Today's links

• No such thing as selective censorship resistance: Age verification, or getting rid of Big Tech (pick one).
• Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
• Object permanence: Ashley Madison passwords; Vivienne Westwood's tank; Victorious dancing baby; WIPO vs Creative Commons; Leap Manifesto; Tivo no-save; Blu-Ray cracked; MEC sold to private equity; Step Aside, Pops!
• Upcoming appearances: Where to find me.
• Recent appearances: Where I've been.
• Latest books: You keep readin' em, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Upcoming books: Like I said, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Colophon: All the rest.

Continue reading "Pluralistic: No such thing as selective censorship resistance (16 Sep 2025)"

Today's links

• By all means, tread on those people: We know you love freedom, we just wish you'd share.
• Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
• Object permanence: The right to bear cameras; GOP wants slavery for undocumented migrants; Telepresence Nazi-punching.
• Upcoming appearances: Where to find me.
• Recent appearances: Where I've been.
• Latest books: You keep readin' em, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Upcoming books: Like I said, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Colophon: All the rest.

Continue reading "Pluralistic: By all means, tread on those people (26 Aug 2025)"

Today's links

• Bluesky creates the world's weirdest, hardest-to-understand binding arbitration clause: What, and I cannot stress this enough, the FUCK does this mean?!
• Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
• Object permanence: No-fly babies; Stephen Harper's Red Dawn; DHS pre-crime.
• Upcoming appearances: Where to find me.
• Recent appearances: Where I've been.
• Latest books: You keep readin' em, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Upcoming books: Like I said, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Colophon: All the rest.

Continue reading "Pluralistic: Bluesky creates the world's weirdest, hardest-to-understand binding arbitration clause (15 Aug 2025)"

Today's links

• Defense (of the internet) (from billionaires) in depth: "Nonprofits" can and do enshittify.
• Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
• Object permanence: 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, 20241
• Upcoming appearances: Where to find me.
• Recent appearances: Where I've been.
• Latest books: You keep readin' em, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Upcoming books: Like I said, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Colophon: All the rest.

Continue reading "Pluralistic: Defense (of the internet) (from billionaires) in depth (23 Jan 2025)"

Today's links

• Enshittification isn't caused by venture capital: Sure, they want "profit at all costs" but ask yourself, 'why is enshittification profitable?'
• Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
• Object permanence: 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020
• Upcoming appearances: Where to find me.
• Recent appearances: Where I've been.
• Latest books: You keep readin' em, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Upcoming books: Like I said, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Colophon: All the rest.

Continue reading "Pluralistic: Enshittification isn't caused by venture capital (20 Jan 2025)"

Today's links

• Billionaire-proofing the internet: Scolding people for choosing popular services is no way to build a popular movement.
• Picks and Shovels Chapter One (Part 5): Now we're just haggling over the price.
• Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
• This day in history: 2010, 2015, 2020, 2023
• Upcoming appearances: Where to find me.
• Recent appearances: Where I've been.
• Latest books: You keep readin' em, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Upcoming books: Like I said, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Colophon: All the rest.

Continue reading "Pluralistic: Billionaire-proofing the internet; Picks and Shovels Chapter One (Part 5) (14 Jan 2025)"

Today's links

• Social media needs (dumpster) fire exits: No one wants to have a fire, but you need to plan for one anyway.
• Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
• This day in history: 2004, 2009, 2014, 2019, 2023
• Upcoming appearances: Where to find me.
• Recent appearances: Where I've been.
• Latest books: You keep readin' em, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Upcoming books: Like I said, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Colophon: All the rest.

Continue reading "Pluralistic: Social media needs (dumpster) fire exits (14 Dec 2024)"

Today's links

• Bluesky and enshittification: No one is the enshittifier of their own story.
• Hey look at this: Delights to delectate.
• Hoisted from the comments: Smart stuff from readers.
• This day in history: 2004, 2009, 2014
• Upcoming appearances: Where to find me.
• Recent appearances: Where I've been.
• Latest books: You keep readin' em, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Upcoming books: Like I said, I'll keep writin' 'em.
• Colophon: All the rest.

Continue reading "Pluralistic: Bluesky and enshittification (02 Nov 2024)"

There's a crucial difference between federatable and federated.

"Are you on Bluesky?"

Friends, colleagues and strangers have emailed me to ask whether I've set up on the new, federatable social media incubated at Twitter and spun out, which many view as a viable Twitter successor.

"Are you on Threads?"

Continue reading "Fool Me Twice We Don't Get Fooled Again"