As I understand it, the protocol has the ability to decentralize built in. But the technical requirements are prohibitively high to the point only large businesses or corps could afford to do it. I also believe (someone correct me) the company hasn’t switched on the functionality yet.

I feel like this kind of misses the point. To be clear: If someone absolutely cannot avoid installing slop apps and enabling notifications for everything, I can see their need for an ultra minimal device or other solution. But I also think that speaks to a larger, personal discussion about discipline and possibly addiction, but that’s outside the realm of this thread.

My point is we can choose which apps, notifications, features, and algorithms are allowed to get our attention. It’s easy to turn off all notifications or never even allow them in the first place—after all, apps have to ask for that permission in the first place.

But the choice is the point. If someone is traveling somewhere they probably want maps to tell them important information about the journey. Otherwise why turn on directions at all? That’s the entire point.

We even have the ability to disable all texting notifications but also choose to allow them from certain people if they’re important enough. These devices are simply tools and we have the power to choose how they operate. The device isn’t the problem, it’s our choices.

I like Eddy. And at first I’ve liked this essay subject from other creators, but now I just find it shortsighted. The phone isn’t the problem, just like the television and radio weren’t the problem. It’s the content you put on it.

You can watch great TV shows—documentaries, masterpiece dramas, etc. Or you can watch slop.

You can do incredible stuff with your phone—get directions, listen to almost any song ever recorded, learn about the night sky, watch documentaries anywhere you are, write, create your own content, sky’s the limit. Or you can install slop and brain rot apps like Twitter.

You don’t have to pull a stunt like locking your phone away. Just delete the slop. Be more mindful of what an app and the company behind it are, and either limit your use of it or simply don’t install it at all.

Can I ask how you got Win11? And are we talking MS feature bloat or third party stuff? I had Micro Center build my PC so it didn’t come from a manufacturer. There doesn’t seem to be any third party bloat, besides the occasional fucking ad for an app in the Start menu.

I might get downvoted or whatever but Windows 11 is fine. I get it if your PC straight up can’t run it, that’s a tough spot. But as an OS it’s fine, even has a few handy features (besides all the AI crap shoehorned in). I actually like the File Explorer changes and the window snap stuff can work in the right setting.

So the lawsuits are going great, then

I mean. I’m generally an app snob and prefer them most of the time. But we also can just use the website. Lots of people visit YouTube simply in a browser on mobile, without the app on any platform.

People are into vinyl and tube TVs again. Barnes & Noble just opened a huge branch in a hot (meaning: expensive) neighborhood here in Chicago. I guess people like physical things again.

I think the main idea is to look at some hashtags to find people to follow, then eventually wean off those hashtags if you want.

Another key detail is that you can’t read it all. Not hashtags, not people. You’ll go nuts if you try. It’s about following people who are interesting, opening the app every once in a while to check in, then going on with your day.

One tip would be to use email addresses that you actually check for mission critical accounts.

I poked around with Matrix a bit this week but I’m confused as to how it’s being touted as a replacement for Discord. TBC, I’ve been on Mastodon since 2019 and absolutely want these people-powered alternatives to succeed.

I’m not even talking about the onboarding part, I mean the actual function of the app. With Discord you join a community (server, whatever) and there are a bunch of separate channels, usually separated by topics. I joined a few Matrix servers and they all seem to be one single channel; just one big ol’ scrolling chat where everyone is talking about everything.

Unless I’m missing something, I don’t understand how this will work at all for Discord users looking to jump ship.

Apple, laying on a couch, head propped up with a seasonally colorful pillow from IKEA: “They just don’t understand the immense pressure I’m under…”

Probably a good thing I started seriously exploring Ghost today. Seems like a great alternative.

Personally I worry this is sort of a chicken and egg problem. On one hand I get the idea, on paper, of automating a way to post more content to hopefully spark engagement in a small community struggling to grow.

OTOH, as a community visitor, few things will immediately tank my interest in engaging than when I see “bot” in the name of the poster. I’m not talking with a human—literally the entire point of hanging out in a community like you and I are, right now.

I think it’s a similar problem to what I see in r/blogging. People keep asking if they can start a blog and pump it full of AI content, then get admitted to AdSense or other ad networks and thus win the game of capitalism. But virtually zero ad networks will admit you that way. In fact, they all have a bunch of tech now to sniff out AI content and downrank or otherwise block it. The problem is: no one wants to read AI (bot) content because it isn’t genuine content from human beings. Which means no advertiser wants to place their ads next to AI content.

Speaking as a community manager: If you’re trying to build a community, I think the best solution is still to simply put in the time yourself. Find people who share your passion and want to help. Post the links and discussions yourself. Be the human you want to see in the community of humans you hope to build.