Mastodawn

Apparently the issue is so prevalent that I hear that Kit actually had to add a warning into its service about shortened YouTube links.

Ernie Smith 1d ago

Ernie Smith 2d ago

Yes, you can in fact reinvent the wheel. @enkiv2 did a bunch of digging and found ample evidence that wheels are constantly being reinvented—some more successfully than others.

Wheel Reinvention: Not Just A Common Metaphor

You’ve probably heard it’s futile, but that hasn’t stopped plenty from trying to reinvent the wheel—some successfully, shockingly.

Tedium: The Dull Side of the Internet.

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Ernie Smith 1d ago

I just want y’all to think about how weird that is, that Google can kill an email in Gmail based on a shortened link from YouTube, a platform they own that they presumably know can’t send phishing links.

Ernie Smith 1d ago

Resending today’s issue in a little bit because Gmail detected a YouTube link—yes, a YouTube link, a link from a Google subsidiary—as a potential phishing vector.

If you already opened it you won’t get it, but it’s going to resend for non-openers.

Thanks EmailOctopus for helping.

Ernie Smith 1d ago

So over on the AT Protocol Leaflet supports KaTeX, which means if you want to relive the weirdness of cohost it is technically possible

https://latexcrimes.leaflet.pub/3mky5fjz67k2p

Don’t Sue Me Nintendo - LaTeX CrIMeS

I promise you this will not compete with your intellectual property

Ernie Smith 2d ago

The last issue seems to have oddly hit the spam filter in some cases; in case you don’t see it, check there!

Ernie Smith 2d ago

Yes, you can in fact reinvent the wheel. @enkiv2 did a bunch of digging and found ample evidence that wheels are constantly being reinvented—some more successfully than others.

Wheel Reinvention: Not Just A Common Metaphor

You’ve probably heard it’s futile, but that hasn’t stopped plenty from trying to reinvent the wheel—some successfully, shockingly.

Tedium: The Dull Side of the Internet.

Ernie Smith 6d ago

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Ernie Smith 6d ago

“These smaller players, who are more likely to open-source their innovations, have to compete on efficiency and technical prowess, not with unlimited resources.”

https://tedium.co/2026/04/28/openai-anthropic-ai-tools-expensive-alternatives/

Flashy AI Features: Proceed With Caution

Be wary of the cool new AI tools Anthropic and OpenAI are throwing—because you may get stuck with the bill. (BTW, did you know there are cheaper options?)

Tedium: The Dull Side of the Internet.

Show thread

Ernie Smith 6d ago

“These smaller players, who are more likely to open-source their innovations, have to compete on efficiency and technical prowess, not with unlimited resources.”

https://tedium.co/2026/04/28/openai-anthropic-ai-tools-expensive-alternatives/

Flashy AI Features: Proceed With Caution

Be wary of the cool new AI tools Anthropic and OpenAI are throwing—because you may get stuck with the bill. (BTW, did you know there are cheaper options?)

Tedium: The Dull Side of the Internet.

Ernie Smith 6d ago

The reason why Anthropic and OpenAI keep launching crazy features is because they know you’re going to pay the bill if they cut you off.

They aren’t the only option, though:

https://tedium.co/2026/04/28/openai-anthropic-ai-tools-expensive-alternatives/

new @tedium

Flashy AI Features: Proceed With Caution

Be wary of the cool new AI tools Anthropic and OpenAI are throwing—because you may get stuck with the bill. (BTW, did you know there are cheaper options?)

Tedium: The Dull Side of the Internet.

Tedium	https://tedium.co/
&udm=14	https://udm14.com
Portfolio	https://erniesmith.net/
Verified Journalist	https://www.verifiedjournalist.org/people/@[email protected]