Even with the rise of AI content generation, blogging retains its value. AI excels at producing generic, surface-level content, but struggles with nuanced, original thought, personal experience, and building genuine connection with an audience. Human bloggers can leverage AI tools to enhance productivity, but the core value remains in authentic voice, unique perspectives, and building trust through consistent engagement, which are crucial for long-term success. This allows bloggers to cultivate a loyal following and establish themselves as authorities within their niche, something AI cannot replicate.
A UK watchdog is investigating Apple's compliance with its own App Tracking Transparency (ATT) framework, questioning why Apple's first-party apps seem exempt from the same stringent data collection rules imposed on third-party developers. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is particularly scrutinizing how Apple gathers and uses user data within its own apps, given that it doesn't require user permission via the ATT pop-up prompts like third-party apps must. The probe aims to determine if this apparent double standard gives Apple an unfair competitive advantage in the advertising and app markets, potentially breaching competition law.
HN commenters largely agree that Apple's behavior is hypocritical, applying stricter tracking rules to third-party apps while seemingly exempting its own. Some suggest this is classic regulatory capture, where Apple leverages its gatekeeper status to stifle competition. Others point out the difficulty of proving Apple's data collection is for personalized ads, as Apple claims it's for "personalized experiences." A few commenters argue Apple's first-party data usage is less problematic because the data isn't shared externally, while others counter that the distinction is irrelevant from a privacy perspective. The lack of transparency around Apple's data collection practices fuels suspicion. A common sentiment is that Apple's privacy stance is more about marketing than genuine user protection. Some users also highlight the inherent conflict of interest in Apple acting as both platform owner and app developer.
Summary of Comments ( 174 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43166761
Hacker News users discuss the value of blogging in the age of AI, largely agreeing with the original author. Several commenters highlight the importance of personal experience and perspective, which AI can't replicate. One compelling comment argues that blogs act as filters, curating information overload and offering trusted viewpoints. Another emphasizes the community aspect, suggesting that blogs foster connections and discussions around shared interests. Some acknowledge AI's potential for content creation, but believe human-written blogs will maintain their value due to the element of authentic human voice and connection. The overall sentiment is that while AI may change the blogging landscape, it won't replace the core value of human-generated content.
The Hacker News post "It’s still worth blogging in the age of AI" (linking to an article on gilesthomas.com) generated a moderate discussion with a variety of viewpoints.
Several commenters agreed with the author's premise that blogging retains value. One commenter argued that personal blogs offer a unique perspective and voice that AI, at least currently, cannot replicate. They highlight the importance of personal experience and the human element in making a blog compelling. Another echoed this sentiment, adding that the human connection fostered by a blog, along with the development of a personal brand and potentially a community, are distinct advantages over AI-generated content. One commenter specifically mentioned the value of blogs for "niche technical knowledge" and how finding solutions to unique problems documented on blogs is still highly valuable.
Another commenter took a more nuanced perspective, suggesting that while AI can generate technically correct articles, it lacks the crucial element of judgment in deciding what to write about. They argue that determining what is interesting or important remains a uniquely human skill.
A different commenter focused on the discoverability aspect, suggesting that owning your own platform offers greater control and potential reach than relying on algorithms of larger platforms, even if AI makes content creation easier. This control is particularly relevant for building a long-term audience.
However, not all commenters were entirely positive about the future of blogging. Some acknowledged the value of personal connection but also recognized the increasing difficulty of attracting an audience in a content-saturated world, regardless of whether content is human or AI-generated. One commenter questioned the long-term viability of smaller blogs, speculating that AI might lead to the dominance of a few large, high-quality AI-driven content platforms.
Finally, at least one commenter injected a note of skepticism, pointing out that many of the arguments in favor of blogging have been around for years and that the impact of AI on blogging, while potentially significant, might not be as revolutionary as some predict. They suggest that the core challenges of blogging, such as finding an audience and consistently producing quality content, remain largely unchanged.