Scott Jellen

Software Engineer Building Beyond the Codebase

I'm a software engineer who publishes strategic whitepapers and memos exploring how industries rethink structure, revenue, and resilience. My recent work includes Minimum Viable Classroom a blueprint for universal learning access along with papers on college sports, AI-powered media, mobility platforms, streaming infrastructure, national electrification, and institutional design.

Featured Paper: Minimum Viable Classroom

A blueprint-grade whitepaper proposing a national education infrastructure standard that guarantees every student uninterrupted access to daily grade-level instruction — anywhere in America. By blending in-person and digital capacity, MVC ensures continuity during disruptions while supporting enrichment, remediation, and local control. Designed as a shovel-ready, award-facing model, MVC demonstrates measurable ROI within one budget cycle.

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Latest Updates

Minimum Viable Classroom

Released a new whitepaper, Minimum Viable Classroom, proposing a national education infrastructure standard that guarantees every student uninterrupted access to daily grade-level instruction anywhere in America. The blueprint blends in-person and digital capacity, preserves local control, and demonstrates measurable ROI within one budget cycle.

The Shadow Subscription

Released a new whitepaper, The Shadow Subscription, proposing how Netflix could monetize non-subscribers by acquiring low-tier cable and FAST channels. The paper outlines a strategy to extract subscriber-equivalent revenue from shadow viewers turning reruns into revenue and the legacy bundle into a modern funnel.

The Human, the Robot, and the Fire

Released a strategic memo unifying six whitepapers into one thesis: that the platforms replacing our institutions must be redesigned for humanity, not just scale. It introduces Humanity First Platforms a framework for rethinking how systems across energy, education, and media are built, governed, and sustained.

Whitepapers

Explore my whitepapers on diverse topics including college athletics, technology, urban development, and more.

Cover for The Sports Spin-Off

The Sports Spin-Off

A Long-Term Hedging Strategy for Higher Ed Institutions Facing Demographic Decline

Published: April 17, 2025

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Featured Paper: The Shadow Subscription

A strategic whitepaper proposing how Netflix could monetize non-subscribers by acquiring and upgrading low-tier cable and FAST channels. The paper outlines a system for extracting subscriber-equivalent revenue from shadow viewers turning reruns into revenue and legacy infrastructure into a profitable, modern funnel.

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Latest Posts

Not every viewer has to subscribe. But every viewer can still pay.

This new whitepaper explores how Netflix could quietly capture cable, FAST, and syndicated viewers not to pull them into the app immediately, but to monetize them where they already are. This isn't regression. It's backwards compatibility at platform scale.

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The In-Season Tournament Was Cute.

This Is Serious.

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Don't Be the Last One Who Still Thinks This Is Amateur Sports.

College sports hasn't been “amateur” in a long time.,

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Software Projects

A curated collection of modern web applications, each crafted with attention to detail and a focus on user experience.

Media Consumption

Media Consumption

Media Consumption

A modern media tracking platform built with React and TypeScript, featuring a clean interface for managing books, movies, and TV shows. Includes a sophisticated review system and seamless dark mode support.

Mission

Personal media tracking, Review system, and Responsive design.

ReactTypeScriptTailwind CSSViteAPI
Screening

Screening

Screening

A sophisticated movie discovery platform leveraging the TMDB API. Features dynamic genre browsing, personalized watchlists, and an intuitive user interface for seamless movie exploration.

Mission

Movie browsing and search, Watchlist functionality, and Genre categorization.

ReactJavaScriptCSSAPI
General Knowledge

General Knowledge

General Knowledge

An engaging quiz application featuring dynamic rounds and strategic bidding mechanics. Built with Next.js, it offers an immersive gaming experience with AI-powered opponents and real-time scoring.

Mission

Interactive quiz system, Multiple rounds, and Bidding system.

Next.jsReactJavaScriptSASSAPI
Rick and Morty DOA

Rick and Morty DOA

Rick and Morty DOA

An interactive character guessing game that tests Rick and Morty knowledge. Features real-time API, dynamic scoring, and an engaging user interface for an immersive gaming experience.

Mission

Character guessing game, API, and Score tracking.

ReactJavaScriptCSS
Audiophile

Audiophile

Audiophile

A modern e-commerce platform for premium audio products, built with Next.js and SASS. Features a sophisticated shopping experience with seamless cart management and an intuitive checkout process.

Mission

E-commerce functionality, Shopping cart, and Checkout process.

Next.jsReactJavaScriptSASS
The Planets

The Planets

The Planets

An interactive educational platform showcasing detailed information about our solar system. Features dynamic content layers, responsive design, and an engaging user interface for exploring planetary facts.

Mission

Interactive planet facts, Multiple view layers, and Responsive design.

ReactJavaScriptSASS

Featured Paper: The Human, the Robot, and the Fire

A strategic memo unifying six whitepapers into one thesis: that the platforms replacing our institutions must be redesigned for humanity, not just scale. It introduces the concept of Humanity First Platforms and outlines a playbook for rethinking how systems from energy to education to entertainment are built, governed, and sustained.

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More Posts

What Owners Get Out of the Hybrid Season

Same 82 games. Same revenue base. But a very different March.

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The Real Reason Universities Don't Act

It's not that they don't understand the numbers. It's not that they haven't seen the headlines. It's not that they think the current model is working.

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Does the Hybrid Season Break the CBA?

Not Even Close.

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About Me

Software Engineer Building Beyond the Codebase

I'm a software engineer with a systems mindset, focused on building interfaces that are performant, accessible, and built to last.

I work with React, Next.js, Vite, and modern design systems to build responsive, maintainable web apps. I prioritize clarity in code, in experience, and in architecture. I care about how products hold up under pressure, and how small technical decisions shape long-term resilience.

Beyond the codebase, I explore how industries, platforms, and institutions evolve. I've authored seven whitepapers including The Sports Spin-Off, The Hybrid Season, The Fourth Act, The $1,000 Problem, AEEA, Less Than Net Zero, and The Shadow Subscription proposing strategic frameworks for college sports, league formats, AI-powered media, mobility platforms, and streaming infrastructure. I also published The Human, the Robot, and the Fire a unifying platform memo outlining how future systems can be designed for humanity, not just scale.

Featured Paper: Less Than Net Zero

A strategic whitepaper exploring how the U.S. could make residential electricity free not as a subsidy, but as a lever to unlock national growth. This proposal reframes the electric grid as a generative economic engine that powers AI, manufacturing, affordability, and global competitiveness.

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More Posts

College Sports Runs on a 1985 Blueprint. It's Time to Start Over.

You wouldn't build it this way today. Not in 2025. Not if you had a clean sheet.

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The All-Star Break Isn't a Pause - It's the Pivot

The NBA season doesn't need more events. It needs structure.

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Why would someone buy a business that loses millions every year?

Because they're not buying what it is. They're buying what it could be if it were structured and run differently.

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Featured Paper: Artificial Enhanced Experience Advertising

A strategic whitepaper proposing a new structure for advertising that dynamically assembles localized, sponsor-driven experiences within video content. AEEA turns passive impressions into curated, bookable experiences blending media, commerce, and localization at scale.

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More Updates

The Human, the Robot, and the Fire

Released a strategic memo unifying six whitepapers into one thesis: that the platforms replacing our institutions must be redesigned for humanity, not just scale. It introduces Humanity First Platforms a framework for rethinking how systems across energy, education, and media are built, governed, and sustained.

Less Than Net Zero

Released my latest whitepaper, Less Than Net Zero, exploring how the U.S. could make residential electricity free not as a subsidy, but as a generative strategy. The paper argues that unlocking free power at scale could fuel AI, manufacturing, affordability, and a new era of national growth reframing the electric grid as America's most underleveraged engine.

Artificial Enhanced Experience Advertising

Released my latest whitepaper, 'Artificial Enhanced Experience Advertising' proposing a system where ads dynamically assemble sponsor-driven, localized experiences that viewers can book or purchase in real time turning passive impressions into actionable, curated commerce.

The $1,000 Problem / The $750 Solution

Released my latest whitepaper, 'The $1,000 Problem / The $750 Solution' proposing how car companies can reframe ownership through all-inclusive subscriptions eliminating hidden costs, leveraging platform scale, and delivering a true mobility bargain for the middle class.

Let's Talk

I'm always open to thoughtful conversations and opportunities that align with long-term thinking whether it's a front-end role, a strategic collaboration, or something in between. If you've read my work or have a project in mind, I'd love to hear where you're coming from.

Get in Touch

Reach out via email or connect on LinkedIn. I'm especially interested in work at the intersection of software, systems, and institutions whether that's building modern web apps or contributing strategic insight where it matters most.

You can reach me through:

Featured Paper: The Hybrid Season

An independent whitepaper proposing a structural upgrade to the NBA's regular season: what if the league reshuffled teams into intra-conference groups after the All-Star break turning February into playoff qualification and eliminating meaningless games? Written from the perspective of a developer and systems thinker, this project blends schedule logic, labor integrity, and fan narrative to reimagine late-season stakes without disrupting the 82 game model.

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The Hybrid Season

Released my second whitepaper exploring how the NBA could reform its schedule to create a more engaging and sustainable league.

The Sports Spin-Off

Released my first whitepaper exploring how universities could spin off their athletic programs into independent entities unlocking new revenue streams and long-term sustainability.

Featured Paper: The $1,000 Problem / The $750 Solution

A strategic whitepaper exploring how OEM-led, all-inclusive car subscriptions could solve the hidden cost trap of ownership. By controlling vehicle selection, insurance, and service at scale, automakers can offer a true middle-class bargain and reclaim platform control.

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The $1,000 Problem / The $750 Solution Preview

The Approach

Scott Jellen is a software engineer and systems thinker exploring how industries, platforms, and institutions evolve. His work spans independent whitepapers and strategic memos connecting software design to structural reform — from college sports to streaming, mobility, and national infrastructure.

© 2025 Scott Jellen. All rights reserved.

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