The Firehose Feed
This is a chronological feed of everything I’ve published.
AI AIfictionwriting AIWriting Being a Writer Being Chinese blogging China Chinese culture Chinese Drama COVID COVID19 Fediverse Fiction indieweb internet Malaysia Mandarin Obsidian PKM productivity science fiction seedling socialmedia ux writer writing
-
Creating covers for ebooks, editing books, building apps … It used to cost thousands to do this, but AI is making these services affordable. For creatives (those who do this as a hobby or for work), this opens up a so many exciting possibilities.
-
How a working day could look like for the AI-assisted content strategist and writer in an enterprise.
-
It’s the best of times, the worst of times. On the one hand, AI has accelerated my workflows and enabled me to create more content than before. On the other hand, I’m overwhelmed and burned out trying to keep up with how quickly the tech is changing and developing.
-
To say that I didn’t expect this to happen is an understatement. But hey, achievement unlocked!
-
I’m always fascinated by how other professionals are using AI, especially in the content field.
-
The pressure to self-censor as a minority on US-centric social media platforms is quite real.
-
Pangram could spark an AI witch hunt, and increase bullying and harassment on Substack.
-
Nolan’s Odyssey isn’t just a movie—it’s the latest act in a 200-year-old tradition of appropriating Greek culture while denying that Greeks should have control of their own heritage.
-
Reflecting on my medical leave and how I’m catching up on dramas, learning how to use OpenCode, and catching up with personal writing projects despite my body’s demands that I do nothing.
-
More Malaysian Chinese are leaning towards their Chinese roots, and that includes having an education in Chinese.
-
The key to my successful weekly planning system: Time blocking with Google Calendar and Google Tasks
My weekly productivity routine is anchored by Google Tasks, Calendar, and Google Workspace tools.
-
Substack is convenient, but treat it as a distribution tool for your content. Your content should live on an independently owned website, which has a domain name you control and own. This way, you can secure long-term visibility and control over your digital presence on the Internet.
-
My compendium of links to stuff that I found interesting on the web. This week the focus is about “Being on the Internet”.
-
DeepSeek made AI technology accessible to the Global South. This gave them the tools to compete and develop.
-
A reaction to a fascinating essay on Substack about the cultural pressure of “leaving the mother tongue” and adopting other languages for class mobility. I reflect on the dynamics of language use among Malaysian Chinese, where the shame is about not mastering more languages or being slow at learning languages.
-
I’m often frustrated by the writing community’s misconceptions about AI in writing. I wish more writers were more open to AI’s potential in writing and stop crucifying those who dare to say they use AI.
Elizabeth Tai 