Skip to content

Learning

  • in Learning
  • 15 min read

Catching Stingrays with Rayhunter

Orbic Device
Courtesy of ChatGPT

Why This Matters

Mobile‑network surveillance tools — better known as IMSI‑catchers or “Stingrays” — pretend to be legitimate cell towers so they can collect device identifiers or even downgrade encryption. They’re often deployed at protests, border crossings, and large public events, but ordinary users have almost no visibility when one is nearby. Rayhunter flips that script: with nothing more than a pocket‑sized hotspot, you can flag suspicious towers in real time and share your findings with the wider privacy community.

My Journey with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome

Preface

When I woke up Dec 12th, I knew something was off but I didn't realize what and how serious it was. I didn't realize the next ~1.5 years to now (Sept 2025) would be full of lessons -  now gratitude - but naturally life is going to life.

I told myself I'd write about my journey with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome eventually though. Not so much to reflect, but to share my timeline objectively and hopefully it could help someone else.

Purpose of this Post

  • Share my timeline - when I got diagnosed, rediagnosed, found help, started feeling better, and where I'm at now
  • Share what made my recovery have a good outcome

My Listen List

My Listen List
Courtesy of Google Whisk AI

Don't you mean reading list?

I stopped reading books a long time ago because it just never clicked for me. I’ve always struggled to visualize what others call a “great read,” so instead, I consume my “reading” by listening—whether that’s through screen readers, podcasts, or even AI tools like NotebookLM or ChatGPT’s transcriber. These options give me the freedom to absorb information in a medium that truly works for me.

My strategy? I almost always have a book or podcast playing whenever I’m driving or any time I’m on my own. It’s especially effective during long runs—there’s nothing like lacing up for a run and immersing myself in a captivating story or fascinating conversation. Over the years, Audible and an ever-growing list of podcasts have become my go-to sources for continuous learning and entertainment. In this post, I’ll share the shows and audiobooks that have kept me hooked.