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Occasional notes on technology, startups, media, and culture, plus curated interesting links.
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The State of Media 2026
In 2026, first-time founders don't want to get on TechCrunch. They want TBPN.
Founders Need Better PR
Most startups ask for coverage before they have a story. Here is how to build a hook journalists and customers can understand.
The Broken Promises of Substack
Substack promised independence, but has evolved into another platform playing the same game as everyone else. The crab always becomes a crab.
IMAX is a Superbrand
Superbrands create and control key technology allowing them to break the common laws of branding and put themselves forward. Here's how IMAX put an intro in front of every movie.
Ads and the Privacy Panic
There's an ongoing moral panic about targeted ads expressed in the "surveillance capitalism" term that has little to do with reality.
Recent Articles
Sorry, But Google Meet Is Better Than Zoom
It seems that we're finally getting out of this weird period of collective gaslighting where people tried to convince everyone Zoom was the best conference app out there.
Finalist: A Simpler To-do App
Finalist is built for people who liked keeping all their tasks in Apple Notes but wanted it just a bit more structured.
Omnivore Review: An Underrated Read-Later App
I sometimes see people using Pocket, Instapaper, or Safari’s Reading List even though all of them have been practically abandoned and the first two definitely don’t deserve a subscription. I reviewed Readwise Reader and Matter earlier, but they only work properly if you pay. It’s not for everyone, so I wanted to tell you about Omnivore, a rapidly-developed read-later app.
What Is Elon Musk
I’m a bit tired of how people let their existing opinion on Elon paint their entire image of him yet I myself struggle to define his actions.
I Wish Bear Hadn’t Wasted Years
Bear emerged as the flagship notes app, but then lost its lead because of technical debt. I doubt their latest update makes them competitive right now.
You Can Compete By Being Competent
Perfect your execution. This is the part you fully control. It won’t save you when the results aren’t there, but it can help sustain the relationship while you wait for them.
How To Recognize Grifters
Serious people list facts. Grifters list tags that can elevate their social status.
Facebook Went Meta, But Google Isn’t Alphabet
Google called itself Alphabet for corporate reporting purposes, Facebook rebranded to Meta because their business had changed.
Ads and the Privacy Panic
There's an ongoing moral panic about targeted ads expressed in the "surveillance capitalism" term that has little to do with reality.
The PR Flywheel: What It Can And Can’t Do For Your Business
People often think that PR and communications alone can help them achieve their goals and end up surprised when it doesn’t move the needle as much as they wanted. In fact, it’s a bit more complicated. PR is only a part of the virtuous circle.
You Can't Work On An iPad
Modern iPads are marvelous machines. But their software is too limited and unrealiable for them to replace your computer despite over a decade of innovation.
Why Algorithmic Feeds Can Be Good
Chronological feeds reward whoever posts the most. The real problem is not algorithms, but algorithms built only for engagement.
Why Micropayments Don’t Work And People Hate Paywalls
Customers want micropayments but they're a bad option for news organizations. What they should do instead is provide us with better paywalls.
Touch the Glass: Finding a Better Home for Your Photos
The painful journey of photographers looking to find the best avenue to post their photos online and the lock-in exacerbated by subscriptions.
How to Use Virtual Backgrounds for Meetings in a Non-Cringe Way
Virtual backgrounds might look goofy but if you use them right you can definitely improve your picture without spending $5000 on a DSLR and a shelf full of books to be your background.
Raindrop Review: Better Bookmarks For Twitter And YouTube
Twitter, YouTube, and many other services have built-in bookmarks and playlists encouraging you to save content for later. I encourage you to try using a third-party service instead of them. Raindrop is a great alternative.
How to Read Newsletters In An App
Your email app isn't the best way to read newsletters. Especially if you're subscribed to dozens of them. Try a separate app for this.
Some Controversial Things I Believe
Just a few things I believe that a lot of people seemingly find controversial.
How to Start a Personal Blog
A practical guide to starting a personal blog you can keep for years, without depending on social platforms or fragile tools.
A Better Way to Keep Organize Your Tasks
Sharing my approach to categorizing tasks inside your task manager so you will not forget anything and will understand what you have to work on at any moment.
How to Run A Remote Team
I’ve been working remotely for 8+ years and now running a team distributed at least across 5 countries. It’s challenging but it’s also very likely the best work environment that can help you attract talented people no matter where they live.
The PARA Method To Organize Your Work And Life
The PARA method is the most universal productivity technic. It’s very flexible and can be recreated in any app, whether it’s Notion, Workflowy, Apple Notes, Things 3, Roam Research, Evernote, or Todoist.
How to Work Remotely and Stay Sane
I’ve been working remotely for nine years now. I wouldn’t say it’s everyone’s future. There are pros and cons. For me personally, the advantages far outweigh the problems. If you ended up in a remote work arrangement, you might find these tips helpful.
Switch to a Modern Read-Later App Already
Read–later apps are simultaneously popular and outdated. A lot of people use them. They’re now embedded right in our browsers and there's a couple of age-old names, but if you’re still using any of these options you should reconsider.
How Would Anti-Instagram Look Like?
Reading all those discussions about the updates to Instagram and how people are becoming disillusioned with the app, I began thinking: what would an ideal anti-Instagram service look like?
Crypto Preachers vs Crypto Skeptics
Social networks incentivize people to take on radical positions as that brings engagement and followers. Yet in most areas, a reasonable centrist take is usually the right one (there are exceptions of course). Crypto is certainly one of the most divisive topics both on Twitter and in real life.
How to Get Media to Cover Your Fundraising
Five years ago announcing your funding round was quite a reliable option to get coverage in the press but it all changed. We ran dozens of announcements in recent months, so I wanted to give you a step-by-step tutorial on how to secure placements for your fundraising in the media.
Workflowy is the Platform to Build Your Ideal Notes System
Time and time again, I'm getting back to WorkFlowy as my primary system for notes and knowledge storage. It is truly a bicycle for the mind that helps you structure your thoughts while providing unparalleled flexibility.
Your Inner Voice and the Value of Silence
Recently I've been feeling that constantly putting on AirPods and pumping spoken words into my ears might be too much. There's nothing wrong with being bored and enjoying the silence for a bit. But most importantly, it feels like both music and podcasts tune out your inner voice, that intra-cranial conversation people have which generates ideas and inspiration.
The Updated Guide to Workflowy
I've updated my guide to Workflowy, the king of outliners, which I wrote almost two years ago. Since then, Workflowy has added many great features, including rich media support and backlinks, so the previous iteration felt incomplete.