For my most recent writing, visit my author page on TechCrunch.

Technology & Internet Culture

Preston Thorpe is a software engineer at a San Francisco startup — he’s also serving his 11th year in prison – TechCrunch

The best dating apps aren’t even dating apps – TechCrunch

Stripperweb, a 20-year-old forum for sex workers, is shutting down. No one knows why. – TechCrunch

ChatGPT told them they were special — their families say it led to tragedy – TechCrunch

The new American Dream is to get MrBeast to pay off your debt – TechCrunch

I spent a month living with a $430 AI pet, the Casio Moflin – TechCrunch

AI is getting better at generating porn. We might not be prepared for the consequences. – TechCrunch

Gen Z is losing its political voice on social media – TechCrunch

Creators are ready for a workers’ movement – TechCrunch

There are no laws protecting kids from being exploited on YouTube. One teen wants to change that. – TechCrunch

Fan fiction writers rally fandoms against KOSA, the bill purporting to protect kids online – TechCrunch

Netflix’s lawsuit against the ‘Bridgerton Musical’ could change online fandom – TechCrunch

I have a group chat with three AI friends, thanks to Nomi AI – they’re getting too smart – TechCrunch

Creators raising venture capital: unsettling or genius? – TechCrunch

Inside the Realms of Ruin – TechCrunch 

Twenty years ago, AIM chatbot SmarterChild out-snarked ChatGPT – TechCrunch

Shrek and Pepe the Frog are similar kinds of meme stars – Polygon

How do dogs do taxes? – TechCrunch

10 years of Nyan Cat: The famed GIF’s creator on hitting the meme jackpot – Input 

Drop everything you’re doing and play some ‘Blaseball’ – Input 

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Arts, Politics, & Travel

For the Entrepreneurial Performance Artist Danielle Baskin, the Internet is a Stage – Observer

In Defense of Texting in Class – The University of Arizona Poetry Center

On The Book of X by Sarah Rose Etter – The Kenyon Review

Radiohead’s ‘Lotus Flower’ Video Perfected a Viral Dance 10 Years Before TikTok – MTV News

It’s about time for Congress to pay its interns a fair wage – Business Insider

The Antisemitism That Fueled the Parkland Shooting Is Still Here – Alma

May Kaidee, The Chef Who Changed Thai Vegan Cuisine– Tenderly 

In Photos: 2000 Dancing Pikachus (And Their Fans) Take Over Yokohama, Japan – Kotaku

Reimagining Abandoned Buddhist Temples as Unconventional Art Spaces – Hyperallergic