The fact that I was there through all the cool things you did makes me happy haha!
But seriously, you knew exactly how to build connections and like you say - do the "unscalable" things that help you grow - no one cares about that any longer, sadly.
And I think your pivot is timely.
I recently wanted to purchase cloud storage and even though google is cheaper, I think I'm going to stick with Proton instead because of the privacy and no data mining!
I'm definitely in for digital minimalism and keeping my AI creations...mine.
You hit a nerve that AI (and, ultimately, these platforms) cannot truly provide: connection.
It seems counterintuitive, but you lay the groundwork for all of it.
Social media as it currently exists stokes the desire for connection, yet the performative authenticity combined with AI slop create environments where we are consistently disappointed.
Creating spaces and opportunities for real connection are primed for all who dare to provide leadership and spaces for true transformation.
And the thing about socials is they are all the same.
I’ve had a few people say they’re moving to Substack because LinkedIn’s visibility has gotten so bad, but Substack is making its own changes too, and those changes usually serve the platform first. They’re a business, after all
I am happy you are in a good place, and I hope it stays that way.
This hits different when you consider how the platforms literally commodified connection itself. They took the most human thing - genuine relationship building - and turned it into a metric to be gamed. What started as town squares became algorithmic feed slots where vulnerability gets punished unless it performs well enough.
The bans you collected are almost badges of honor in retrospect. Each one marked a moment where authentic expression collided with platform governance designed for advertisers, not community. LinkedIn especially has this fascinating tension between "professional" polish and actual human truth.
The shift from Connection > Money to Money > Connection wasn't accidental. It was engineered through every algorithm update, every "best practice" guide, every creator playbook that taught people to optimize rather than connect. The whisky, pizza, and 24-hour livestreams worked because they were unmonetizable - they existed purely for their own sake.
Your move toward privacy-first solutions feels inevitable. When platforms extractively harvest both our data AND our authenticity, the only winning move is to build outside their architecture entirely. The real rebels aren't trying to beat the algorithm anymore - they're building spaces where algorithms can't reach.
This is 100% true. I am finding that there is so much noise now, the best option is being yourself and building around that. I made the mistake of "doing what works" and it works by one measure...but you slowly regret it.
The fact that I was there through all the cool things you did makes me happy haha!
But seriously, you knew exactly how to build connections and like you say - do the "unscalable" things that help you grow - no one cares about that any longer, sadly.
And I think your pivot is timely.
I recently wanted to purchase cloud storage and even though google is cheaper, I think I'm going to stick with Proton instead because of the privacy and no data mining!
I'm definitely in for digital minimalism and keeping my AI creations...mine.
You hit a nerve that AI (and, ultimately, these platforms) cannot truly provide: connection.
It seems counterintuitive, but you lay the groundwork for all of it.
Social media as it currently exists stokes the desire for connection, yet the performative authenticity combined with AI slop create environments where we are consistently disappointed.
Creating spaces and opportunities for real connection are primed for all who dare to provide leadership and spaces for true transformation.
I'm here for the connection and learning about privacy AI.
And for the WOOs.
all about them WOOOOs
I remember your 24-hour LinkedIn lives.
I was thinking NOBODY does this stuff. Who is this guy?
Kinda like NOBODY replies to any of their hundreds of comments.
You were the last person trying to use social media the way it was supposed to work.
I posted 14 times on LI for 2025, and I am aiming for zero next year hahahha
Hope you are doing well, Luke.
Heading to the gym because of Danish cookies.
I'll catch you later...
Ahh what a great compliment thank you Neela.
Yeah, you know looking back I kind of smile. I did it my way and it was fun but socials have changed and we gotta adapt.
I LOVE that you are aiming for 0 hahaha.
WE shall see what I do next year.
I am in a good place and also ooooo cookies
Happy Friday Luke
And the thing about socials is they are all the same.
I’ve had a few people say they’re moving to Substack because LinkedIn’s visibility has gotten so bad, but Substack is making its own changes too, and those changes usually serve the platform first. They’re a business, after all
I am happy you are in a good place, and I hope it stays that way.
Chat soon, Luke.
This hits different when you consider how the platforms literally commodified connection itself. They took the most human thing - genuine relationship building - and turned it into a metric to be gamed. What started as town squares became algorithmic feed slots where vulnerability gets punished unless it performs well enough.
The bans you collected are almost badges of honor in retrospect. Each one marked a moment where authentic expression collided with platform governance designed for advertisers, not community. LinkedIn especially has this fascinating tension between "professional" polish and actual human truth.
The shift from Connection > Money to Money > Connection wasn't accidental. It was engineered through every algorithm update, every "best practice" guide, every creator playbook that taught people to optimize rather than connect. The whisky, pizza, and 24-hour livestreams worked because they were unmonetizable - they existed purely for their own sake.
Your move toward privacy-first solutions feels inevitable. When platforms extractively harvest both our data AND our authenticity, the only winning move is to build outside their architecture entirely. The real rebels aren't trying to beat the algorithm anymore - they're building spaces where algorithms can't reach.
Agree with this and yes I consider them a badge of honour and the cost of having principal….
This is 100% true. I am finding that there is so much noise now, the best option is being yourself and building around that. I made the mistake of "doing what works" and it works by one measure...but you slowly regret it.
So much freaking noise. It's too much!!!
I am loving your truth - keep going 🙏🏽
thank you that’s super kind of you, appreciate anyone willing to read