Tumblr: oh wahhh…we’re an unprofitable website that refuses to adapt to video posting like all the other ones…skeleton crew…who knows how long we have left
In 2011, Robin Sloan wrote “Blessed Are the Toolmakers.” It’s a (light) rejection of the urge to make general-purpose software and platforms in favor of something smaller yet more productive.
“I wish more people were making tools for a specific creative purpose rather than for general consumer adoption. I wish more people were making tools that very intentionally do not scale—tools with users by the dozen. Tools you experience not through a web signup form, but through pathbreaking creative work.
“I guess I want fewer aspirational Apples and more Pixar wannabes.”
There was a moment last year when it was clear all of the guys had sort of explored their space. You could hear the influence of one another on their solo projects, but they were relatively singular in their sound. I can’t wait for this all to come back together.
