Cutting Through the AI Noise: A Guide to Curating Your Tech Feed
In today's tech landscape, it's easy to feel like discussions are completely dominated by a single topic, currently Artificial Intelligence. This saturation can make it difficult to discover other interesting developments. For those seeking to curate a more diverse and focused information diet, there are several effective strategies, ranging from technical tools to community-driven efforts.
Technical Solutions for a Curated Feed
The most direct way to control your content feed is by using tools designed for filtering. Here are a few popular methods:
- Browser Extensions: Several extensions are available for popular browsers that can identify and hide posts and articles containing specific keywords. By adding terms like 'AI', 'LLM', or 'GPT' to a blocklist, you can instantly clean up your view of a website.
- Custom Viewers: Some developers have built alternative front-ends for popular sites. These filtered viewers, like one created by Simon Willison for a popular tech news aggregator, offer a pre-curated experience, often with options to exclude certain topics.
- RSS Feeds with Filters: The age-old technology of RSS is a powerful tool for content curation. By subscribing to an RSS feed and using a reader that supports filtering rules, you can create a personalized newspaper that automatically excludes topics you're tired of seeing, such as AI, politics, or crypto.
Is This Hype Cycle Different?
A recurring debate is whether the current AI focus is just another tech trend, similar to past waves like Web 2.0, Big Data, or Crypto. Some argue that this is a natural cycle and that complaining about the trending topic of the moment is a timeless tradition.
However, others contend that the AI wave is different in its scale and the nature of the content it produces. They point to a perceived deluge of low-quality posts, dubbed "slop," and repetitive "Show HN"-style projects that can feel less intellectually substantial than previous technological shifts.
A Proactive, Community-Driven Approach
Beyond simply filtering, you can actively shape the conversation. On community-driven platforms, the front page is a reflection of what users collectively find interesting. By regularly visiting the "new" submissions queue and upvoting high-quality articles that aren't about AI, you give them a better chance to reach the front page. This "be the change you want to see" approach helps elevate other topics and enriches the discussion for everyone.