HollyWorks Blog: Ask the webmaster

February 19, 2026

Polymarkets: Doombetting on the End of the World

I can't think of a better way to normalize the idea of Americans being grabbed off the streets and shuttled to a South American gulag than adding the odds to a betting platform.
Crypto

January 27, 2026

Crapitalism: "Dark Patterns" Are Fraud by Design

If you lived in an area with around a hundred local restaurant options, but three out of every four of those gave you food poisoning, you'd probably stop going out to eat for awhile.
AI Public Trust

January 14, 2026

Using Claude.ai to Analyze Movie Trends Over 25 Years

Horror films used to be paired with Halloween, and summer – for teen moviegoers. But here we are in the middle of January and horror films abound:
AI

October 16, 2025

Wander: Creating a Pictographic Bear Language

In order to tell the bear's story in Wander, I needed to create a bear language.
creativity Wander Children's Books

August 20, 2025

10 Reasons to Switch from Google Workspace to Proton

I work in technology and have for 30 years. Years of my life have been lost to logging in and out, launching authenticators, texting super secret numbers, finding rowboats... And now? I'm constantly swatting away AI tools...
Google Proton Mail

August 7, 2025

Token Gestures: What Does AI Actually Cost in 2025?

AI services routinely offer accounts with "x" amount of "tokens"... You usually get a hefty chunk of tokens for free to take that service for a test drive.
AI

July 14, 2025

Why tracking downloads is such a royal pain – and how I fixed it for you

How many people downloaded our report on [whatever]? It's such a simple question. So why is it such a pain to get an answer?
Platforms Easy website creation ProcessWire

June 27, 2025

How you, as a parent, can support your budding frustrated artist – 6 tips from an artist's perspective

I publish children's books in print at Amazon and on Apple Books. Here's my advice to parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, and any adult hoping to encourage a budding artist.
creativity

June 13, 2025

10 Worst Website Mistakes of 2025

Websites are like children. The more involved you are – the better they do. It's that simple. Everyone starts out with good intentions, but somewhere along the way things may fall apart.
Website Redesign How to Build a Website

May 13, 2025

Betrayal of the Social Surveillance State

Social media is just another program – and more than a failed experiment. Adobe Photoshop occasionally makes me cry, but I've never considered killing myself over it.
Facebook Social Media Privacy AI

March 19, 2025

AI is Robbing Us of Joy - How to Take it Back

If I have to stand in front of my toaster saying, "browner... browner... no... too much," which of us is really the "smart" one? AI cannot do even the simplest jobs.
AI

February 6, 2025

What's the Plan for Social Media in 2025?

Between watching your elder relatives become radicalized, to 500-word ramblings about only the truest friends sharing a post, to clickbait offered by terrorist groups, there are many reasons to leave. Very few to stay.
Social Media Facebook AI

October 8, 2024

Fakebook: Why AI Should Not Be Used for Social Media

AI cannot amplify your unique voice. It cannot build trust. It has no capacity to offer perspective. And it may destroy your credibility. Social media, by definition, is the last place you should see AI.
Facebook AI Social Media

September 18, 2024

Why you should redesign your website every four years – and what to consider

You can think of your website like an iPhone. First year is the honeymoon. Second and third years you begin to notice your phone needs recharging a bit more often.
Website Redesign Website Costs