From 7a08a7fa529764887611703f7096cc9c835d6911 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: devandapaige Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 17:47:28 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 1/3] draft blog --- src/app/links/page.tsx | 6 - src/components/Footer.tsx | 1 - ...ok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx | 142 ++++++++++++++++++ 3 files changed, 142 insertions(+), 7 deletions(-) create mode 100644 src/content/blog/posts/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx diff --git a/src/app/links/page.tsx b/src/app/links/page.tsx index 5ce129a..c000f44 100644 --- a/src/app/links/page.tsx +++ b/src/app/links/page.tsx @@ -31,12 +31,6 @@ const socialLinks: LinkItem[] = [ color: 'bg-white/10 hover:bg-white/20', icon: '/icons/youtube.svg' }, - { - name: 'TikTok', - url: 'https://www.tiktok.com/@pythoness_programmer', - color: 'bg-white/10 hover:bg-white/20', - icon: '/icons/tiktok.svg' - }, { name: 'Bluesky', url: 'https://bsky.app/profile/pythonessdev.bsky.social', diff --git a/src/components/Footer.tsx b/src/components/Footer.tsx index 35e83b8..d0765bd 100644 --- a/src/components/Footer.tsx +++ b/src/components/Footer.tsx @@ -41,7 +41,6 @@ export default function Footer() { diff --git a/src/content/blog/posts/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx b/src/content/blog/posts/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx new file mode 100644 index 0000000..624a2c6 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/content/blog/posts/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx @@ -0,0 +1,142 @@ +--- +title: "I'm Off TikTok For Good: A Political Boycott and the Final Skin Shed" +date: "2026-01-23" +description: "Why I've deleted my TikTok accounts completely and why I'm boycotting tech produced or owned by certain individuals. A reflection on political boundaries in the digital age and the ongoing process of digital decluttering." +author: "Amanda Nelson" +tags: ["foundations", "sustainability", "wellness"] +image: "https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,width=800,height=421,fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect/uploads/asset/file/e82c2021-4e5b-42c6-84b4-e491c817ea3f/Pythoness_Perspective.png" +--- + +# I'm Off TikTok For Good: A Political Boycott and the Final Snake Skin Shed + +## "I've deleted all my TikTok accounts. And I'm not coming back." + +Hey there, cosmic coders and digital boundary-setters. + +I've deleted my TikTok accounts completely. All of them. And I'm not coming back. + +This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. It's been brewing for a while, part of a larger pattern of digital decluttering and boundary-setting that I've been working through. Just like I did with all of Meta's platforms, TikTok is now in my rearview mirror. + +## The Boycott: Why This Is Political + +I've made a conscious decision: **I will never support—and I'm actively boycotting—tech produced or owned by Larry Ellison, Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and/or financed by Jared Kushner.** + +This is a political choice. In 2026, unfortunately, it has to be. This isn't about being performative or virtue-signaling. It's about aligning my digital presence with my values and recognizing that every platform we use, every service we engage with, every click and view we generate contributes to something. And I've decided I need to be more intentional about what I'm contributing to. + +As someone who works in tech and creates content about digital wellness, I've learned that our relationship with technology isn't neutral. The platforms we choose to engage with, the tools we recommend, the spaces where we build community—they all carry weight. They all have political implications. + +## Why This Matters Now + +When I deleted all my Meta accounts, it was part of a larger digital spring cleaning. A shedding of platforms that no longer served me or aligned with my values. TikTok feels like the next logical step in this ongoing process. + +But this isn't just about leaving platforms. It's about recognizing that we have agency in our digital lives. We can choose where we spend our attention, where we build community, and what we're willing to support with our engagement. + +Every platform we leave creates space for something else. Every boundary we set makes room for more intentional connection. Every "no" to a platform that doesn't align with our values is a "yes" to something that might. + +## The LinkedIn Question + +And honestly? I'm really tempted to include LinkedIn in my final purge and final skin shed of this metaphorical wooden snake year. + +LinkedIn has always felt like a necessary evil for professional networking, but the more I think about it, the more I question whether it's actually necessary. The platform's algorithm, its engagement patterns, its role in professional culture—it all feels increasingly misaligned with how I want to show up in the world. + +## When Even Your Relaxation Gets Complicated + +Here's the thing that really drives home how pervasive this problem has become: my usual Sims 4 relaxation has also been in limbo because of these same people. + +Electronic Arts, the company behind The Sims, is set to be acquired in 2027 by a group that includes Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners—the same firm that's been making deals backed by Saudi billions. The same pattern. The same people. Holding all the cards. + +It's not just social media platforms. It's not just professional tools. It's the games I play to unwind. The spaces where I find joy and relaxation. More and more of the same people are holding all the cards, and it's getting harder to find spaces that aren't connected to them. + +## Acknowledging Privilege + +I want to be clear: **being able to boycott is a privilege I have, and I will continue to uphold it while I still can.** + +Not everyone can walk away from these platforms. Not everyone has the financial stability, the professional flexibility, or the social safety net to make these choices. I recognize that. I'm not here to judge anyone who needs to stay on these platforms for work, for community, for survival. + +But I do have this privilege. And I will continue to use it. As more and more of the same people consolidate power across tech, media, and entertainment, I will keep making choices that align with my values, even when it means giving up things I love. + +## What This Means Practically + +For those of you who followed me on TikTok, I'm sorry if this feels abrupt. But I hope you'll understand that this is part of a larger journey toward more intentional digital living. + +You can still find me on: +- **Bluesky** - where I'm building community in a more open, decentralized space +- **YouTube** - for longer-form content and tutorials +- **GitHub** - for code and technical work +- **This blog** - for deeper reflections and resources + +## The Wooden Snake Year: Shedding What No Longer Serves + +This year has been about shedding. Letting go of what no longer serves. Setting boundaries that feel right, even when they're uncomfortable. Making choices that align with my values, even when they're inconvenient. + +Leaving TikTok feels like part of that shedding. Part of the process of becoming more intentional about where I show up, what I support, and how I engage with the digital world. + +## For Those Considering Similar Moves + +If you're thinking about leaving platforms or setting similar boundaries, here's what I've learned: + +1. **It's okay to change your mind** - What served you before might not serve you now. That's growth. +2. **Boundaries are personal** - Your boundaries don't have to match mine or anyone else's. What matters is that they feel right for you. +3. **Community finds a way** - When you leave one platform, you find new ways to connect. The community that matters will follow you to spaces that align with your values. +4. **It's an ongoing process** - Digital decluttering isn't a one-time event. It's an ongoing practice of checking in with yourself about what serves you. + +## Moving Forward + +I'm not here to tell anyone else what to do. This is my choice, my boundary, my way of aligning my digital presence with my values. + +But I am here to say: **You have agency in your digital life.** You can choose where you show up. You can set boundaries. You can boycott platforms that don't serve you or align with your values. + +And if you're doing similar work—questioning platforms, setting boundaries, doing your own digital decluttering—I see you. This work matters. + +Here's to more intentional digital living. To boundaries that feel right. To shedding what no longer serves us. And to building community in spaces that align with our values. + +Keep your code clean, your boundaries clear, and your values aligned. + +Yours in algorithms and accountability, + +Your Favorite Pythoness + +## Further Reading: Recent Headlines + +For those curious about the context behind this boycott, here are some recent headlines and developments related to the companies and individuals mentioned: + +### Meta / Mark Zuckerberg: Teen Manipulation Litigation + +**Major Lawsuits Over Teen Manipulation (2025-2026):** +- [Lawsuit alleges social media giants buried their own research on teen mental health harms](https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/tech/social-media-youth-mental-health-lawsuit-meta-tiktok-snap-youtube) - A major lawsuit alleges Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat contributed to a youth mental health crisis while burying internal research showing harm. Internal documents show Meta researchers acknowledged "IG (Instagram) is a drug ... we're basically pushers." + +- [Meta halted internal research suggesting social media harm, court filing alleges](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/meta-internal-research-social-media-harm-court-filing.html) - Court filings allege Meta stopped internal research that suggested social media causes harm. + +- [Meta must face US state lawsuits over teen social media addiction](https://www.reuters.com/legal/meta-must-face-us-state-lawsuits-over-teen-social-media-addiction-2024-10-15/) - Federal judges rejected Meta's motions to dismiss lawsuits by 30+ states alleging the company designed addictive features targeting teens. + +- [How FTC v. Meta Reshapes the Debate on Social Media and First Amendment Protections](https://promarket.org/2026/01/22/how-ftc-v-meta-reshapes-the-debate-on-social-media-and-first-amendment-protections) - Analysis of ongoing FTC litigation against Meta and its implications for platform accountability. + +### TikTok / ByteDance: Data Privacy Violations + +- [TikTok Fined $600 Million for Sending European User Data to China](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/business/tiktok-eu-data-china.html) - In April 2025, Ireland's Data Protection Commission fined TikTok €530 million ($600 million) for improperly transferring European users' personal data to China, violating GDPR regulations. + +- [TikTok, five other Chinese firms hit by EU privacy complaints](https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-5-other-chinese-firms-hit-by-eu-privacy-complaints-2025-01-16/) - Austrian advocacy group filed privacy complaints against TikTok and five other Chinese companies for unlawfully sending EU user data to China. + +- [Irish data regulator opens new inquiry into TikTok over data stored in China](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/irish-data-regulator-opens-new-inquiry-into-tiktok-over-data-stored-china-2025-07-10/) - New inquiry opened after TikTok disclosed that some European user data had been temporarily stored on Chinese servers—something the company had previously denied. + +### X (formerly Twitter) / Elon Musk: Platform Changes + +- [Updates to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy](https://privacy.x.com/en/blog/2025/updates-tos-privacy-policy) - Significant updates to X's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy took effect January 15, 2026, including changes to content enforcement, user responsibilities, and dispute resolution. + +- [Elon Musk Announces Significant Changes to X. Here's What to Know](https://time.com/6961456/elon-musk-x-twitter-updates-changes-premium-features/) - Overview of recent platform changes under Musk's ownership, including premium features and policy shifts. + +### Oracle / Larry Ellison: Ethical Concerns + +- [Larry Ellison and Oracle Won 2025 — but at What Cost?](https://www.inc.com/bethany-mclean/larry-ellison-and-oracle-won-2025-but-at-what-cost/91263583) - Analysis of Ellison's growing influence, including Oracle's stake in TikTok's U.S. operations and media influence through Paramount ownership. + +- [Larry Ellison is back on top, 48 years after he co-founded Oracle](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/larry-ellison-is-back-top-48-years-after-he-co-founded-oracle-2025-09-12/) - Coverage of Ellison's rise to become the world's second-richest person, with concerns about media influence through Paramount and CBS News. + +- [Oracle earnings may not be enough to assuage debt, AI deal fears](https://fortune.com/2025/12/10/oracle-earnings-may-not-be-enough-to-assuage-debt-ai-deal-fears/) - Financial concerns about Oracle's heavy leverage and negative free cash flow projections due to massive data center buildouts. + +### Jared Kushner: Tech and Media Investments + +- [Jared Kushner suddenly emerges in the Warner brawl between Paramount and Netflix, backed by Saudi billions](https://fortune.com/2025/12/08/jared-kushner-paramount-warner-netflix-trump-ellison-saudi-antitrust/) - Kushner's private equity firm Affinity Partners is backing Paramount's $108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, alongside Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar sovereign wealth funds. + +- [Jared Kushner Is Now A Billionaire](https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicahunter-hart/2025/09/16/how-jared-kushners-bold-bets-in-the-middle-east-made-him-a-billionaire/) - Coverage of Kushner becoming a billionaire in September 2025, with his firm raising $4.6 billion including significant investments from Qatari and Abu Dhabi investors. Affinity Partners also joined in a $55 billion agreement to take Electronic Arts private, set to complete in 2027. + +_Note: This section is provided for context and education. I encourage you to do your own research and stay informed about the companies and platforms you choose to engage with._ From 031c1a6f4ba5243f3095580db3de5a3e5582d7ff Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: devandapaige Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:17:54 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 2/3] final posts --- package-lock.json | 14 +- public/feed.xml | 240 +++++++++++++++++- ...ok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx | 39 ++- ...e-creativity-and-the-wooden-snake-shed.mdx | 112 ++++++++ 4 files changed, 375 insertions(+), 30 deletions(-) create mode 100644 src/content/blog/posts/rest-mode-creativity-and-the-wooden-snake-shed.mdx diff --git a/package-lock.json b/package-lock.json index 3daa7e3..d938cb5 100644 --- a/package-lock.json +++ b/package-lock.json @@ -1813,9 +1813,9 @@ } }, "node_modules/@next/env": { - "version": "14.2.33", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@next/env/-/env-14.2.33.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-CgVHNZ1fRIlxkLhIX22flAZI/HmpDaZ8vwyJ/B0SDPTBuLZ1PJ+DWMjCHhqnExfmSQzA/PbZi8OAc7PAq2w9IA==", + "version": "14.2.35", + "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/@next/env/-/env-14.2.35.tgz", + "integrity": "sha512-DuhvCtj4t9Gwrx80dmz2F4t/zKQ4ktN8WrMwOuVzkJfBilwAwGr6v16M5eI8yCuZ63H9TTuEU09Iu2HqkzFPVQ==", "license": "MIT" }, "node_modules/@next/eslint-plugin-next": { @@ -9038,12 +9038,12 @@ "license": "MIT" }, "node_modules/next": { - "version": "14.2.33", - "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/next/-/next-14.2.33.tgz", - "integrity": "sha512-GiKHLsD00t4ACm1p00VgrI0rUFAC9cRDGReKyERlM57aeEZkOQGcZTpIbsGn0b562FTPJWmYfKwplfO9EaT6ng==", + "version": "14.2.35", + "resolved": "https://registry.npmjs.org/next/-/next-14.2.35.tgz", + "integrity": "sha512-KhYd2Hjt/O1/1aZVX3dCwGXM1QmOV4eNM2UTacK5gipDdPN/oHHK/4oVGy7X8GMfPMsUTUEmGlsy0EY1YGAkig==", "license": "MIT", "dependencies": { - "@next/env": "14.2.33", + "@next/env": "14.2.35", "@swc/helpers": "0.5.5", "busboy": "1.6.0", "caniuse-lite": "^1.0.30001579", diff --git a/public/feed.xml b/public/feed.xml index e4a0594..93f9472 100644 --- a/public/feed.xml +++ b/public/feed.xml @@ -5,9 +5,247 @@ https://pythonessprogrammer.com Thoughts on technology, accessibility, and the human experience. en - Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:41:15 GMT + Fri, 23 Jan 2026 23:36:03 GMT + + <![CDATA[I'm Off TikTok For Good: A Political Boycott and the Final Snake Skin Shed]]> + https://pythonessprogrammer.com/blog/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries + https://pythonessprogrammer.com/blog/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries + Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT + + +Your Favorite Pythoness + +## Further Reading: Recent Headlines + +For those curious about the context behind this boycott, here are some recent headlines and developments related to the companies and individuals mentioned: + +### Meta / Mark Zuckerberg: Teen Manipulation Litigation + +**Major Lawsuits Over Teen Manipulation (2025-2026):** +- [Lawsuit alleges social media giants buried their own research on teen mental health harms](https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/tech/social-media-youth-mental-health-lawsuit-meta-tiktok-snap-youtube) - A major lawsuit alleges Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat contributed to a youth mental health crisis while burying internal research showing harm. Internal documents show Meta researchers acknowledged: "IG (Instagram) is a drug ... we're basically pushers." + +- [Meta halted internal research suggesting social media harm, court filing alleges](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/meta-internal-research-social-media-harm-court-filing.html) - Court filings allege Meta stopped internal research that suggested social media causes harm. + +- [Meta must face US state lawsuits over teen social media addiction](https://www.reuters.com/legal/meta-must-face-us-state-lawsuits-over-teen-social-media-addiction-2024-10-15/) - Federal judges rejected Meta's motions to dismiss lawsuits by 30+ states alleging the company designed addictive features targeting teens. + +- [How FTC v. Meta Reshapes the Debate on Social Media and First Amendment Protections](https://promarket.org/2026/01/22/how-ftc-v-meta-reshapes-the-debate-on-social-media-and-first-amendment-protections) - Analysis of ongoing FTC litigation against Meta and its implications for platform accountability. + +### X (formerly Twitter) / Elon Musk: Platform Changes + +- [Updates to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy](https://privacy.x.com/en/blog/2025/updates-tos-privacy-policy) - Significant updates to X's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy took effect January 15, 2026, including changes to content enforcement, user responsibilities, and dispute resolution. + +- [Elon Musk Announces Significant Changes to X. Here's What to Know](https://time.com/6961456/elon-musk-x-twitter-updates-changes-premium-features/) - Overview of recent platform changes under Musk's ownership, including premium features and policy shifts. + +### Oracle / Larry Ellison: TikTok Sale and Ethical Concerns + +- [Larry Ellison and Oracle Won 2025 — but at What Cost?](https://www.inc.com/bethany-mclean/larry-ellison-and-oracle-won-2025-but-at-what-cost/91263583) - Analysis of Ellison's growing influence, including Oracle's stake in TikTok's U.S. operations. The deal involved Oracle securing a stake in TikTok's U.S. operations as part of a group that included Trump loyalists and Jared Kushner's investment group, with investors reportedly paying $14 billion for operations valued at $30-35 billion. **This sale was the dealbreaker that led to leaving TikTok.** + +- [Larry Ellison is back on top, 48 years after he co-founded Oracle](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/larry-ellison-is-back-top-48-years-after-he-co-founded-oracle-2025-09-12/) - Coverage of Ellison's rise to become the world's second-richest person, with concerns about media influence through Paramount and CBS News. + +- [Oracle earnings may not be enough to assuage debt, AI deal fears](https://fortune.com/2025/12/10/oracle-earnings-may-not-be-enough-to-assuage-debt-ai-deal-fears/) - Financial concerns about Oracle's heavy leverage and negative free cash flow projections due to massive data center buildouts. + +### Jared Kushner: Tech and Media Investments + +- [Jared Kushner suddenly emerges in the Warner brawl between Paramount and Netflix, backed by Saudi billions](https://fortune.com/2025/12/08/jared-kushner-paramount-warner-netflix-trump-ellison-saudi-antitrust/) - Kushner's private equity firm Affinity Partners is backing Paramount's $108 billion hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, alongside Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar sovereign wealth funds. + +- [Jared Kushner Is Now A Billionaire](https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicahunter-hart/2025/09/16/how-jared-kushners-bold-bets-in-the-middle-east-made-him-a-billionaire/) - Coverage of Kushner becoming a billionaire in September 2025, with his firm raising $4.6 billion including significant investments from Qatari and Abu Dhabi investors. Affinity Partners also joined in a $55 billion agreement to take Electronic Arts private, set to complete in 2027. + +_Note: This section is provided for context and education. I encourage you to do your own research and stay informed about the companies and platforms you choose to engage with._ +]]> + Amanda Nelson + foundations + sustainability + wellness + + + <![CDATA[Rest Mode: Creativity, Organization, and the Wooden Snake's Final Shed]]> + https://pythonessprogrammer.com/blog/rest-mode-creativity-and-the-wooden-snake-shed + https://pythonessprogrammer.com/blog/rest-mode-creativity-and-the-wooden-snake-shed + Fri, 23 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT + + +Your Favorite Pythoness +]]> + Amanda Nelson + foundations + sustainability + wellness + <![CDATA[How to Detect AI Art: A Guide for the Holiday Season]]> https://pythonessprogrammer.com/blog/how-to-detect-ai-art diff --git a/src/content/blog/posts/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx b/src/content/blog/posts/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx index 624a2c6..a1dece7 100644 --- a/src/content/blog/posts/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx +++ b/src/content/blog/posts/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries.mdx @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ --- -title: "I'm Off TikTok For Good: A Political Boycott and the Final Skin Shed" +title: "I'm Off TikTok For Good: A Political Boycott and the Final Snake Skin Shed" date: "2026-01-23" description: "Why I've deleted my TikTok accounts completely and why I'm boycotting tech produced or owned by certain individuals. A reflection on political boundaries in the digital age and the ongoing process of digital decluttering." author: "Amanda Nelson" @@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Hey there, cosmic coders and digital boundary-setters. I've deleted my TikTok accounts completely. All of them. And I'm not coming back. -This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. It's been brewing for a while, part of a larger pattern of digital decluttering and boundary-setting that I've been working through. Just like I did with all of Meta's platforms, TikTok is now in my rearview mirror. +This isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. It's been brewing for a while, part of a larger pattern of digital decluttering and boundary-setting that I've been working through. Just like I did with all of Meta's platforms, TikTok is now in my rearview mirror—and I'm not looking back. ## The Boycott: Why This Is Political @@ -25,11 +25,13 @@ This is a political choice. In 2026, unfortunately, it has to be. This isn't abo As someone who works in tech and creates content about digital wellness, I've learned that our relationship with technology isn't neutral. The platforms we choose to engage with, the tools we recommend, the spaces where we build community—they all carry weight. They all have political implications. -## Why This Matters Now +## Why This Matters Now: The TikTok Sale -When I deleted all my Meta accounts, it was part of a larger digital spring cleaning. A shedding of platforms that no longer served me or aligned with my values. TikTok feels like the next logical step in this ongoing process. +When I deleted all my Meta accounts, it was part of a larger digital spring cleaning. A shedding of platforms that no longer served me or aligned with my values. -But this isn't just about leaving platforms. It's about recognizing that we have agency in our digital lives. We can choose where we spend our attention, where we build community, and what we're willing to support with our engagement. +But TikTok? The dealbreaker for me was the sale to Larry Ellison's Oracle and Jared Kushner's investment group. When TikTok's U.S. operations went to the same people I'm already boycotting, that was it. I couldn't stay on a platform that was now owned by the same people I've been avoiding across tech, media, and entertainment. + +Leaving platforms is one thing. But recognizing that we have agency in our digital lives? That's where the real power is. We can choose where we spend our attention, where we build community, and what we're willing to support with our engagement. Every platform we leave creates space for something else. Every boundary we set makes room for more intentional connection. Every "no" to a platform that doesn't align with our values is a "yes" to something that might. @@ -41,7 +43,7 @@ LinkedIn has always felt like a necessary evil for professional networking, but ## When Even Your Relaxation Gets Complicated -Here's the thing that really drives home how pervasive this problem has become: my usual Sims 4 relaxation has also been in limbo because of these same people. +Here's what really drives home how pervasive this problem has become: my usual Sims 4 relaxation has also been in limbo because of these same people. Electronic Arts, the company behind The Sims, is set to be acquired in 2027 by a group that includes Jared Kushner's Affinity Partners—the same firm that's been making deals backed by Saudi billions. The same pattern. The same people. Holding all the cards. @@ -57,19 +59,20 @@ But I do have this privilege. And I will continue to use it. As more and more of ## What This Means Practically -For those of you who followed me on TikTok, I'm sorry if this feels abrupt. But I hope you'll understand that this is part of a larger journey toward more intentional digital living. +For those of you who followed me on TikTok, I'm sorry if this feels abrupt. But I hope you'll understand that this is part of a larger, collective journey toward more intentional digital living. You can still find me on: -- **Bluesky** - where I'm building community in a more open, decentralized space -- **YouTube** - for longer-form content and tutorials -- **GitHub** - for code and technical work +- **Bluesky** - [@pythonessdev.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/pythonessdev.bsky.social) - where I'm building community in a more open, decentralized space +- **YouTube** - [@pythonessprogrammer](https://www.youtube.com/@pythonessprogrammer) - for longer-form content and tutorials +- **Reddit** - [r/pythoness_reposts](https://www.reddit.com/r/pythoness_reposts/) - where I'm sharing important art, civil liberties, decolonization, and tech "reposts" from around the web +- **Newsletter** - [newsletter.pythonessprogrammer.com](https://newsletter.pythonessprogrammer.com/) - for deeper reflections, resources, and updates - **This blog** - for deeper reflections and resources ## The Wooden Snake Year: Shedding What No Longer Serves This year has been about shedding. Letting go of what no longer serves. Setting boundaries that feel right, even when they're uncomfortable. Making choices that align with my values, even when they're inconvenient. -Leaving TikTok feels like part of that shedding. Part of the process of becoming more intentional about where I show up, what I support, and how I engage with the digital world. +Leaving TikTok feels like part of that shedding—part of the process of becoming more intentional about where I show up, what I support, and how I engage with the digital world. ## For Those Considering Similar Moves @@ -103,7 +106,7 @@ For those curious about the context behind this boycott, here are some recent he ### Meta / Mark Zuckerberg: Teen Manipulation Litigation **Major Lawsuits Over Teen Manipulation (2025-2026):** -- [Lawsuit alleges social media giants buried their own research on teen mental health harms](https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/tech/social-media-youth-mental-health-lawsuit-meta-tiktok-snap-youtube) - A major lawsuit alleges Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat contributed to a youth mental health crisis while burying internal research showing harm. Internal documents show Meta researchers acknowledged "IG (Instagram) is a drug ... we're basically pushers." +- [Lawsuit alleges social media giants buried their own research on teen mental health harms](https://www.cnn.com/2025/11/25/tech/social-media-youth-mental-health-lawsuit-meta-tiktok-snap-youtube) - A major lawsuit alleges Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat contributed to a youth mental health crisis while burying internal research showing harm. Internal documents show Meta researchers acknowledged: "IG (Instagram) is a drug ... we're basically pushers." - [Meta halted internal research suggesting social media harm, court filing alleges](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/meta-internal-research-social-media-harm-court-filing.html) - Court filings allege Meta stopped internal research that suggested social media causes harm. @@ -111,23 +114,15 @@ For those curious about the context behind this boycott, here are some recent he - [How FTC v. Meta Reshapes the Debate on Social Media and First Amendment Protections](https://promarket.org/2026/01/22/how-ftc-v-meta-reshapes-the-debate-on-social-media-and-first-amendment-protections) - Analysis of ongoing FTC litigation against Meta and its implications for platform accountability. -### TikTok / ByteDance: Data Privacy Violations - -- [TikTok Fined $600 Million for Sending European User Data to China](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/02/business/tiktok-eu-data-china.html) - In April 2025, Ireland's Data Protection Commission fined TikTok €530 million ($600 million) for improperly transferring European users' personal data to China, violating GDPR regulations. - -- [TikTok, five other Chinese firms hit by EU privacy complaints](https://www.reuters.com/technology/tiktok-5-other-chinese-firms-hit-by-eu-privacy-complaints-2025-01-16/) - Austrian advocacy group filed privacy complaints against TikTok and five other Chinese companies for unlawfully sending EU user data to China. - -- [Irish data regulator opens new inquiry into TikTok over data stored in China](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/irish-data-regulator-opens-new-inquiry-into-tiktok-over-data-stored-china-2025-07-10/) - New inquiry opened after TikTok disclosed that some European user data had been temporarily stored on Chinese servers—something the company had previously denied. - ### X (formerly Twitter) / Elon Musk: Platform Changes - [Updates to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy](https://privacy.x.com/en/blog/2025/updates-tos-privacy-policy) - Significant updates to X's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy took effect January 15, 2026, including changes to content enforcement, user responsibilities, and dispute resolution. - [Elon Musk Announces Significant Changes to X. Here's What to Know](https://time.com/6961456/elon-musk-x-twitter-updates-changes-premium-features/) - Overview of recent platform changes under Musk's ownership, including premium features and policy shifts. -### Oracle / Larry Ellison: Ethical Concerns +### Oracle / Larry Ellison: TikTok Sale and Ethical Concerns -- [Larry Ellison and Oracle Won 2025 — but at What Cost?](https://www.inc.com/bethany-mclean/larry-ellison-and-oracle-won-2025-but-at-what-cost/91263583) - Analysis of Ellison's growing influence, including Oracle's stake in TikTok's U.S. operations and media influence through Paramount ownership. +- [Larry Ellison and Oracle Won 2025 — but at What Cost?](https://www.inc.com/bethany-mclean/larry-ellison-and-oracle-won-2025-but-at-what-cost/91263583) - Analysis of Ellison's growing influence, including Oracle's stake in TikTok's U.S. operations. The deal involved Oracle securing a stake in TikTok's U.S. operations as part of a group that included Trump loyalists and Jared Kushner's investment group, with investors reportedly paying $14 billion for operations valued at $30-35 billion. **This sale was the dealbreaker that led to leaving TikTok.** - [Larry Ellison is back on top, 48 years after he co-founded Oracle](https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/larry-ellison-is-back-top-48-years-after-he-co-founded-oracle-2025-09-12/) - Coverage of Ellison's rise to become the world's second-richest person, with concerns about media influence through Paramount and CBS News. diff --git a/src/content/blog/posts/rest-mode-creativity-and-the-wooden-snake-shed.mdx b/src/content/blog/posts/rest-mode-creativity-and-the-wooden-snake-shed.mdx new file mode 100644 index 0000000..5dc3025 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/content/blog/posts/rest-mode-creativity-and-the-wooden-snake-shed.mdx @@ -0,0 +1,112 @@ +--- +title: "Rest Mode: Creativity, Organization, and the Wooden Snake's Final Shed" +date: "2026-01-23" +description: "How an official pause from client work has led to creative breakthroughs, organizational clarity, and preparation for launching several projects when services resume in March 2026." +author: "Amanda Nelson" +tags: ["foundations", "sustainability", "wellness"] +image: "https://media.beehiiv.com/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,width=800,height=421,fit=scale-down,onerror=redirect/uploads/asset/file/e82c2021-4e5b-42c6-84b4-e491c817ea3f/Pythoness_Perspective.png" +--- + +# Rest Mode: Creativity, Organization, and the Wooden Snake's Final Shed + +## "This pause without personal obligation has been transformative." + +Hey there, cosmic coders and fellow rest-seekers. + +If you've visited my homepage or about page recently, you've seen that I'm currently in **Rest Mode**—a period of rest and reflection that follows the ancient tradition of the Pythia Oracles of Delphi. Services resume March 2026, and I want to share what this intentional pause has actually meant for me. + +What happens when you allow yourself an official pause without personal obligation? When you give yourself permission to rest, reflect, and create without the pressure of client deadlines or business expectations? + +And honestly? It's been more productive than I expected, just not in the ways I thought it would be. + +## What Rest Mode Actually Means + +Rest Mode for me means no client work, no consulting sessions, no pressure to be "on" for anyone else. It's a period from November through March where I honor cycles of rest and renewal—partly because of chronic illness and chronic pain management, and partly because I've learned that creativity needs space to breathe. + +But here's what I didn't expect: **this pause has been incredibly productive in ways that have nothing to do with traditional productivity metrics.** + +I've watched myself naturally gravitate toward work that matters—not because I have to, but because I want to. And that shift? It's been everything. + +## The Organizational Pursuits: Scanning, Shredding, and Making Sense + +One of the most satisfying things I've done during this Rest Mode? Scanning and shredding tons of "important documents" and receipts. + +I'm talking about years of paper clutter that I'd been holding onto "just in case." Receipts from 2018. Documents I thought I might need someday. Papers that felt important but were actually just taking up physical and mental space. + +But here's the real story: scanning all my medical receipts and documents finally helped me make sense of my 10-year battle with chronic pain. Finally putting all the pieces together to tell my story in a way that shows the full arc: after needing to quit my job to be bedridden for 9 months in 2018, getting into the spa and wellness space to grow and heal, and now I'm passing technical interviews as a senior software engineer. + +Even though I can build a website from scratch, sometimes doing the manual labor of data collection can be just as meditative and insightful as the more mental work. There's something about the physical act of organizing, scanning, and digitizing that lets my brain process things differently. It's like the movement and the methodical nature of it creates space for insights I wouldn't have had if I'd just been thinking about it. + +There's something deeply satisfying about the process: scanning what actually matters, digitizing it properly, and then watching the shredder turn the rest into confetti. It's a physical manifestation of applying the Wooden Snake's patience principle—observing what I've been holding onto, then letting go of what no longer serves to make space for what does. + +I've been doing this in small batches, not rushing through it. That's been key. When I try to do it all at once, I get overwhelmed and stop. But when I do a little bit at a time, it feels manageable. Sustainable. Like something I can actually finish. + +## Six Months of Daily Bullet Journaling: A Beautiful Space for Reflection + +The past six months of daily bullet journal usage has given me a beautiful space to reflect on the past year of wooden snake skin shed. + +If you've been following along, you know I wrote about the [Wooden Snake year in my Lunar New Year post](/blog/lunar-new-year-2025) - about how 2025 was a year of patience, adaptability, and quiet transformation. Well, my bullet journal has become the physical record of that transformation. + +Every day, I've been tracking not just tasks, but reflections. Patterns. What's working. What's not. What I'm letting go of. What I'm making space for. + +The journal has become a witness to this year of shedding—of leaving platforms (as I wrote about in my [TikTok boycott post](/blog/off-tiktok-for-good-tech-ethics-and-boundaries)), setting boundaries, making political choices about where I show up digitally. It's all there, in ink and paper, a record of a year that's been about quiet transformation rather than loud announcements. + +I honestly love using this journal to help me see patterns I might otherwise miss. It's been a gamechanger actually—having a physical space to reflect on what's working and what's not, without the pressure of making it look perfect or shareable. + +## Revamping Old Projects, Starting New Ones + +Here's the thing about Rest Mode: when you remove the pressure of client obligations, you create space for your own creative work to breathe. + +I've been revamping old projects that I'd set aside when client work took priority. Projects that felt too personal or too experimental to work on when I had deadlines to meet. Projects that needed time to percolate. + +I've also been starting new ones. Ideas that have been brewing in the back of my mind, waiting for the right moment. Concepts that needed space to develop without the pressure of immediate deliverables. + +My first project I revamped? The Surviving Capitalism Deck—a deck of cards I've been developing that applies 52 business and systems thinking principles to personal life, teaching everything from financial literacy to critical thinking through a gamified, collectible system. It's been sitting there, waiting. And now, without the pressure of client deadlines, I've been able to see it with fresh eyes—to understand what it actually needs to be, not what I thought it should be. + +I'll be launching it as a digital product this year. And I'm gearing up for launching several other projects when my pause is over in March and I go back into more of a "business mode." But here's the key: these aren't projects I'm rushing to finish. They're projects that have had time to develop, to evolve, to become what they're meant to be—applying the Wooden Snake's principle of finding smarter paths forward by giving ideas the space they need to fully form. + +## The Wooden Snake's Final Shed + +This Rest Mode feels like the Wooden Snake's final shed—the culmination of a year of quiet transformation. + +Looking back at my [Lunar New Year post](/blog/lunar-new-year-2025), I wrote about how 2025 was going to be a year of shedding old skin. And that's exactly what it's been. Leaving platforms. Setting boundaries. Making choices that align with my values, even when they're inconvenient. + +This Rest Mode has given me the space to reflect on all of that. To see the patterns. To understand what I've learned. To prepare for what comes next. + +Applying the Wooden Snake's patience principle, I've been able to observe this entire year of transformation before judging what it means or rushing to the next thing. That observation time? It's been essential. + +## What This Means for March 2026 + +When services resume in March, I'll be coming back with: + +- **Clarity** from six months of daily reflection +- **Organization** from the physical and digital decluttering I've done +- **Renewed energy** from honoring my body's need for rest +- **New projects** that have had time to develop properly +- **Revamped old projects** that are ready for a fresh start + +But more than that, I'll be coming back with a deeper understanding of what sustainable service looks like. Of how rest isn't a limitation—it's essential for the quality of work I want to provide. + +I've learned that the best creative work happens when I'm not forcing it. When I give ideas space to breathe, they become what they're meant to be—not what I think they should be. + +## For Those Who Need Permission to Rest + +If you're reading this and thinking, "I wish I could take a pause like that," I want you to know: **you have permission to rest.** + +Maybe you can't take months off. But can you take a day? A weekend? Can you create boundaries around when you're available and when you're not? Can you give yourself space to reflect, to organize, to create without pressure? + +The Wooden Snake teaches us that transformation happens in quiet moments. In the spaces between. In the pauses that feel unproductive but are actually essential. Applying its patience principle, we observe what we need before rushing to the next thing—and sometimes what we need is rest. + +## Moving Forward + +Rest Mode isn't forever. March 2026 is coming, and I'm excited to return to client work with renewed energy and clarity. + +But I'm also committed to maintaining this rhythm—to honoring cycles of rest and renewal, to creating space for creativity to breathe, to recognizing that sustainable service requires sustainable practices. + +Here's to rest. To reflection. To the quiet transformation that happens when we give ourselves permission to pause. + +Keep your code clean, your boundaries clear, and your rest periods sacred. + +Yours in algorithms and accountability, + +Your Favorite Pythoness From 672ea9259d60f063eeabfdf20ab2f97619118128 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: devandapaige Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2026 19:22:11 -0500 Subject: [PATCH 3/3] tiktok mentions removal --- .../components/ToolsAndResourcesSection.tsx | 23 ------------------- src/app/sourdough/content.mdx | 3 --- 2 files changed, 26 deletions(-) diff --git a/src/app/sourdough/components/ToolsAndResourcesSection.tsx b/src/app/sourdough/components/ToolsAndResourcesSection.tsx index 9884351..bcb32d1 100644 --- a/src/app/sourdough/components/ToolsAndResourcesSection.tsx +++ b/src/app/sourdough/components/ToolsAndResourcesSection.tsx @@ -41,29 +41,6 @@ export default function ToolsAndResourcesSection() { - -
-

- Videos and Other Resources -

- -
diff --git a/src/app/sourdough/content.mdx b/src/app/sourdough/content.mdx index 2e2c37d..536de9b 100644 --- a/src/app/sourdough/content.mdx +++ b/src/app/sourdough/content.mdx @@ -71,9 +71,6 @@ Martha likes the typical 1:2:2 ratio—for every 1 part of starter, add 2 parts - Simple Kitchen Scale - [Amazon Link](https://amzn.to/4i09Bmr) - OXO Airtight Flour Storage (what I'm slowly saving up for my baking items) - [Amazon Link](https://amzn.to/4bt23WF) -## Videos and Other Resources -- [Sourdough Playlist Collection on TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@pythoness_programmer/collection/sourdough-7352284778902604587?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc) - ## Recipes ### Lazy Double Batch of Sourdough Bread