Ali Almossawi
@almossawi.bsky.social
📖 You've probably spotted me writing at a cafe in San Francisco. Author of Bad Arguments, Bad Choices (Penguin), Loaded Language, Pointless Work.
Next week's issue will be on the science behind wishful thinking.
November 19, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Next week's issue will be on the science behind wishful thinking.
I got into data visualization in 2011. I always wondered how great it would be if I could one day be on a website and somehow ask my browser to explain the data graphic I was looking at. #chatgptatlas
October 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I got into data visualization in 2011. I always wondered how great it would be if I could one day be on a website and somehow ask my browser to explain the data graphic I was looking at. #chatgptatlas
How people use ChatGPT, from the paper released earlier today: www.nber.org/system/files...
September 16, 2025 at 2:13 AM
How people use ChatGPT, from the paper released earlier today: www.nber.org/system/files...
Least delusional AI founder interviewed by Veo 3-generated interviewer.
June 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Least delusional AI founder interviewed by Veo 3-generated interviewer.
A couple of updates as I prepare to move Check Yo Shelf (the easy bookshelf scanner) from closed beta to soft launch.
June 21, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A couple of updates as I prepare to move Check Yo Shelf (the easy bookshelf scanner) from closed beta to soft launch.
Everyone on the waitlist should have received an invite by now. Reach out if you didn’t. #checkyoshelf
June 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Everyone on the waitlist should have received an invite by now. Reach out if you didn’t. #checkyoshelf
San Francisco’s tiny libraries:
checkyoshelf.com/explore/c/sa...
I wasn’t able to visit them all during that one weekend, so I’ll be going back to several spots over the summer when I have a bit more time.
#sanfrancisco #littlefreelibraries
checkyoshelf.com/explore/c/sa...
I wasn’t able to visit them all during that one weekend, so I’ll be going back to several spots over the summer when I have a bit more time.
#sanfrancisco #littlefreelibraries
June 5, 2025 at 3:42 PM
San Francisco’s tiny libraries:
checkyoshelf.com/explore/c/sa...
I wasn’t able to visit them all during that one weekend, so I’ll be going back to several spots over the summer when I have a bit more time.
#sanfrancisco #littlefreelibraries
checkyoshelf.com/explore/c/sa...
I wasn’t able to visit them all during that one weekend, so I’ll be going back to several spots over the summer when I have a bit more time.
#sanfrancisco #littlefreelibraries
My favorite little free library so far. Eight more to visit today. I’ve lived in San Francisco for 13 years, and there were neighborhood I’d never been to. Thanks for all the recommendations. ❤️📚
May 26, 2025 at 6:39 PM
My favorite little free library so far. Eight more to visit today. I’ve lived in San Francisco for 13 years, and there were neighborhood I’d never been to. Thanks for all the recommendations. ❤️📚
Added the option to quickly jump between your shelf, the editor, and covers.
May 26, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Added the option to quickly jump between your shelf, the editor, and covers.
Driving around San Francisco, making stops at all the little free libraries. Planning on getting to most of them over the long weekend. I ran into someone who asked what it was for. I said I was working on a website for them. Let me know if there are any you’d recommend.
May 25, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Driving around San Francisco, making stops at all the little free libraries. Planning on getting to most of them over the long weekend. I ran into someone who asked what it was for. I said I was working on a website for them. Let me know if there are any you’d recommend.
Nintendo store SF about to open.
May 15, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Nintendo store SF about to open.
Just added collections, so you can now share individual shelves or a bunch of them. #checkyoshelf
May 13, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Just added collections, so you can now share individual shelves or a bunch of them. #checkyoshelf
You'd be able to use it on the Little Free Libraries around town.
There are 50+ of these in San Francisco.
#checkyoshelf
There are 50+ of these in San Francisco.
#checkyoshelf
May 12, 2025 at 3:42 PM
You'd be able to use it on the Little Free Libraries around town.
There are 50+ of these in San Francisco.
#checkyoshelf
There are 50+ of these in San Francisco.
#checkyoshelf
Tomorrow’s issue is on nostalgia, and how it affects the decisions we make in life.
May 7, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Tomorrow’s issue is on nostalgia, and how it affects the decisions we make in life.
3. Lots of changes. Nintendo has had 12 logos since 1889. Most of its logos involved noticeable changes between every successive pair.
April 22, 2025 at 2:48 AM
3. Lots of changes. Nintendo has had 12 logos since 1889. Most of its logos involved noticeable changes between every successive pair.
2. Minimal tweaks. Sony has had six logos since 1955. It had one drastic change following its original one, with minimal changes since then.
April 22, 2025 at 2:48 AM
2. Minimal tweaks. Sony has had six logos since 1955. It had one drastic change following its original one, with minimal changes since then.
Apple's two logos since 1977 are nearly identical, with a perceptual difference of just 5%.*
I thought it would be fun to quantify corporate logo changes over time. From the ones I looked at, 3 patterns emerged.
1. Nearly no change. Apple has had two logos—with many variations—since 1977.
I thought it would be fun to quantify corporate logo changes over time. From the ones I looked at, 3 patterns emerged.
1. Nearly no change. Apple has had two logos—with many variations—since 1977.
April 22, 2025 at 2:48 AM
Apple's two logos since 1977 are nearly identical, with a perceptual difference of just 5%.*
I thought it would be fun to quantify corporate logo changes over time. From the ones I looked at, 3 patterns emerged.
1. Nearly no change. Apple has had two logos—with many variations—since 1977.
I thought it would be fun to quantify corporate logo changes over time. From the ones I looked at, 3 patterns emerged.
1. Nearly no change. Apple has had two logos—with many variations—since 1977.
November 22, 2024 at 11:45 PM