Ben Werdmuller
Writing at the intersection of technology, journalism, and community.
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Latest posts
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Notable links: October 30, 2026
AI is building detailed profiles about us. We're embracing it anyway.
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Proton is AI-pilled and calls caution "loser thinking".
Proton should be a careful steward of its users' privacy. Based on this account, it isn't. Journalists should think twice before using it.
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ChatGPT knows everything about its users. It will not be a good steward of that power.
"Many users may not be engaging with chatbots as if they’re tools, and might instead be treating them like a coworker or even as a friend — we tell our friends some very personal details." And they remember.
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Solar is "offensively cheap". To live up to its promise, it also needs to be equitable.
This year, solar will represent 10% of power generation. Abundant, clean energy is great news - but there's more work to do to make sure every community benefits.
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Notable links: October 23, 2026
Two reports on AI in news; how it can intermediate relationships; and some final thoughts about Foursquare.
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News will be intermediated by AI. What's next?
"News will be intermediated by AI, whether we like it or not." The solution will involve common infrastructure, open technology, data portability, and fighting against lock-in at all costs.
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AI can weaken relationships between people - and teams suffer as a result.
"When people see AI as a more competent, trustworthy, and preferable source of input than a colleague, they replace human interactions that otherwise would have built or maintained trust."
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Foursquare died at the hands of private equity. What happens next?
Foursquare has come to an end at the hands of private equity. It was a fun service that led to really great real-world experiences - but what happens to those check-ins now?
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A landmark study of AI in newsrooms reveals they need to be coaxed to experiment with their business models
This is a landmark study in AI use in newsrooms. It reveals that newsrooms rarely experiment with their business models without outside help.
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Notable links: October 16, 2026
AI in news for innovation – but not for writing. Plus: open social web election dashboards & how to run a great 1:1.
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Current Affairs says it's banning AI
Current Affairs has enshrined tough restrictions on publishing using generative AI into its union contract. It's bet is that it will publish better journalism that way.
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Treat your 1:1 relationships with intention
Too often, 1:1s can be reactive, unstructured spaces - or simple status reports that don't give the relationship time to breathe. This advice changes that dynamic.
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Argentina's top news app was made by two 23 year olds using AI
46% of Argentine adults avoid the news. These 23 year olds vibe coded a solution that's turned into the most popular news app in the country.
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Young people trust AI more than the people in their lives.
48% of young people who use AI trust it more than the humans in their lives.
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Graze's election night dashboard demonstrates the power of open algorithms
"Every federal and gubernatorial race, by name and by state, read from what people are actually saying" - all powered by the open social web.