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FEATURES, BLOGS, & REVIEWS
Chorus.fm’s AI Use Policy 1.0
I’ve published a first draft of an AI Use Policy to define how, where, and – more to the point – where we won’t use AI.
This is a first attempt at putting my thoughts into words, and I will probably revise this over time as my own feelings about AI keep evolving. But I wanted to get something out there now, because everywhere else seems to be sprinting in the opposite direction.
Read More “Chorus.fm’s AI Use Policy 1.0”People Use Tools That Help Them
Matt Birchler, with my favorite line of the week so far:
If a tool makes my job meaningfully better, AI or not, I’m gonna use it, you don’t have to convince me. Maybe some people are resistant to learn anything new, but my impression is that the gains bosses have promised have been too grand and the use cases too broad, so employees get a bad taste in their mouth.
Again, I’ll shout it from the rooftops, if a piece of software is revolutionary and will make workers’ jobs easier, they will use it. If you find you have to keep making the hard sell to your employees, maybe it’s not bringing as much value to them as you think.
Amen.
A Quick Update on Ads, Support, and Direct Sponsorships
Over the past few weeks I’ve made some behind-the-scenes changes to how advertising works on the site, and I wanted to share a quick update in one place.
Short version:
- We officially moved to a new ad platform.
- It’s already performing several times better than the old setup.
- I’ve also updated the Advertise page so anyone can now easily purchase direct ad placements on the site again.
If you’d like the longer, more detailed background on why I made this change and how it affects the site long-term, I’ve linked a few in-depth posts below.
Read More “A Quick Update on Ads, Support, and Direct Sponsorships”Rules for Reading
Ryan Holiday with some great advice on reading:
These 31 rules by no means make a complete list, but if you implement even a couple of them, I’m comfortable guaranteeing you’ll not only be a better reader for it, but a better person too.
–It is not enough that you read. You have to read well. You have to read the right books. You have to figure out how to process and retain and of course apply what you read. As Epictetus said, “I cannot call somebody ‘hard-working’ knowing only that they read.” He said he needed to know what and how they read. He needed to know that their “efforts aim at improving the mind.” Because then and only then would he call you “hard-working.” Then and only then would he give you the title “reader.”
I didn’t read as many books as I wanted to this year. Other priorities ended up taking up my time. I read more from my RSS feeds than I think ever before but I need to make sure I bring book reading back into my daily routine.
A Pop-Punk Christmas Playlist
Last year I wrote a newsletter highlighting some of my favorite pop-punk and emo adjacent Christmas and holiday songs. I am posting the full list here for posterity. The Apple Music playlist will only show the songs available on that platform, but the entire list can be found below. Please add others you like in the replies.
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December 1st and the ritual changing of the logo to the holiday logo is one of my favorite traditions.
I love November.
Starting with our wedding anniversary and leading to Thanksgiving, a Turkey trot, lots of food, lots of family, and then decorating for Christmas. It went by too fast. And I’m still full.
November 2025
This one hit me right in the heart: https://xkcd.com/3172/
Does Harrison Ford Know His Lines?
Harrison Ford is a national treasure.
Emo Kids Anonymous Mends Broken Hearts
I recently joined the Emo Kids Anonymous podcast to talk about a wide range of topics. We talk about AbsolutePunk, bands from the past and the little resurgence our scene is having now, and what it’s like running a community like this in 2025. You can check it out on YouTube, Spotify, or Overcast.
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