Existential Phase

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the responsibilities that come with having a platform, including what we owe each other – as leaders, as community members, and as humans on the internet.And, forgive me, but… a lot of it was prompted by the Hot Chef Saga. If you’re tired of hearing about it, I’m sorry! If it’s any consolation, as I embark on my FIFTH day of writing this piece, I grow ever-wearier of it and of myself. 😂 The whole saga really had me scratching my head, though, and this episode is my attempt to figure out why.When you're done listening:→ If you liked this ramble, you’ll probably love Chelsea and Xanthe’s June episode of State of the Internet – I found it very measured, fair, and refreshing! And, if being a person on the internet is part of your job, I highly recommend joining the waitlist for Xanthe’s Life of the Party program (there’s an entire lesson on boundaries!).→ In case I didn’t make it clear enough, I genuinely do wish KW Bogen well. I hope she is surrounded by people who love her! I also feel like, since I spent four FIVE days and 3,000 words using her posts about her love life as a springboard to philosophize about what we owe each other on the internet, I should at least include a link to her Patreon.→ Need to make your own batch of Japanese Curry Rice? 😂 Good call – you’ll find our favorite recipe right here (we double the carrots and the potatoes)→ If you’re enjoying Existential Phase, you can say “thanks” by buying me a Diet Coke (or sending Mercury a treat!) right here. You can also forward this email to a friend! Thank you for reading/listening! I appreciate you! 💖→ If you’re the friend who received Existential Phase annnnd now you’d like to get each episode in your very own inbox, you can sign up right here. 🤗

I know that, for many people, using generative AI feels like a viable solution for the constraints of time, capacity, creativity, and even capitalism – but I just do not see it that way. This episode explores why – including the biggest reasons I avoid generative AI and LLMs in my work.*****This piece is part of my experimental email + audio series, Existential Phase, where you'll find a combination of memoir-style essays, musings on politics + culture, reflections on work + life as a self-employed person, ruminations around uncomfortable questions, and an exploration of being human –all through the lens of a Humanities degree holder, professional copywriter, and grown-ass woman who refuses to choose between depth and delight.*****Hi Listener! While you're here...Does writing about yourself feel hard, even though you’re a good writer? Same, and help is here! Beyond Little Treats: The About Page Kit for Smart People Who Care About Things is open for a few more days – only until June 8! Sooo if you’re ready to learn how tf to write a website about page that features both Legit Professional You and Delightful Human Being You – you know, the kind that gives your perfect-fit people that “Oh shit – THIS is my person!” feeling, click here to get started 🙂

Reflections on the privilege required to decide to opt outThis piece is part of my experimental email + audio series, Existential Phase, where you'll find a combination of memoir-style essays, musings on politics + culture, reflections on work + life as a self-employed person, ruminations around uncomfortable questions, and an exploration of being human –all through the lens of a Humanities degree holder, professional copywriter, and grown-ass woman who refuses to choose between depth and delight.*****Hi Listener! While you're here...Does writing about yourself feel hard, even though you’re a good writer? Same, and help is here! Beyond Little Treats: The About Page Kit for Smart People Who Care About Things is open until June 8. Sooo if you’re ready to learn how tf to write a website about page that features both Legit Professional You and Delightful Human Being You – you know, the kind that gives your perfect-fit people that “Oh shit – THIS is my person!” feeling, click here to get all the details 🙂