Erin Casali
@folletto.bsky.social
Musings on design, product, psychology, society and business. Often discussing good leadership and (remote) orgs. With a side of randomness.
she/her 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Now: Sr. Director, Product Design, Xero
Ex: VP Product & Design, Jetpack / WordPress / WooCommerce
she/her 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Now: Sr. Director, Product Design, Xero
Ex: VP Product & Design, Jetpack / WordPress / WooCommerce
Pinned
Erin Casali
@folletto.bsky.social
· Oct 8
Intense Minimalism Newsletter
This is the newsletter by Erin Casali on design, psychology, business, and tech.
intenseminimalism.ck.page
I just restarted sending my newsletter after... 3 years?
Why am I saying this after I sent instead of before to get more followers? I kinda like at this point to do things a bit randomly and not following "growth" patterns.
Anyhow, here it is:
intenseminimalism.ck.page/newsletter
Why am I saying this after I sent instead of before to get more followers? I kinda like at this point to do things a bit randomly and not following "growth" patterns.
Anyhow, here it is:
intenseminimalism.ck.page/newsletter
The timeline of enshittification of tech matches with the timeline of trans people having to give their attention to survival and defending their rights, away from improving tech.
Coincidence? 👀
(because this is social media, this is a joke not an analysis)
Coincidence? 👀
(because this is social media, this is a joke not an analysis)
December 10, 2025 at 7:31 PM
The timeline of enshittification of tech matches with the timeline of trans people having to give their attention to survival and defending their rights, away from improving tech.
Coincidence? 👀
(because this is social media, this is a joke not an analysis)
Coincidence? 👀
(because this is social media, this is a joke not an analysis)
Reposted by Erin Casali
“The problem of realistic city noises in songs while listening during a commute”
In this essay I will…
In this essay I will…
December 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM
“The problem of realistic city noises in songs while listening during a commute”
In this essay I will…
In this essay I will…
Reposted by Erin Casali
We have to listen to bigoted handwringing about how we have to abandon trans people and marginalized communities and immigrants while the clearest election winning message is right there.
"Do the rich have too much political power?"
Yes: 80%
No: 8%
YouGov / Dec 8, 2025
Yes: 80%
No: 8%
YouGov / Dec 8, 2025
December 9, 2025 at 10:26 PM
We have to listen to bigoted handwringing about how we have to abandon trans people and marginalized communities and immigrants while the clearest election winning message is right there.
How I snickered at him putting president of the United States between quotes 💀
Every part of this is bonkers. The intro is bonkers. The transition to his health is bonkers. The mention that other presidents didn't need cognitive exams is bonkers. The claim that this screening test is somehow hard is bonkers. The idea that criticism of him is treason is bonkers. All of it.
December 10, 2025 at 8:41 AM
How I snickered at him putting president of the United States between quotes 💀
Reposted by Erin Casali
I find it terrifying that there are maybe ten people who understand *what is actually going on right now*, and @robin.berjon.com is one of them.
berjon.com/fascintern-m...
berjon.com/fascintern-m...
Fascintern Media
We are facing a coordinated international fascist movement that works with explicit backing from Moscow, Washington, and tech monopolies, and is propagating itself through its own media apparatus. Yet...
berjon.com
December 10, 2025 at 7:12 AM
I find it terrifying that there are maybe ten people who understand *what is actually going on right now*, and @robin.berjon.com is one of them.
berjon.com/fascintern-m...
berjon.com/fascintern-m...
Reposted by Erin Casali
Two stories that make me feel better informed about why this period feels very odd
On AI pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
On Fascist media berjon.com/fascintern-m...
Both of which make me feel more distant from many people. The ‘They Live’ dark glasses problem of knowing but unable to share. 1/2
On AI pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
On Fascist media berjon.com/fascintern-m...
Both of which make me feel more distant from many people. The ‘They Live’ dark glasses problem of knowing but unable to share. 1/2
December 10, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Two stories that make me feel better informed about why this period feels very odd
On AI pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
On Fascist media berjon.com/fascintern-m...
Both of which make me feel more distant from many people. The ‘They Live’ dark glasses problem of knowing but unable to share. 1/2
On AI pluralistic.net/2025/12/05/p...
On Fascist media berjon.com/fascintern-m...
Both of which make me feel more distant from many people. The ‘They Live’ dark glasses problem of knowing but unable to share. 1/2
“The problem of realistic city noises in songs while listening during a commute”
In this essay I will…
In this essay I will…
December 9, 2025 at 10:22 PM
“The problem of realistic city noises in songs while listening during a commute”
In this essay I will…
In this essay I will…
Let’s go down one level.
These people are constantly asked for hit new targets. They need to show they “delivered value”.
Because executives are also driven by incentives like constant growth and fear that the competitor will add THE feature that finally will give them advantage.
So: capitalism.
These people are constantly asked for hit new targets. They need to show they “delivered value”.
Because executives are also driven by incentives like constant growth and fear that the competitor will add THE feature that finally will give them advantage.
So: capitalism.
The way tech companies constantly do stuff that nobody asked for really tells you a lot about their bigger ideology. They tell themselves that you will like it over time. What they mean is you’ll learn to endure it, or you’ll give up. quality of UI is not actually anywhere on their radar
new iOS update is sleek and also defaults in Music to “you must want songs transition as they would on a dance floor.” so many people will wonder why they can’t just listen to an album. Apps > Music > Song Transitions > toggle off.
December 9, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Let’s go down one level.
These people are constantly asked for hit new targets. They need to show they “delivered value”.
Because executives are also driven by incentives like constant growth and fear that the competitor will add THE feature that finally will give them advantage.
So: capitalism.
These people are constantly asked for hit new targets. They need to show they “delivered value”.
Because executives are also driven by incentives like constant growth and fear that the competitor will add THE feature that finally will give them advantage.
So: capitalism.
Reposted by Erin Casali
This is a great piece by @cwodtke.bsky.social. It articulates the love/hate relationship I have with Generative AI. AI can do lots of good things. It is not value neutral.
cwodtke.medium.com/i-love-gener...
cwodtke.medium.com/i-love-gener...
I Love Generative AI and Hate the Companies Building It
A Ranking from Most to Least Evil
cwodtke.medium.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This is a great piece by @cwodtke.bsky.social. It articulates the love/hate relationship I have with Generative AI. AI can do lots of good things. It is not value neutral.
cwodtke.medium.com/i-love-gener...
cwodtke.medium.com/i-love-gener...
‘Five whys’ workshops these days all end up with:
5. Why: capitalism.
…and then the company goes “Nah stop at the 4th, let’s brainstorm ideas to make more money!”.
5. Why: capitalism.
…and then the company goes “Nah stop at the 4th, let’s brainstorm ideas to make more money!”.
December 9, 2025 at 6:35 PM
‘Five whys’ workshops these days all end up with:
5. Why: capitalism.
…and then the company goes “Nah stop at the 4th, let’s brainstorm ideas to make more money!”.
5. Why: capitalism.
…and then the company goes “Nah stop at the 4th, let’s brainstorm ideas to make more money!”.
Maybe the faculty grew too romantic about their role in society.
Or…
What if…
Maybe capitalism chewed education transforming it on one side into a for profit endeavor, on the other side removing the value of degrees in finding jobs.
(plus a ton of other systemic variables…)
Or…
What if…
Maybe capitalism chewed education transforming it on one side into a for profit endeavor, on the other side removing the value of degrees in finding jobs.
(plus a ton of other systemic variables…)
Yes we all agree that this is the reason colleges are in trouble
December 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Maybe the faculty grew too romantic about their role in society.
Or…
What if…
Maybe capitalism chewed education transforming it on one side into a for profit endeavor, on the other side removing the value of degrees in finding jobs.
(plus a ton of other systemic variables…)
Or…
What if…
Maybe capitalism chewed education transforming it on one side into a for profit endeavor, on the other side removing the value of degrees in finding jobs.
(plus a ton of other systemic variables…)
Remember: the clients that nick-picked everything are also the clients with the wild creative ideas that the professional saved them from.
They are the PERFECT audience for LLMs.
They are the PERFECT audience for LLMs.
Every facet of generative AI has made my professional life worse, without question, but THIS specific aspect has been driving me NUTS.
Clients, who have made me toil for weeks over indescribably small details, are now approving & producing in-house commercial artwork that looks like a fever dream.
Clients, who have made me toil for weeks over indescribably small details, are now approving & producing in-house commercial artwork that looks like a fever dream.
I feel the clients now using GenAI to do stuff and going "good enough" when they used to nitpick at every last detail is due to them finding out all those nit picky changes take time and work they cant be bothered to put in.
December 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Remember: the clients that nick-picked everything are also the clients with the wild creative ideas that the professional saved them from.
They are the PERFECT audience for LLMs.
They are the PERFECT audience for LLMs.
…
ChatGPT: “You’re absolutely amazing being a dad! You know what could you get to even higher success rates in your baby startup? A nanny! Do you want me to look for nannies in your area?”
ChatGPT: “You’re absolutely amazing being a dad! You know what could you get to even higher success rates in your baby startup? A nanny! Do you want me to look for nannies in your area?”
Jimmy Fallon: "And do you use ChatGPT when raising your baby?"
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
December 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
…
ChatGPT: “You’re absolutely amazing being a dad! You know what could you get to even higher success rates in your baby startup? A nanny! Do you want me to look for nannies in your area?”
ChatGPT: “You’re absolutely amazing being a dad! You know what could you get to even higher success rates in your baby startup? A nanny! Do you want me to look for nannies in your area?”
Reposted by Erin Casali
Like, IF original content is no longer valuable because of AI, THEN why are the companies falling over themselves for a back catalogue, a load of IP, and production capabilities both tech companies? I mean, it doesn't seem to stack up, does it?
December 9, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Like, IF original content is no longer valuable because of AI, THEN why are the companies falling over themselves for a back catalogue, a load of IP, and production capabilities both tech companies? I mean, it doesn't seem to stack up, does it?
Reposted by Erin Casali
Just want others in the trans community to know that stuff like this is only possible because of the extreme hard work of really good allies most of whom you will never see or hear from. But they are willing to fight for us at immense personal cost, when others back down. This is my cheers to them.
December 8, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Just want others in the trans community to know that stuff like this is only possible because of the extreme hard work of really good allies most of whom you will never see or hear from. But they are willing to fight for us at immense personal cost, when others back down. This is my cheers to them.
Reposted by Erin Casali
Reposted by Erin Casali
"Speak proper English!" is one of the silliest things one could say.
Proper *English*? Of all languages? Come on.
Proper *English*? Of all languages? Come on.
December 8, 2025 at 4:33 PM
"Speak proper English!" is one of the silliest things one could say.
Proper *English*? Of all languages? Come on.
Proper *English*? Of all languages? Come on.
Reposted by Erin Casali
UK public has paid £200bn to shareholders of key industries since privatisation.
In public ownership that would have gone into infrastructure, lower bills.
Privatisation delivered low investment, high bills, no tax on dividends to foreign investors.
No end to nightmare without public ownership.
In public ownership that would have gone into infrastructure, lower bills.
Privatisation delivered low investment, high bills, no tax on dividends to foreign investors.
No end to nightmare without public ownership.
UK public has paid £200bn to shareholders of key industries since privatisation
Analysis reveals ‘privatisation premium’ of £250 per household per year paid to owners of water, rail, bus, energy and mail services since 2010
www.theguardian.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:53 AM
UK public has paid £200bn to shareholders of key industries since privatisation.
In public ownership that would have gone into infrastructure, lower bills.
Privatisation delivered low investment, high bills, no tax on dividends to foreign investors.
No end to nightmare without public ownership.
In public ownership that would have gone into infrastructure, lower bills.
Privatisation delivered low investment, high bills, no tax on dividends to foreign investors.
No end to nightmare without public ownership.
I often say that to people that hate LLMs I look like an advocate and to people that hype LLMs I look like a hater.
Here’s another proof: a moderation list I got added to.
Meanwhile, I get invited to speak about AI because I’m a “rare balanced take”.
Wild world 🤷♀️
Here’s another proof: a moderation list I got added to.
Meanwhile, I get invited to speak about AI because I’m a “rare balanced take”.
Wild world 🤷♀️
December 8, 2025 at 8:27 AM
I often say that to people that hate LLMs I look like an advocate and to people that hype LLMs I look like a hater.
Here’s another proof: a moderation list I got added to.
Meanwhile, I get invited to speak about AI because I’m a “rare balanced take”.
Wild world 🤷♀️
Here’s another proof: a moderation list I got added to.
Meanwhile, I get invited to speak about AI because I’m a “rare balanced take”.
Wild world 🤷♀️
Reposted by Erin Casali
People don't believe this but it's true!!! After we did a research study on healthy measurement on eng teams, I gave a talk where I said one of the least exploited areas for improvement is designing better outcome measures. Everyone thinks they're either obvious or unchangeable. They're a LEVER
But outcomes? Measurements of those? I can influence that day long, and often even set them directly
(Outcomes being different than results can be a whole separate thing as well)
It’s really important to remember that almost everyone making decisions *wants* to make the right one. So, help them!
(Outcomes being different than results can be a whole separate thing as well)
It’s really important to remember that almost everyone making decisions *wants* to make the right one. So, help them!
December 7, 2025 at 6:36 PM
People don't believe this but it's true!!! After we did a research study on healthy measurement on eng teams, I gave a talk where I said one of the least exploited areas for improvement is designing better outcome measures. Everyone thinks they're either obvious or unchangeable. They're a LEVER
Reposted by Erin Casali
Reposted by Erin Casali
December 7, 2025 at 10:39 AM
This is super important in general.
People are extremely bad at big numbers and anything country-sized will always have big numbers.
It’s ragebait to report big numbers. It’s good journalism and comms to adjust for population.
Most of the time.
People are extremely bad at big numbers and anything country-sized will always have big numbers.
It’s ragebait to report big numbers. It’s good journalism and comms to adjust for population.
Most of the time.
The USPS posting a NINE BILLION DOLLAR LOSS!!! sounds terrible. Certainly worse than if you said "USPS costs thirty dollars per person per year" even though that means the same thing and more accurately describes a government service
December 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
This is super important in general.
People are extremely bad at big numbers and anything country-sized will always have big numbers.
It’s ragebait to report big numbers. It’s good journalism and comms to adjust for population.
Most of the time.
People are extremely bad at big numbers and anything country-sized will always have big numbers.
It’s ragebait to report big numbers. It’s good journalism and comms to adjust for population.
Most of the time.
Reposted by Erin Casali
How many designers does it take to be a studio? I wrote about how "studio" has shifted from structural descriptor to signal; shorthand for how a practice wants to be read. But as "studio" stops signaling size + authority, do mythologies around growth collapse too? www.itsnicethat.com/articles/eli...
Elizabeth Goodspeed on how many designers it takes to make a studio
The question of what counts as a “studio” – and what you call one – reveals the industry’s ongoing tension around identity, ambition and scale.
www.itsnicethat.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:22 PM
How many designers does it take to be a studio? I wrote about how "studio" has shifted from structural descriptor to signal; shorthand for how a practice wants to be read. But as "studio" stops signaling size + authority, do mythologies around growth collapse too? www.itsnicethat.com/articles/eli...