Reach? Couldn't care less.

While AI is busy seizing the web and, while it's at it, world domination, I'm starting this blog. As for my motives, I can only speculate.

Some things used to be better. The internet, for example. The idea was brilliant: anyone can broadcast. For a while, it was even true – the blogosphere was wild and wonderful. Then the social media platforms arrived and turned "anyone can broadcast" into "we decide who receives". Which is why your feed shows you, wedged between two ads, a post an algorithm has picked just for you.

I've decided to start enjoying the internet again. Not the quick dopamine hit of an endless TikTok swipe session. The quiet joy of being genuinely inspired – and maybe even doing some inspiring myself.
I'm finding my niches and corners of the IndieWeb, increasingly deciding for myself again what I read (RSS), and becoming a broadcaster in my old age. Mostly right here. Reach? Couldn't care less.

But why?

On to the speculative part. Why do I want to blog?

Because experience shows that my digital interests change on a regular basis, and I want to hold on to the ideas, thoughts and results of each phase. This website is meant to be the rock in the wild surf of my shifting interests.

Because while I find personal branding profoundly stupid, part of me believes I have to play at least a supporting role in this capitalist theater.

And because I like to think I'm actually good at this.