Phil Cohen
@philcohen.bsky.social
Tech writer and recruiter of tech writers, BAs, IDs and others in Australia
Pinned
Phil Cohen
@philcohen.bsky.social
· Nov 16
Writer’s block? As a professional (technical) writer for 40 years I can recommend coffee and fear. Both have worked for me in the past.
Another way to think about AI: LLMs didn't invent anything, they just uncovered a structure that was already there, in human language. When you ask an AI a question, it's not really the AI that answers, it's *the language itself*.
October 29, 2025 at 10:58 PM
Another way to think about AI: LLMs didn't invent anything, they just uncovered a structure that was already there, in human language. When you ask an AI a question, it's not really the AI that answers, it's *the language itself*.
AI winter #2 is coming
October 27, 2025 at 6:46 AM
AI winter #2 is coming
Hey if the US changed its mind about kings, the UK has a slightly worn royal it could offer
October 21, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Hey if the US changed its mind about kings, the UK has a slightly worn royal it could offer
Here's one possible AI future: AI capability remains stuck pretty much where it is today, and everyone realises that they're still smarter than a computer and feel pretty good about that.
October 16, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Here's one possible AI future: AI capability remains stuck pretty much where it is today, and everyone realises that they're still smarter than a computer and feel pretty good about that.
Helter skelter
I was born in the UK in 1956 and saw the long slide from the Empire to Brexit, and I can’t help thinking the US is at the very top of that same roller coaster ride
October 1, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Helter skelter
A suggestion for when the US writes a new constitution to replace the current blown one: look at the idea of elected government 'ministers' for each department, rather than a government CEO. And don't make the mistake of Australia: don't allow the PM to take on ministries at will.
September 22, 2025 at 5:34 AM
A suggestion for when the US writes a new constitution to replace the current blown one: look at the idea of elected government 'ministers' for each department, rather than a government CEO. And don't make the mistake of Australia: don't allow the PM to take on ministries at will.
Writing is like thinking, it takes time but you can’t explain why
May 28, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Writing is like thinking, it takes time but you can’t explain why
Never use #PowerPoint to help you decide what to say
May 28, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Never use #PowerPoint to help you decide what to say
You can’t improve a process that’s not repeatable; Only documented processes are really repeatable
May 26, 2025 at 12:16 AM
You can’t improve a process that’s not repeatable; Only documented processes are really repeatable
Sometimes the person who has their hand on the tiller doesn’t move for long periods; doesn’t mean they’re not steering
May 22, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Sometimes the person who has their hand on the tiller doesn’t move for long periods; doesn’t mean they’re not steering
Never hire without at least two reference checks
May 22, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Never hire without at least two reference checks
You don’t win bids by impressing the customer, but by addressing their issues
May 21, 2025 at 1:03 AM
You don’t win bids by impressing the customer, but by addressing their issues
Good writers know when to stop
May 20, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Good writers know when to stop
#Innovative #organisations make constant changes, but so do desperate ones
May 18, 2025 at 11:18 PM
#Innovative #organisations make constant changes, but so do desperate ones
Grammar is important, but not that that important
May 16, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Grammar is important, but not that that important
Don’t make bid evaluators do unnecessary work: if something is required two places in a bid document, put it in twice
May 15, 2025 at 12:24 AM
Don’t make bid evaluators do unnecessary work: if something is required two places in a bid document, put it in twice
Technical writers read and listen for a living
May 14, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Technical writers read and listen for a living
If my call is important to you, then blooming answer it
May 12, 2025 at 10:35 PM
If my call is important to you, then blooming answer it
If using professional bid writers can win you 10% more bids, what’s that worth? www.hci.com.au/bid-writer/
Bid writer
www.hci.com.au
May 11, 2025 at 11:20 PM
If using professional bid writers can win you 10% more bids, what’s that worth? www.hci.com.au/bid-writer/
You know you’re getting old when you’re the same age as the Pope
May 8, 2025 at 8:48 PM
You know you’re getting old when you’re the same age as the Pope
A manager is a) a manager b) a parent c) a manager
May 7, 2025 at 11:50 PM
A manager is a) a manager b) a parent c) a manager
If it’s boring to write, it’s going to be boring to read
May 7, 2025 at 2:30 AM
If it’s boring to write, it’s going to be boring to read
If your engineers can write proposals, then we have some proposal writers who can do your engineering
May 5, 2025 at 11:16 PM
If your engineers can write proposals, then we have some proposal writers who can do your engineering
When you interview for a job, remember you’re buying as well as selling
May 4, 2025 at 11:48 PM
When you interview for a job, remember you’re buying as well as selling