# Stickman Charles

> Personal operating system of Stickman Charles (Charles Tao). Designing systems for compounded growth.

Stickman Charles is the online presence of Charles Tao — a builder, writer, and systems thinker. This site documents projects, essays, milestones, and monthly system reviews. Built with zero-framework pure HTML/CSS/JavaScript. Fully bilingual (English / Chinese).

## Homepage

- [stickmancharles.me](https://stickmancharles.me): Main personal OS with four modules — Projects, Essays, Milestones, and Monthly System Reviews.

## Projects

- [Cardano Intel Agent](https://github.com/Charlie0113-T/cardano-intel-agent): Automated blockchain intelligence system powered by CrewAI and Llama 3. Monitors Cardano (ADA) technical developments and market sentiment in real-time. Runs entirely on a local Mac Mini — no external API dependencies.
- [EchoCert](https://echocert.echoforgellc.tech): Certificate anchoring system on the Cardano blockchain. Hash any certificate fingerprint, sign it, mint it on-chain, and prove it forever. Built with the Echo Family design language.
- [Stonepark Chromebook Borrowing System](https://stonepark-chromebook-manager.vercel.app/): Full-stack web app (React 19 + Node.js + SQLite) for managing Chromebook borrowing and reservations at Stonepark Intermediate School. Includes JWT/Google OAuth, conflict detection, email notifications, QR check-in, and PWA offline support.
- [Cardano Aiken LLM](https://huggingface.co/StickmanCharles/Cardano-Aiken-by-Charles-Tao-v0): Cardano-native LLM experiment built with Aiken and published on Hugging Face. Proof-of-concept for merging on-chain logic with AI workflows.
- [Personal OS](https://stickmancharles.me): Zero-framework personal website with dark/light/auto theme, EN/ZH bilingual support, module panel system, fullscreen essay reader, and radar chart for monthly reviews.
- [Family Dashboard](https://github.com/Charlie0113-T/Family-Dashboard.git): Browser-only household management dashboard with master-password protection, client-side AES-GCM + PBKDF2 encryption, modular plugin architecture, and local-first design. (Ongoing)
- [HP Web Runner](https://height-app-by-charles-tao.onrender.com): Python backend wrapped in a web interface for height and BMI conversion tools. Docker containerized, deployed on Render.com. (Archived)

## Essays

- Stickman Charles — Metacognition (2026/3/7): On training metacognitive ability using the three-brain theory. Practical methods: pause six seconds on emotional triggers, daily review journaling, maintain sleep for prefrontal cortex function.
- Stickman Charles — First Principles (2026/3/13): On Aristotelian first principles, independent reasoning, and returning to fundamentals. Applied through the lens of Bezos, Musk, and Feynman.
- Stickman Charles — Attention (2026/3): On protecting attention as a finite resource in a distraction-maximizing environment. Attention as the foundation of all compounding.
- The Endless Tunnel (2026/3/13): Reflections on seven years of Chinese primary and middle school education. Observations on grades, authority, well-rounded development, and employment after moving to Canada.
- The Endless Whirlpool (2026/4): Essay on navigating overwhelming information and staying grounded in systems thinking.

## Monthly System Review

Six-dimension monthly self-assessment using a 1–5 rubric (Dormant / Active / Consistent / Output / Validated):
- **Build**: Projects shipped and deployed.
- **Learn**: Essays published, courses completed, reading maintained.
- **Health**: Sleep and exercise consistency.
- **Finance**: Portfolio management and investment framework.
- **Social**: Public writing output and community engagement.
- **Focus**: Deep work session quality and distraction management.

Recent reviews: May 2026 (ongoing), Apr 2026 (Total: 20/30 — EchoCert launched, IM2 Honors completed, The Endless Whirlpool published), Mar 2026 (Total: 22/30 — stickmancharles.me launched, three essays published, multiple systems shipped).

## Operating Principles

1. **Systems over goals** — Goals are checkpoints. Systems are the engine. Build the machine, not just the destination.
2. **Structure over motivation** — Motivation is volatile. Structure is reliable. Design your environment before you design your goals.
3. **Iteration over emotion** — Feelings are data, not directives. Ship, observe, revise. Repeat with precision.
4. **Output as proof of thought** — Ideas without execution are fiction. What you build is the only honest statement you can make.

## Contact

- Email: charlesisworkinghard@gmail.com
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/StickmanCharlz
- YouTube: https://youtube.com/@StickmanCharles
- Substack: https://stickmancharles.substack.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-tao-stickman-charles
- Discord: https://discord.gg/EGsnYNcPp3
- WeChat: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/hs4uXE5kq0a82lEpSpigsg