I build what I want

Caleb introduces his fundamental belief, inspired by his childhood cousin's saying, "I do what I want.” He emphasizes the importance of building based on one's own experiences instead of conforming to the broader perspectives of the developer community. Caleb acknowledges the struggle developers face with the complexities of coding, comparing their obsession to an addict's compulsivity, and stressing the need for grounding in personal experiences when approaching projects.

Caleb discusses his frustrations with existing charting libraries, particularly ChartJS, expressing a desire for simplicity in creating charts. He reflects on personal experiences when dealing with the library's complexities, particularly the challenges associated with configuring data sets, legends, and tool tips. His narrative speaks to a common developer pain point, where the overwhelming nature of extensive libraries can hinder productivity, leading to a quest for lightweight, easy-to-use solutions.

The podcast delves into Caleb's ambition to create Flux, a charting solution tailored for developers seeking simplicity and minimalism. He contrasts Flux with heavier libraries, emphasizing a philosophy of providing "just enough" features to satisfy typical user needs without overwhelming them. Caleb argues that by not catering to all extremes, Flux can deliver a straightforward yet powerful charting tool that aligns with common developer requirements.

Caleb touches on the emotional aspect of using software, comparing the weight of large libraries to carrying a heavy sack, while lightweight solutions feel liberating like an iPod Nano. He stresses that a good library should not only perform well technically but also resonate with users emotionally, promoting a sense of ease and satisfaction in their work.