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Platformer covers the dynamic interplay between technology, particularly social media, and democracy, with a focus on Silicon Valleyโ€™s significant players like Elon Musk and platforms such as Twitter, Artifact, and Threads. It explores the impacts of leadership decisions, technological changes, and societal shifts on democracy.

Social Media Trends Silicon Valley Technology and Democracy Content Moderation Artificial Intelligence Platform Algorithm Changes Decentralized Networks Tech Company Challenges Journalism in Technology

Top posts of the year

And their main takeaways
12755 implied HN points โ€ข 12 Jan 24
  1. Platformer has decided to move off of Substack and migrate to a new website powered by Ghost
  2. The decision was influenced by concerns over how Substack moderates content and promotes publications
  3. Substack faced controversies over hosting extremist content, leading to Platformer's decision to leave for a platform with more robust content moderation policies
4461 implied HN points โ€ข 19 Sep 23
  1. Platformer has experienced significant growth in subscribers over the past year, thanks to various factors like talented staff, impactful stories, and the Substack recommendations engine.
  2. The broader tech media ecosystem is facing challenges with layoffs and diminishing vitality, prompting journalists to consider the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to independent journalism.
  3. Platformer's plans for the future include expanding the team with new hires, experimenting with newsletter ads, and potentially supporting independent journalism through investments or grants.
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3537 implied HN points โ€ข 08 Aug 23
  1. It's important to approach coverage of Elon Musk with skepticism due to his history of broken promises and exaggerations.
  2. Journalists should be more skeptical and critical of Musk's statements, especially those that could impact markets or public perception.
  3. Musk's tendency to make bold announcements without following through highlights the need for increased scrutiny in media coverage of his statements.
3518 implied HN points โ€ข 05 Jul 23
  1. Meta released Threads, a new app challenging Twitter, with a focus on content moderation and decentralization.
  2. Threads is a text-based messaging app similar to Twitter, allowing easy following of Instagram users with limited features.
  3. The success of Threads will depend on cultivating a vibrant community and continuous improvements to user experience.
3419 implied HN points โ€ข 27 Jun 23
  1. Generative AI is dramatically impacting the internet with a variety of changes to platforms and services.
  2. The increasing use of AI-generated content poses challenges such as misinformation, disruption, and a dilution of human wisdom.
  3. Research shows that relying on AI systems to generate data can lead to degradation and collapse of models, raising concerns for the future of the web.
3341 implied HN points โ€ข 02 May 23
  1. Bluesky, a decentralized social network similar to early Twitter, is gaining popularity and could offer a unique alternative to mainstream social media platforms.
  2. Bluesky should focus on maintaining its decentralized nature while making it user-friendly, encouraging developers to build on the platform, and embracing the platform's quirky and fun atmosphere.
  3. Bluesky can potentially address issues in the Twitter ecosystem, such as content moderation and API accessibility, to differentiate itself further and attract a wider user base.
3262 implied HN points โ€ข 27 Oct 23
  1. Twitter underwent significant changes after Elon Musk's takeover, leading to a decline in daily users and financial setbacks.
  2. Musk's plan to pivot Twitter towards paid subscriptions failed, with less than 1% of users signing up for the premium service.
  3. Former Twitter employees have accepted the company's demise, with concerns about the future of the platform integrity at X.
2889 implied HN points โ€ข 13 Jun 23
  1. Reddit faced backlash from its user base after announcing changes to its API that would affect third-party apps and moderation tools.
  2. The move to limit third-party apps appears to be driven by Reddit's desire to increase profits and centralize control of its ecosystem.
  3. The crisis highlighted Reddit's heavy dependence on volunteer labor and the potential risks of outsourcing content creation and moderation to the user base.