Welcome back! Glad everything is back to normal. So to speak.
So I am very excited about the LinkedIn Estrin/Estrin world collision. So excited that I just hopped on the platform and sent you a connection request (fingers crossed!) And then I sent a connection request to the other Michael Estrin, and added a note: "Hello Mr. Estrin! I am a big fan of the other Michael Estrin so I figured I'd like you too! Let's connect!"
I’m kinda thinking I’ll spend more time here on the Substack app instead of Twitter. And prob never actually leave Twitter, because Twitter still delivers truly excellent stuff like this:
I had no idea there was a Police Squad show. Every time I think about leaving Twitter, it pulls me back in with comedy gold! But in all seriousness, you make a good point about the difference between burning it all down (always tempting) and being mindful about where you spend your time (always a challenge).
It's a situation for sure! But what is normal? I have no idea. Part of me thinks it's normal for me to encounter stuff like this, but prior to the other ME reaching out, I would've said there's no chance of something like this happening.
1. I was enlightened until this past March. I've grappled with what to do re: Twitter and decided to stay the course. As long as the people I like (e.g., you) keep using it it's not that different. That said, the minute Captain Thirsty asks me for money I'm out.
I like your investment strategy. If you get your hands on that kind of money, Los Angeles will welcome you with open arms, assuming you cut a deal with Apple to give every kid in LA Public schools an iPad at the retail price.
As for Twitter, I'm absolutely out if he asks for money. But the funny thing is, before all this nonsense, he could've just hired a real CEO, and that CEO could've said, we're gonna charge $8 a month, but you get to read whatever articles are in the trending module, and I totally would've done it.
I've been exploring Cohost, though that's more of a Tumblr backup than a Twitter replacement. Everyone tried to do Hive but I can't get the site to work. So mostly these days I've just been lurking around Substack and trying to remember to be social!
I’m still trying to decide if I even want a Twitter alternative. I’ve never been great at Bird App. Maybe I’ll take that time and reinvest it into Substack and Discord, which I already use? I’m also considering Tumblr, which has a fun vibe? I dunno!
You're asking all the right questions. I don't know if I'm *good* at Twitter either. I want to say I like seeing what news is trending, or rather, which news stories people are talking about, but those conversations are usually awful and full of misinformation, so maybe the thing I like about Twitter isn't something I should be seeking out.
As for what to do with the other Michael Estrin, what if you “Freaky Friday” and have him write an edition of the newsletter, while you try and do one of his techy gigs for a day?
I love this idea! But based on the salaries for the job offers I've seen, the other Michael Estrin has a lot to lose here. Actually, depending on where he's working, that place has a lot to lose too. Because while I may not be able to code, I can break code. I'll have to think about the potential dangers and risks for the freaky friday idea, but I like where you're head's at.
If their code can't withstand the good-natured efforts of humorist Michael Estrin, how's it going to stand-up to black hats and Russian hackers? This is a great opportunity for techie Estrin's client to do some serious security patching.
Oh, I see where you’re going with this! It’s Freaky Friday meets Sneakers. People hire me to monkey with their code to make sure the other Michael Estrin is keeping their code safe from the black hat hacker crowd.
Hey Michael, hope the Bali trip met your expectations!
I followed the exit sign out of Twitter, as I recounted here: https://howaboutthis.substack.com/p/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-tweets It was a tough decision because Twitter was an important part of my communication infrastructure but... well, no need to go into all of it again. I'm dabbing with Mastodon a bit and checking out other options but now I'm just counting down the few additional days it will take for my old Twitter account to disappear forever. Maybe I'll regret that decision someday but I think I'll just take any lumps that arise.
Hey Mark, Bali met and exceeded expectations, thanks for asking!
I loved your piece about quitting Twitter, and honestly, I envy for your decision. Also, you don't know this because you left, but there is an empty feeling on Twitter at the moment because major accounts are leaving or pulling WAY back. And that emptiness is increasingly filled with Nazis, so it's a little like the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, which means the only way to survive (I think) is to close your eyes, which feels right for Indiana Jones, but wrong for an engaged citizen in the 21st century.
Welcome back! Glad everything is back to normal. So to speak.
So I am very excited about the LinkedIn Estrin/Estrin world collision. So excited that I just hopped on the platform and sent you a connection request (fingers crossed!) And then I sent a connection request to the other Michael Estrin, and added a note: "Hello Mr. Estrin! I am a big fan of the other Michael Estrin so I figured I'd like you too! Let's connect!"
We'll see what happens.
If I can't get the interview, maybe you can!
Update! The "other" Mr. Estrin accepted my connection request with a response ("Nice!") and a smiley emoticon!!!!!!!!!!
There are so many ways I could take this now...
Thanks for the update!
Lol this is terrific.
I’m kinda thinking I’ll spend more time here on the Substack app instead of Twitter. And prob never actually leave Twitter, because Twitter still delivers truly excellent stuff like this:
https://twitter.com/tsting18/status/1597292101334536192?s=46&t=6sdmDNFy8dxBRTlHjxe6Xw
I had no idea there was a Police Squad show. Every time I think about leaving Twitter, it pulls me back in with comedy gold! But in all seriousness, you make a good point about the difference between burning it all down (always tempting) and being mindful about where you spend your time (always a challenge).
I mean, I live with hope in my heart that some day I will develop actual self control, Michael.
Me too!
Also I am very excited about this Michael Estrin connection situation! It’s a situation! But is it normal?
It's a situation for sure! But what is normal? I have no idea. Part of me thinks it's normal for me to encounter stuff like this, but prior to the other ME reaching out, I would've said there's no chance of something like this happening.
1. I was enlightened until this past March. I've grappled with what to do re: Twitter and decided to stay the course. As long as the people I like (e.g., you) keep using it it's not that different. That said, the minute Captain Thirsty asks me for money I'm out.
3. Invest all $44 billion in public education.
Looking forward to Sunday!
I like your investment strategy. If you get your hands on that kind of money, Los Angeles will welcome you with open arms, assuming you cut a deal with Apple to give every kid in LA Public schools an iPad at the retail price.
As for Twitter, I'm absolutely out if he asks for money. But the funny thing is, before all this nonsense, he could've just hired a real CEO, and that CEO could've said, we're gonna charge $8 a month, but you get to read whatever articles are in the trending module, and I totally would've done it.
I've been exploring Cohost, though that's more of a Tumblr backup than a Twitter replacement. Everyone tried to do Hive but I can't get the site to work. So mostly these days I've just been lurking around Substack and trying to remember to be social!
You should come lurk at office hours every Thursday, and the say hello. There are a lot of people here who would dig your stuff!
I’m still trying to decide if I even want a Twitter alternative. I’ve never been great at Bird App. Maybe I’ll take that time and reinvest it into Substack and Discord, which I already use? I’m also considering Tumblr, which has a fun vibe? I dunno!
You're asking all the right questions. I don't know if I'm *good* at Twitter either. I want to say I like seeing what news is trending, or rather, which news stories people are talking about, but those conversations are usually awful and full of misinformation, so maybe the thing I like about Twitter isn't something I should be seeking out.
As for what to do with the other Michael Estrin, what if you “Freaky Friday” and have him write an edition of the newsletter, while you try and do one of his techy gigs for a day?
I love this idea! But based on the salaries for the job offers I've seen, the other Michael Estrin has a lot to lose here. Actually, depending on where he's working, that place has a lot to lose too. Because while I may not be able to code, I can break code. I'll have to think about the potential dangers and risks for the freaky friday idea, but I like where you're head's at.
If their code can't withstand the good-natured efforts of humorist Michael Estrin, how's it going to stand-up to black hats and Russian hackers? This is a great opportunity for techie Estrin's client to do some serious security patching.
Oh, I see where you’re going with this! It’s Freaky Friday meets Sneakers. People hire me to monkey with their code to make sure the other Michael Estrin is keeping their code safe from the black hat hacker crowd.
Yes please!
Hey Michael, hope the Bali trip met your expectations!
I followed the exit sign out of Twitter, as I recounted here: https://howaboutthis.substack.com/p/so-long-and-thanks-for-all-the-tweets It was a tough decision because Twitter was an important part of my communication infrastructure but... well, no need to go into all of it again. I'm dabbing with Mastodon a bit and checking out other options but now I'm just counting down the few additional days it will take for my old Twitter account to disappear forever. Maybe I'll regret that decision someday but I think I'll just take any lumps that arise.
Hey Mark, Bali met and exceeded expectations, thanks for asking!
I loved your piece about quitting Twitter, and honestly, I envy for your decision. Also, you don't know this because you left, but there is an empty feeling on Twitter at the moment because major accounts are leaving or pulling WAY back. And that emptiness is increasingly filled with Nazis, so it's a little like the end of Raiders of the Lost Ark, which means the only way to survive (I think) is to close your eyes, which feels right for Indiana Jones, but wrong for an engaged citizen in the 21st century.
Where's the staff of Ra when you need it?
I think we've been digging in the wrong place.
Loved this post - blimey, you've both had to hit the ground running since your trip!
Thank you, Rebecca!