May Likes Product
@productnerd.bsky.social
Product Ops Evangelist. Toronto. Any Pronouns. Community Builder.
Scaling great product orgs. Loves complexity and healthy teams.
Coping with memes. Supporting ODLAN.ca.
Find my stuff: https://linktr.ee/productnerd
Scaling great product orgs. Loves complexity and healthy teams.
Coping with memes. Supporting ODLAN.ca.
Find my stuff: https://linktr.ee/productnerd
Pinned
Is ProdOps the product manager of product management? | May Wong — Talking Roadmaps
In Season 2 Episode 3 of Talking Roadmaps, Justin Woods interviews May Wong to explore the evolving role of product operations. They unpack the idea of ProdOps as the “product manager of product manag...
www.talkingroadmaps.com
I did a podcast!
The lovely people at Talking Roadmaps had me on to discuss product operations and how product organizations can work smoothly together. There's a lot here about working cultures and how to scale.
What a great conversation.
www.talkingroadmaps.com/episodes/is-...
#productsky
The lovely people at Talking Roadmaps had me on to discuss product operations and how product organizations can work smoothly together. There's a lot here about working cultures and how to scale.
What a great conversation.
www.talkingroadmaps.com/episodes/is-...
#productsky
Reposted by May Likes Product
Our new paper (with @biotay.bsky.social) is out and on the cover story of @currentbiology.bsky.social !!!! Veronika, a Carinthian mountain cow flexibly uses a “multi-purpose tool” to scratch herself. A video and more information will follow in the comments.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
January 19, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Our new paper (with @biotay.bsky.social) is out and on the cover story of @currentbiology.bsky.social !!!! Veronika, a Carinthian mountain cow flexibly uses a “multi-purpose tool” to scratch herself. A video and more information will follow in the comments.
www.cell.com/current-biol...
www.cell.com/current-biol...
Reposted by May Likes Product
*laughs hollowly at the thought of tech workers having more moral clarity than other people*
...are uniquely and magically more moral than other people and than their bosses (rather than facing the ways tech culture, the one he benefits from, rewards the behaviors of those bosses). Again, fine if it works for you, but I find it wearying when people tell me what should work for me.
January 19, 2026 at 3:54 PM
*laughs hollowly at the thought of tech workers having more moral clarity than other people*
Reposted by May Likes Product
Bluesky runs an appview.
Blacksky runs an appview.
A complete appview is a several terabytes sized database of the >18 billion follows, likes and posts of all bsky users, ever and forever.
To run a different appview is to make a fork in bsky’s timeline.
One has new posts from Łink.
One doesn’t.
Blacksky runs an appview.
A complete appview is a several terabytes sized database of the >18 billion follows, likes and posts of all bsky users, ever and forever.
To run a different appview is to make a fork in bsky’s timeline.
One has new posts from Łink.
One doesn’t.
January 18, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Bluesky runs an appview.
Blacksky runs an appview.
A complete appview is a several terabytes sized database of the >18 billion follows, likes and posts of all bsky users, ever and forever.
To run a different appview is to make a fork in bsky’s timeline.
One has new posts from Łink.
One doesn’t.
Blacksky runs an appview.
A complete appview is a several terabytes sized database of the >18 billion follows, likes and posts of all bsky users, ever and forever.
To run a different appview is to make a fork in bsky’s timeline.
One has new posts from Łink.
One doesn’t.
Reposted by May Likes Product
something i've been thinking about ever since started seeing reports by people of how they've figured out how to use claude code (with all the specs and agents and sub-agents and whatever), leaving aside the question of "increasing productivity" for a moment, is has elements of how i'd like to work…
January 17, 2026 at 3:11 PM
something i've been thinking about ever since started seeing reports by people of how they've figured out how to use claude code (with all the specs and agents and sub-agents and whatever), leaving aside the question of "increasing productivity" for a moment, is has elements of how i'd like to work…
Reposted by May Likes Product
like it is very interesting to me that people all of a sudden appear to be keenly interested in writing specifications
for the bot to consume
and meta-specifications for how the bot ought to behave
there is a shitton of this kind of activity going on
bsky.app/profile/dori...
for the bot to consume
and meta-specifications for how the bot ought to behave
there is a shitton of this kind of activity going on
bsky.app/profile/dori...
i think it's funny that we've been trying to get people to write proper documentation for decades and the thing that finally does it is the prospect of getting the computer to write the code for you
January 17, 2026 at 3:20 PM
like it is very interesting to me that people all of a sudden appear to be keenly interested in writing specifications
for the bot to consume
and meta-specifications for how the bot ought to behave
there is a shitton of this kind of activity going on
bsky.app/profile/dori...
for the bot to consume
and meta-specifications for how the bot ought to behave
there is a shitton of this kind of activity going on
bsky.app/profile/dori...
Of all the product management tools I've used, Product Plan might be the absolute worst by far.
I hate it so much.
I hate it so much.
January 16, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Of all the product management tools I've used, Product Plan might be the absolute worst by far.
I hate it so much.
I hate it so much.
Reposted by May Likes Product
I need to write something about pricing/value at some point.
If you're doing creative work, constraints & being scrappy often make for stronger work, but if you are paying someone else for their work or advice, paying more leads to better outcomes, because you'll pay attention and value the work.
If you're doing creative work, constraints & being scrappy often make for stronger work, but if you are paying someone else for their work or advice, paying more leads to better outcomes, because you'll pay attention and value the work.
January 15, 2026 at 3:35 PM
I need to write something about pricing/value at some point.
If you're doing creative work, constraints & being scrappy often make for stronger work, but if you are paying someone else for their work or advice, paying more leads to better outcomes, because you'll pay attention and value the work.
If you're doing creative work, constraints & being scrappy often make for stronger work, but if you are paying someone else for their work or advice, paying more leads to better outcomes, because you'll pay attention and value the work.
Reposted by May Likes Product
GenAI tooling is weird. It’s “just” an intervention. Because it’s a tool. Any tool introduction is an intervention. Which means they work the same way any intervention work:
1. Understand the preconditions and culture norms required for success
2. Set people up for success
3. Respond to feedback
1. Understand the preconditions and culture norms required for success
2. Set people up for success
3. Respond to feedback
How do people feel about the usage of GenAI tools being mandated at work?
January 14, 2026 at 7:57 AM
GenAI tooling is weird. It’s “just” an intervention. Because it’s a tool. Any tool introduction is an intervention. Which means they work the same way any intervention work:
1. Understand the preconditions and culture norms required for success
2. Set people up for success
3. Respond to feedback
1. Understand the preconditions and culture norms required for success
2. Set people up for success
3. Respond to feedback
Reposted by May Likes Product
If you like gay rams, behold the TRANS CORN
Halfway through growing, the tassel (pollen flower) decided it was a corncob (seed flower) instead.
Halfway through growing, the tassel (pollen flower) decided it was a corncob (seed flower) instead.
January 13, 2026 at 3:50 AM
If you like gay rams, behold the TRANS CORN
Halfway through growing, the tassel (pollen flower) decided it was a corncob (seed flower) instead.
Halfway through growing, the tassel (pollen flower) decided it was a corncob (seed flower) instead.
Reposted by May Likes Product
Google Meet show how late people will be based on meeting history
January 12, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Google Meet show how late people will be based on meeting history
Reposted by May Likes Product
Readers ask, "aren't you afraid of speaking out against AI?"
Ask yourself if that is normal. That one should be concerned about permanent career damage for pointing out problems.
It's just software. I'll eat humble pie if I end up being wrong. But this language of "fear" is political, ideological.
Ask yourself if that is normal. That one should be concerned about permanent career damage for pointing out problems.
It's just software. I'll eat humble pie if I end up being wrong. But this language of "fear" is political, ideological.
When you hear "better than nothing," ask whose responsibility the "nothing" is, and whether the "better than nothing" solution simply lets them abdicate that responsibility & check the box.
AI is the ultimate "better than nothing" technology. Don't negate this argument — reject the whole framing.
AI is the ultimate "better than nothing" technology. Don't negate this argument — reject the whole framing.
The incredible value of "nothing"
"Better than nothing" rhetoric hides the opportunity costs behind the bare minimum. Reject this framing.
productpicnic.beehiiv.com
January 11, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Readers ask, "aren't you afraid of speaking out against AI?"
Ask yourself if that is normal. That one should be concerned about permanent career damage for pointing out problems.
It's just software. I'll eat humble pie if I end up being wrong. But this language of "fear" is political, ideological.
Ask yourself if that is normal. That one should be concerned about permanent career damage for pointing out problems.
It's just software. I'll eat humble pie if I end up being wrong. But this language of "fear" is political, ideological.
Reposted by May Likes Product
When you are asked to pick a side, and a threat of coercion hangs over your decision... well, think long and hard about what the decision actually is, what you are actually being asked to do.
January 11, 2026 at 8:06 PM
When you are asked to pick a side, and a threat of coercion hangs over your decision... well, think long and hard about what the decision actually is, what you are actually being asked to do.
Reposted by May Likes Product
I pay my freelancers immediately upon receiving the invoice because as someone self-employed I know how hard it is to not know when money is coming in.
One freelancer this week told me I exceeded expectations on how fast I paid them (within minutes really)
One freelancer this week told me I exceeded expectations on how fast I paid them (within minutes really)
January 9, 2026 at 10:09 PM
I pay my freelancers immediately upon receiving the invoice because as someone self-employed I know how hard it is to not know when money is coming in.
One freelancer this week told me I exceeded expectations on how fast I paid them (within minutes really)
One freelancer this week told me I exceeded expectations on how fast I paid them (within minutes really)
Reposted by May Likes Product
We end with guidance on how Psych & AI can benefit Cognitive Science if these traps are avoided.
This alternative approach disavows attempts to automate science—using machine learning or otherwise—and instead centers scientists’ own cognition.
Download here: 📝 osf.io/preprints/ps...
4/🧵
This alternative approach disavows attempts to automate science—using machine learning or otherwise—and instead centers scientists’ own cognition.
Download here: 📝 osf.io/preprints/ps...
4/🧵
January 6, 2026 at 6:25 PM
We end with guidance on how Psych & AI can benefit Cognitive Science if these traps are avoided.
This alternative approach disavows attempts to automate science—using machine learning or otherwise—and instead centers scientists’ own cognition.
Download here: 📝 osf.io/preprints/ps...
4/🧵
This alternative approach disavows attempts to automate science—using machine learning or otherwise—and instead centers scientists’ own cognition.
Download here: 📝 osf.io/preprints/ps...
4/🧵
Reposted by May Likes Product
Join Willow Lynch & the ODLAN team on January 20th for a webinar on how to update your chosen name across digital platforms while preserving your digital identity.
📅 January 20th, 6-7:30PM ET
📍Zoom
🔗 lnk.bio/s/EvolvingYourName
#ChosenName #2SLGBTQIA #TransJoy #OnlineIdentity #DigitalResilience
📅 January 20th, 6-7:30PM ET
📍Zoom
🔗 lnk.bio/s/EvolvingYourName
#ChosenName #2SLGBTQIA #TransJoy #OnlineIdentity #DigitalResilience
January 9, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Join Willow Lynch & the ODLAN team on January 20th for a webinar on how to update your chosen name across digital platforms while preserving your digital identity.
📅 January 20th, 6-7:30PM ET
📍Zoom
🔗 lnk.bio/s/EvolvingYourName
#ChosenName #2SLGBTQIA #TransJoy #OnlineIdentity #DigitalResilience
📅 January 20th, 6-7:30PM ET
📍Zoom
🔗 lnk.bio/s/EvolvingYourName
#ChosenName #2SLGBTQIA #TransJoy #OnlineIdentity #DigitalResilience
Reposted by May Likes Product
always excited to add a new member to the ranks of the eSIM opposition (i am not a fan, still on a physical sim)
I switched to eSIM in 2025, and I am full of regret
Swapping SIM cards used to be easy, and then came eSIM.
arstechnica.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:13 PM
always excited to add a new member to the ranks of the eSIM opposition (i am not a fan, still on a physical sim)
Reposted by May Likes Product
If I want to give talks on sociotechnical strategy, organisational design, or complex tradeoffs, what conferences might actually appreciate that?
January 8, 2026 at 3:10 PM
If I want to give talks on sociotechnical strategy, organisational design, or complex tradeoffs, what conferences might actually appreciate that?
Reposted by May Likes Product
The number one thing I've been hearing from people in tech lately is, basically, "How the hell am I supposed to work in this industry anymore?" Though most folks are kind of afraid to say it out loud. So I wrote about how to think about it: www.anildash.com/2026/01/05/a...
How the hell are you supposed to have a career in tech in 2026? - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
www.anildash.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:37 PM
The number one thing I've been hearing from people in tech lately is, basically, "How the hell am I supposed to work in this industry anymore?" Though most folks are kind of afraid to say it out loud. So I wrote about how to think about it: www.anildash.com/2026/01/05/a...
Reposted by May Likes Product
For decades, Canadians eagerly rushed onto US tech platforms and services. But now the drawbacks of that dependence are on full display.
For @policyalternatives.ca, I explain the economic and political consequences of a US-dominated internet — and why digital sovereignty is imperative.
For @policyalternatives.ca, I explain the economic and political consequences of a US-dominated internet — and why digital sovereignty is imperative.
Every data centre is a U.S. military base - CCPA
Understanding how the United States uses its tech companies to serve empire
www.policyalternatives.ca
January 5, 2026 at 8:52 PM
For decades, Canadians eagerly rushed onto US tech platforms and services. But now the drawbacks of that dependence are on full display.
For @policyalternatives.ca, I explain the economic and political consequences of a US-dominated internet — and why digital sovereignty is imperative.
For @policyalternatives.ca, I explain the economic and political consequences of a US-dominated internet — and why digital sovereignty is imperative.
Reposted by May Likes Product
The idea that a country wants to have agency over its technology systems is understandable. But let’s take care not to confuse this desire with anything resembling progressive politics. My latest for @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
A digital infrastructure plan - CCPA
Asserting digital sovereignty means mapping out the real world of digital infrastructure and understanding which parts are for public intervention
www.policyalternatives.ca
January 6, 2026 at 12:37 AM
The idea that a country wants to have agency over its technology systems is understandable. But let’s take care not to confuse this desire with anything resembling progressive politics. My latest for @policyalternatives.ca
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by May Likes Product
tech companies using society as a staging server
January 4, 2026 at 4:48 PM
tech companies using society as a staging server
Reposted by May Likes Product
This one for the @chronicle.com was provocative; earned me a kind of nasty response, but I stand by it and the core argument I was making: expecting the old model of disciplinary associations to work in this new environment is a fool's errand. They weren't designed to be unions.
Opinion | The Irrelevance of the Disciplinary Association
Organizations like the American Historical Association and the Modern Language Association fail those who need them most.
www.chronicle.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:29 PM
This one for the @chronicle.com was provocative; earned me a kind of nasty response, but I stand by it and the core argument I was making: expecting the old model of disciplinary associations to work in this new environment is a fool's errand. They weren't designed to be unions.