Matt Baer

I finally deleted #Threads recently because their algorithm is annoying, they gave up on #fediverse support, and their app is loaded with UX dark patterns.

I still use #Instagram because the people I meet in person do, and organizing https://photostroll.nyc kinda requires it.

Fedi is the only place I really feel good about posting on, because I know where data lives and how it's distributed, it's community-run, and usually it's by the type of people I'd want running my virtual social space.

The point I'm at in life right now is that I'd rather be in real life than virtual. I get more satisfaction from human interactions than cyber ones. It's making it hard to exist in cyberspace, which overwhelms me, than meatspace, which is where I'm finding peace right now.

Actually can all tech companies just make AI a premium feature so I never have to even risk touching it?

I'm in Brussels for #FOSDEM this weekend! If you're around, let's meet up!

I've been wanting to write an essay on my thoughts on AI for a while now, after all these years in the hype cycle, drowning in slop.

So yesterday I finally sat down and wrote a long one summing up my criticisms and current outlook, after using the dumb clanker to vibe-code something that actually kinda worked for the first time.

Still some light editing to do, but I'll share soon.

Posting to the masses instead of texting a friend who would understand is just crowdsourcing human connection. Send toot.

Who else is in Montreal for #FediMTL? Let's meet up! I'm around until Wednesday.

Thanks again to everyone who's contributed to the costs of running this community! You're helping keep this space in the #fediverse independent and sustainable.

If you can afford to help support it, especially as hundreds of new people join, you can donate (and see our finances) here: https://opencollective.com/writingexchange

Any amount helps, and a recurring monthly or yearly donation is very appreciated!

#WritingExchange

Reading (on Threads) about why people like #bluesky over #mastodon, and most seems to boil down to usability / wrestling with servers.

Have to agree. And it's why I still think we need a good #fediverse client as an entry point.

I think it's worth relaxing a bit on people selling things here in the fediverse, as many others have recently said.

Commerce is a part of life, and I personally want to support and elevate people trying to make a living independently -- whether through their words or art or small business etc.

There is always a line where self-promotion can become annoying. But that mostly comes when you don't engage, don't contribute anything but advertising, only send unsolicited self-promos. Don't do that.

A few of us are hanging around the @remark_as@social.musing.studio IRC chat again today. Come say hi if you're a @write_as@writing.exchange user!

https://remark.as/cafe

@dallin@writing.exchange and are you trying to publish a blog post while logged in? Or an anonymous one? Then I can take a closer look at what might be going on.

@dallin@writing.exchange hey what error are you seeing? Mind sending a screenshot / error message?