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Ben Werdmuller

Ben Werdmuller
Using technology skills for positive change

Future of News

Using technology skills for positive change

Let's help build the world we want to see.

10 Sep 2025
WordPress for newsrooms

Future of News

WordPress for newsrooms

From self-hosted WordPress to managed solutions

07 Sep 2025

Startups

Implementing an unlimited PTO policy

Useful tips on creating an unlimited PTO policy. I used to think these were more accounting hacks than real benefits - but I've changed my mind over time.

03 Sep 2025
Can newsrooms become social platforms?

Future of News

Can newsrooms become social platforms?

How community-first thinking can help newsrooms survive AI

31 Aug 2025
GregoryAI aims to improve the lives of researchers and patients alike

Science

GregoryAI aims to improve the lives of researchers and patients alike

An open source project aimed at making medical research easier.

29 Aug 2025

Technology

Bluesky now platform of choice for science community

A new survey suggests that scientists vastly prefer Bluesky to X - and to its other alternatives.

28 Aug 2025

Media

More UK news publishers are adopting 'consent or pay' advertising model

"Sixteen of the 50 biggest news websites in the UK are now using a “consent or pay” model to allow users to pay to reject personalised advertising or even avoid ads altogether." It should be illegal.

25 Aug 2025

Business

Why You Need Systems Thinking Now

"Focus on flows and relationships, not products or services." An argument for systems thinking instead of design thinking or breakthrough innovation.

24 Aug 2025

AI

Political Pollsters Are Trying to Save Money by Polling AI Instead of Real People, and It’s Going About as Well as You’d Expect

"Obviously, any campaign that used only that AI-generated data would miss the mark — instead of looking at the views of real respondents, it would be looking at a funhouse mirror reflection of a demographic cooked up by a language model with no access to actual data."

23 Aug 2025
The Zen Browser homepage, as seen in Zen Browser.

Technology

Why I'm all-in on Zen Browser

After Arc's pivot to AI left power users behind, I found the browser I actually wanted.

19 Aug 2025

Media

The 19th's Strategic Plan

"The 19th developed seven key initiatives to guide our priorities for the next three years." Doing this work in public is such a smart move.

18 Aug 2025
Ask a newsroom technology leader

Ask a newsroom technology leader

Ask a newsroom technology leader

From startup CTO to newsroom leader: Ask me anything.

16 Aug 2025
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Ben Werdmuller

Ben Werdmuller

Writing at the intersection of technology, journalism, and community.

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Ben Werdmuller explores the intersection of technology, democracy, and society. Always independently published, reader-supported, and free to read.