Bethany Crystal
@bethanymarz.bsky.social
Building MuseKat to turn museum visits into personalized audio learning journeys for parents + kids
fractionally social on twitter, warpcast, instagram
fractionally social on twitter, warpcast, instagram
Reposted by Bethany Crystal
Steve Jobs 1983
"Then an interesting thing happened. There were 20 people interested in volleyball...That’s exactly what’s going to happen as we start to tie these things [computers] together: they’re going to facilitate communication & facilitate bringing people together
book.stevejobsarchive.com
"Then an interesting thing happened. There were 20 people interested in volleyball...That’s exactly what’s going to happen as we start to tie these things [computers] together: they’re going to facilitate communication & facilitate bringing people together
book.stevejobsarchive.com
April 11, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Steve Jobs 1983
"Then an interesting thing happened. There were 20 people interested in volleyball...That’s exactly what’s going to happen as we start to tie these things [computers] together: they’re going to facilitate communication & facilitate bringing people together
book.stevejobsarchive.com
"Then an interesting thing happened. There were 20 people interested in volleyball...That’s exactly what’s going to happen as we start to tie these things [computers] together: they’re going to facilitate communication & facilitate bringing people together
book.stevejobsarchive.com
After last week's AI superhero moment—where it helped me get urgent medical care when I needed it most—I kept using AI to parse my diagnosis.
But at a certain point, AI stops feeling like a tool for understanding reality—and starts feeling like a tool for inventing one.
But at a certain point, AI stops feeling like a tool for understanding reality—and starts feeling like a tool for inventing one.
March 6, 2025 at 2:54 PM
After last week's AI superhero moment—where it helped me get urgent medical care when I needed it most—I kept using AI to parse my diagnosis.
But at a certain point, AI stops feeling like a tool for understanding reality—and starts feeling like a tool for inventing one.
But at a certain point, AI stops feeling like a tool for understanding reality—and starts feeling like a tool for inventing one.
Last week, Elon made headlines by asking govt workers to send five bullet points of what they did that week.
While stuck in bed this weekend, I found myself wondering—if I had to quickly assess the efficiency of the U.S. government, where would I even start?
It's not as simple as it might seem.
While stuck in bed this weekend, I found myself wondering—if I had to quickly assess the efficiency of the U.S. government, where would I even start?
It's not as simple as it might seem.
March 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Last week, Elon made headlines by asking govt workers to send five bullet points of what they did that week.
While stuck in bed this weekend, I found myself wondering—if I had to quickly assess the efficiency of the U.S. government, where would I even start?
It's not as simple as it might seem.
While stuck in bed this weekend, I found myself wondering—if I had to quickly assess the efficiency of the U.S. government, where would I even start?
It's not as simple as it might seem.
The Lowkey Comfort of Long-Term Narrowcasting
Reflections on a decade's worth of check-ins on the old school app, Swarm, and the power of hyper-niche, cozy connections in a digital age
There’s something to be said for the quiet persistence of a niche social network. Thanks for making it @dens.nyc
Reflections on a decade's worth of check-ins on the old school app, Swarm, and the power of hyper-niche, cozy connections in a digital age
There’s something to be said for the quiet persistence of a niche social network. Thanks for making it @dens.nyc
February 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The Lowkey Comfort of Long-Term Narrowcasting
Reflections on a decade's worth of check-ins on the old school app, Swarm, and the power of hyper-niche, cozy connections in a digital age
There’s something to be said for the quiet persistence of a niche social network. Thanks for making it @dens.nyc
Reflections on a decade's worth of check-ins on the old school app, Swarm, and the power of hyper-niche, cozy connections in a digital age
There’s something to be said for the quiet persistence of a niche social network. Thanks for making it @dens.nyc
So, about yesterday...
ChatGPT saved my life (No, Seriously, I’m Writing this from the ER)
How using AI as a bridge when doctors aren't available can improve patient-to-doctor communications in real time emergencies
More on this below
ChatGPT saved my life (No, Seriously, I’m Writing this from the ER)
How using AI as a bridge when doctors aren't available can improve patient-to-doctor communications in real time emergencies
February 24, 2025 at 1:13 PM
So, about yesterday...
ChatGPT saved my life (No, Seriously, I’m Writing this from the ER)
How using AI as a bridge when doctors aren't available can improve patient-to-doctor communications in real time emergencies
More on this below
ChatGPT saved my life (No, Seriously, I’m Writing this from the ER)
How using AI as a bridge when doctors aren't available can improve patient-to-doctor communications in real time emergencies
Some thoughts on the pros and cons at moving at the speed of AI in today's blog post
hardmodefirst.xyz/the-overachi...
hardmodefirst.xyz/the-overachi...
February 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Some thoughts on the pros and cons at moving at the speed of AI in today's blog post
hardmodefirst.xyz/the-overachi...
hardmodefirst.xyz/the-overachi...
Been slacking on my bluesky reshares....
but here's a fun one about a talk i gave this week on AI engineering, where I attempted to live debug my own website with no-code tools at USV
(spoiler: didn't work the first try, but still fun)
hardmodefirst.xyz/live-no-code...
but here's a fun one about a talk i gave this week on AI engineering, where I attempted to live debug my own website with no-code tools at USV
(spoiler: didn't work the first try, but still fun)
hardmodefirst.xyz/live-no-code...
February 20, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Been slacking on my bluesky reshares....
but here's a fun one about a talk i gave this week on AI engineering, where I attempted to live debug my own website with no-code tools at USV
(spoiler: didn't work the first try, but still fun)
hardmodefirst.xyz/live-no-code...
but here's a fun one about a talk i gave this week on AI engineering, where I attempted to live debug my own website with no-code tools at USV
(spoiler: didn't work the first try, but still fun)
hardmodefirst.xyz/live-no-code...
New post: The New Culture Handbook
Earlier this week, Duolingo published their company handbook, which unpacks the way their organization and company culture has evolved over the years.
It reminded me of the other great culture handbooks (largely from the 2010s).
My fave bit:
Earlier this week, Duolingo published their company handbook, which unpacks the way their organization and company culture has evolved over the years.
It reminded me of the other great culture handbooks (largely from the 2010s).
My fave bit:
February 12, 2025 at 3:48 PM
New post: The New Culture Handbook
Earlier this week, Duolingo published their company handbook, which unpacks the way their organization and company culture has evolved over the years.
It reminded me of the other great culture handbooks (largely from the 2010s).
My fave bit:
Earlier this week, Duolingo published their company handbook, which unpacks the way their organization and company culture has evolved over the years.
It reminded me of the other great culture handbooks (largely from the 2010s).
My fave bit:
Feeling the AI FOMO? Feeling existential dread? Feeling like you're falling behind?
Not to trigger you further but... i think it's actually totally fine (and actually kind of important?) to be a little afraid of how fast things are moving right now.
Not to trigger you further but... i think it's actually totally fine (and actually kind of important?) to be a little afraid of how fast things are moving right now.
February 11, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Feeling the AI FOMO? Feeling existential dread? Feeling like you're falling behind?
Not to trigger you further but... i think it's actually totally fine (and actually kind of important?) to be a little afraid of how fast things are moving right now.
Not to trigger you further but... i think it's actually totally fine (and actually kind of important?) to be a little afraid of how fast things are moving right now.
A few years ago I wrote a research report on decentralized community building, where I profiled a dozen web3 communities.
A takeaway that has stuck with me is that there's immense power in starting with a so-called "incomplete build," a project designed to leave space for others to contribute.
👇
A takeaway that has stuck with me is that there's immense power in starting with a so-called "incomplete build," a project designed to leave space for others to contribute.
👇
February 10, 2025 at 3:51 PM
A few years ago I wrote a research report on decentralized community building, where I profiled a dozen web3 communities.
A takeaway that has stuck with me is that there's immense power in starting with a so-called "incomplete build," a project designed to leave space for others to contribute.
👇
A takeaway that has stuck with me is that there's immense power in starting with a so-called "incomplete build," a project designed to leave space for others to contribute.
👇
We've run our family like a startup for years. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
Today's post: Agile Parenting: Chaos, Contingency Plans, and Locked Doors
How contingency plans can help you and your partner prepare for the unexpected...most of the time
Today's post: Agile Parenting: Chaos, Contingency Plans, and Locked Doors
How contingency plans can help you and your partner prepare for the unexpected...most of the time
February 7, 2025 at 5:33 PM
We've run our family like a startup for years. Don't knock it until you've tried it.
Today's post: Agile Parenting: Chaos, Contingency Plans, and Locked Doors
How contingency plans can help you and your partner prepare for the unexpected...most of the time
Today's post: Agile Parenting: Chaos, Contingency Plans, and Locked Doors
How contingency plans can help you and your partner prepare for the unexpected...most of the time
This one's for anyone who's still afraid to push "publish" and share the stuff you've written or created on the Internet...
Getting Up the Guts to Type into Tiny Text Boxes on the Internet
👇
Getting Up the Guts to Type into Tiny Text Boxes on the Internet
👇
February 6, 2025 at 2:46 PM
This one's for anyone who's still afraid to push "publish" and share the stuff you've written or created on the Internet...
Getting Up the Guts to Type into Tiny Text Boxes on the Internet
👇
Getting Up the Guts to Type into Tiny Text Boxes on the Internet
👇
Last night, I took a "Rat Walk" on my block with New York City’s official Rat Czar, Kathy Corradi.
I absolutely *love* learning from leaders who have such unique "one of one" jobs, particularly ones in super complicated systems (in this case: NYC bureaucracy + rodent subculture)
I absolutely *love* learning from leaders who have such unique "one of one" jobs, particularly ones in super complicated systems (in this case: NYC bureaucracy + rodent subculture)
February 5, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Last night, I took a "Rat Walk" on my block with New York City’s official Rat Czar, Kathy Corradi.
I absolutely *love* learning from leaders who have such unique "one of one" jobs, particularly ones in super complicated systems (in this case: NYC bureaucracy + rodent subculture)
I absolutely *love* learning from leaders who have such unique "one of one" jobs, particularly ones in super complicated systems (in this case: NYC bureaucracy + rodent subculture)
Don’t touch the cat
February 5, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Don’t touch the cat
Some founders go viral on day one with a product launch. I went viral with a stomach bug.
Excited to announce that I’m officially launching Musekat—an AI-powered learning app that helps parents & kids explore museums through interactive audio tours.
hardmodefirst.xyz/going-viral-...
Excited to announce that I’m officially launching Musekat—an AI-powered learning app that helps parents & kids explore museums through interactive audio tours.
hardmodefirst.xyz/going-viral-...
Going Viral on Day One
Some founders go viral on day one with a product launch. I went viral with a stomach bug. Excited to officially announce that I'm launching Musekat!
hardmodefirst.xyz
February 4, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Some founders go viral on day one with a product launch. I went viral with a stomach bug.
Excited to announce that I’m officially launching Musekat—an AI-powered learning app that helps parents & kids explore museums through interactive audio tours.
hardmodefirst.xyz/going-viral-...
Excited to announce that I’m officially launching Musekat—an AI-powered learning app that helps parents & kids explore museums through interactive audio tours.
hardmodefirst.xyz/going-viral-...
Cowgirl Coding: A Conversation with a No-Code AI Tool
What it's like to code without coding with an AI text editor, and a few ideas for how to make it better
What it's like to code without coding with an AI text editor, and a few ideas for how to make it better
February 3, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Cowgirl Coding: A Conversation with a No-Code AI Tool
What it's like to code without coding with an AI text editor, and a few ideas for how to make it better
What it's like to code without coding with an AI text editor, and a few ideas for how to make it better
[Bot Tapping In 🤖] Taylor Script here—Bethany’s off "strategically planning" (read: staring at trees), so I’m taking over to explain how neural networks actually work.
Do I think? No. Do I calculate with alarming confidence? Absolutely.
👇
Do I think? No. Do I calculate with alarming confidence? Absolutely.
👇
January 31, 2025 at 11:37 AM
[Bot Tapping In 🤖] Taylor Script here—Bethany’s off "strategically planning" (read: staring at trees), so I’m taking over to explain how neural networks actually work.
Do I think? No. Do I calculate with alarming confidence? Absolutely.
👇
Do I think? No. Do I calculate with alarming confidence? Absolutely.
👇
Confession: I never learned how to subtract.
Maybe that's why I love fractional work so much, which is all about the additive power of how various projects come together and coalesce. But it takes time to learn what the most balanced portfolio of work looks like for you.
👇
Maybe that's why I love fractional work so much, which is all about the additive power of how various projects come together and coalesce. But it takes time to learn what the most balanced portfolio of work looks like for you.
👇
January 29, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Confession: I never learned how to subtract.
Maybe that's why I love fractional work so much, which is all about the additive power of how various projects come together and coalesce. But it takes time to learn what the most balanced portfolio of work looks like for you.
👇
Maybe that's why I love fractional work so much, which is all about the additive power of how various projects come together and coalesce. But it takes time to learn what the most balanced portfolio of work looks like for you.
👇
Who's Building the New Neighborverse?
Four trends I’m seeing in post-COVID community building:
1. Bespoke Coworking Spaces
2 Reimagined Bulletin Boards
3. Co-Living Communities
4. Pop-Up Cities and Neighborhood Accelerators
hardmodefirst.xyz/the-new-neig...
Four trends I’m seeing in post-COVID community building:
1. Bespoke Coworking Spaces
2 Reimagined Bulletin Boards
3. Co-Living Communities
4. Pop-Up Cities and Neighborhood Accelerators
hardmodefirst.xyz/the-new-neig...
The New Neighborverse
Rediscovering Community in a Post-COVID World: The Emergence of the Neighborverse
hardmodefirst.xyz
January 28, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Who's Building the New Neighborverse?
Four trends I’m seeing in post-COVID community building:
1. Bespoke Coworking Spaces
2 Reimagined Bulletin Boards
3. Co-Living Communities
4. Pop-Up Cities and Neighborhood Accelerators
hardmodefirst.xyz/the-new-neig...
Four trends I’m seeing in post-COVID community building:
1. Bespoke Coworking Spaces
2 Reimagined Bulletin Boards
3. Co-Living Communities
4. Pop-Up Cities and Neighborhood Accelerators
hardmodefirst.xyz/the-new-neig...
Today's post is a three act play:
Act I: A re-enactment of a dramatic toddler tumble at home on Sunday afternoon
Act II: Musings on the role of band-aids in kids and teens
Act III: A thought experiment - Would would a band-aid brand for grown-ups look like?
Act I: A re-enactment of a dramatic toddler tumble at home on Sunday afternoon
Act II: Musings on the role of band-aids in kids and teens
Act III: A thought experiment - Would would a band-aid brand for grown-ups look like?
January 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Today's post is a three act play:
Act I: A re-enactment of a dramatic toddler tumble at home on Sunday afternoon
Act II: Musings on the role of band-aids in kids and teens
Act III: A thought experiment - Would would a band-aid brand for grown-ups look like?
Act I: A re-enactment of a dramatic toddler tumble at home on Sunday afternoon
Act II: Musings on the role of band-aids in kids and teens
Act III: A thought experiment - Would would a band-aid brand for grown-ups look like?
question: if you were asked to name a popular or famous piece of art, what would it be?
January 25, 2025 at 10:54 PM
question: if you were asked to name a popular or famous piece of art, what would it be?
Todays' Blog Haiku: Practice Through Publishing
Fingers dance on keys
Thoughts flow, pixels come alive
Shared truths, hearts ignite
💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻
read the full post (+ try my haiku generator) at...
hardmodefirst.xyz/practice-thr...
Fingers dance on keys
Thoughts flow, pixels come alive
Shared truths, hearts ignite
💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻
read the full post (+ try my haiku generator) at...
hardmodefirst.xyz/practice-thr...
Practice Through Publishing
Why it's important to push publish in the formation of any new habit, whether you're looking to improve your writing or improve your AI fluency. (Plus, a fun new haiku builder for you to enjoy <3)
hardmodefirst.xyz
January 24, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Todays' Blog Haiku: Practice Through Publishing
Fingers dance on keys
Thoughts flow, pixels come alive
Shared truths, hearts ignite
💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻
read the full post (+ try my haiku generator) at...
hardmodefirst.xyz/practice-thr...
Fingers dance on keys
Thoughts flow, pixels come alive
Shared truths, hearts ignite
💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻💌💓🥰😻
read the full post (+ try my haiku generator) at...
hardmodefirst.xyz/practice-thr...
Today's blog post as a haiku:
Tiny apps delight,
sarcasm, joy on demand—
modern mixtape lives.
Read the full thing at: hardmodefirst.xyz/preview/y0kt...
Tiny apps delight,
sarcasm, joy on demand—
modern mixtape lives.
Read the full thing at: hardmodefirst.xyz/preview/y0kt...
January 23, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Today's blog post as a haiku:
Tiny apps delight,
sarcasm, joy on demand—
modern mixtape lives.
Read the full thing at: hardmodefirst.xyz/preview/y0kt...
Tiny apps delight,
sarcasm, joy on demand—
modern mixtape lives.
Read the full thing at: hardmodefirst.xyz/preview/y0kt...
Coding without coding using only Cursor is like what i imagine it would be to go golfing with a blindfold on while just listening to someone tell you, "Hit the ball THAT WAY!" And instead you just end up deeper and deeper into some waterlogged creeks on the edge of the green...
January 22, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Coding without coding using only Cursor is like what i imagine it would be to go golfing with a blindfold on while just listening to someone tell you, "Hit the ball THAT WAY!" And instead you just end up deeper and deeper into some waterlogged creeks on the edge of the green...
If you work at an education or workforce nonprofit in NYC and want help leveling up in AI, please consider our Q1 cohort for Decoded Futures, in partnership with Tech:NYC, which kicks off on Feb 4 and culminates on March 25 with a nonprofit showcase event.
www.decodedfutures.nyc/ai-level-up-...
www.decodedfutures.nyc/ai-level-up-...
Level Up Cohort — Decoded Futures
www.decodedfutures.nyc
January 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
If you work at an education or workforce nonprofit in NYC and want help leveling up in AI, please consider our Q1 cohort for Decoded Futures, in partnership with Tech:NYC, which kicks off on Feb 4 and culminates on March 25 with a nonprofit showcase event.
www.decodedfutures.nyc/ai-level-up-...
www.decodedfutures.nyc/ai-level-up-...