๐ CLICK THRU 015 : January 2026
we need new tools for connecting & fighting back
Welcome to our monthly-ish social-media-free-online-biz-and-marketing links digest AKA the CLICK THRU!
Before I dive in, I just want to say that the federal violence in Minneapolis and Portland last week is absolutely appalling and FUCK ICE. This op-ed from Jacob Frey, the mayor of Minneapolis, and this reporting from 404 Media make very clear that ICE has to be abolished.
If you think this has nothing to do with a tech + biz newsletterโฆ think again because ICE works hard to go viral, monitors phones without warrants, tracks vehicles across the country, and gets Apple, Facebook, and Google to comply too.
2026 is the year for internet privacy, handmade apps, and new tools/systems for connecting and fighting back. Letโs get into itโฆ
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WHATโS UP WITH SOCIAL MEDIA & BIG TECH
๐ Adam Mosseri says Instagram has an authenticity problem, and in the comments people say: thatโs your fault.
๐ฒ TSA is clearly becoming social media cops. #acab
๐๏ธ Time to get rid of your Ring cameras, friends.
๐ง When people ask me if they should quit Spotify, I think Iโll start pointing them to this essay. And maybe also this one.
โณ๏ธ US Tech billionaires are ruining Europe too? UGH
๐ง Has anybody tried out Slop Evader?
๐ซ This piece was meant to teach tech founders how to succeed in 2026, but it made clear to me why I donโt want to get stuck in the โcognitive moatโ of any more apps.
๐ Groceries donโt even cost what they cost anymore. And this video from More Perfect Union shows how we should be wary of delivery apps. (h/t to Taylor Elyse Morrison for sending this to me)
๐ In a true personal plot twist, Iโve decided to start watching professional sports this year (NBA specifically), and I am astounded and appalled at how sports betting is built into every broadcast. This reported piece from Rolling Stone explains why thatโs so f*cked.
๐ค Iโm not so sure about Ed Zitron, but this podcast conversation with him and Cory Doctorow was definitely enlightening about AI and enshittification. (h/t to Nic Antoinette for prescreening it for me)
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ONLINE BIZ & CONTENT CREATION
๐ Hereโs a thoughtful, Youโve-Got-Mail themed essay from one of the co-founders of Are.na about the power of small business and indie tech.
๐ Nobody knows what podcasts are anymoreโฆ so maybe theyโre pizza?
๐ฑ If you want to rebuild your relationship to the internet in 2026, this one is for you.
๐จ And if youโd rather get offline with your art instead, hereโs a video from Mel Mitchell-Jackson to help.
๐ป I appreciated how this video on โalgorithms breaking how we thinkโ started with an analog radio.
๐ This essay from Alexis Amber and Helen Vogelsong-Donahue is a nuanced take (and step-by-step guide) on preserving your digital presence.
๐ซ Just in case this edition of the CLICKTHRU gets you caught up in doomscrolling, hereโs inspiration to get back to making stuff instead.
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And finallyโฆ
BABES LEAVING SOCIAL MEDIA
You know I love to see more and more folks interrogating social media, and I bookmark it every time I clock it. This section is where I share those pieces for boosts of encouragement to make changes you might be desiring. If you create a piece of your own, please send it to me, and Iโll include it!
โ๏ธโ๐ฅ Laura Khoudari documented her journey breaking up with social media, and she was kind enough to interview me alongside her essay!
๐ Kasia Manolas wrote a great essay about why pregnancy made her realize she had to leave social media. And she was kind enough to include my book!
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OK thatโs it for CLICK THRU 015, my friends. I know this one was a bit of a downer, but I promise that we have power online and offline. We can make change. We can refuse to comply. We can throw our phones away (or not). Meet me in the comments to discuss!
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