Hills

Stupid hills I'm willing to die on.

These are my strongly-held opinions about technology, writing, and how things should work. Not all of them are popular. I'm okay with that. Strong moral clarity and prescriptive statements are how I process the world.

Web & Technology

RSS/Atom feeds are not dead and should be required

They're an excellent way to follow people without algorithms deciding what you see. If your blog doesn't have an RSS feed, you're forcing people to depend on platforms.

Accessibility isn't a nice-to-have, it's a requirement

If your site doesn't work with a keyboard, screen reader, or without JavaScript, you've built a broken site. Period.

JavaScript should be optional, not mandatory

Progressive enhancement means your site works without JS and gets better with it. Not the other way around.

Your content should outlast the platform

If you can't export your writing easily, you don't own it. Build for portability and backup constantly, or accept that your work will die when the platform does.

Markdown > proprietary formats

Plain text with simple formatting syntax beats locked-in formats every time. Portable, version-controllable, future-proof.

Static sites > dynamic sites for most use cases

If you don't need real-time data, you don't need a database. Static sites are faster, cheaper, more secure, and easier to maintain.

Progressive enhancement > graceful degradation

Start with what works everywhere, then add enhancements. Don't build fancy and try to patch it for accessibility later.

Semantic HTML matters

Divs and spans everywhere is lazy. Use the right elements. Headers are headers. Lists are lists. Forms are forms.

Comments in code are documentation

"The code should be self-documenting" is an excuse for not explaining your decisions. Future you will thank you for the comments.

Writing & Publishing

Everyone should take a leadership position at some point in their life

Not as hierarchy, but as practice. Community building, organizing, taking responsibility. Write Club taught me this. Everyone benefits from learning to lead.

You learn to write by writing

No amount of reading, or theory, can replace the act of putting words on the page. The only way to improve is to write consistently. That's the only trick.

Writing by hand doesn't make you more authentic / Digital journals count as "real" journals

I have dysgraphia. Typing is how I write. Anyone who says "real writers" use notebooks are silly. 1,000,000+ words on 750words since 2011. The medium doesn't matter. Showing up matters.

Genre fiction deserves the same literary respect as literary fiction

The divide is arbitrary and classist. Good writing is good writing.

#instapoetry is real poetry

Poetry as a craft has been gatekept by elitist academic circles, but social media has democratized it. The same principles of good poetry apply regardless of platform.

Self-publishing is legitimate publishing

Traditional publishing gatekeeps but upholds industry. Self-publishing democratizes. Both are valid. Neither is inherently better.

Community > competition

Other creators aren't threats. There's room for everyone. Lifting each other up creates more than fighting for scraps.

Tools & Methods

Doing is always better than planning

Action beats perfection. Iterate. Start building, creating, experimenting. You can always improve later.

Learn to homestead, grow your own food, and build your own tools

Self-sufficiency and craftsmanship are requirements in our increasingly volatile world. They foster independence and deepen our relationship with the natural world..

Free/open source > proprietary whenever possible

If there's an open-source alternative that works, use it. Don't lock yourself into tools you can't control.

Version control isn't just for code

Track your writing in git! Commit often. You'll thank yourself when you need to find that deleted paragraph.

The best tool is the one you have and will actually use

I don't care how powerful Vim is. If VS Code works for you, use VS Code. I use VS Code. I also use Bear for quick notes and for my knowledge base. The "best" tool is the one that doesn't get in your way. Don't waste money and time on gear.

Automation should serve humans, not replace them

Build systems that help people work better, not systems that make people obsolete.

People

We are inherently irrational creatures

Understanding this helps us approach disagreements with more humility and less certainty. Recognizing our cognitive biases helps us listen better and communicate more effectively.

Almost everyone is wasting their precious time

People who wait for the "right time" or who favour convenience over action are throwing life away. You are going to die.

You must find time to participate in community

Regardless of how busy or exhausted you are, make space for meaningful connection with others. Community participation strengthens both individual and collective well-being. All we have is each other.

You must engage in good faith if you're arguing

It is useless to have dialogue with someone if you believe they have bad intentions. Either believe in the good of people or don't waste your time.

Irony is a dangerous, poisonous, corrosive force that erodes trust and understanding.

You must try to be sincere in your interactions with others. Kill the part of you that cringes, not the part of you that is cringe.

You're foolish for getting morality from celebrities

Parasocial relationships have replaced church for most people. Morality shouldn't be derived from fame or popularity. Think critically about the values you adopt and form your own ethical framework.

You must have screenless hobbies

Engage in activities that don't require screens to maintain a healthy balance and preserve your ability to be present in the physical world. Reading, walking, crafting, and face-to-face conversation are vital for mental and social well-being. Anything.

To be human is absurd

"How strange it is to be anything at all." Human existence is fundamentally weird, yet we must still find meaning and purpose in our brief, chaotic journey. Embrace the weirdness while still striving for connection, growth, and positive impact.

NEVER form a romantic relationship with a GAI chatbot/LLM

AI can be a great tool, but it cannot replace human connection or be a substitute for real relationships. Do not confuse AI interaction with genuine human connection.

Life & Ethics

Public transit > cars

I don't drive by choice. I take the bus. Cities should be walkable. Car-dependent infrastructure is a policy failure. Public transit gives you time to read, observe, and think.

Used books > new books

Support local used bookstores. Borrow from libraries. Not everything needs to be pristine.

Library loans > buying everything

Public libraries are one of the last truly free resources we have. Support and use them as much as possible.

Pay for things you value

But also: make things accessible. Sliding scale. Pay-what-you-can. Free for those who need it.

Privacy is a right, not a privilege

No one should have to trade surveillance for access to information.

Separate the art from the artist, but do not fund or platform the artist

While you may appreciate the artistic value of someone's work, you should not support them financially or give them a platform if they are harmful off-screen. Be intentional about your consumption and support.

Not taking a stand on Palestine, Congo, or Sudan is reprehensible

The atrocities occurring around the world are easy to research. Use your privilege to actively protest and shame. Participate in boycotts. Speak out against injustice.