2025W23

A few interesting articles I read over the past few days

• Thrive in obscurity — Creative success often starts in obscurity, with many creators spending years sharing their work with few or no viewers. To stay motivated, focus on creating what you love instead of chasing popularity, as this will lead to better work and attract like-minded fans. Treat your early content as an investment for future audiences, knowing they may return to appreciate your journey later on.
• If you are useful, it doesn’t mean you are valued — In your career, being useful means you get tasks done well, while being valued means you contribute to important decisions and have growth opportunities. Useful people may receive rewards, but they often feel stagnant and lack strategic involvement. To succeed, it’s crucial to recognize whether you are truly valued or just seen as a reliable worker.
• My AI Skeptic Friends Are All Nuts — The author argues that LLMs can significantly assist software developers by handling tedious coding tasks, allowing them to focus on more important work. Despite skepticism about LLM-generated code quality, the author believes that these tools can enhance productivity and reduce the need for repetitive tasks. Ultimately, while LLMs may not replace all developers, they can streamline the coding process and improve efficiency.
• A Smart Bear » You’re a little company, now act like one — Small companies often fear that being perceived as small will hurt sales, but this can actually alienate their best customers. Instead of adopting generic corporate language, they should present themselves authentically to attract Early Adopters who appreciate personal connections and are willing to provide feedback. By being honest and relatable, small companies can foster relationships that help them grow and improve their products.
• Letter to Arc members 2025 — The Browser Company is shifting focus from Arc to a new product called Dia, aiming to create a better browser experience. They recognized that Arc had limitations and wanted to build something that integrates AI more effectively.
• If nothing is curated, how do we find things? — The rise of social media has made it harder to find curated content, leading to information overload and mental exhaustion. Critics and curators are needed now more than ever to help sift through the vast amount of content available.
• Thoughts on thinking — The author feels stuck and believes that their creative efforts are overshadowed by AI’s ability to produce better ideas quickly. They reflect on how using AI has diminished their own thinking and intellectual growth, despite having access to more information than ever.