Alan Henry
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halophoenix.bsky.social
Alan Henry
@halophoenix.bsky.social
3.5K followers 460 following 2.2K posts
Author: Seen, Heard, & Paid: https://amzn.to/4dXOAHv
Now: Managing Editor, @pcmag.com

Then: WIRED, NYT, Lifehacker. Forever: Yours. Recovering physicist. Always: Black. He/Him. 🎨: @mavisdeluna.art

https://www.alan-henry.net | https://www.novawerks.net
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halophoenix.bsky.social
Hey hi there was some fuckass shit on the TL today about AI hype so let me take a sec to re-up what I wrote about where that hype is actually coming from:

buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...
Here’s the thing about AI, AI boosterism, and why the people with billions of dollars are putting those billions of dollars and their entire industries into it: They all want to be part of the next big thing. But it’s not that simple: it’s not “the next big thing” the way you or I usually think about it. They’re thinking on the level of “the next internet,” as in “the next tool that’s ubiquitous, global, and indispensable to workers everywhere.” Here’s what I mean: When you think about the current information ecosystem, most players are trying to compete in it (see: Microsoft) or maintain a lead if they have one (see: Google). If you're really farsighted, you think about things to bolt onto the existing ecosystem that no one else has done or that you can optimize in a way that makes you indispensable (see: Salesforce). But the real money is at a higher altitude. If you want to truly transform the current media and information ecosystem, you have to acknowledge its current, messy, polluted state. A state that’s packed with misinformation, too many uncontrolled voices, and revenue that’s spread out in too many directions for the tastes of the biggest companies looking to keep their revenue numbers going up and to the right. So you need something to drop into it that won't just compete, but transform the entire ecosystem into something that also subsumes the current one, and ideally in a way that you can control and monetize.
February 11, 2026 at 6:50 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
hmm
an OBS element, hidden, named "moist.png"
February 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Anyway, I've been thinking about AI boosterism and where it really comes from, so the next newsletter will be about that, and some excellent Black History Month reads.

Sub here to get it for free: buttondown.com/alanhenry
Or support my Patreon for early access: www.patreon.com/halophoenix
Banner image for my newsletter. It reads "Productivity, without Privilege" in block text over a blue and brown background. In smaller text below reads "by Alan Henry."
February 4, 2026 at 1:17 AM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Chill vibes this Sunday afternoon - join me for some Enshrouded (or don't, whatever, it's not like I care. stupid.)

twitch.tv/halo_phoenix
One of my Twitchy emotes, showing my character in his hoodie laughing with his mouth wide open, happily.
February 1, 2026 at 9:01 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Was super bummed to read this news, opened the article, and welp.

Private equity strikes again.
Text reads: "Since 2021, Native Instruments has been majority-owned by private equity firm Francisco Partners. Since then, the company has also acquired music brands including iZotope, Brainworx and Plugin Alliance."
January 28, 2026 at 11:15 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
A panel from Junji Ito's horror manga, The Enigma of Amigara Fault. The panel shows a bespectacled man clamoring into a man-shaped hole in a cliffside as he says, "This is my hole! It was made for me!"
January 21, 2026 at 11:17 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
ICYMI: This went out on Friday!

In this edition, I'm going back to an old school Lifehacker tip - keeping a "Done" list, and why it's a great tool to keep momentum on the things you want to do, AND to stay accountable to yourself.

Read the whole thing here: buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...
Yes, part of this is a reminder to slow down and savor your wins, because let’s be honest: we all can use both a) to slow down a little and b) to celebrate our successes, both large and small. But it’s also an opportunity to look at the progress you’re making toward your goals, not as a straight line from here to your destination, but as a growing mountain of blood, sweat, and tears you put into doing the things you’ve always wanted to do. And that’s what this is really about. Keeping yourself accountable and on the right track. I’ve been making a lot of positive changes in my life lately, but keeping myself accountable and leveraging my momentum are the things that help me, for example, work out, cook instead of ordering takeout, or save money so I can ensure the rent is paid. And sometimes, accountability and discipline aren’t just about forcing yourself to go without, but about reminding yourself of how much you actually do and how much you’ve achieved.
January 19, 2026 at 7:37 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
First newsletter of the year incoming: Some simple tips to stay accountable this year but also celebrate your wins (because we all need some joy right now.)

Up NOW for Patreon subs: patreon.com/halophoenix
Out free for everyone on Friday: buttondown.email/alanhenry
Banner image for my newsletter. It reads "Productivity, without Privilege" in block text over a blue and brown background. In smaller text below reads "by Alan Henry."
January 14, 2026 at 5:25 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
ICYMI, my holiday newsletter went out a little while ago, but seeing as it's Xmas Eve and all, I wanted to share the highlights. Celebrate yourself. You're worth it, and so am I.

Read the whole thing here: buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...
This has been a hard year, especially for our friends and family in marginalized communities. We can’t sit here at the end of 2025 and pretend that we’re in any kind of better place than we were this time last year, where we were mostly hoping that maybe things wouldn’t be as bad as they turned out to be. But the one thing that persists, and one thing that I still believe, is that there are a lot of very good people out there doing very good things for the people who need them, and those people deserve our attention, our appreciation, and our energy. Additionally, make sure to make some time this holiday season to look out for yourself, too. This time of year usually has us scrambling to meet our usual obligations, as well as fulfilling the holiday obligations we have for others or because we think we should. That’s fine, but make sure some of that energy is directed to you and your needs. I said this back in 2021. I’ll say it again: You are more than the sum of your parts. You are more than your output, more than the things you create, more than the things other people need you for or demand of you. You are more, and you deserve more.
December 24, 2025 at 7:59 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
I don't know who needs to hear this but we're doin it again ~

twitch.tv/halo_phoenix
a closeup of my Padoru version, featuring just his eyes, red cheeks, and the top of his open mouthed smile. He is devious.
December 21, 2025 at 8:40 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
This little fucker is a rogue US military asset and a danger to public safety. NORAD has deployed Reaper drones armed with ***** missiles to sweep at the first sight of him. If you spot him your orders are to RUN.

Anyway I'm live come say hi:
twitch.tv/halo_phoenix
A padoru version of me, wearing a bright red Christmas gown with a mistletoe bowtie and a Santa hat. He's smiling with an open mouth and carrying a huge white sack presumably full of presents. Or mischief. Maybe both.
December 21, 2025 at 2:11 AM
halophoenix.bsky.social
It's been up for a while but a mutual shared theirs so now I want to. Last year I didn't get to have a tree, but this year I put one up. I try to get a new ornament every year to celebrate the season.

This year's is symbolic of course, and also a reminder of who tf I am.
A closeup of my Christmas tree, with a round painted ceramic ornament prominently shown. The ornament features a rising Phoenix, clad in feathers red, gold, and blue. It's beautiful.
December 20, 2025 at 4:59 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
The last Productivity, Without Privilege of the year is going out this week, full of well wishes and reflections. Give it a read, and as always, thanks for your support.

Live NOW for Patreon subs:
www.patreon.com/halophoenix
All subs get it on Friday:
buttondown.email/alanhenry
Banner image for my newsletter. It reads "Productivity, without Privilege" in block text over a blue and brown background. In smaller text below reads "by Alan Henry."
December 17, 2025 at 3:07 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Stole this from the other site a while back, but it always makes me giggle.

Comic is by IG artist teas.and.seas:
www.instagram.com/p/CRvdy_vJazn/
An egyptian presents their heart to Anubis in the first of two vertical panels. The text at the top reads "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart," In the bottom panel, the text reads "But the very next day, you gave it a weigh..." while Anubis looks thoughtfully at the heart on a scale, balanced against a feather, with the heart slightly heavier. The egyptian is sweating, with a worried expression on their face while they glance down at a smiling Ammit who is now smiling and peeking up from the bottom left of the frame.
December 8, 2025 at 11:31 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
When you're mean to me on the internet this is who you're being mean to
A kestrel, with its eyes completely dilated and its beak partially open, making a somewhat surprised face, likely about to start screaming at any moment. It's adorable.
December 8, 2025 at 3:08 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Before we call it on Giving Tuesday, if you still have a few bucks in your pocket, consider subbing to my Patreon!

You get some nice perks, and I try to post at least once a week to make sure you get good bang for your buck. Head here:
patreon.com/halophoenix
A screenshot of my patreon tiers, reading: Luna (with a photo of the moon) $1/month The Luna tier is for anyone and everyone! Subscribing here gives you access to Patreon-only posts, stream and other content-related polls, and first peek at new art or assets I have commissioned! Thank you! * Behind-the-scenes polls and art * Patreon-only polls Terra $5/month This tier is for folks who have a little more scratch to spare, and want to go further in making sure I keep myself fed and watered. You get access to almost everything here: early access to my newsletter, Productivity, Without Privilege, as well as uploaded VODs from prior Twitch streams, and the vast majority of all paid posts. Thank you! * Early access to newsletters * Behind-the-scenes polls and art * Exclusive Twitch VODs Sol $10/month This tier is just for those willing to go above and beyond, and support not just my streaming activities, but also my writing as well. This tier gets everything that Luna gets - and early access to new writing or video projects, as well as future perks I introduce in the future! And of course, my eternal thanks. * Early access to newsletters * Behind-the-scenes polls and art * Exclusive Twitch VODs * Patreon-only polls * Early access to future perks
December 3, 2025 at 12:17 AM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Look out I'm being sincere on the TL again:

I'm thankful for you this year. Yeah, if you're reading this, I mean you. If you've clicked a link I've shared, subscribed to my newsletter, replied to or liked one of my posts, whatever.

Thank you for making my days more interesting and less lonely.
Gold text on a black background, in the style of Dark Souls/Elden Ring reads "THANKS GIVEN".
November 28, 2025 at 2:38 AM
halophoenix.bsky.social
It's newsletter time! Inspired by layoffs, mergers, and the Vanity Fair ~thing~, we're talking about leaders who protect versus those who marginalize, and how to identify them.

Patreon subs get it tomorrow morning:
www.patreon.com/halophoenix
All subs get it on Friday:
buttondown.email/alanhenry
Banner image for my newsletter. It reads "Productivity, without Privilege" in block text over a blue and brown background. In smaller text below reads "by Alan Henry."
November 25, 2025 at 4:50 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Apropos of nothing every single day prestige journalism finds a new way to disappoint me
Craig (left) and Kit (right) from the TV show Craig of the Creek, staring and frowning at something off screen. I use this image to communicate "staring with disapproval in Black."
November 19, 2025 at 8:52 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Born to be a shitposting gremlin loudmouth

Forced to be a laid back, thoughtful, vibes for days, warm and playful guy

Follow and we can hang out sometime?
twitch.tv/halo_phoenix

(both of these by my friend @nightfawn.bsky.social, who has a vgen: vgen.co/nightfawn)
A gremlin version of my own OC, with stick arms and legs and a jagged little mouth. His headphones are around his neck and he looks kinda angy. A dreamy version of my personal OC, and the current PNG I use for streaming. I'm looking at the viewer with a dreamy vibe, resting my head on my right hand with my headphones around my neck.
November 12, 2025 at 4:34 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
I mentioned this on stream, but the Big Backlog Bracket is finally real, and this is what it looks like! God help me.

(I had to break it up into two brackets because there were too many for one, but not enough for two full ones...)
The primary backlog bracket, which is a whopping 128 games pitted against each other in single elimination. Forgive the lack of a detailed list of games, but the point here is that the tournament is simply HUGE. The secondary backlog bracket, which is 64 games in single elimination, but I only had about 48, so there are a few "N/A" spots. Forgive the lack of a detailed list of games, but the point here is that the tournament is still MASSIVE, even on a smaller scale.
November 10, 2025 at 3:16 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
I'm live with Balatro and yapping, because I wanted to stream and have no plan for it whatsoever. Come say hi, or don't, I'm not your dad.

twitch.tv/halo_phoenix
my "dead" emote from my Twitch channel - featuring my OC version of myself with his soul leaving his body, very disconcertedly.
November 9, 2025 at 9:41 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Happy Birthday VIVI! I said it in stream, but thanks for so many years of good times, and thanks for being an incredible inspiration.

And thanks for this meme which I still use to this day and when people are like "who is she" I get to tell them all about you!
A screenshot of Vividly Vivi smiling on a white background with a chat bubble next to her that simply says "Jesus Christ."
October 27, 2025 at 8:05 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
Hahaha anyone know a tool that can build a tournament bracket for... [checks notes] ....oh. oh no. This many entries? It's an even number, it should work, right?
A closeup screenshot of the number column my game backlog spreadsheet, showing there are 168 entries in it.
October 22, 2025 at 2:38 PM
halophoenix.bsky.social
ICYMI, in my newsletter last Friday, I talked about media literacy, which...well this weekend proved we need more of it, huh?

Read on for a primer on what media literacy really is, and why it's important to apply even to reputable sources:
buttondown.com/alanhenry/ar...
Obviously, we don’t want to live in a world where misinformation and disinformation flow freely while fact-checked, credible journalism lives behind paywalls and is paid for by affiliate sales (spoiler alert: we already do), but it’s important to remember that any media organization of any type, from a cable news network to a globally-distributed newspaper, is made up of humans. And all of those humans have their own biases, their own interpretations of the world around them, and their own backgrounds that inform their work. On top of that, even an individual story could be touched by several people, each one leaving their own ideological fingerprints on it, whether they’re doing so for an ideological purpose or to obscure potential ideological interpretation. Remember, media literacy isn’t just “ah hah, I see that this publication/story wants me to think X,” it’s also “this publication is using passive voice to describe the victims of violence…why?” We all know to treat claims without evidence as problematic, as well as publications that publish claims without evidence (right?) but we also need to pay close attention to, for example, publications that always seem to talk to the same sources over and over, discuss topics or whole communities without giving them representation or space in those discussions, or reporters who only call the same “experts” to talk about problems well outside of their areas of expertise.
October 20, 2025 at 4:15 PM