
From "Designing Data-Intensive Applications" by Martin Kleppmann:

> Document databases are sometimes called _schemaless_, but that's misleading, as the code that reads the data usually assumes some kind of structure—i.e., there is an implicit schema, but it is not enforced by the database. A more accurate term is _schema-on-read_,... in contrast with _schema-on_write_ (the traditional approach of relational databases, where the schema is explicit and the database ensures all written data conforms to it).

An interesting point that plays devil's advocate to one of the most popular features of choosing a document-based db solution such as MongoDB. I have yet to work in a data scenario where there's not a schema being set either by the relational database, the ORM, or through validation methods such as Zod or types.

When we hear schemaless, the main benefit we're looking for is the ease of adjusting the schema as the application evolves.

However, Martin goes on to highlight that both document and relational databases are capable of adjusting their schemas. Application devs will be familiar with simply adjusting the code for different scenarios at data read time. (For example: A new field is added to the schema. Code can ignore documents that are missing the field.) To accomplish this, relational databases perform _migrations_ to convert all entries to the new schema. Either one can suit the needs of your application and its data.

All this certainly doesn't mean document DB's are a bad choice. It's just worth highlighting that, unless you truly are storing documents with a non-uniform data structure within a given collection, the schemaless nature is not a primary benefit of document DB's for you. Perhaps it's simply that you prefer adjusting the schema in the application code rather than migrating the DB schemas.


Are Document Databases Schemaless?


I watched a [fascinating exploration](https://youtu.be/KoUmNiq-vcg) of Library music's influence on modern music artists by Bandsplaining. My favorite bit:

> The fact that library music was consumed subconsciously, building models of how you think, makes it an exceptionally powerful tool — Lulling you into a decades-old state of mind.

When talking to an artist about their influences, the most enthusiastic will drop specific names and bands.

_(Allow me to over romanticise commercial music for a moment:)_

There's something, though, to being influenced by a time and a place. That subconscious introduction — the music taken for granted, where you don't know the composer and you're not aware that you're listening to a song — in a way that sort of music can be more powerful because it's not relying on its own merits for impact and communication.

Some opinions would put music-for-music's sake on a pedestal as the truest form of the medium. Perhaps so. However, I seem to find myself drawn more and more to the music that played just a part in a greater whole of creating a mood and atmosphere.

Even if it was [weather channel music](/musicforlocalforecast).


Library Music


It's February 2019 - 6 years ago from me writing this.

I'm in my first year of music teaching, fresh out of grad school, and in a bit of a rut artistically.

The [normal medium](/sax) didn't seem to fit as it did before. Practicing also felt more laborious than usual, even though I had technique to spare. I had reached a peak on the creative mountain. Instead of living happily ever after, I found myself continuously asking, "What next?"

So I was sifting through Twitter when this popped up:

<video controls loop type="video/mp4" className="video">
  <source src="https://padilla-media.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/video/ThemeForDogByTheWindowLouieZong.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
</video>

[Source](https://twitter.com/everydaylouie/status/1093344297041055745)

You may look at this and think "how cute!" or "hah, funny!"

But **I had a moment!**

Seeing this, _everything_ about it hit several aesthetic sweet spots for me! And then, of course, the fact that in an instant, it created an atmosphere and a story, all with very simple melodic and visual lines — that was something else!

Is that **crazy** to say?! Over a silly little animation?!

I won't be shy about saying that I think [Louie Zong's work](https://www.louiezong.com/) is phenomenal! Expressive, loose, playful, and never-ending in output.

And while the aesthetic and subject matter may or may not light you up in the way it did me, I think there's something deeper that struck a chord with me.

Louie is prolific — Sharing something artistic nearly every day - mini albums, small games, remixes, sketches, short animations. You might be tempted to see that and think "This guy _works_ really hard!" You may have also said that seeing me practice in music school. And certainly — I was _working_.

Louie, however, is very clearly _playing_ very hard! Or rather, playing effortlessly!

**That** is what changed the game for me.

Ever since, I've maneuvered through a career change, transitioned my artistic medium, and redefined my relationship to creativity so that it can be uninhibited play.

I'm sharing this story for a few reasons:

First, it's a funny anniversary, but it's the anniversary of a significant moment. So it's timely! And it's been quite a while since I was struck by that lightning bolt of inspiration. I'm amazed at how much closer I've come to living a creative practice I only dreamed of just a few years ago. That's worth celebrating! 2019 Chris would be ecstatic!

I also think it's worth highlighting that, more important than what you practice as an artist, is the spirit behind it. I know coders who carry this same joy and enthusiasm in their work as engineers. I still know classical musicians who are just as light in their work. I can also say that, while I loved playing sax and teaching, there's an even greater joy and sense of adventure behind art, writing music, and software!

I'm also sharing in advocacy for art as deeply important. Pieces are the artifacts that come from a life lit up and inspired by the daily wonders in the world. Ultimately, artists have to create a piece of what they find interesting. Maybe that sounds self-centered. But that interest comes from a place of wonder in something beyond ourselves. So sharing art is a wholly generous act — with the potential to light up a life.

Whatever that resonance is for you, I hope you continue cultivating it.


How a Gif Changed My Life

Stella By Starlight


![Couple of cuties](https://padilla-media.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/art/sketches-2024-02-17.jpg)

Had a lovely Valentine's Day with Miranda 💙


Valentine


Miranda and I did some still life together. Can you tell which one is her's?? (It's the really good one!) 🍐

![Plant](https://padilla-media.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/art/IMG_2851.jpeg)

Some plant construction studies in the mix, too

![Plant](https://padilla-media.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/art/IMG_2828.JPG)

![Plant](https://padilla-media.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/art/IMG_2829.JPG)

![Plant](https://padilla-media.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/art/IMG_2831.JPG)


Still Life and Plant Construction

Aurora Borealis


_Autodidact_ is the 10 dollar word for saying someone is self taught. _Polymath_ is the one for someone who's know-how spans multiple subjects.

Wikipedia keeps a [tidy list of Autodidacts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_autodidacts), some of them are polymaths.

Here are a few of my favorites:

> Libraries raised me. I don't believe in colleges and universities. I believe in libraries because most students don't have any money. When I graduated from high school, it was during the Depression and we had no money. I couldn't go to college, so I went to the library three days a week for 10 years. — **Ray Bradbury**

Here's **Terry Pratchett**, a great autodidact, on his schooling:

> I didn't go to university. Didn't even finish A-levels. But I have sympathy for those who did.

It comes up in [Terry's biography](/pratchettandinspiration) that, late in life, he takes up professorship to explain to creative writing students all the reasons why you can't teach creative writing in a classroom.

My absolute personal favorite has to be **David Bowie**: a "singer, musician, multi-instrumentalist, actor, and painter, only received a few singing lessons in the 1960s."

A few others include Mark Twain, Charles Dickens, Heitor Villa-lobos. I've also written about [Walt Stanchfield](/impressionminusexpression), Disney animator, mentor, musician, poet, writer, and teacher.

# Easier Than Ever

Stories like this inspire me because it's where my mind bends. I'm always falling into learning something new. I also have trouble feeling like I can settle into one practice. I feel more fluid creatively when I have many different post boiling. So it's comforting to see legendary levels of fooling around, people stepping into different roles and mediums, while still bringing the same creative spirit to each.

[I taught myself web development](/learntodev), but then again, we're all teaching ourselves on the job. The learning never stops.

The same is true in art and music. I went to music school, but my day to day musicing is a result of learning new instruments and styles everyday. SO MANY visual artists are largely self taught these days, [myself included](/blog/art).

Creative work today, in software or music, leads to constantly evolving inherently. We're also living in the absolute best time to learn new things all the time with having access to the internet. Y'know, the world's repository of knowledge.

Because it's so easy to self teach, it's _also_ easier than ever to be a multifaceted creative.

These fancy words — _Autodidact_ and _Polymath_ — felt more like exceptions. Now, the thrilling thing to me is that we all can wear those fancy labels.


Chris Padilla/Blog

On This Day