As a content creator, I let myself down in 2023. Sure, I wrote tens of thousands of words, most of which were published. But in past years, I hustled on social media platforms to promote my work, monitoring the shares, likes and comments my posts received.
Something fundamentally changed this year. I largely gave up on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, which for many years was my go-to place to find out what was going on in the world and to broadcast my stories and opinions.
I've basically stopped using Facebook, too. My main social media activity is in a private group of a dozen friends using the Signal app.
The signal-to-noise ratio on social media has been dropping steadily for years. But in 2023, social media became truly tedious. It's more toxic than ever thanks to failures in content moderation, particularly on X, which has largely abandoned its efforts to maintain any sense of decorum. The scammers are out in full force and misinformation is rife.
Esta historia es de la edición December 16-22, 2023 de New Zealand Listener.
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Esta historia es de la edición December 16-22, 2023 de New Zealand Listener.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
