Meet the Writer: HackerNoon's Contributor Thomas Cherickal, Technological Content Writer

So let’s start! Tell us a bit about yourself. For example, name, profession, and personal interests.

Hi! I’m Thomas Cherickal from Kerala living in Chennai, India, working as a Freelance Technological Content Writer. I have a Master’s Degree in Computer Science, but I never took to Software Development and left commercial software development after two years for full-time writing. However, I have kept a keen interest in software, and I never stopped learning all the new languages and ML/AI frameworks because that learning catalyzes my original articles.

I also subscribe to Academia.edu, and I keep up with the latest research on AI, ML, Quantum Computing, Blockchain, Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Generative AI, Large Language Models, and the fusion of any of the aforementioned. This constant input has been vital to my writing as well, and my work on competitive programming sites like LeetCode and HackerRank has kept my coding skills sharp.

Interesting! What was your latest Hackernoon Top story about?

My last top story of the day spoke about why humanity has to race towards AGI because the country that achieves AGI and therefore ASI (through the AGI’s help) will have a huge advantage over those catching up to AGI/ASI. Also, while we may talk of ethical implications, other countries will have no such qualms. I would like ASI to be kept out of the hands of a dictatorship.

The US may have its own problems, technocrats, and oligarchs, but the openness and the democratic nature of its technology and society means that it might be a good thing for the world if AGI was first developed in the US.

Do you usually write on similar topics? If not, what do you usually write about?

I write about emerging technologies and ideas that have the power to change the world, and I often take on the role of predicting the future while explaining a current emerging technology. I also write about fusing different domains, e.g., my recent popular article about the synergy between AI and Quantum Computing.

Great! What is your usual writing routine like (if you have one?)

Input. I focus on input because learning new things always gives me ideas. Once I have that idea, I dig deeper with research papers and books on the topic and then focus on an engaging take that would add genuine value to the reader. I like to think that keeping up with the research gives me a bleeding-edge perspective on emerging technology.

Being a writer in tech can be a challenge. It’s not often our main role, but an addition to another one. What is the biggest challenge you have when it comes to writing?

Monetization. I have nearly 300 stories online on five different platforms, but I should have focused on monetization earlier. I am just discovering Gumroad. I am happy to say that Medium has started its Partner program in India, and I’m eagerly looking forward to the months ahead. Unfortunately, my favorite platform, Substack, still does not support monetization for Indian writers. I sincerely hope that the Substack Team makes monetization in many more countries, especially a writing powerhouse like India, a major priority.

What is the next thing you hope to achieve in your career?

I would love to find new ways to monetize and be creative when it comes to earning money. Ghostwriting pays well, but I’m looking at moving into digital products on Gumroad. And yes, a series of mini-ebooks. No AI-generated writing is allowed, of course. I also want to remain at the forefront of the race to AGI/ASI.

Wow, that’s admirable. Now, something more casual: What is your guilty pleasure of choice?

Music. I was in a four-part acapella choir for many years and thoroughly enjoyed it. Singing a cappella was actually the main factor behind my move from development to writing—I did not want to stop my musical joy. I am a member of the Jesus Youth movement and sing and play violin for churches, prayer meetings, and night vigils. My born-again Christian identity is something very precious to me, and I enjoy playing and singing for daily mass as a Charismatic Catholic Christian and Jesus Youth.

Do you have a non-tech-related hobby?

Music, as just explained. Religious music, to be specific.

What can the HackerNoon community expect to read from you next?

Currently, I’m investigating quantum computing, and learning about current possibly viable applications. You can expect quantum computing articles and reports from the frontiers of Quantum-Classical hybrid computing. I will also be writing about programming in Golang, Dart/Flutter, and Rust.

What’s your opinion on HackerNoon as a platform for writers?

I strongly believe that it is high time that HackerNoon focused on active monetization for its writers. Maybe a blockchain-based pay-per-view micro-transaction-based monetization system by charging a nominal subscription fee for readers with country-wise parity pricing.

Medium-style. Considering that most readers are technologists, they will easily be able to afford it. HackerNoon could lead the way to adopt the world’s first major blockchain-based writer payment system. There are others, but HackerNoon is a major platform, and this is an idea whose time has come.

Thanks for taking the time to join our “Meet the Writer” series. It was a pleasure. Do you have any closing words?

Whoever is reading this, believe in yourself. Believe in your dreams and the ability to make them real. Don’t be afraid to dream big and shoot for the stars when you write down your goals. That way, you might hit the moon! I have found joy and peace in my current lifestyle and am entering a time of self-discovery and financial freedom.

I repeat, dream big, follow your passion, and work hard. Put your heart and soul into it. The money will follow. Thanks for having me!