Friday links: December 12, 2025
In the face of government oppression, it's time to encrypt.
Latest
Trump Signs Executive Order To Combat State AI Regulation
"President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday intended to limit state regulation of artificial intelligence." At the same time, states are watering theirs down.
2025 on Tumblr: Trends That Defined the Year
"Wow, we made it. 2025. One of the years of all time." Tumblr didn't die - figuratively or literally - and, honestly, it's just nice to see it.
US plans to start checking all tourists' social media
"All tourists will have to undergo a social media screening before being allowed entry into the US under new plans being considered by the country's border force."
10 Years of Let's Encrypt Certificates
Let's Encrypt is ten years old. It's changed the web for the better.
The world needs social sovereignty
"By making the news and truth contingent on advertising budgets we’ve created an environment where any narrative can win, as long as the storyteller is willing to pay. If we allow these conditions to continue, we will leave behind the voices that truly matter."
Why RSS matters
The future of the web depends on simple, open standards.
The Web Runs On Tolerance
"History shows us that all progress comes from the meeting of diverse people, with different ideas, and different backgrounds." The web is no different.
Friday links: December 5, 2025
What comes after the AI hype cycle; new community platforms; and more.
Trump administration orders enhanced vetting for applicants of H-1B visa
Under a new State Department memo, people who keep online spaces safe are now ineligible for H-1B visas.
You can't legislate serendipity
Why Europe's alternative tech vision needs community, not just compliance
Where Do the Children Play?
"In physical space, Western children are almost comically sheltered. But in digital space, they’re entirely beyond our command; and increasingly, that’s where children spend most of their time."
Technology
Introducing Roundabout
New_ Public announced its new community platform is being co-developed with five local US communities - and there's a lot more to come.
AI
What Happens After the Hype? Lessons from Mobile Internet’s Long Road to Success
"The question isn’t whether the current AI investment cycle will face a reckoning. It’s what form that reckoning takes — and what comes after."
Knowing when to leave
I wrote this in my blog drafts well over a decade ago (exact date unclear). I thought I'd publish it as-is as an aside. I'm sure it was going to be an excellent full post, but clearly this is just the intro. I still agree though:
Technology
imperfect notes & my second subconscious
I've never been a great notetaker. Winnie Lim suggests I might be overthinking it: it's not a second brain but a second subconscious mind.
Teams
"Disagree and Let’s See"
"Disagree and commit" is disingenuous. This is a better idea.
Democracy
The Optical Illusion of Prosperity
"We have created a system where the only way to survive is to be destitute enough to qualify for aid, or rich enough to ignore the cost. Everyone in the middle is being cannibalized."
Technology
The EFF we need now
Why the next era of digital civil liberties requires a tighter mission, a bolder strategy, and a clearer view of how power works.
Technology
Of the web
"These days people use the term "web" to mean basically something you can view in a web browser. But that does not mean it is *of* the web."
Technology
The State of the Open Social Web
A comprehensive look at Mastodon, Bluesky, and the growing ecosystem of open, interoperable social networks.
Technology
Open Source Power
"In hindsight I don't think any reasonable person can say that we're collectively better off. Democracy is losing, and tech is playing an undeniably outsized part in that."
Business
Honor The Maker's Schedule
"As an innovation leader, it is your job to ensure that your organization has explicit norms that enable your people to do deep work." Meeting culture is one place they often fall down – this is a great way to better support your teams.
Technology
Jack Dorsey funds diVine, a Vine reboot that includes Vine's video archive
"As generative AI content starts to fill our social apps, a project to bring back Vine’s six-second looping videos is launching with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s backing."