts to handle tedious work that would otherwise take ages. Without such diverse set of things I work on, I might not be as motivated to explore so much.

# Philosophy

Philosophywise, I'm passionate about exploring social issues - things like injustice, environmental challenges, and the fundamental freedoms people face around the world. I believe in acting against these problems where I can, even in small ways.

My philosophical worldview is fundamentally grounded in anti-authoritarianism and a strong scepticism toward systems of power that seek to control or manipulate individuals. I believe strongly in personal autonomy (aka. self-ownership) and the importance of critical thinking in resisting propaganda and totalitarian tendencies wherever they emerge.

My political philosophy centres on protecting individual freedoms while supporting social justice and LGBTQ+ rights. I'm particularly critical of militarism and the ways societies indoctrinate young people into accepting authoritarian structures as normal or even necessary.

In matters of technology and ethics, I advocate for minimalism and pragmatism over superficial complexity. I believe in the principles of open-source software as both a technical and philosophical stance against corporate control of digital infrastructure.

My approach to life combines elements of Stoicism with an acceptance of vulnerability as authentic human experience. I value intellectual honesty and direct communication, preferring substance over appearance, and I'm committed to creating genuine work that is raw and honest, rather than corporate interests or social expectations.

# Beyond Code

Beyond mere lines of code, I enjoy other things as well, including but not limited to:

• Volunteering (particularly related to animals)
• Cooking
• Blogging and writing
• Philosophy and thinking
• Generally trying new things whenever I get the chance to
• Obsessing over a very specific fascination with prime numbers that meet all the following criteria simultaneously: they are cryptographically secure, large, uniform in bit distribution, exhibit a 50% bit-flip rate, and are both safe primes (where 2p + 1 is prime and p is prime) and Sophie Germain primes (where (p - 1)/2 is prime and p is prime)
• Gardening (sadly, can't do it as much anymore due to city conditions :/)

If you're interested to learn more, see my blog!

# Personality and Growth

People often describe me as kind, accepting, open-minded, and non-judgemental - I try to approach interactions with empathy and accept people regardless of what they've been through as much as I can. They also tend to notice my analytical side and sometimes label me as creative, passionate, or intelligent because of how I approach problems.

I'm also actively working on better communication skills, self-improvement, and mental health -- things that are ongoing processes rather than destinations. Learning to manage anxiety and emotional grounding has become quite important to me, especially as I navigate through various challenges in the world.

# Closing

If you're interested in exploring more of my work, the projects page has details about various things I've built and maintained over time, and my blog may provide further context to my personality :)

Life's been quite a journey so far - there have been challenging periods, times of growth, moments of excitement about new discoveries, and plenty of learning experiences. I'm working towards building a stable life surrounded by reliable people, continuing to solve interesting problems, and hopefully reaching a point where I feel comfortable just existing and being myself. Hopefully in the future I can satisfy my aspiration to be a professional software engineer :D

Thanks for taking the time to learn a bit about me. I'm always happy to connect with people and collaborate on interesting challenges, so feel free to reach out through the contact page if you'd like to chat!